Phase Noise: Theory versus Practicality

摘要

Modern electronics rely on fast low noise time bases for a variety of applications. As a result, oscillator designers must always push the limit of low noise design. One of the major hurdles in this endeavor is phase noise. Phase noise is an undesirable entity that causes distortion and high bit error rates. It is therefore important to understand this phenomenon and reduce its effects on higher level systems. This article discusses different time bases and their properties, crystal oscillator properties, phase noise definition and calculations, ways to reduce phase noise in oscillator design, real oscillator phase noise plots, and outside noise/interference effects on phase noise. It will be shown that phase noise is unavoidable but manageable. Through careful oscillator design, phase noise can be reduced, and through informed consumer system design can accommodate the real world oscillator.