N4001A - Agilent / Hewlett-Packard

Agilent

N4000A, N4001A, N4002A

SNS Series Noise Sources

10 MHz to 26.5 GHz

Product Overview

Advances in Noise Figure Accuracy

N4000A

Used for low noise figure devices

or devices sensitive to mismatch

in the 10 MHz to 18 GHz range

N4001A

Used for general purpose measurements

in the 10 MHz to 18 GHz range

N4002A

Used for measurements in the

10 MHz to 26.5 GHz range

The Agilent SNS Series of noise sources work in conjunction with

the Agilent NFA Series of noise figure analyzers and ESA E-Series

spectrum analyzers with noise figure personality. To simplify

measurement set-up and improve accuracy these noise sources

automatically download electronically stored calibration data to the

compatible Agilent noise figure measuring analyzers. The noise

sources also have the capability to automatically measure their own

temperature so that compensation can be applied to the calibration

data. These capabilities increase the overall reliability and accuracy

of noise figure measurements.

SNS Series key features and benefits

• Automatic download of ENR data to the analyzer speeds overall

setup time

• Electronic storage of Excess Noise Ratio (ENR) calibration data

decreases the opportunity for user error.

• Temperature sensing improves measurement accuracy, leading to

tighter specification of device performance.

The N4000A and N4001A, which cover the 10 MHz to 18 GHz

frequency range, come with an APC 3.5 (m) connector as standard,

and offer the option of a Type-N (m) connector.

The N4002A, which covers the frequency range 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz,

has an APC 3.5 (m) connector as standard.

Noise sources designed to

meet specific needs

Automatically downloaded ENR data table in

the NFA Series of noise figure analyzers and

ESA E-Series spectrum analyzers with noise

figure capability

N4000A for low noise

figure or mismatch

sensitive devices

up to 18 GHz

N4001A for general

purpose measurements

from 10 MHz to 18 GHz

N4002A for measurements

up to 26.5 GHz

The N4000A is designed to accurately measure devices with low

noise figure, or devices whose gain is especially sensitive to small

changes in source impedance. This includes most GaAs FET’s. The

N4000A maintains the same impedance whether turned on or off. By

maintaining the same impedance at the input to the device under

test (DUT) gain changes are reduced. These gain changes can often

masquerade as DUT noise and cause noise figure measurement

errors.

The ENR of this noise source is nominally 6 dB from 10 MHz to 18

GHz. DUTs with noise figures up to 20 dB can be accurately and

reliably measured with this device. The N4000A noise source has a

choice of connectors, with an APC 3.5 (m) as standard.

The N4001A noise source is ideal for general purpose use with a low

reflection coefficient and a nominal ENR of 15 dB from 10 MHz to

18 GHz. DUT’s with noise figures up to 30 dB can be measured

accurately and reliably with this device. The N4001A has a selection

of connectors, with an APC 3.5 (m) as standard.

The N4002A noise source was designed to measure DUT noise figures

reliably and accurately up to 30 dB from 10 MHz up to 26.5 GHz

accurately and reliably. This noise source comes with an APC 3.5

connector as standard.

The output of a noise source, usually given in terms of Excess Noise

Ratio (ENR), must be known in order to make accurate noise figure

measurements. Any uncertainty in the ENR transfers into

uncertainty of the measured noise figure, dB for dB. Agilent provides

accurate ENR calibration data with each noise source. ENR

uncertainty and reflection coefficients at each frequency point are

provided as well.

The following is an example of calibration data for an N4001A

noise source:

# ENR Data File

# Created by N8975A NFA Series Noise Figure Analyzer

# Serial Number GB40390000 Firmware Revision A.01.01

# 13:37:07 Mar 28, 2001

# Format is: Frequency (Hz), ENR (dB), ENR Unc (dB), # On Refl.Mag (lin), On Refl.Phase (deg),

# Off Refl.Mag (lin), Off Refl.Phase (deg) , # On Refl.Mag Unc (lin), On Refl.Phase Unc (deg),

# Off Refl.Mag Unc (lin), Off Refl.Phase Unc (deg)

[Filetype ENR]

[Version 1.1]

[Serialnumber US41240152]

[Model N4001A]

[Option 001]

[Caldate 20000727]

[Calduedate 20010727]

[Placeofcal EPSGQ]

[Trackingnum 10]

[Temperature 296.5K]

[Humidity 65%]

[Current 36272]

