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- details and overview of the different types of electronic and radio frequency, RF, noise
that can be experienced in RF and electronic circuits.
RF noise basics
RF noise measurement
Nature of noise
Although there are many different types of noise, there are many aspects of noise that are
common across all types along with the various forms of description.
Noise by its very definition is random. It extends in various forms across the frequency
spectrum, although not always in the same amplitude. Accordingly there are different
categories of noise according to the frequency distribution:
1) White noise: White noise is the type of noise that affects all frequencies equally. It
Its power density falls with increasing frequency. It gains its name because red light is at
the lower end of the light spectrum.
3) Band limited noise: Noise can have its frequency band limited either by filters or the
circuit through which it passes.
"ya sea"
Signal noise
Amplitude based forms of noise tend to have more effect on amplitude based systems
whereas noise from phase jitter tends to affect phase modulated systems more.
additional carriers through physical impact. The current generated by this is not even as it
is determined by high energy electrons hitting the crystal lattice to generate more hole
electron pairs. As a result it is a very noisy process.Read more . . .
Electronic noise or RF noise can take many forms. It is of particular importance within RF
applications because it can cause disruption to many systems. However it is also of interest
in many other areas such as audio and other areas where signals are processed, it is even
important in digital systems where noise can cause data to be corrupted.
As different types of noise affect systems in different ways, it is necessary to adopt
different tactics to reduce their effects wherever possible.
Noise specifications
There are many ways of specifying noise in electronic circuits. The way it is specified
depends upon the application.
One of the first ways in which noise was specified was related to radio receivers. Here
noise specifications relate to the receiver sensitivity and include specifications including
signal to noise ratio, noise figure and the like.
The main limiting factor on receiver sensitivity is noise. Accordingly receiver sensitivity
specifications revolve around noise specifications. The chief receiver specifications are
signal to noise ratio, SINAD and noise figure. Each looks at the receiver performance with
respect to noise.
Click for more information on Receiver sensitivity.
For many other applications, the noise spectral density is used. This is a measure of the
noise power within a certain bandwidth. Noise power density has the dimension of power /
frequency.
Noise in 1 Hz bandwidth
Typically the specification is specified in dBm and within a 1 Hz bandwidth, i.e. dBm / Hz.
Interestingly the thermal noise in a 50 system at room temperature is -174 dBm / Hz.
It is then easy to relate this to other bandwidths:
Bandwidth
(f) Hz
-174
10
-164
100
-154
1k
-144
10k
-134
5Mhz
Meter method: It is possible to utilise a simple meter and other elements to measure
noise levels. The concept of noise measurement system can be explained by looking at
what is required.
The noise measurement system shows a typical measurement circuit. Noise generated by the unit
under test is amplified to a suitable level - the gain of the amplifier must be known.
The meter used should have an averaging capability, because the noise level is random and will
vary. While most digital meters have an averaging capability, analogue meters inherently average
any changes.
Spectrum analyser: Most modern spectrum analysers have built in capabilities for
measuring noise levels. The analyser settings should be selected to ensure that the
optimum conditions are set. These will depend to a large degree on the analyser used.
Filter shape: As the spectrum analyser filter shape is not completely square and needs a
finite band to change from its pass-band to its stop-band, this shape needs to be
accommodated when calculating the noise in a given bandwidth.
Fortunately this is a simple calculation for modern analysers that can give readings of
noise power in a given bandwidth - this is often normalised to dBm / Hz.
Spectrum analyser noise performance: The noise performance of the spectrum analyser Note
must be better than the noise to be measured. If not, the reading will be that of the
spectrum analyser.