Monte Carlo estimation of noise-parameter uncertainties

Uncertainties in noise-parameter measurements, obtained using a Monte Carlo simulation of the measurements, are presented. Sets of data were generated to simulate measurements on a low-noise amplifier, with given uncertainties in the underlying measurements, including the standard noise temperature (hot or cold), ambient temperature, reflection coefficients of the terminations, scattering parameters of the amplifier, power measurements, and variations in the connections. Each set of simulated measurement results was analysed to determine the "measured" noise parameters, and the standard deviation of the set of measured noise-parameter values was computed to determine the uncertainty in each noise parameter. Results are presented for the noise-parameter uncertainties for different values of the underlying measurement uncertainties.