VectorStar™ MS464xB Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzer Programming Manual : Programming the VectorStar Series VNA : Notes on Calibration Commands
 
Notes on Calibration Commands
This section provides an overview of the calibration commands and when they should be used.
Setting Up a 2-Port Calibration
The commands listed in this section work on the first two ports of the instrument on either 2-port or 4-port configurations. The FULL2 calibration is set up with the following calibration commands:
1. Calibration method
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:METHod
Available calibration methods: AUTOcal | LRL | LRM | SOLR | SOLT | SSLT | SSST | TRX | mTRL | BBCal
2. Calibration type
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:1P2PF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:1P2PR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:FULL1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:FULL2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:FULLB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:RESP1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:RESPB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:TFRB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:TFRF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:TFRR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:TYPe?
3. Line type
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LINE
Available line types: COAXial | MICROstrip | NONDISpersive | WAVEguide
4. Load type
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LOAD
Available load types: FIXED | SLIDING
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD:SELect
Available loads: LOAD1 | LOAD2
5. Calibration port
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT
Available calibration ports: PORT1 | PORT2 | PORTP12
Setting Up a 4-Port Calibration
4-port calibrations are more complex and are hence divided into six broad categories:
Reflection Response Calibration
Full 1-Port Calibration
Transmission Response Calibration
Full 2-Port Calibration
Full 3-Port Calibration
Full 4-Port Calibration
Reflection Response Calibration
Under the reflection response calibration type, one can specify up to four individual 1-port response calibrations to be performed using the following command:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT {1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34 | 123 | 124 | 134 | 234 | 1234}:RESP1
For instance, to perform a reflection response calibration on ports 2, 3, and 4, the command is:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT234:RESP1
The following command is used to define the components used in the reflection calibration:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:REFLection:COMPonent
Available reflection components are: NONE | OPEN | SHORt | OFSH1 | OFSH2 | OFSH3
Full 1-Port Calibration
With a full 1-port calibration type, one can specify up to four individual 1-port calibrations to be performed using the following command:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT {1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34 | 123 | 124 | 134 | 234 | 1234}:FULL1
For instance, to perform a full 1-port calibration on ports 2, 3, and 4, the command is:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT234:FULL1
Transmission Response Calibration
Under the transmission response calibration type, one can specify up to six, 2-port combinations:
12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34
using three response methods that are stored in a list:
TFRF: transmission frequency response, forward
TFRR: transmission frequency response, reverse
TFRB: transmission frequency response, both.
First, clear the list using:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:TFR:CLEar
Next, use a combination of the following three commands:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRR
For instance, to specify a forward response calibration on port12, a reverse response calibration on port13, and both forward and reverse calibrations on port14, the commands are:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:TFR:CLE
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT12:TFRF
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT13:TFRR
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT14:TFRB
Full 2-Port Calibration
With a full 2-port calibration type, one can specify two, 2-port calibrations to be performed with six, 2-port combinations:
12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34
The port pairs selected must be port exclusive. For instance, if the first calibration is on port23, then the second, if specified, must be on port14. There are 3 calibration types that can be specified:
FULL2 | 1P2PF | 1P2PR
This is accomplished using one of the commands below for the first calibration:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect[:CALa]:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:1P2PF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect[:CALa]:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:1P2PR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect[:CALa]:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:FULL2
And one of the following commands below for the second calibration:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:CALB:1P2PF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:CALB:1P2PR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:CALB:FULL2
For instance, the commands below specify a full, 2-port calibration on port12 and use a one path, 2-port forward calibration as the second calibration:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT12:FULL2
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:CALB:1P2PF
Full 3-Port Calibration
With a full 3-port calibration type, one can specify a 3-port calibration to be performed on the indicated ports with the following command:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{123 | 124 | 134 | 234}:FULL3
In addition to selecting the ports above, two or three thru lines must be measured using the commands below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:CLEar
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:ADD
The arguments of the above command are:
THRu12 | THRu13 | THRu14 | THRu23 | THRu24 | THRu34
For example, to perform a full, 3-port calibration on ports 1, 3, and 4 with thru lines on port pairs 13, 14, and 34, send the following commands:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:PORT134:FULL3
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:CLE
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR13
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR14
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR34
Full 4-Port Calibration
With a full 4-port calibration type, one can specify a 4-port calibration to be performed on all four ports with the following command:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:FULL4
In addition, three to six thru lines must be measured using the commands below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:CLEar
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:ADD
Available throughs are:
THRu12 | THRu13 | THRu14 | THRu23 | THRu24 | THRu34
For example, to perform a full, 4-port calibration with thru lines on port pairs 12, 13, 14, and 24, send the following commands:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:FULL4
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:CLE
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR12
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR13
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR14
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:THR:ADD THR24
Defining the Calibration Standards
The following command sets the connector type:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:CONNector <char>
The connector types are as follows (the second letter is the gender: F for female, M for male, N for no gender):
Connector Type Abbreviations and Descriptions
Connector Type
Connector Description
CF2, CM2
2.4 mm Female, 2.4 mm Male
CF3, CM3
3.5 mm
CFK, CMK
K
CFN, CMN
N
CFS, CMS
SMA
CFC, CMC
TNC (Maury calibration kit)
CFV, CMV
V
CF1, CM1
W1
CF0.8, CM0.8
0.8 mm
CF716, CM716
7/16
CFN75, CMN75
N (75 ohm)
CF-2V, CM-2V
Anritsu 2.4 mm Female, 2.4 mm Male
CNG
GPC7 genderless
CFU1, CMU1 to CFU32, CMU32
User-defined 1 to User-defined 32
Use the following command to load a calibration kit file with its path and name as string data:
:MMEMory:LOAD:CKIT <string>
The many calibration standard types are divided into four categories of OPEN, SHORT, LOAD, and THRU (or THROUGH) as described in the following sections.
