11
Noise Parameter Applications Information
Fmin values at 2 GHz and higher are based on measure-
ments while the Fmins below 2 GHz have been extrapo-
lated. The Fmin values are based on a set of 16 noise gure
measurements made at 16 di erent impedances using an
ATN NP5 test system. From these measurements, a true
Fmin is calculated. Fmin represents the true minimum noise
gure of the device when the device is presented with an
impedance matching network that transforms the source
impedance, typically 50Ω, to an impedance represented
by the re ection coe cient o. The designer must design
a matching network that will present o to the device with
minimal associated circuit losses. The noise gure of the
completed ampli er is equal to the noise gure of the
device plus the losses of the matching network preceding
the device. The noise gure of the device is equal to Fmin
only when the device is presented with o. If the re ection
coe cient of the matching network is other than o, then
the noise gure of the device will be greater than Fmin
based on the following equation.
NF = Fmin + 4 Rn |s – o | 2
Zo (|1 + o|2)(1 –s|2)
Where Rn/Zo is the normalized noise resistance, o is the
optimum re ection coe cient required to produce Fmin
and s is the re ection coe cient of the source imped-
ance actually presented to the device. The losses of the
matching networks are non-zero and they will also add
to the noise gure of the device creating a higher ampli-
er noise gure. The losses of the matching networks
are related to the Q of the components and associated
printed circuit board loss. o is typically fairly low at higher
frequencies and increases as frequency is lowered. Larger
gate width devices will typically have a lower o as com-
pared to narrower gate width devices.
Typically for FETs, the higher o usually infers that an im-
pedance much higher than 50Ω is required for the device
to produce Fmin. At VHF frequencies and even lower L
Band frequencies, the required impedance can be in the
vicinity of several thousand ohms. Matching to such a
high impedance requires very hi-Q components in order
to minimize circuit losses. As an example at 900 MHz,
when airwwound coils (Q >100) are used for matching
networks, the loss can still be up to 0.25 dB which will add
directly to the noise gure of the device. Using muiltilayer
molded inductors with Qs in the 30 to 50 range results
in additional loss over the airwound coil. Losses as high
as 0.5 dB or greater add to the typical 0.15 dB Fmin of the
device creating an ampli er noise gure of nearly 0.65 dB.
A discussion concerning calculated and measured circuit
losses and their e ect on ampli er noise gure is covered
in Avago Application 1085.