Calculating noise figure in op amps.pdf

31 Analog Applications Journal Calculating noise figure in op amps Introduction Noise figure is commonly used in commu- nications systems because it provides a simple method to determine the impact of system noise on sensitivity. Today, the performance of wide-band op amps is making them viable alternatives to more traditional open-loop amplifiers like monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) and discrete transistors in communications design. Recognizing the need to specify wide- band op amps in RF engineering termi- nology, some manufacturers do provide noise figure, but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Op amp manufacturers typically specify noise performance by giving the input- referred voltage and current noise. The noise figure depends on these parameters, the circuit topology, and the value of external components. If you have all this information, noise figure can be calculated. Review of noise figure Noise figure (NF) is the decibel equivalent of noise factor (F): NF (dB) = 10log(F). Noise factor of a device is the power ratio of the signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) at the input (SNRI) divided by the SNR at the output (SNRO): (1) The output signal (SO) is equal to the input signal (SI) times the gain: SO = SI × G. The output noise is equal to the noise delivered to the input (NI) from the source plus the input noise of the device (NA) times the gain: NO = (NI + NA) × G. Substituting into Equation 1 and simplifying, we get (2)F SNR SNR S N G S G N N N N I O I I I I A A I = = × + ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? = + ( ) .1 F SNR SNR I O = . Assuming that the input is terminated in the same impedance as the source, NI = kT = –174 dBm/Hz, where k is Boltzman’s constant and T = 300 Kelvin). Once we find the input noise spectral density of the device, it is a simple matter to plug it into Equation 2 and calculate F. NF in op amps Op amps specify input-referred voltage and current noise. Using these two parameters, adding the noise of the exter