The Impact of Microprocessor Technology on Receiver/Amplifier Noise Measurement

Until recently, receiver noise parameters (noise figure, effective input noise temperature, operating noise temperature) have been measured using classically analog instruments. Certain characteristics of these instruments require the user to do some "off-line" manipulation of the data in order to obtain an accurate, fully corrected result. These calculations involve. corrections for image response, second-stage noise, and reference (cold) temperature; noise generator excess noise ratio variations with frequency; loss compensation; and, conversion to other noise parameters. Since one facet of a microprocessor is data manipulation, it lends itself to "on-line" calculation and potential time savings when applied to noise parameter instrumentation.