This sections described the menus and dialog boxes uses for manual 3-port calibration on a VectorStar 4-Port VNA.
THREE PORT CAL Menu - 4-Port VNAs
Button Availability
• The exact composition of the menu depends on the settings made on the CAL SETUP, CAL METHOD, and LINE TYPE menus and on the resultant THREE PORT CAL SETUP dialog box.
• A representative menu is shown below.
• The example procedures at the end of this chapter show examples of various THREE PORT CAL menus.
• MAIN | Calibration | CALIBRATION | Calibrate | CALIBRATE | Manual Cal | MANUAL CAL | 3-Port Cal | THREE PORT CAL
THREE PORT CAL Menu - 4-Port VNAs - Typical example
Modify Cal Setup
Select displays the CAL SETUP menu where the Edit Cal Params button provides access to the THREE PORT CAL SETUP dialog box for the selected calibration method and line type.
Read-only display of the ports selected for the pending calibration.
Completion Menu Buttons
For this example menu, the Port 1 Reflective Devices to the Isolation (Optional) buttons link to completion submenus where additional calibration procedures are performed.
For example, the Port 1 Reflective Devices button (shown below at #1) links to the REFL. DEVICES PORT 1 submenu. As each procedure is completed, the submenu button is marked with a completion checkmark. When all the procedures on the submenu are completed, use the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu.
The Port 1 Reflective Devices button (shown above at #2) is now marked with a completion checkmark.
Port 1 Reflective Devices
Select displays the REFL. DEVICES PORT 1 submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
Select displays the REFL. DEVICES PORT 2 submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
Port 3 Reflective Devices
Select displays the REFL. DEVICES PORT 3 submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
Port 4 Reflective Devices
Select displays the REFL. DEVICES PORT 3 submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
Thru/Recip
Select displays the THRU/RECIP submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
If required, select displays the ISOLATION submenu. When all procedures are complete, select the Back button to return to the THREE PORT CAL menu where this button is now marked with a completion checkmark.
This button is unavailable until a successful calibration procedure has been completed. When available, it returns to the CALIBRATION menu where the Cal Status button is set to ON.
• MAIN | Calibration | CALIBRATION | Calibrate | CALIBRATE | Manual Cal | MANUAL CAL | 3-Port Cal | THREE PORT CAL | Modify Cal Setup | CAL SETUP | Cal Method = SOLT/SOLR | Line Type = Coaxial | Edit Cal Params | THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SOLT/R, COAXIAL) Dialog Box
THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SOLT/R, COAXIAL) Dialog Box
Reference Impedance
Input the reference impedance.
• Input field defaulted to 50 Ohms.
• Any numerical value accepted although input values <0.01 Ohms are converted to 0.01 Ohms.
Full Three Port Calibration Configuration
Select three (3) ports from the list below. If a fourth port selection is attempted, an earlier port is discarded:
• Port 1
• Port 2
• Port 3
• Port 4
Select Throughs
Select any combination of three possible throughs as long as two (2) are selected. The available port pair throughs are based on the ports selected above. For a 3-port calibration, only three of the following port pairs are available:
• Thru 1-2
• Thru 1-3
• Thru 1-4
• Thru 2-3
• Thru 2-4
• Thru 3.4
Thru Buttons
Each of the throughs above enables a Thru Info button that displays the THRU INFO dialog box allowing configuration of each through. A calculator icon in the THRU INFO dialog box allows access to the AIR EQUIVALENT LENGTH CALCULATOR dialog box.
• Sliding Load. If Sliding Load is selected, a message appears in the “Still requires broadband loads below sliding load breakpoint frequency.”
Only three of the Test Port configuration area are available based on the port selection above.
