Calibrating network analysers more accurately

In order to calibrate the network analysers (which is necessary before each measurement is made), mechanical or electronic calibration kits are employed. The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) has now established a method which enables a simple, traced back verification of a conventional network analyser calibration and, moreover, a more accurate secondary calibration.

The procedure is based on a single VNA measurement employing a high precision airline. From this measurement, the error characteristics of the VNA are determined over the entire frequency range using a sophisticated estimation procedure. Virtual experiments were used to optimally tune the parameters of the estimation procedure.

The novel calibration procedure has been confirmed by a comparison with an established but involved reference method. The novel calibration procedure now enables high-accurate calibrations of VNAs at low costs, as well as easy performance checks of mechanical calibration kits and electronic calibration units.

Scientific Paper:
http://www.ptb.de/de/aktuelles/archiv/nachrichten/2008/judaschke_
arftg2007_proc_neu.pdf
The scientific news on the webpages of the two PTB division which are involved:
http://www.ptb.de/en/aktuelles/archiv/nachrichten/2008/_vna-2.html
http://ib.ptb.de/en/org/8/Nachrichten8/2008/grundlagen/vektornetzwerk.html