UTS7000A-PNM Phase Noise Measurement Option for UTS7000A Series
Overview
UTS7000A-PNM is the phase noise measurement software-license option for the UTS7000A signal analyzer platform. The license adds one-touch phase noise measurement at user-selected offset frequencies, with dBc/Hz log-plot display, spot-frequency measurement at fixed offsets, and integrated marker functions for noise jitter and residual FM.
PNM operates as a dedicated measurement mode on the chassis. Measurement covers 100 kHz to 40 GHz carrier frequency, with offset frequencies from 10 Hz up to the chassis maximum measurement frequency. The license is purchased against the chassis serial number, installed via the chassis Option Install menu, and is permanent for the life of the instrument.
Key Features
- One-touch phase noise measurement — Automated carrier search, configurable start/stop offset frequencies, and dBc/Hz log-plot output
- Log-plot, spot-frequency, monitor, and IQ-waveform views — Four measurement views for different workflows
- Carrier frequency range — 100 kHz to 40 GHz
- Offset frequency range — 10 Hz minimum to max measurement frequency minus carrier
- Marker functions — Noise degree, noise radian, noise jitter, noise dBc, residual FM (weighted integration), averaged noise density
- DANL Floor measurement type — Characterize the instrument's own phase noise floor as a reference
- Auto Tune and Signal Tracking — Automatic carrier acquisition and re-acquisition during drift
- Lifetime License Activation — activate once, owned for the life of the instrument. No subscriptions, no renewals, no maintenance fees.
What Phase Noise Measurement Adds
The PNM option configures the instrument as a dedicated phase noise analyzer. Specifications are taken from the UTS7000A Series datasheet.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Carrier frequency range | 100 kHz to 40 GHz |
| Minimum offset frequency | 10 Hz |
| Maximum offset frequency | Max measurement frequency − carrier frequency |
| Measurement views | Monitor, Spot Frequency, Log Plot, IQ Waveform |
| Measurement types | Phase Noise, DANL Floor |
| Marker functions | Noise degree, noise radian, noise jitter, noise dBc, residual FM (weighted integration), averaged noise density |
| Carrier acquisition | Auto Tune; configurable precision (high / medium / low) for signal tracking |
| Default display unit | dBc/Hz |
| Operating mode | Dedicated phase noise analysis mode on the chassis |
When You Need This Option
The option fits the following measurement workflows:
- Oscillator characterization — Quartz, MEMS, and OCXO reference oscillator phase noise sideband measurement against 1/f and noise-floor thresholds during component qualification.
- Synthesizer evaluation — PLL synthesizer phase noise across the loop bandwidth, with spot-frequency measurement at the offset frequencies that matter for downstream link-budget calculations.
- Reference-clock qualification — 10 MHz, 100 MHz, and GPS-disciplined reference output phase noise sideband measurement for cleanliness against expected system phase-noise budgets.
- Communications transmitter phase noise — Carrier-recovered phase noise at the modulation symbol rate offset frequencies, relevant for EVM degradation analysis in modulated transmissions.
- Radar and EW oscillator characterization — Low-offset phase noise (10 Hz to 100 kHz) measurement on coherent radar and electronic-warfare local oscillators where close-in phase noise drives clutter performance.
Compatibility
The option installs as a software license on any UTS7000A series chassis. Compatibility:
| Chassis variant | Option install |
|---|---|
| UTS7000A — Wide-Band Configuration (40 MHz baseline) | |
| UTS7013A — 2 Hz to 13.6 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7026A — 2 Hz to 26.5 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7032A — 2 Hz to 32 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7040A — 2 Hz to 40 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7000A–NB — Narrow-Band Configuration (20 MHz fixed) | |
| UTS7013A–NB — 2 Hz to 13.6 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7026A–NB — 2 Hz to 26.5 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7032A–NB — 2 Hz to 32 GHz | Supported |
| UTS7040A–NB — 2 Hz to 40 GHz | Supported |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the instrument's phase noise floor?
The UTS7000A chassis specifies phase noise of less than −110 dBc/Hz. The PNM option's DANL Floor measurement type characterizes this baseline directly so users can confirm their DUT phase noise is above the instrument floor (the regime where the measurement is valid).
Can PNM measure phase noise on a carrier below 100 kHz?
No. The PNM measurement range is 100 kHz to 40 GHz carrier frequency, with offset frequencies starting at 10 Hz.
How is the license installed?
The license is purchased against the chassis serial number, registered on the UNI-T website to obtain the license file, and installed via the chassis Option Install menu using a USB storage device. Refer to the chassis User Manual for the full step-by-step procedure.
Is the license permanent, or does it require renewal?
The license is permanent — a one-time purchase that remains active for the life of the instrument. There are no subscription fees, no annual renewals, and no expiration date.
Can the option be installed on a UTS7000A–NB narrow-band chassis?
Yes. Measurement function options install on all UTS7000A chassis variants including the narrow-band (–NB) configurations. The option installs and operates independently of the chassis bandwidth configuration.
