EE 647: Microwave Measurement and

Design Lab
Experiment No-4
Familiarization with Noise Figure Meter and Noise
Figure Analyzer

Department of Electrical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Name: Mithun Kushwaha Date of Experiment: 12/08/25

Roll No.-251040069 Date of Submission: 21/08/25
Group no.-8
 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Experiment Name: Familiarization with Noise Figure (NF) Meter and Noise Figure
Analyzer

Objective:
1. To understand the principle and operation of a Noise Figure (NF) Meter/Analyzer.
2. To measure the Noise Figure (NF) of different devices: amplifier, attenuator, and mixer.
3. To measure the Noise Figure and insertion gain of a mixer.

Theory
For communications and high-frequency systems, noise performance is vital to signal quality and
transmission reliability. Noise, or random unwanted signal variation, can significantly lower
sensitivity and efficiency of devices such as amplifiers, mixers, and attenuators. As a measure to
quantify and analyze this effect, the noise figure (NF) is an important parameter. The noise figure
measures to what degree a component degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as the signal passes
through, and is usually expressed in decibels (dB). Lower noise figure is desirable, as it indicates
that the device introduces relatively little extra noise to the system.

In this experiment, we would like to familiarize ourselves with the operation of a Noise Figure
Analyzer (Agilent N8973A) and a Noise Source (Agilent N4000A). The NF analyzer is a precision
instrument utilized to measure the noise figure and gain of the under-test devices (DUTs) such as
amplifiers, mixers, and attenuators. The noise source provides a controlled and stable noise input,
essential for accurate calibration and measurement. The process is performed using the calibration
of the NF

significance of this experiment is its practical use: the measurement of noise figure is important in
the design of RF and microwave communication systems, radar systems, and sensitive
measurement devices. we learn to optimize system performance for actual use in engineering
through the measurement and interpretation of NF and gain.

 Noise in Systems: All electronic devices introduce unwanted random fluctuations called
noise. This reduces the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).
 Noise Figure (NF): a parameter that quantifies how much a device, typically an amplifier
or receiver, degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal passing through it
( )
 𝐹= , 𝑁𝐹(𝑑𝐵) = 10log (𝐹).
( )
 Friis’ Formula (for cascaded networks):
𝐹 −1 𝐹 −1
𝐹 =𝐹 + + +⋯
𝐺 𝐺 𝐺
This shows that the first stage (like a Low Noise Amplifier) dominates the overall NF of the
system.

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Equipment
 NFA Series Noise Figure Analyzer Of model no: N8973A with frequency range 10MHz –
3GHz
 Noise Source (with ENR calibration data).
 Amplifier, Attenuator, and Mixer (DUTs).
 Local Oscillator (for mixer testing).
 RF Cables and Connectors.

Fig1: Amplifier
Fig2: Mixer

Fig3: Noise Source Fig4 : Noise Figure Analyzer (Agilent

N8973A

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Fig6: Attenuator
Fig5: Signal generator

Procedures
1. Calibration of NF Meter
Connect Noise Source directly to NF meter.
o Perform calibration using ENR table of noise source.
2. Measurement of Amplifier
o Connect Noise Source → Amplifier → NF meter.
o Measure Gain and NF.
3. Measurement of Attenuator
o Connect Noise Source → Attenuator → NF meter.
o Measure insertion loss and NF (should equal attenuation in dB).
4. Cascaded the Devices
o Connect Amplifier + Attenuator in cascade and viceversa
o Measure NF of system.

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Photograph of setup of DUTs

Fig7: Setup for amplifier

Fig8: Setup for amplifier

Fig9: Setup for Amplifier and

attenuator cascaded Fig10 Setup for Attenuator and amplifier
cascaded

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

TABLE AND CALCULATIONS :

Frequency (MHz) Noise Figure dB Gain dB

30 9.784 29.538
37 7.258 29.589
44 6.899 29.612
51 6.791 29.527
58 6.881 29.414
65 6.803 29.369
72 6.770 29.342
79 6.885 29.290
86 7.178 29.052
93 7.493 29.383
100 6.948 29.383

Table 1 Measurement data of Amplifier

Frequency Noise Gain dB Frequency Noise Gain dB

(MHz) Figure dB (MHz) Figure
30 6.986 -6.362 dB
37 9.157 -6.132 30 6.795 23.581
44 6.919 -6.282 37 6.783 23.630
51 6.655 -6.179 44 6.775 23.598
58 8.201 -6.224 51 6.841 23.443
58 6.820 23.398
65 6.465 -6.262
65 6.790 23.509
72 7.991 -6.425
72 6.826 23.490
79 7.439 -6.333
79 6.833 23.442
86 7.860 -6.715 86 6.901 23.303
93 7.154 -6.458 93 6.882 23.401
100 8.059 -6.817 100 6.961 23.360

Table 2 Measurement data of Attenuator Table 3 Measurement data of IF amplifier and

attenuator in series

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Frequency (MHz) Noise Figure (dB) Gain (dB)

30 15.444 23.002
37 12.712 23.905
44 12.843 23.728
51 12.919 23.772
58 13.106 23.581
65 12.805 23.681
72 12.964 23.502
79 13.002 23.473
86 13.031 23.354
93 12.951 23.367
100 12.977 23.501

Table 4 Measurement data of Attenuator and IF amplifier in series

Results and Discussion

Gain and Noise Figure (NF) of the different microwave devices were measured using Noise Figure Analyzer
(Agilent N8973A) and Noise Source (Agilent N4000A). Test devices used were IF amplifier, attenuator,
and cascaded combinations thereof.

