What is a reason for radio receiver noise?

In summary: It's always worth a look at the physical layout. Is this on a rooftop or alone in a field far from any buildings?It's on a rooftop.
  • #1
ABW
13
0
Dear colleagues.
please help in solving the actual problem:
Our company operates in the field of space communications .
For reception and transmission of signals via satellite is used parabolic antenna with a diameter of 12 m
Frequency of received signal is 4000 MHz.
The receiver is a Low noise amplifier with an effective temperature of noise 40 K.
At times, the noise level in the receiving circuit increases sharply in 8 times, then after some time, it returned to normal.
The same antenna near shows no increase in noise.
What might be the cause of the noise ?
How can we remove it ?
 
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  • #2
ABW said:
Dear colleagues.
please help in solving the actual problem:
Our company operates in the field of space communications .
For reception and transmission of signals via satellite is used parabolic antenna with a diameter of 12 m
Frequency of received signal is 4000 MHz.
The receiver is a Low noise amplifier with an effective temperature of noise 40 K.
At times, the noise level in the receiving circuit increases sharply in 8 times, then after some time, it returned to normal.
The same antenna near shows no increase in noise.
What might be the cause of the noise ?
How can we remove it ?

Sounds like a faulty LNA. Have you tried replacing it with a new LNA?
 
  • #3
berkeman said:
Sounds like a faulty LNA. Have you tried replacing it with a new LNA?

Yes, we have tried to replace LNA. The result is the same
 
  • #4
ABW said:
Yes, we have tried to replace LNA. The result is the same

so to save us all playing 20 questions ... tells us all the steps you have taken to isolate the noise problem
start at the antenna and go right through to the signal out

tell us more about your system ... the feed system on the dish, the feedline type how the signal is being processed etc etc

cheers
Dave
 
  • #5
davenn said:
so to save us all playing 20 questions ... tells us all the steps you have taken to isolate the noise problem
start at the antenna and go right through to the signal out

tell us more about your system ... the feed system on the dish, the feedline type how the signal is being processed etc etc

cheers
Dave

So, this is the antena and feed system:
4695203.jpg

1- 12 m parabolic antena
2- counterreflector
3- horn
4 -polarizer, Tx- LHCP, Rx- RHCP
5 -Tx/Rx coupler
6 -Tx/Rx filter or izolator
7 -Tx waveguide
8 - Rx coaxial feed
9 - Rx waveguide
LNA - "LNR" company, 3600-4500 MHz, 60 dB gain, 38 K
Tx C-band: 5900 - 6400 MHz
 
  • #6
How

How exactly are you measuring the noise. (When you say "8 times more noise" do you mean 9dB higher noise floor at LNA output, 9dB worse SNR after DSP etc ...)

Have you tried disconnecting the TX path, terminating the TX input to the coupler?

Have you tried installing a waveguide termination on the antenna side of the LNA and verifying the noise figure of the LNA without antenna?

How long is the RX coaxial feed (8). If it is lengthy you may want to drag your spectrum analyzer out to the LNA.

You say that you have another system that does not exhibit this problem, how far away is it (miles, feet...)?
 
  • #7
the_emi_guy said:
How exactly are you measuring the noise. (When you say "8 times more noise" do you mean 9dB higher noise floor at LNA output, 9dB worse SNR after DSP etc ...?Have you tried disconnecting the TX path, terminating the TX input to the coupler?

Have you tried installing a waveguide termination on the antenna side of the LNA and verifying the noise figure of the LNA without antenna?

How long is the RX coaxial feed (8). If it is lengthy you may want to drag your spectrum analyzer out to the LNA.

You say that you have another system that does not exhibit this problem, how far away is it (miles, feet...)?
Trying to reply Your questions:

"8 times more noise" = 9 dB higher noise floor at LNA output, and 9 dB worse SNR after D/C,
9 dB worse Eb/No for modem operation.

We have tried to put a piece of beyond waveguide at TX input to the coupler
( Beyond waveguide has very big loss for Rx signals).

We have tried to replace the LNA

RX coaxial feed (8) is 15 m.

Another system that does not exhibit this problem, is 100 m far .
 
  • #8
100 meters away...

It's always worth a look at the physical layout. Is this on a rooftop or alone in a field far from any buildings?

And you say this is intermittent? What else is close to the troubled system?

I once solved a similar problem with a metal detector, the kind you walk through like in airports.
Microwaves from a nearby communication link somehow got into the airconditioning ductwork on roof of the building and poured out of the ceiling vent just above the metal detector, upsetting its electronics when the microwave link was active.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if a nearby kitchen microwave oven has a bit of leakage around a door seal. If there is one nearby, brush a small flourescent tube around its door with room lights darkened. Leakage will make the tube glow.
 
  • #9
ps - all we had to do was move the metal detector out from under the airconditioner vent.
 
