Basic RF Measurements, 5 cr

Core content

• Spectrum analysers: Block diagram. Measurements. Measurement demos and laboratory exercise. Signal generators: proper and safe use in measurements.
• Network analysers: Block diagram of a scalar NA. Measurements, frequency sweeps. Calibration using the SOLT method. Measurement demos and laboratory exercises.
• Antenna measurements: Interpreting the results. Antenna parameters: gain, impedance matching, far-field, principal planes. Antenna measurements at the department's anechoic chamber and with the near-field instrument.
• Noise: Measuring using the Y factor method. Noise figure, noise factor, noise temperature. Automatic noise measurement instruments.
• Passive components: wageguides, cables, connectors, adapters, attenuators, loads, and directional couplers. Proper use of connectors.
• Measurement of linear network characteristics (S parameters).

Complementary knowledge

• Different types of signal generators and spectrum analysers. Calibrating spectrum analyser measurements. Errors in spectrum analysis.
• Power sweeps. Different calibration methods. Error model. Block diagram of a vector NA.
• The effects of reflections on measurement results. Reflectivity level. Measurement ranges.
• Noise measurements using the spectrum analyser method. Noise bandwidth. Noise generators.
• Measurement of nonlinear network characteristics: gain compression, harmonic distortion, and intermodulation.

Specialist knowledge

• Scalar S parameter measurements using a spectrum analyser.
• Network analyser as a signal generator.
• Instruments at an antenna measurement range.
• Noise measurements using the signal generator method.