Optimization of a local oscillator to achieve minimum impairment of the receiver by phase noise

A comprehensive theory was developed during the recent years describing the noise processes in an oscillating system. Our intention is to connect this theory of noise in the oscillator circuit with the concept of phase noise which is usually used in communications engineering. Here, the noise characteristics of a local oscillator have a major impact on the performance of nearly every receiver. It is shown that an appropriately weighted combination of both the tangential and the orbital deviation of the system has to be considered.