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IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
Volume 48 Number 2, February 2000

Table of Contents for this issue

Complete paper in PDF format

Characterization of Flicker Noise in GaAs MESFET's for Oscillator Applications

Paul A. Dallas, Associate Member, IEEE and Jeremy K. A. Everard Member, IEEE

Page 245.

Abstract:

GaAs MESFET oscillators commonly exhibit increased close-to-carrier noise, which is often attributed to upconversion of flicker noise from the MESFET. To establish and quantify this effect, this paper presents an experimental system that allows the simultaneous measurement of the flicker noise on the gate and drain terminals of a GaAs MESFET, and of the noise imposed on an RF carrier when amplified by the MESFET. The cross correlations between these parameters can thus be determined; an analytical method is shown for extracting the levels of the effective sources of flicker noise from the results, and the manner in which these affect the RF carrier. In the tests performed, it was often found that the close-to-carrier noise was related directly to the low-frequency flicker noise.

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