  • #10
jim hardy said:
I once solved a similar problem with a metal detector, the kind you walk through like in airports.
Microwaves from a nearby communication link somehow got into the airconditioning ductwork on roof of the building and poured out of the ceiling vent just above the metal detector, upsetting its electronics when the microwave link was active.

Amazing detective work Jim! :smile:
 
  • #11
I had a situation where motor noise from an elevator caused problems.

I still don't understand what is common between the problem antenna and the one that 100m away. Is that a complete system 100m away? or is there a feed from each antenna? Is there an LNA at each antenna? etc

EDIT: Sorry --- somehow I missed the picture
 
Last edited:
  • #12
ABW said:
Trying to reply Your questions:
"8 times more noise" = 9 dB higher noise floor at LNA output, and 9 dB worse SNR after D/C,
9 dB worse Eb/No for modem operation.
We have tried to put a piece of beyond waveguide at TX input to the coupler
( Beyond waveguide has very big loss for Rx signals).
We have tried to replace the LNA
RX coaxial feed (8) is 15 m.
Another system that does not exhibit this problem, is 100 m far .

OK that's some answers :smile:

how regular/irregular is this change in signal ? several times an hour ? several times a day ?

what happens if you disconnect the coax at the RX divider ( exactly what is that? is the RX signal being split to other places other than the SA you have shown ?) and replace the coax feed with a dummy load ?
try that and see if the problem remains. That will localise it to the receiving system or to the coax/LNA and rest of the feed system

if the problem still remains then look at your RX system/SA for a fault
if the problem disappears, disconnect the LNA and try the dummy load on the end of the coax at the LNA end

You need to be methodical with your fault finding ... work your way through the system section by section, eliminating each stage as the source of the problem
Once you have proven no problems with your system, the only real choice left is intereference from some other RF source nearby
 
  • #13
There are two obvious sources of radio noise in the sky.

The sun is one and the reflected sun noise from the moon is another.

If the moon is visible behind the satellite, then the dish may pick up reflected noise.

Far weaker, but still there, is the noise generated by the planet Jupiter.
This noise was the beginning of Radio Astronomy.

So, if you are confident that your equipment is not faulty, then maybe you could check on the position of the moon and sun.
 
  • #14
vk6kro said:
There are two obvious sources of radio noise in the sky.

The sun is one and the reflected sun noise from the moon is another.

If the moon is visible behind the satellite, then the dish may pick up reflected noise.

Far weaker, but still there, is the noise generated by the planet Jupiter.
This noise was the beginning of Radio Astronomy.

So, if you are confident that your equipment is not faulty, then maybe you could check on the position of the moon and sun.
Yes, we have good predictions for sun and moon interference, certainly we take it into account
 
  • #15
Well, dear colleagues, thank you for your help.
Actually we already eliminated this problem. And it was even 10 years ago. For the first time when the failure appeared, we do not know what to do. Thank God quickly found treatment. Conditionally it looked like this: our operating channels worked at frequency of 6200/3880 MHz. When there is an obstacle, we spent 10 minutes to fine-tune antenna, check the power of the HPA. Then someone offered to send power transmission on the next frequency 6150/3820 MHz and a hindrance was gone ! We did not change frequencies of operating channels, only used "empty" channel on the next frequency. Further we had time, slowly deal with the problem. It took almost a month. So the source of the noise, we found it in our opinion were noises by the LNA. The LNA has an input impedance of 50 Ohm and according to the Boltzmann law emits the white noise with a temperature of 300 K in the direction of feed and horn. This noise somewhere in the feed is reflected and returned to the input of the LNA.
After the antenna has been modernized by replacing feed, horn and others, the accident never reappeared.
Left with two questions:
Why the noise of LNA is reflected in the feed ?
Why adjacent channel power elliminates noise ?
 

1. What causes static noise in a radio receiver?

The most common reason for static noise in a radio receiver is interference from other electronic devices or sources. This can include nearby power lines, cell phones, or even other radios operating on similar frequencies.

2. Can weather conditions affect radio receiver noise?

Yes, weather conditions such as lightning and storms can cause temporary interference in radio reception. This is because they generate electromagnetic radiation which can disrupt the radio signals.

3. Is radio receiver noise a sign of a faulty device?

Not necessarily. While a malfunctioning radio receiver can contribute to noise, it is more commonly caused by external factors such as interference or poor signal strength. It is always a good idea to troubleshoot these factors before assuming the device is faulty.

4. How can I reduce radio receiver noise?

There are a few ways to reduce radio receiver noise, such as avoiding sources of interference, using a better antenna, or adjusting the position of the receiver. Additionally, using a noise filter or a ground loop isolator can also help eliminate unwanted noise.

5. Why is it important to reduce radio receiver noise?

Reducing radio receiver noise is important because it can improve the overall quality of radio reception. Excessive noise can make it difficult to listen to or understand the desired radio signal, leading to a frustrating listening experience. Additionally, reducing noise can also extend the lifespan of the radio receiver by preventing damage to its components.

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