OPEN
An OPEN standard has the following parameters that define its electrical behavior:
C0, C1, C2 and C3 are power series coefficients used to calculate capacitance as follows:
C = C0 + C1*f + C2*f^2 + C3*f^3
These coefficients are often displayed in scientific notation as shown below:
C0 = number x 10E-15
C1 = number x 10E-27
C2 = number x 10E-36
C3 = number x 10E-45
If one enters a number for Cx whose magnitude is > 10E-5, then it is assumed that the number must be multiplied by the appropriate power of 10 shown above to determine the coefficient. Otherwise, the coefficient value is taken as is.
OFFSET is the offset length of the load expressed in meters
Note 
The parameters of the predefined types cannot be changed. Only the parameters of the User Defined types can be changed.
The following commands are used to change the OPEN standard parameters:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:C0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:C1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:C2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:C3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN:SERIAL
SHORT
A SHORT standard has the following parameters that define its electrical behavior:
L0, L1, L2 and L3 are power series coefficients used to calculate inductance as follows:
L = L0 + L1*f + L2*f^2 + L3*f^3
These coefficients are often displayed in scientific notation as shown below:
L0 = number x 10E-12
L1 = number x 10E-24
L2 = number x 10E-33
L3 = number x 10E-42
If one enters a number for Lx whose magnitude is > 10E-5, then it is assumed that the number must be multiplied by the appropriate power of 10 shown above to determine the coefficient. Otherwise, the coefficient value is taken as is.
OFFSET is the offset length of the load expressed in meters
There are actually four SHORTS that one may encounter; however, one may be working with more than one at a time so numerics are used to differentiate them as follows:
SHORT
SHORT1
SHORT2
SHORT3
The following commands are used to change the SHORT standard parameters:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT:SERIAL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1:SERIAL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2:SERIAL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3:SERIAL
LOAD
A LOAD standard has the following parameters that define its electrical behavior:
C0 is a capacitance term
LO, L1, L2, L3 are power series coefficients used to calculate inductance as follows:
L = L0 + L1*f + L2*f^2 + L3*f^3
R is the resistance of the load
Z0 is the characteristic impedance
OFFSET is the offset length of the load expressed in meters
Most calibration kits have two loads; therefore, they are differentiated by naming them LOAD1 and LOAD2. Use the following commands to modify the LOAD parameters:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:C0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:R
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:Z0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD1:SERIAL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:C0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:L1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:L2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:L3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:R
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:Z0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD2:SERIAL
THRU (or THROUGH)
A THRU (technically a “through”) standard has the following parameters that define its electrical behavior:
LENGTH is the length of the line
LOSS is the loss of the line
FREQUENCY is the frequency at which the loss was measured
Z0 is the Characteristic impedance
USERECIPROCAL is not actually an electrical parameter. It is merely a flag to notify the calibrator that it should use a reciprocal type of calculation.
