  We analyze the phase-noise measurement methods in which correlation and
averaging is used to reject the background noise of the instrument. All the
known methods make use of a mixer, used either as a saturated phase detector or
as a linear synchronous detector. Unfortunately, AM noise is taken in through
the power-to-dc-offset conversion mechanism that results from the mixer
asymmetry. The measurement of some mixers indicates that the unwanted
amplitude-to-voltage gain is of the order of 5-50 mV, which is 12-35 dB lower
than the phase-to-voltage gain of the mixer. In addition, the trick of setting
the mixer at a sweet point -- off the quadrature condition -- where the
sensitivity to AM nulls, works only with microwave mixers. The HF-VHF mixers
have not this sweet point. Moreover, we prove that if the AM noise comes from
the oscillator under test, it can not be rejected by correlation. At least not
with the schemes currently used. An example shows that at some critical
frequencies the unwanted effect of AM noise is of the same order -- if not
greater -- than the phase noise. Thus, experimental mistakes are around the
corner.