10000000, 15.281, 0.193, 0.0450, -136.0, 0.0450, -136.0, 0.0030, -6.0, 0.0070, +6.0,

100000000, 15.291, 0.190, 0.0358, +168.0, 0.0358, +168.0, 0.0040, +4.6, 0.0050, -4.6,

1000000000, 15.118, 0.151, 0.0398, +39.6, 0.0398, +39.6, 0.0100, +4.5, 0.0067, +1.5,

2000000000, 14.999, 0.168, 0.0377, 0.168, 0.0377, -85.7, 0.0056, +0.9, 0.0086, +1.9,

3000000000, 14.879, 0.172, 0.0267, +150.6, 0.0267, +150.6, 0.0080, -9.2, 0.0090, -1.2,

4000000000, 14.795, 0.173, 0.0130, -18.1, 0.0130, -18.1, 0.0013, +16.0, 0.0063, +10.0,

5000000000, 14.818, 0.179, 0.0359, +169.5, 0.0359, +169.5, 0.0024, -9.3, 0.0035, -0.3,

6000000000, 14.846, 0.181, 0.0556, +63.7, 0.0556, +63.7, 0.0041, +10.3, 0.0067, -4.3,

7000000000, 14.895, 0.180, 0.0430, -37.0, 0.0430, -27.0, 0.0079, -2.3, 0.0049, -2.3,

8000000000, 15.016, 0.198, 0.0232, -160.3, 0.0232, -160.3, 0.0091, -3.8, 0.0053, -1.8,

9000000000, 15.134, 0.201, 0.0122, +71.4, 0.0122, +71.4, 0.0037, +17.3, 0.0057, +7.3,

10000000000, 15.253, 0.194, 0.0080, +116.2, 0.0080, +116.2, 0.0048, -1.4, 0.0056, -5.4,

11000000000, 15.249, 0.243, 0.0241, +65.7, 0.0241, +65.7, 0.0059, +1.5, 0.0049, +44.5,

12000000000, 15.349, 0.240, 0.0196, +8.8, 0.0196, +8.8, 0.0057, +3.2, 0.0077, +2.2,

13000000000, 15.383, 0.188, 0.0217, -5.4, 0.0217, -5.4, 0.0062, -6.9, 0.0045, -1.9,

14000000000, 15.355, 0.178, 0.0228, -66.6, 0.0228, -66.6, 0.0075, +11.2, 0.0065, +1.2,

15000000000, 15.367, 0.187, 0.0141, +141.6, 0.0141, +141.6, 0.0036, -3.2, 0.0029, -1.2,

16000000000, 15.421, 0.182, 0.0251, +6.4, 0.0251, +6.4, 0.0030, +7.2, 0.0042, -1.2,

17000000000, 15.418, 0.174, 0.0242, -100.5, 0.0242, -100.5, 0.0048, -2.7, 0.0050, +9.7,

18000000000, 15.464, 0.179, 0.0183, +124.4, 0.0183, +124.4, 0.0098, -1.1, 0.0100, +9.1,

Accurate noise power

The importance of

noise source reflection

coefficient

Two aspects of noise source reflection coefficient are important to

note:

• A non-zero reflection coefficient contributes to re-reflections

between the DUT and the source. The reflections cause

uncertainty in the noise power emerging from the source. The

measured noise figure, furthermore, refers to the actual noise

source impedance rather than the desired 50Ωvalue. The low

reflection coefficient of Agilent SNS Series noise sources can keep

this uncertainty under 0.1 dB.

• The change in reflection coefficient between On and Off can

cause DUT Gain variations which, in turn, can cause noise figure

measurement errors. This problem is effectively eliminated by the

N4000A, whose complex reflection coefficient change is specified

to be less than 0.01.

Choosing between the

N4000A and the N4001A

The key difference between the N4000A and the N4001A noise

sources is the nominal 6 dB ENR of the N4000A whereas the N4001A

has a nominal 15 dB ENR.

Consider the 6 dB ENR noise source when

• The DUT is especially sensitive to source impedance changes

at its input

• There is a need to measure very low noise figures

• The noise figure does not exceed 20 dB

The N40001A is well suited to general-purpose measurements up to

18 GHz, whereas the N4000A is better suited to making measure-

ments on lower noise devices or devices which are sensitive to

changes in input impedance. The N4000A contains additional

internal attenuation, which provides greater isolation at its output.

