Phase noise and the noise floor of signals are fundamental properties and constant challenges in radio and radio network design. Phase noise affects not only the received signal's jitter, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER), but also has an adverse effect on adjacent channels, hence, its criticality in wireless networks. Measurement of phase noise is a tedious and expensive procedure and the cost of existing phase noise test equipment is very high. The purpose of this article is to briefly review phase noise theory, demonstrate phase noise modeling of a VCO and phase-locked loop (PLL) source with a focus on practical considerations and explain the various methods used to measure phase noise, including their strength, limitations and challenges.
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