A Digital Method For Phase Noise Measurement

Abstract

An all-digital method is used to detect sinusoidal phase noise components while reducing the need for computation intensive post-processing. We use the frequency-selective behavior of a narrow bandwidth infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filter to replace the frequency- domain evaluation of an FFT. This form of digital post-processing reduces the calculation overhead of making frequency-domain observations. We provide a model for the inherent nonidealities of the relevant quantization processes which will need to be managed in a practical implementation of this technique for manufacturing test.