Cold-source measurements for noise figure calculation in spectrum analyzers

A detailed analysis of the suitability of cold source based noise figure measurements in a spectrum analyzer is given in this paper. This technique presents some advantages in comparison to classical Y-factor techniques when dealing with problems related to device input match. A fully corrected noise figure calculation procedure, complemented with vector corrections and receiver noise calibration, is analyzed. For that, a noise calibration of the spectrum analyzer receiver, based upon analytical calculation, is given.