Modern receiving systems must often process very weak signals, but the noise added by the system components tends to obscure those very weak signals. Sensitivity, bit error ratio (BER) and noise figure are system parameters that characterize the ability to process low-level signals. Of these parameters, noise figure is unique in that it is suitable not only for characterizing the entire system but also the system components such as the pre-amplifier, mixer, and IF amplifier that make up the system. By controlling the noise figure and gain of system components, the designer directly controls the noise figure of the overall system. Once the noise figure is known, system sensitivity can be easily estimated from system bandwidth. Noise figure is often the key parameter that differentiates one system from another, one amplifier from another, and one transistor from another. Such widespread application of noise figure specifications implies that highly repeatable and accurate measurements between suppliers and their customers are very important.