To use the "Gain Method" to measure the noise figure, the gain of the DUT needs to be pre-determined.
Then the input of the DUT is terminated with the characteristic impedance (50Ω for most RF applications, 75Ω for video/cable applications).
Then the output noise power density is measured with a spectrum analyzer.
The noise figure (F) of a network is defined as the ratio of the signal-to-noise power ratio at the input to the signal-to-noise power ratio at the output.
Thus the noise figure of a network is the decrease or degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio as the signal goes through the network.
Noise Figure Measurement Methods
It involves applying a noise source to the input of the DUT and making noise power measurements at the output of the DUT.
By doing this, a ratio of noise power measurements, the Y-Factor, is determined and noise figure is derived from that.