W-band Noise Figure using Novel VNA Extender and Novel Switched LNA

Noise figure measurements using Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) are widely accepted, and available up through 67 GHz. However, for the upper end of V-band, E-band and all of W-band noise-figure measurements, there does not exist a convenient solution. Here we present a novel configuration of a mm VNA extender head, along with a novel switched LNA, that together provide a convenient method for measuring NF in these bands, while maintaining the ability to measure all other aspects of the amplifier under test, including full S-parameters and gain compression. The measurement system noise figure is 19 dB.