Using a shared local oscillator to make low-noise vector measurements
US9188617B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R23/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Measurements, e.g. S-parameter measurements may be performed by obtaining a complex ratio of at least two signals, using a single signal-receiver while eliminating noise problems traditionally associated with single receiver systems. A Vector Signal Generator (VSG) may be used to generate the input stimulus (signal), making it possible to share the local oscillator (LO) signal of the VSG with a single vector receiver, such that the phase noise of the LO signal is common to both the VSG and the vector receiver. When the stimulus signal from the VSG is observed with the vector receiver, the LO phase noise is unobservable, resulting in a significant reduction of the phase noise in the measured signals in both the numerator and the denominator, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in the phase noise of the ratio while retaining the benefits of a simple, single receiver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.