It is less affected by the ON/OFF condition that is the output

impedance of the N4001A. There is a benefit of using a N4000A

rather than a N40001A with an added attenuator. The extra atten-

uaton in the N4000A is included in its calibration and is fully

traceable.

SNS Series noise source

specifications

Supplemental

characteristics

Specifications

The specifications are performance standards or limits against which

the noise source may be tested. These specifications for the noise

source are ONLY valid if the analyzer has been allowed to meet its

specified warm up time of 60 minutes. Specifications are valid at

ambient temperature 23°Celsius only (296 K).

Instrument model Frequency range ENR range

N4000A 10 MHz to 18 GHz 4.5 - 6.5 dB

N4001A 10 MHz to 18 GHz 14 - 16 dB

N4002A 10 MHz to 12 GHz 12 - 16 dB

12 MHz to 26.5 GHz 14 - 17 dB

Figure 1. Characteristic SWR at 23°C

Instrument Frequency Max standing Reflection

model range (GHz) wave ratio (SWR) coefficient (Rho) (p)

N4000A 0.01 - 1.5 < 1.04:1 0.02

1.5 - 3.0 < 1.04:1 0.02

3.0 - 7.0 < 1.13:1 0.06

7.0 - 18.0 < 1.22:1 0.10

N4001A 0.01 - 1.5 < 1.15:1 0.07

1.5 - 3.0 < 1.15:1 0.07

3.0 - 7.0 < 1.20:1 0.09

7.0 - 18.0 < 1.25:1 0.11

N4002A 0.01 - 1.5 < 1.22:1 0.10

1.5 - 3.0 < 1.22:1 0.10

3.0 - 7.0 < 1.22:1 0.10

7.0 - 18.0 < 1.25:1 0.11

18.0 - 26.5 < 1.35:1 0.15

Maximum change in complex reflection coefficient between noise

source ON and OFF states: 0.01

Supplemental characteristics are not specifications but are typical

characteristics included as additional information for the user.

ENR variation with temperature: < 0.01 dB/°C for 30 MHz to 26.5

GHz

Range: 0 to 55°C

Resolution: 0.25°C

Accuracy: ±1° at 25°C

±2° over 0°C to 55°C

Temperature sensing

accuracy

ENR values are given at cardinal frequency points over the frequency

range of each noise source. These values are stored within the noise

sources internal EEPROM and documented in the calibration report.

The uncertainty analysis for the calibration of the noise sources is in

accordance with the ISO/TAG4 guide. The uncertainty data reported

on the calibration report is the expanded uncertainty (U(Y)) with

95% confidence level and a coverage factor of 2. This uncertainty

analysis is valid for APC 3.5mm and Type-N (option 001) connector

types.

ENR uncertainty

Instrument model Frequency (GHz) (± dB)1

N4000A 0.01 - 1.5 0.16

1.5 - 3.0 0.15

3.0 - 7.0 0.15

7.0 - 18.0 0.16

N4001A 0.01 - 1.5 0.14

1.5 - 3.0 0.13

3.0 - 7.0 0.13

7.0 - 18.0 0.16

N4002A 0.01 - 1.5 0.15

1.5 - 3.0 0.13

3.0 - 7.0 0.13

7.0 - 18.0 0.15

18.0 - 26.5 0.22

1. Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90% confidence.

A significant proportion of the expanded uncertainty (U(Y)) is based

on the uncertainties provided by the National Standards Institutes.

Agilent therefore reserve the right to change the overall expanded

uncertainties based on changes in uncertainty values within the

National Standards Institutes.

Uncertainties are valid at ambient temperature 23°C ±1°C (296K) only.

A typical characteristic plot of ENR (U(Y)) versus each cardinal

frequency point is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Characteristic ENR plot versus cardinal frequency points

Characteristic ENR (U(Y))

specification

Connector care for the

APC-3.5 (m) connector

The APC-3.5 (m) connector is designed for instrumentation

applications requiring long life, low reflection coefficient, and good

mating capabilities with SMA connectors.

The APC-3.5 (m) can achieve a life expectancy of over 1000

connections if precautions as listed below are taken:

1. Use a torque wrench set to the recommended torque.

2. Tighten the nut only, to prevent the connectors rotating with

respect to each other. Friction causes rapid wear of the conducting

surfaces.

3. Clean connectors after every 10 connections.

4. Mate with APC-3.5 connectors in good condition.

Casual use of the connector can reduce the life expectancy of

APC-3.5 (m) connectors to fewer than 200 connections. Below is a

list of several actions that may also reduce the life expectancy of the

APC-3.5 (m).

