Measurement of RF signal generator phase noise using a one-generator delay-line method

A technique is described which utilizes a single generator and a delay line for the measurement of frequency-domain phase noise (£<(f)) in synthesized signal generators. Terms are defined and equations developed for theory and calculations of normalized phase-noise sideband power in a 1-Hz bandwidth offset 20 kHz from signal frequencies of interest. The system described covers the range from 0.45 to 2000 MHz. The function and contribution of each component in the measurement system is presented. Advantages of this method are discussed and a brief error analysis is given.