Noise Parameter Measurements — Assessing Accuracy

Noise parameters are useful for designing low-noise circuits, but measurement accuracy is important for design success. Noise parameter measurements typically use a system with an impedance tuner, a network analyzer, and a noise receiver. The system will require s-parameter calibration and measurement, system calibration of the tuner and interconnections, and a noise calibration of the noise receiver. This presentation will discuss factors that affect accuracy of noise parameter measurements, pitfalls to avoid, and approaches to verify accuracy. Some recent innovations that mitigate residual errors will also be presented.