Fundamentals of Electrical Noise

by Kurt Stern
Jan 2004
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White Noise
In 1928 Johnson and Nyquist ID the Problem Nyquists Theorem P = KTB P = Noise Band power in Watts T = Temp Degree Kelvin (T) K = Boltzmans Constant 1.38X10 B = Bandwidth (Hertz)
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Excess Noise Ratio in dB

ENR=10Log((T/290)-1) T in Kelvin is the temperature of a resistor

Noise Generating Devices

Noise Equivalency Reference Chart

Applications of Noise Technology

Measure Noise Figure Gain and Bandwidth Parameters Susceptibility to External Interference Jamming System Self Test

Noise Measurements
The Radiometer Noise Standards Calibration of Noise Standards Errors in Noise Measurements

Basic Switching Radiometer

Simplified Automate Radiometer

NIST Automated Radiometer

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NBS Switching Radiometer

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Commercial Switching Radiometer

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Commercial Switching Radiometer

(Specifications for the PRD 915-B Attenuation Calibrator)

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Noise Figure Measurements

Y Factor Twice Power Measurements Automatic Measurements Noise Figure to Temperature

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Y Factor

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Twice Power NF Measurement

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Noise Figure vs. Noise Temperature Conversion Chart

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ENR Measurement VSWR Error

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Noise Source UUT VSWR Error

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Automatic Noise Figure Meter

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Noise Figure Equivalence Chart

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Applications by Industry

Military Electronics Manufacturing Communications

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Noise Standards
Characteristics - Flat Power Spectrum - High Degree of Stability 3 Classes - Noise Diodes - Gas-Discharge Tubes - Thermal Noise Sources

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Generation of Noise

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Thermal Noise Calculation

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Avalanche Noise Region

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Vacuum Diode Noise Source

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High Temperature Noise Standard

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Low Temperature Noise Standard

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Low Temperature Thermal Conductivity

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Error Flow Diagram

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DUT Noise Temperature Errors

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USA-England Intercomparison

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USA-Sweden Intercomparison

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Noise Amplification
Bandwidth Power Crest Factor

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Crest Factor (CF)

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Gaussian Noise Distribution

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Amplifier Bandwidth & Power

Noise Power = Unit noise power X bandwidth Consequently for some designs wider bandwidths may require a higher compression point amplifier

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Communications Systems Testing

White Noise Testing Bit Error Rate vs. Noise

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White Noise Testing

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White Noise Test Equipment

Noise Generator

Noise Receiver

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ATM Noise Sources (Z Model)

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ATM Noise Source (Y Model)

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Thank You

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