WR-10 Band Noise Measurement
Abstract
A WR-10 band (75 to 110 GHz) noise measurement system was developed to evaluate a solid state noise source in this band. The system was characterized with a gas discharge tube that provided a stable output Excess Noise Ratio (ENR) of 14.2 dB + 0.5 dB throughout the band. To ensure the accuracy of the system characterization, the results were correlated with the results of noise temperature measurements, obtained from a load maintained at ambient and liquid nitrogen temperatures. The principles of noise measurement, method and limitations of each technique, and results of receiver characterization are discussed. The results of the receiver characterization are applied to the evaluation of solid-state noise sources. The resulting double sideband (DSB) ENR of the noise sources are presented and discussed. The accuracy of this DSB evaluation was compared to a single sideband (SSB) measurement using the "Three Point Measurement" method. Two WR-10 band noise sources were evaluated with the noise measurement system developed at NRL. The device performance was specified as an ENR of 15 dB + 1 dB and full waveguide coverage. The actual performance results indicate that ENR values in excess of 15 dB are available, but the devices lacked a flat output over the band.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 21, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA255526
Entities
People
- J. A. Molnar
- J. J. O'neill
- T. V. Mai
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory