Noise

Project Goals

Noise Figure Radiometer

Develop methods for very accurate measurements of thermal noise; provide support for such measurements in the communications and electronics industries, as well as for other government agencies.

Background

Noise is a crucial consideration in designing or assessing the performance of virtually any electronic device or system that involves detection or processing of a signal. This includes communications systems, such as cellular phones and home entertainment systems, as well as systems with internal signal detection and processing, such as guidance and tracking systems or electronic test equipment. The global market for microwave and millimeter-wave devices in these areas is already huge and is undergoing explosive growth. Important trends that must be addressed include the utilization of higher frequencies, the growing importance of low-noise amplifiers, the demand for and lack of repeatable, traceable on-wafer noise measurement techniques, and the perpetual quest for faster, less expensive measurements. The two most important noise-related technical parameters requested by industry are the noise temperature of a one-port source and the noise figure of an amplifier.

Tasks

Provide measurement services for noise temperature at 30 MHz and 60 MHz and from 1 GHz to 65 GHz for coaxial (30 & 60 MHz, 1 – 40 GHz) and waveguide (8.2 – 65 GHz) noise sources
Develop measurement methods and capability for noise-parameter measurements of amplifiers and transistors
Improve methods for calibration and validation of microwave radiometers for remote sensing from satellite or airplane; compile standard terminology for that field

Publications
Presentations