Abstract
We present a new method to determine the contribution of the IF-amplifier chain to the overall noise performance of an SE-based receiver. Using simulated I-V and IF power characteristics, we show that the standard method used to date to evaluate the IF noise can underestimate the contribution because of non-negligible curvature in the post-gap SIS I-V characteristic. We demonstrate that the new method is not susceptible to the post-gap curvature, and discuss its benefits and limitations to the accurate and precise evaluation of IF noise contributions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Noguchi and S-C. Shi. Superconducting heterodyne receivers. In B. Seeber, editor, Handbook of Applied Superconductivity: Volume 2 Applications, pages 1899–1912. Institute of Physics, 1998.
D.P. Woody, R.E. Miller, and M.J. Wengler. 85–115–GHz Receivers for Radio Astronomy. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, MTT-33(2):90–95, 1985.
R. Blundell, R.E. Miller, and K.-H. Gundlach. Understanding Noise in SIS Receivers. International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 13(1):3–14, 1992.
Qing Ke and M.J. Feldman. A Technique for Noise Measurements of SIS Receiver. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, MTT-42(4):752–755, 1994.
D. Woody. Measurement of the Noise Contributions to SIS Heterodyne Receivers. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, AS-5(2):3312, 1995.
D. Rogovin and D.J. Scalapino. Fluctuation Phenomena in Tunnel Junctions. Annals of Physics, 86(1):1, 1974.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Isaak, K.G., Withington, S. & Yassin, G. An Accurate Method for Determining the IF Noise in SIS Heterodyne Receivers. International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves 21, 1427–1439 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026405007342
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026405007342