Single-Sideband Phase Noise (Manual Performance Test)&endash; ESG AP and DP Only (Manual Performance Test)

This manual test verifies that the signal generator's single-sideband phase noise meets specifications.

During this test, a phase noise system is used to measure the single-sideband phase noise of the signal generator. An Agilent 8665B or PSG signal generator (reference source) is used to produce reference frequencies for 500 MHz, 1 GHz, 2 GHz, 3 GHz, and 4 GHz. The phase noise is measured at 20 kHz offsets and compared to specifications.

Instrument

Critical Specifications for This Test

Recommended Model(s)

Phase Noise System

Input: APC 3.5 (m)

Agilent E5502B Option 001
Phase Noise System

Reference Source

Output: Type-N (f),
APC 3.5 (m), 2.4 mm (m)

Agilent 8665B with Option 004 or
E82XXA/C/D Options UNJ, UNX, or UNR, and 1EA signal generator

Cable

APC 3.5 (m) to (m)

Agilent 8120-4921
APC 3.5 (m) to (m) cable

Cable

Type-N (m) to (m)

Agilent 11500C
Type-N (m) to (m)

Cable

BNC (m) to (m)

Agilent 8120-1840 BNC (m) to (m) cable
or Agilent 10503A BNC (m) to (m) cable

Adapter

BNC Tee (m) (f) (f)

Agilent E9625A
BNC Tee (m) (f) (f) adapter

Adapter

2.4 mm (f) to APC 3.5 (m)

Agilent 11901D
2.4 mm (f) to APC 3.5 (m) adapter

Adapter

APC 3.5 (f) to (f)

Agilent 1250-1749
APC 3.5 (f) to (f) adapter

 

Connections and Setup Procedures for a
500 MHz Single-Sideband Phase Noise Measurement

 

All test equipment requires a 30 minute warm-up period to ensure accurate performance.

In the following test setup, cables are designated as solid lines and a connection choice is designated as dashed lines.

 

Setup with a carrier frequency of 500 MHz

  1. Connect all test equipment as shown.

  2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.

  3. Preset all test equipment and the signal generator.

  4. Connect the 8665B/E82XXX RF output to the 70420A 50 kHz to 1600 MHz reference input.

  5. Connect the 70420A Tune Voltage Output to the 8665B FM input or the E82XXX Ext 1 input.

 

Table 1: ESG-B Carrier Test Frequencies and Power

Frequency (MHz)

DUT Power (dBm)

Reference Power (dBm)

500

14

12

1000

14

12

2000

10

5

3000

10

5

4000

10

5

 

  1. In the Agilent E5502B Option 001 Phase Noise System user interface, change the following parameters:

    1. Select the View pull down menu.

    2. Select Display Preferences and clear the Spurs box.

    3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

    4. From the System pull down menu, select Server Hardware Connections.

    5. Ensure the correct FFT Analyzer is selected, either the 11 PCI20428W-1 or the 89410A.

    6. Connect the signal generator's RF OUTPUT to the 70420A signal input.

    7. From the Define pull down menu, select Measurement, and set the following:

Parameter

Setting

 

 

Type and Range Tab

 

Measurement Type

Absolute phase noise

Start Offset Frequency

1 Hz

Stop Offset Frequency

1 MHz

FFT Averages

4

FFT Quality

Normal

Swept Quality

Normal

 

 

Sources Tab

 

Carrier Source Connected

Test Set

Carrier Source Frequency

See Table 1.

Carrier Source Power

See Table 1.

Detector Input Frequency

See Table 1.

Reference Source Power

See Table 1.

VCO Tune Constant

10,000 Hz/Volt

VCO Tune Range

5 volts

VCO Input Resistance

50 ohms for PSG, 600 ohms for 8665B

 

 

Cal Tab

 

Measure Phase Detector Constant

Checkmark

Measure VCO Tune Constant

Checkmark

Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression

Blank

Phase Lock Loop Suppression

Use theoretical value.

 

 

Block Diagram Tab

 

Carrier Source

Manual

Down Converter

None

Reference Source

E82XXA/C/D with Option UNJ or UNR or UNX or 8665B with Option 004

Phase Detector Mode

Automatic

Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

Reference Source

VCO Tune Mode

DCFM

 

 

Test Set Tab

 

Input Attenuation

0 dB

LNA Low Pass Filter

Auto

LNA Gain

Auto

PLL Integrator Attenuation

0 dB

 

 

Downconverter Tab

 

Input Attenuation

Auto

IF Gain

Auto

Microwave/Millimeter Band

Microwave (0 &endash; 26.5 GHz)

Reference Chain Reference

10 MHz

External Tune Enable

Blank

 

 

Graph Tab

 

Title

User specific

Graph Type

Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)

X Scale minimum

1 Hz

X Scale maximum

1E+6

Y Scale maximum

0

Y Scale minimum

–170

Normalize Trace Data

1 Hz bandwidth

 

Making the Measurement

 

  1. Set the signal generator frequency to the first carrier frequency and power in Table 1.

  2. Set the RF Output to on.

  3. Perform a phase noise measurement.

  4. From the Measure pull down menu, select New Measurement.

  5. Place a marker at 20 kHz offset.

  6. Compare the marker amplitude value to the following specifications:

 

Offset from Carrier (dBc/Hz)

Carrier Frequency

20 kHz

500 MHz

<–134

1 GHz

<–130

2 GHz

<–123

3 GHz

<–120

4 GHz

<–118

 

  1. Print out a phase noise plot.

  2. Set the signal generator frequency to the next carrier frequency and power in Table 1.

  3. In the Agilent E5502B Option 001 Phase Noise System user interface make the following changes:

 

Sources Tab

 

Carrier Source Frequency

See Table 1.

Carrier Source Power

See Table 1.

Detector Input Frequency

See Table 1.

Reference Source Power

See Table 1.

 

If the next frequency is greater than 1 GHz, connect the Reference Source RF Output to the 70420A 1.2 GHz to 26.5 GHz RF Input.

  1. Repeat steps 2 through 9 for the remaining frequencies in Table 1.

 

In Case of Difficulty

  1. Check the equipment setup (see above). If the setup is incorrect, make the necessary corrections and rerun the Performance Test.

  2. If this test fails with the equipment setup properly, refer to the troubleshooting section of the signal generator's service guide. If you do not have a printed copy of the service guide (Option OBW), one is available either on the CD-ROM that came with your signal generator shipment, or on the Agilent Website.

  1. If you cannot correct the problem using the troubleshooting procedures in the Service Guide,.refer to Contacting Agilent Technologies for service.