Phase Noise

In RF engineering, signal purity is everything. Traditionally, achieving ultra-low phase noise required heavy, expensive, rack-mount equipment. Windfreak Technologies has broken that paradigm. We design USB-controlled RF signal generators that deliver industry-leading phase noise performance in a portable, milled aluminum package that fits in your pocket—at a fraction of the cost of traditional bench-top units.

Whether you are measuring the sensitivity of a radar receiver, characterizing high-performance ADCs, or running complex modulation schemes, our devices provide the clean local oscillator (LO) signals you need to ensure your measurements are limited by the Device Under Test (DUT), not your test equipment.

Why Phase Noise Matters to Your Application Signal purity isn’t just a spec on a datasheet; it is the defining factor in the success of your specific application. Here is how our low-noise architecture supports your work:

• For Radar and Communications Systems: High phase noise (jitter) limits your ability to detect slow-moving targets or resolve complex constellations. Windfreak generators offer the spectral purity required for high-fidelity system testing and local oscillator substitution.
• For High-Frequency ADC/DAC Testing: In high-speed mixed-signal testing, clock signal quality is paramount, as timing jitter translates directly to a higher noise floor. Our devices provide the clean, stable clock and RF sources necessary to accurately characterize high-resolution Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).
• For Portable and Field Testing: High performance usually means “plugged into the wall.” Windfreak devices offer lab-grade phase noise performance powered entirely over USB, making them ideal for field technicians and mobile automated test equipment (ATE) rigs.

Performance Proof

We believe in transparency. We don’t just claim “low noise”; we prove it.
The plot below demonstrates the performance of the SynthHD Mini, a 10MHz – 15GHz generator housed in a tiny 1.6″ x 1.6″ case.

• The Test: Carrier Frequency at 1GHz.
• The Result: The measurement shows exceptionally low jitter (RMS: 113.300 fs) and a clean spectral floor.
• The Impact: This quality-to-size ratio is an order of magnitude better than comparable solutions in the industry. This allows you to replace bulky legacy equipment with a device that can be integrated directly into a compact shielding box or a crowded PCB environment.