Verifying 6G sub-THz designs using noise figure measurements
Early 6G research requires exploring the D-band (110 to 170 GHz) for prototyping and system performance validation. The noise figure of a device under test (DUT) is a crucial RF parameter to measure and characterize the performance of 6G systems. Engineers need a signal analyzer to measure the noise power twice, corresponding to the noise source On and Off while the system downconverter local oscillator (LO) sweeps over the D-band frequency range. The software will automatically control and perform the operation.
The measurement system should have a low noise figure for high accuracy. Test engineers need a signal analyzer to provide self-contained, self-controlled measurements with a noise source and system downconverter. A simple two-step procedure using calibration and measurement can make noise figure measurements. After completing the calibration, test engineers can measure the D-band noise figure on the DUT, which produces noise figure results and enables a quick evaluation of the DUT’s performance.
6G D-band noise figure measurement solution
Measuring and characterizing the performance of the sub-THz 6G systems requires conducting noise figure measurements. The Keysight noise figure measurement solution for D-band frequencies consists of a Keysight X-Series signal analyzer with noise figure measurement application software, a Virginia Diodes (VDI) downconverter and noise source, and a Keysight signal generator as a LO. The noise source provides broadband noise to the DUT input with precalibrated excess noise ratio values. The system downconverter converts the input D-band frequency from the DUT output to a fixed intermediate frequency (IF). The signal analyzer with the noise figure measurement application uses the Y-factor method to calculate the noise figure of the DUT.
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