Keysight launches phase-noise test system for ‘power users’

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Keysight Technologies, Inc. has released a new phase-noise measurement system for “power users” to help them optimize and prove the performance of new designs. The N5511A Phase Noise Test System (PNTS) is aimed at phase-noise experts that develop high-performance aerospace and defense applications as well as device characterization for 5G and other wireless communication systems who need to validate the phase-noise performance of their designs.

The PNTS models are available in three frequency ranges: from 50 kHz and up to 3 GHz, 26.5 GHz, or 40 GHz with offsets from .01 Hz to 160 MHz internally. The tester offers single- or dual-channel configurations. The flexible architecture of the tester allows for easy integration of external reference sources, enabling users to select from commercially available low-noise sources.

The PNTS also features a phase-detector (quadrature) technique to maximize dynamic range and cross-spectral averaging (cross-correlation) to measure noise down to the kT (−177 dBm/Hz) thermal-noise floor by removing uncorrelated noise between two channels and enabling users to see the real performance of their device under test.

Key benefits include:

• Solving specific challenges in phase noise by removing uncorrelated reference noise, system noise, and any additional uncorrelated noise from signal-conditioning devices such as attenuators and amplifiers
• Generating faster measurements using hardware acceleration with fast Fourier transform (FFT) and cross-correlation in a FPGA rather than software on a CPU
• Simplifying setup of residual measurements using the phase-noise measurement interface (PNMI) accessory
• Upgrading from single channel to dual channel (for cross-correlation) and integrating other PXI modules for new functionality

The N5511A, consisting of phase-detector and data-conversion modules housed in a custom, low-noise single PXIe mainframe four units (4U) high, occupies minimal rack space, said Keysight. The system software runs on an integrated PC controller using the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.

Available now, the N5511A phase-noise test system is priced at $135,000. Keysight will demonstrate the N5511A at IMS 2019, June 4−6, 2019 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Stand 606.