4-30
RF Source
Phase Detector
Vf(t) = kF(t)
Vf(t)
RF
Voltmeter
Oscilloscope
Spectrum Analyzer
F(t)
FRMS(t) in BW of meter
Sf(f) vs. f
Phase Noise Measurement
   An oscilloscope can display the phase vs. time of a signal.  An RF voltmeter can measure the RMS phase fluctuations within the bandwidth of the instrument.  A spectrum analyzer can display the phase noise as a function of offset frequency from the carrier frequency.


“Characterization of Clocks and Oscillators,” edited by D.B. Sullivan, D.W. Allan, D.A. Howe, F.L. Walls, NIST Technical Note 1337, March 1990.

W. P. Robins, Phase Noise in Signal Sources (Theory and Applications), IEE Tele-communications Series 9, 1982.