An advanced ultra-sensitive detector for the measurement of AM and PM noise in microwave components

The phase and amplitude noise in many microwave components has yet to be understood. This is because conventional measurement systems are not sensitive enough. We have been able to measure the phase and amplitude noise in components such isolators, power limiters and voltage controlled phase shifters and attenuators. This was possible due to the advent of the ultra-sensitive Ivanvov-Tobar-Woode (ITW) measurement system. For example, the phase noise in an isolator is shown to be flicker of phase noise with a level of -184 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz offset. The noise floor of the measuring system was also flicker of phase below 1 kHz, and flat at a level of -193 dBc/Hz above 1 kHz