1. Amplifier
The amplifier showed a gain of ~29.3 dB for all the frequencies.The Noise Figure was 6.7 – 9.8 dB, with
an average of ~7.3 dB.
This implies that the amplifier adds some noise that is moderate but provides high gain, which is typical of
IF amplifiers.

2. Attenuator
The attenuator was defined by a negative gain (~ –6.2 dB), being equal to its insertion loss.
Noise Figure was 6.4 – 8.0 dB, as it would be because an attenuator always adds NF by the amount of its
attenuation.
The measured NF values are approximately equal to the attenuation value (~6 dB).

3. Amplifier + Attenuator (Amplifier followed by Attenuator)

The cascaded system produced a net gain of ~23.5 dB.
The Noise Figure was ~6.7 – 7.0 dB, which showed that the system NF overall was dominated by the
amplifier, as we would expect according to Friis' Formula.
This result places a high-gain, low-noise stage first to reduce the overall NF.

4. Attenuator + Amplifier (Attenuator in front of Amplifier)

The cascaded configuration delivered a net gain of ~23.4 dB, as in the above example.But the Noise Figure
was significantly greater (~12.8 – 15.4 dB) than that of the previous configuration.

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report
This means that inserting an attenuator in front of the amplifier significantly reduces the system NF since
the signal is reduced prior to amplification, and the amplifier still has to amplify noise along with the signal.

Conclusion:
Gain Noise Figure
Device (dB) (dB) Remark
Amplifier ~+29.3 ~7.3 High gain improves signal strength; NF moderate.
Attenuator ~–6.3 ~7.2 Lossy device; NF ≈ attenuation value, degrades SNR.
Amplifier → ~+23.5 ~6.9 Amplifier dominates NF; overall system NF remains low →
Attenuator Good design.
Attenuator → ~+23.4 ~13.0 Attenuator in front raises NF significantly, amplifier amplifies
Amplifier noise → Poor design.
Table 5 for overall gain and NF for all connections

 Successfully familiarized with Noise Figure Analyzer operation.

 Measured NF for amplifier, attenuator, and mixer.
 Observed that first stage NF dominates cascaded systems (important in receiver design).

Part – II
Objective : Measure the NF and insertion gain of mixer
Theory :
A mixer is a nonlinear device that combines two input signals — the Radio Frequency (RF) signal
and the Local Oscillator (LO) signal — to produce an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal. The
mixer plays a vital role in frequency translation in receivers and transmitters.
Two important performance parameters of a mixer are:
1. Noise Figure (NF): The noise figure quantifies the degradation of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio
(SNR) as a signal passes through the mixer.A higher NF means the mixer introduces more
noise, which reduces receiver sensitivity.
1. Conversion Gain (or Insertion Gain):This represents how much the mixer amplifies or
attenuates the RF input when converting it to IF.It is defined as the ratio of the IF output
power to the RF input power (both at the desired frequency).For most practical mixers, the
conversion gain is negative, which is then termed as conversion loss.

Procedure :
The Local Oscillator and Noise Source are connected to the Mixer inputs, and the Mixer IF output
is fed to the Noise Figure Meter for measurement.

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 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Fig block diagram

Fig Experiment setup

Frequency (MHz) Noise Figure dB Gain dB

10 12.011 -11.181
30 8.976 -12.098
50 11.893 -12.300
70 12.346 -11.281
90 10.625 -11.837
110 9.343 -12.641
130 11.426 -11.484
150 12.481 -11.812
170 11.662 -11.662
190 12.056 -12.056
210 12.035 -12.035

Table 6 for Measurement of NF and gain of Mixer

EE 647: Microwave Measurements and Design 9

 Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur
EE647: Microwave Measurements and Design (2025-26-I Semester), Lab Report

Result and Discussion :

As can be seen from the measurements, the Noise Figure (NF) of the mixer ranges from 8.97 dB
to 12.48 dB over the tested frequency range (10 MHz to 210 MHz). The NF reflects the signal-to-
noise ratio degradation, and the range indicates that the mixer introduces a moderate level of noise
depending on the operating frequency.

The insertion gain (conversion gain) is always negative, ranging from about –11 dB to –12.6 dB.
The negative gain is the same as the conversion loss, which occurs in actual RF mixers since they
tend to weaken the signal while converting RF to IF

Precautions :
1. While measurement cables were not disrupted as it could affect the measurement
2. It was ensured that connections are proper and not loose.
3. Connections were not overtightened as I could harm the devices and cables.
4. The whole experiment was performed under supervision of TA.

References :
[1] G. H. Bryant, Principles of Microwave Measurements. London, U.K.: IET Press, 1993.
[2] E. L. Ginzton, Microwave Measurements. WI, USA: LLC Research Publishers, 2012.

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