VCO Measurements With FSPN Phase Noise Analyzer

Next-generation technologies in radar and satellite communication with high data rates call for innovative testing solutions to develop and manufacture RF components like voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO). The R&S®FSPN phase noise analyzer increases efficiency and reproducibility of VCO characterization and phase noise measurements from lab to production.

Voltage-controlled oscillators are oscillators whose output frequency is controlled by means of an external tuning voltage, and they are used in a wide variety of electronic and RF applications like function generators, phase-locked loops including frequency synthesizers used in communication equipment. Different VCO design approaches yield different parameters and performance, and therefore it is important to measure or characterize VCOs under different conditions.

This application note provides a short technical introduction to voltage-controlled oscillators and explains the most common and the most important measurements made during the VCO characterization process.