How to Test Low-Noise Amplifiers
Testing low-noise amplifiers with a vector network analyzer
Testing low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) with modulated signals for 5G New Radio (NR) standards compliance requires noise figure and linearity measurements using wideband modulated, calibrated signals. A single test bed, including a vector network analyzer (VNA), vector signal generator (VSG), and multiple instrument software applications, enables a broad range of measurements, including noise figure, adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR), and residual error vector magnitude (EVM) while simplifying test setup.
The VSG supplies the required modulated signal. The VNA provides the necessary level of measurement precision by applying vector-error correction and advanced calibration methods. VNA software applications enable noise figure measurements using the cold source method, as well as adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) and low residual error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements without changing the configuration of the test setup.
Low-noise amplifier test solution
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Explore products in the LNA test solution
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![N5182B MXG X-Series RF Vector Signal Generator, 9 kHz to 6 GHz]()
N5182B MXG X-Series RF Vector Signal Generator, 9 kHz to 6 GHz
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E5081A ENA-X Vector Network Analyzer
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![S960707B Modulation Distortion for E5081A up to 44 GHz]()
S960707B Modulation Distortion for E5081A up to 44 GHz
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![S96029B Noise Figure Measurements with Vector Correction]()
S96029B Noise Figure Measurements with Vector Correction
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