1. Estimating the torque with an ordinary wrench.

2. Twisting the noise source body (accidentally or otherwise) during

final tightening or when loosening.

3. Frequent mating with worn-out SMA connectors. This can be a

problem with frequently used accessories.

The APC-3.5 (m) connector used on the SNS Series of noise sources

has an extra-large nut to make it easier to tighten without applying

torque to the noise source body. A 20 mm torque wrench is also

available from Agilent for this application. Please contact your local

Agilent representative for ordering information.

Agilent 20mm torque wrench 8710-1764

Ordering information Products

N4000A SNS Series noise source, 10 MHz to 18 GHz, nominal ENR 6 dB

N4001A SNS Series noise source, 10 MHz to 18 GHz, nominal ENR 15 dB

N4002A SNS Series noise source, 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz, nominal ENR 15 dB

All of these noise sources are provided with an APC 3.5 (m)

connector as standard

Options

The following option is available with the N4000A and the N4001A:

Connector

N400xA-001 Type-N (m) connector

Service options

Warranty and service

For 3 years, order 36 months of R-51B. For 5 years, order 60 months.

Standard warranty is 12 months.

R-51B Return to Agilent warranty and service plan

Calibration1

For 3 years, order 36 months of the appropriate calibration plan shown

below. For 5 years, specify 60 months.

R-50C-001 Standard calibration plan

R-50C-002 Standard compliant calibration plan

Recommended accessories

The new SNS Series of noise sources requires a compatible cable and

adaptor to enable their use. The cables are supplied with both the NFA

Series noise figure analyzer and the ESA E-Series spectrum analyzers

with noise figure measurement personality. These cables are also

available as separate items.

11730A: 5-foot (1.5 m) power sensor and SNS noise source cable

(supplied with NFA)

11730B: 10-foot (3.0m) power sensor and SNS noise source cable

11730C: 20-foot (6.1m) power sensor and SNS noise source cable

A good quality adaptor must be used to connect the SNS Series noise

source to the input of the NFA Series noise figure analyzer. Agilent

provides a suitable connector upon purchasing an NFA. These adaptors

are also available separately.

83059B precision 35 mm coaxial adaptor

Agilent recommends a torque wrench for use with the large sized

(20 mm) APC 3.5 (m) connector nut found on the Agilent SNS Series

noise sources. Agilent also recommends a torque wrench for use with

the 5/16” connector on the female to female adaptor when used in

conjunction with the NFA Series noise figure analyzers or ESA-E Series

spectrum analyzers with the noise figure option.

8710-1764: 20 mm torque wrench

8710-1765: 5/16” torque wrench

The SNS Series of noise sources is designed specifically for use with the

Agilent NFA Series of noise figure analyzers, and is now also compatible

with the ESA-E Series noise figure measurement personality. The NFA

Series is recognized as the industry standard for making noise figure

measurements.

The NFA Series of noise figure analyzers increases speed and

accuracy, and offers improved usability. When used in conjunction

with the new SNS Series, the NFA Series delivers increased

measurement accuracy and convenience to the operator.

Agilent instruments are backed up with a full spectrum of literature

and support offerings. A detailed listing follows.

NFA Series - Noise Figure Analyzers - Brochure,

Literature number 5980-0166E

NFA Series - Noise Figure Analyzers - Configuration guide,

Literature number 5980-0163E

NFA Series - Noise Figure Analyzers - NFA Series - Data Sheet

Literature number 5980-0164E

NFA Series - Noise Figure Analyzer - Programming Examples,

Literature number 5968-9498E

ESA - E Series Spectrum Analyzer Noise Figure Measurements

Personality, Literature number 5989-0215EN

Fundamentals of RF and Microwave Noise Figure Measurements,

Application Note 57-1, Literature number 5952-8255

Noise Figure Measurement Accuracy, Application Note 57-2,

Literature number 5968-4545E

10 Hints for Making Successful Noise Figure Measurements,

Application Note 57-3, Literature number 5980-0288E

Key web resources

For the latest information on Agilent noise figure solutions,

visit our web page at:

www.agilent.com/find/nf

For the latest news on the component test industry,

visit our web page at:

www.agilent.com/find/component_test

Noise Figure Literature

from Agilent

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of Microsoft Corp.

Windows®and MS Windows®are U.S.

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

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Printed in USA March 19, 2004

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