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Uncertainties in NIST Noise-Temperature Measurements

Published

Author(s)

James P. Randa

Abstract

Uncertainty analyses are presented for NIST measurements of noise temperature. All systems currently used in NIST calibrations of thermal-noise sources are treated. These include tuned systems for 30 and 60 MHz, coaxial total-power radiometers for 1 to 12 GHz, a switching radiometer for the WR-90 (8.2 to 12.4 GHz) waveguide band, and total power waveguide radiometers for the WR-62 (12.4 to 18 GHz), WR-42 (18 to 26.5 GHz), WR-28 (26.5 to 40 GHz), and WR-15 (50 to 75 GHz) bands. Measurements through adapters are also analyzed. Typical expanded (k = 2) uncertainties for the measurements are in the range 0.7 percent to 1.4 percent, depending on the particular system and the frequency.
Citation
Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1502
Report Number
1502
Volume
1502

Keywords

noise, noise measurement, noise temperature, thermal noise, uncertainty analysis

Citation

Randa, J. (1998), Uncertainties in NIST Noise-Temperature Measurements, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=11498 (Accessed March 28, 2024)
Created March 1, 1998, Updated February 19, 2017