Test Port 1 DUT Connector
If Port 1 was selected above, select the DUT Connector Type from a drop-down menu list with options of:
• 0.8 mm Conn (M)
• 0.8 mm Conn (F)
• W1-Conn (M)
• W1-Conn (F)
• V-Conn (M)
• V-Conn (F)
• K-Conn (M)
• K-Conn (F)
• 2.4 mm (M)
• 2.4 mm (F)
• GPC-3.5 (M)
• GPC-3.5 (F)
• SMA (M)
• SMA (F)
• N-Conn (M)
• N-Conn (F)
• N-Conn (75) (M)
• N-Conn (75) (F)
• GPC-7
• 7/16 (M)
• 7/16 (F)
• TNC (M)
• TNC (F)
• User-Defined1 (M) through User-Defined32 (M)
• User-Defined1 (F) through User-Defined32 (F)
Test Port 1 DUT Connector Standard Info Button
If Port 1 was selected above, select displays the Standard Info dialog box for the selected connector and calibration method that displays the connector calibration coefficients. The dialog box contents depend on the selected connector, Cal Method, and Line Type. The example here shows a typical standard information dialog box.
• MAIN | Calibration | CALIBRATION | Calibrate | CALIBRATE | Manual Cal | MANUAL CAL | 3-Port Cal | THREE PORT CAL | Modify Cal Setup | CAL SETUP | Cal Method = SSLT | Line Type = Microstrip | Edit Cal Params | THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SSLT, MICROSTRIP) Dialog Box
THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SSLT, MICROSTRIP) Dialog Box
Reference Impedance
Input the reference impedance.
• Input field defaulted to 50 Ohms.
• Any numerical value accepted although input values <0.01 Ohms are converted to 0.01 Ohms.
Full Three Port Calibration Configuration
Select three (3) ports from the list below. If a fourth port selection is attempted, an earlier port is discarded:
• Port 1
• Port 2
• Port 3
• Port 4
Select Throughs
Select any combination of three possible throughs as long as two (2) are selected. The available port pair throughs are based on the ports selected above. For a 3-port calibration, only three of the following port pairs are available:
• Thru 1-2
• Thru 1-3
• Thru 1-4
• Thru 2-3
• Thru 2-4
• Thru 3.4
Thru Buttons
Each of the throughs above enables a Thru Info button that displays the THRU INFO dialog box allowing configuration of each through. A calculator icon in the THRU INFO dialog box allows access to the AIR EQUIVALENT LENGTH CALCULATOR dialog box.
Only three of the Test Port configuration areas are available based on the port selection above.
Test Port 1 DUT Connector
If Port 1 was selected above, select the DUT Connector Type from a drop-down menu list with options of:
• User-Defined1 through User-Defined32
Test Port 1 DUT Connector Standard Info Button
If Port 1 was selected above, select displays the Standard Info dialog box for the selected connector and calibration method that displays the connector calibration coefficients. The dialog box contents depend on the selected connector, Cal Method, and Line Type. The example here shows a typical standard information dialog box.
• MAIN | Calibration | CALIBRATION | Calibrate | CALIBRATE | Manual Cal | MANUAL CAL | 3-Port Cal | THREE PORT CAL | Modify Cal Setup | CAL SETUP | Cal Method = SSST | Line Type = Coaxial | Edit Cal Params | THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SSST, COAXIAL) Dialog Box
THREE PORT CAL SETUP (SSST, COAXIAL) Dialog Box
Reference Impedance
Input the reference impedance.
• Input field defaulted to 50 Ohms.
• Any numerical value accepted although input values <0.01 Ohms are converted to 0.01 Ohms.
Full Three Port Calibration Configuration
Select three (3) ports from the list below. If a fourth port selection is attempted, an earlier port is discarded:
• Port 1
• Port 2
• Port 3
• Port 4
Select Throughs/Reciprocals
Select any combination of three possible throughs as long as two (2) are selected. The available port pair throughs are based on the ports selected above. For a 3-port calibration, only three of the following port pairs are available:
• Thru 1-2
• Thru 1-3
• Thru 1-4
• Thru 2-3
• Thru 2-4
• Thru 3.4
Thru Info Buttons
Each of the throughs above enables a Thru Info button that displays the THRU INFO dialog box allowing configuration of each through. A calculator icon in the THRU INFO dialog box accesses the AIR EQUIVALENT LENGTH CALCULATOR dialog box.
Only three of the Test Port Configuration areas are available based on the port selection above.
