1. Receiver Performance & Characteristics
David J. Zuzin
IEEE Communications Society
September 19, 2017

2. Welcome! Standard receiver performance characteristics.
Measurement techniques.
Performance effects on the quality of service.
Analysis of a real receiver system.

3. decibels Power ratio: 𝑑𝐵= 10 log 𝑃𝑜 𝑃𝑖 Voltage ratio: 𝑑𝐵= 20 log 𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑖
dBm (dB with respect to 1 mW. (In a 50Ω system)
dBµV (dB with respect to 1 µV. (In a 50Ω system)
0 dBm = 1 mW
0 dBµV = 1 µV

4. Signals in the time domain
Where 𝐴 is amplitude, 𝜔=2𝜋𝑓, and 𝜑 is a phase shift

5. Signals in the frequency domain
Discrete Fourier Transform
𝑋 𝑘 = 𝑛=0 𝑁−1 𝑥 𝑛 cos 2𝜋𝑛𝑘 𝑁 −𝑗 sin 2𝜋𝑛𝑘 𝑁
𝑒 −𝑗𝜔𝑡

6. Phase Noise Jitter in the zero crossing of the sine wave Time domain
Frequency domain

7. Frequency conversion
Non-linear components, such as diodes, are square-law devices over a predicable bias region.
cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 = cos 𝐴+𝐵 + cos 𝐴−𝐵
𝑓 3 = 𝑓 1 , 𝑓 2 , 𝑓 1 + 𝑓 2 , 𝑓 1 − 𝑓 2 , 𝑓 2 − 𝑓 1 , 2 𝑓 1 ,2 𝑓 2 ,…

8. Commercial FM radio
Superheterodyne Receiver

9. Sensitivity Minimum Discernable Signal (MDS)
𝑀𝐷𝑆 𝑑𝐵𝑚 =− log 𝐵 𝑛 +𝑁𝐹

10. Dynamic Range
Two-Tone test
Blocking signal does not affect the MDS

11. Blocking Dynamic Range
Blocking Dynamic Range (BDR)
Blocking signal reduces MDS by 1 dB

12. IMD Dynamic Range Two-Tone Third-Order IMD Dynamic Range
Intermodulation Distortion (IMD)

13. IMD Dynamic Range
Commercial FM Radio

14. Intercept Points
Intercept Points (Third Order and Second Order)
IP3
IP2

15. Intercept Points
IP2 and IP3 are calculated values

16. IF and Image Rejection
1st I.F. and Image Frequency are injected at the RF Input

17. Additional Tests Group Delay =− 𝑑𝜑 𝑑𝜔 LO Leakage Max Input Power
RF Input Port VSWR
Inherent Spurious Response
Tuning Speed
EMI/EMC tests
FCC Regulatory tests

18. Test Setup

19. Quality of Service
Modulation
System Architecture
Environment

20. Phase Noise measurement

21. Icom IC-746 Pro
From May 2002 QST, copyright ARRL. Used with permission.

22. IP2 demonstration

23. Questions for Further Discussion?

24. Thank you!