User`s guide
Table Of Contents
- Title Page
- Contents
- Getting Started
- Introduction and Measurement
- Phase Noise Basics
- Expanding Your Measurement Experience
- Starting the Measurement Software
- Using the Asset Manager
- Using the Server Hardware Connections to Specify the Source
- Setting GPIB Addresses
- Testing the 8663A Internal/External 10 MHz
- Testing the 8644B Internal/External 10 MHz
- Viewing Markers
- Omitting Spurs
- Displaying the Parameter Summary
- Exporting Measurement Results
- Absolute Measurement Fundamentals
- Absolute Measurement Examples
- Residual Measurement Fundamentals
- What is Residual Noise?
- Assumptions about Residual Phase Noise Measurements
- Calibrating the Measurement
- Measurement Difficulties
- Residual Measurement Examples
- FM Discriminator Fundamentals
- FM Discriminator Measurement Examples
- AM Noise Measurement Fundamentals
- AM Noise Measurement Examples
- Baseband Noise Measurement Examples
- Evaluating Your Measurement Results
- Advanced Software Features
- Reference Graphs and Tables
- Approximate System Noise Floor vs. R Port Signal Level
- Phase Noise Floor and Region of Validity
- Phase Noise Level of Various Agilent Sources
- Increase in Measured Noise as Ref Source Approaches DUT Noise
- Approximate Sensitivity of Delay Line Discriminator
- AM Calibration
- Voltage Controlled Source Tuning Requirements
- Tune Range of VCO for Center Voltage
- Peak Tuning Range Required by Noise Level
- Phase Lock Loop Bandwidth vs. Peak Tuning Range
- Noise Floor Limits Due to Peak Tuning Range
- Tuning Characteristics of Various VCO Source Options
- 8643A Frequency Limits
- 8644B Frequency Limits
- 8664A Frequency Limits
- 8665A Frequency Limits
- 8665B Frequency Limits
- System Specifications
- System Interconnections
- PC Components Installation
- Overview
- Step 1: Uninstall the current version of Agilent Technologies IO libraries
- Step 2: Uninstall all National Instruments products.
- Step 3: Install the National Instruments VXI software.
- Step 4: Install the National Instruments VISA runtime.
- Step 5: Install software for the NI Data Acquisition Software.
- Step 6: Hardware Installation
- Step 7. Finalize National Instruments Software Installation.
- Step 8: System Interconnections
- Step 9: Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package use default settings
- Step 10: Install the Agilent I/O Libraries
- Step 11: Install the E5500 Phase Noise Measurement software.
- Step 12: Asset Configuration
- Step 13: License Key for the Phase Noise Test Set
- Overview
- PC Digitizer Performance Verification
- Preventive Maintenance
- Service, Support, and Safety Information
- Safety and Regulatory Information
- Safety summary
- Equipment Installation
- Environmental conditions
- Before applying power
- Ground the instrument or system
- Fuses and Circuit Breakers
- Maintenance
- Safety symbols and instrument markings
- Regulatory Compliance
- Declaration of Conformity
- Compliance with German noise requirements
- Compliance with Canadian EMC requirements
- Service and Support
- Return Procedure
- Safety and Regulatory Information

Absolute Measurement Fundamentals
5
Agilent E5505A User’s Guide 123
An amplifier
If a source is not able to provide a sufficient output level, or if additional
isolation is needed at the output, it may be necessary to insert a low
phase-noise RF amplifier at the output of the source.
Note, however, that the noise of the inserted amplifier is also summed into the
measured noise level along with the noise of the source.
The Agilent N5507A Option K22 dual RF amplifier was designed specifically
for this purpose. This instrument is the preferred solution for tests requiring
an external amplifier.
Use the following equation to estimate what the measurement noise floor is as
a result of the added noise of an inserted amplifier: Figure 80 shows an
example.
L(f) out = –174 dB + Amplifier Noise Figure – Power into Amplifier – 3dB
Figure 80 Measurement noise floor as a result of an added attenuator
Noise figure = 7.5 dB
Amplifier
P
IN = +7 dBm
L( f ) = -174 dBm + 7.5dB - (+7 dBm) - 3 dB
L( f ) = -176.5 dBc/Hz