Test Port 1 DUT Connector
If Port 1 was selected above, select the DUT Connector Type from a drop-down menu list with options of:
• 0.8 mm Conn (M)
• 0.8 mm Conn (F)
• W1-Conn (M)
• W1-Conn (F)
• User-Defined1 (M) through User-Defined32 (M)
• User-Defined1 (F) through User-Defined32 (F)
Test Port 1 DUT Connector Standard Info Button
If Port 1 was selected above, select displays the STANDARD INFO dialog box for the selected connector and calibration method that displays the connector calibration coefficients. The dialog box contents depend on the selected connector, Cal Method, and Line Type. The example here shows a typical standard information dialog box.
• MAIN | Calibration | CALIBRATION | Calibrate | CALIBRATE | Manual Cal | MANUAL CAL | 3-Port Cal | THREE PORT CAL | Modify Cal Setup | CAL SETUP | Cal Method = LRL/LRM | Line Type = Coaxial | Edit Cal Params | THREE PORT CAL SETUP (LRL/LRM, COAXIAL)
THREE PORT CAL SETUP (LRL/LRM, COAXIAL) Dialog Box - Cal A Tab
THREE PORT CAL SETUP (LRL/LRM, COAXIAL) Dialog Box - Cal B Tab
Overview
The dialog box provides common areas at the top for Reference Impedance, Three Port Calibration Configuration, and Thru Selection. Below these common sections are two tabbed dialog areas for Cal A and Cal B.
Reference Impedance
Input the reference impedance.
• Input field defaulted to 50 Ohms.
• Any numerical value accepted although input values <0.01 Ohms are converted to 0.01 Ohms.
Select Cal Type
Select one of the calibration options from:
• LRL/M + Singleton
• Two LRL/Ms
Cal A Ports
Select one (1) Calibration A Port Pair noting that combinations of Port Pair 1-2 and Port Pair 3-4 are not allowed. Select from:
• Port 1-3
• Port 1-4
• Port 2-3
• Port 2-4
Cal B Ports
Select one (1) Calibration B Port Pair from the remaining unused port pairs from the Cal A Ports:
• If Cal A = Ports 1-3, then select Cal B from Ports 1-4 or 2-3
• If Cal A = Ports 1-4, then select Cal B from Ports 1-3 or 2-4.
• If Cal A = Ports 2-3, then select Cal B from Ports 1-3 or 2-4.
• If Cal A = Ports 2-4, then select Cal B from Ports 1-4 or 2-3.
Access the Cal A functions and controls by selecting the Cal A tab.
Cal A - Reference Plane Location
Select from two radio button controlled options:
• Ends of Line 1
• Middle of Line 1
Cal A - Band Definition
Select one or two bands from the pull-down menu.
• Number of Bands = 1. Only the Band 1 Definition area is present.
• Number of Bands = 2. The Band 1 Definition area remains, and the Band 2 Definition and the Band Break Point areas appear.
Cal A - Band 1 Device 1 Definition
Provides the following fields and controls for Band 1:
• Band 1 Device 1 = Defaulted to Line.
• Line Length (mm) for Device 1. Allows input of the line length in mm.
• Line Loss (dB/mm). Allows input of a line loss in dB per mm at the frequency specified in the field below.
• @ Frequency (GHz). Allows input of a frequency setting for the Line Loss factor input above.
Cal A - Band 1 Device 2 Definition
• Band 1 Device 2. Select from Line or Match in pull-down menu.
• If Line is selected, the Type of Reflection allows selection of Use Open-like component or Use Short-like component.
• If Use Open-line component is selected, the Reflection Component area at bottom of dialog box displays the Open-like Offset Length (mm) field.
• If Use Short-like component is selected, the Reflection Component area at bottom of dialog box displays Short-line Offset Length (mm) field.
Cal A - Band 2 Definition
The Number of Bands field above must be set to “2” for this area and the Band Break Point area described below to be displayed. Provides the following fields and controls for Band 2.
Cal A - Band 2 Device 3 Definition
A pull-down menu with selections of:
• Use device 1
• Use device 2
• Use new line. If selected, additional fields appear as Line Length (mm), Line Loss (dB/mm), and @ Frequency (GHz).
Cal A - Band 2 Device 4 Definition
A pull-down menu with selections of:
• Line
• Match
If Line is selected for Band 2 Device 4, the Type of Reflection and Line Length (mm) fields are available.
The Type of Reflection field choices are limited to:
• Use Short-like component. If selected, the Reflection Component area below has one field for Short-like Offset Length (mm).
• Use Open-like component. If selected, the Reflection Component area below has two fields of Open-like Offset Length (mm) and Short-like Offset Length (mm).
If Match is selected for Band 2 Device 4, the Match Info button and the Type of Reflection fields appear with choices of:
• The Match Info button appears. Select displays the USER DEFINED MATCH DEVICES dialog box appears which allows configuration of the match devices.
• The Type of Reflection field has the following choices:
• Use Short-like component. If selected, the Reflection Component area below has one field of Short-like Offset Length (mm) field.
• Use Open-like component. If selected, the Reflection Component area below has two fields of Open-like Offset Length (mm) and Short-like Offset Length (mm).
• Use both. If selected, pair of radio button fields appear and allow selection of either Use Port 1 Match or Use Port 2 Match. Also, if selected, the Reflection Component area below has two fields of Open-like Offset Length (mm) and Short-like Offset Length (mm).
Cal A - Band Break Point
This area only appears if the Number of Bands in the Band Definition area is set to “2”.
The Calculate Recommended Value button calculates the recommended break point value based on the input parameters in the fields above. Clicking the button calculates a break point frequency value and populates the Use Recommended Frequency (GHz) field.
A radio button set allows selection of either:
• Use Recommended Frequency (GHz) which was calculated by the button above.
• Define New Frequency (GHz) field which allows direct user input of a break frequency value.
Cal A - Reflection Component
Depending on the settings in the fields above, this area has one or two input fields as:
• Open-like Offset Length (mm)
• Short-like Offset Length (mm)
Access the Cal B functions and controls by selecting the Cal B tab where the controls and functions are the same as the Cal A tab above.
OK / Cancel
Click OK to accept the changes and return to the CAL SETUP menu.
Click Cancel to abandon any changes and return to the CAL SETUP menu.
Summary of 3-Port Calibration Setup Dialog Boxes
The table below summarizes the available fields in all available 3-port calibration setup dialog boxes. If the dialog box is described in greater detail above, a link is provided to that description. To view each dialog box, set the CAL METHOD and LINE TYPE menus to the appropriate settings, and then select the Edit Cal Params button. All three-port dialog boxes are named “Three Port Cal Setup (Cal Method, Line Type)”
The Test Port Configuration areas below are only available if the port was selected above.
Test Port DUT Connector: 0.8 mm Conn (M), 0.8 mm Conn (F), W1-Conn (M), W1-Conn (F), User-Defined1 (M) to User-Defined32 (M), User-Defined1 (F) to User-Defined32 (F)
Test Port Connector Standard Info Button: Select displays the STANDARD INFORMATION dialog box for the selected connector.
The Test Port Configuration areas below are only available if the port was selected above.
Test Port DUT Connector: 0.8 mm Conn (M), 0.8 mm Conn (F), W1-Conn (M), W1-Conn (F), User-Defined1 (M) to User-Defined32 (M), User-Defined1 (F) to User-Defined32 (F)
Test Port Connector Standard Info Button: Select displays the STANDARD INFORMATION dialog box for the selected connector.
Cal A Ports: Select two port pairs from 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4
Cal B Ports: Auto-selected non-Cal A Port Pairs: 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4
Cal A and Cal B tabs: The “A” and “B” calibration parameters are selected via a tabbed menu within the dialog box.
Reference Plane Location: Ends of Line 1, Middle of Line 1
Number of Bands: 1, 2
• If 1, only Band 1 Device 1 and Band 1 Device 2 controls appear.
• If 2, the above plus Band 2 Device 3 and Band 2 Device 4 controls appear.
Cal A Configuration Parameters:
• Cal A Reference Plane Location: Ends of Line, Middle of Line 1
• Cal A Number of Bands: 1 or 2
• Cal A Band 1 Device 1 Line: Line Length (mm), Line Loss (dB/mm), @ Frequency (GHz)
• Cal A Band 1 Device 2 Type: Line, Match; Use Short-like component, Use Open-like component, Use both; If Device 2 = Match, Match Info button displays USER DEFINED MATCH DEVICES dialog box for selected calibration kit.