Use the following commands to modify the THRU parameters:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:FREQuency
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:LENGth
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:LOSS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:Z0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:RECIProcal
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:LABEL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU:SERIAL
Performing the Calibration
Once all of the calibration setup parameters described above have been complete, the actual measurements for the calibration type and methods can be performed. Each calibration type and method requires measuring the appropriate standards using the commands listed below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:LOAD
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:OPEN
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SHORT3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD4
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD5
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{1-4}:SLOAD6
2- and 4-Port Isolation and Thru:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:ISOL
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRU
2- and 4-Port Thru Update:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:THRu:UPDate
Once the measurements are complete, the correction coefficients must be calculated and the calibration corrections must be applied (turned on):
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:SAVE
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:ISOLation:STATe
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:STATe
To simulate a calibration, use one of the commands below to specify the calibration type:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:1P2PF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:1P2PR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:FULL1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:FULL2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:FULLB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:RESP1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:RESPB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:TFRB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:TFRF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFFicient:TFRR
The commands below are for simulations with a 4-port test set attached to the VNA:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{1-4}:1P2PF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:1P2PR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{1-4}:FULL1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:FULL2
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:FULLB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{1-4}:RESP1
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:RESPB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRB
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRF
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:TFRR
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:PORT{PORT,123 | 124 | 134 | 234}:FULL3
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient:FULL4
The following command inputs and outputs the specified correction coefficients:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COEFficient
The correction coefficients must be specified using one of the character data arguments below:
2-Port:
ED1 | EP1S | ET11 | ET21 | EP2L | EX21 | ED2 | EP2S | ET22 | ET12 | EP1L | EX12
4-Port only:
ED3 | ET31 | ET32 | ET13 | ET23 | ET33 | EP3L | EP3S | EX31 | EX32 | EX13 | EX23 | ED4 | ET14 | ET41 | ET24 | ET42 | ET34 | ET43 | ET44 | EP4L | EP4S | EX14 | EX24 | EX34 | EX41 | EX42 | EX43
AutoCal
The AutoCal calibration method (calibration using a compatible Precision Automatic Calibrator module) must first be specified using the command below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect AUTO
Then the calibration type is selected using the commands described above in Setting Up a 2-Port Calibration or Setting Up a 4-Port Calibration.
Without a 4-port test set, the calibration types supported are FULL1 and FULL2. With a 4-port test set, the calibration types supported are FULL1, FULL2, and FULL4.
Note 
Multiple calibrations are not supported with AutoCal.
With the exception of the FULL4 calibration, use the commands described above to set the desired calibration type. For a FULL4 calibration, use the calibration type command:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:FULL4
The FULL4 calibration is achieved by performing two FULL2 calibrations on independent port pairs. One to four thru lines must also be measured using the commands listed above in Full 3-Port Calibration.
The following command sets the autocal box orientation manually:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:ORIentation
This command inputs a list of up to four comma-separated items:
L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | L1R2 | L1R3 | L1R4 | L2R3 | L2R4 | L3R4 | R1L2 | R1L3 | R1L4 | R2L3 | R2L4 | R3L4 | R2L1 | R3L1 | R4L1 | R3L2 | R4L2 | R4L3 | L2R1 | L3R1 | L4R1 | L3R2 | L4R2 | L4R3
The following command specifies substituting a true thru line instead of using the thru provided in the AutoCal box.
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:TRUEthru
The command’s input argument list consists of comma separated data with alternating port selections and on/off flags. For instance, if AutoCals are being performed on Ports 1 and 3 and Ports 2 and 4 with true thrus on the Ports 2 and 4 calibration, then the command is:
:SENS1:CORR:COLL:ECAL:TRUE PORT13,OFF,PORT24,ON
Automatic detection of the AutoCal module orientation is available with the following command only with 2-port configurations, but is not offered when a 4-port test set is connected:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:AUTOmatic:ORIentation[:STATe]
Once the AutoCal setup is complete, the following command starts the calibration:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:BEGin?
The AutoCal calibration may require interaction with a user to perform some mechanical setup steps such as reversing the AutoCal box, connecting the AutoCal box to different port(s), or connecting external thru lines. As each step is completed, send the following command to instruct the VNA to continue with the measurements:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:CONTinue?
The following command outputs a copy of the Autocal messages list:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:ECAL:MSGS:LIST?
This command outputs a list of up to four comma-separated items from the following list:
0 – AssurancePassed
19 – CharacBad
1 – Update
20 – DisplayMessage
2 – TrueThru
21 – ConnectToPort1
3 – Adapter
22 – ConnectToPort2
4 – NoModule
23 – ConnectToPort3
5 – NoOrient
24 – ConnectToPort4
6 – NoFile
25 – ConnectToPorts12
7 – NoMatch
26 – ConnectToPorts13
8 – No12T
27 – ConnectToPorts14
9 – NotAllowed
28 – ConnectToPorts23
10 – OutOfRange
29 – ConnectToPorts24
11 – AssuranceFailed
30 – ConnectToPorts34
12 – Aborted
31 – ConnectThrubwPorts12
13 – AbortOK
32 – ConnectThrubwPorts13
14 – AbortNotOK
33 – ConnectThrubwPorts14
15 – ACError
34 – ConnectThrubwPorts23
16 – ACFatalError
35 – ConnectThrubwPorts24
17 – DoneCalculateCoeff
36 – ConnectThrubwPorts34
18 – ACConnectCalB
37 – SequentialBegins
 
The following is a list of AutoCal return codes:
AutoCal Module Return Code Definitions (1 of 2)
Return Code
Code Description
0
Assurance: Assurance passed for AutoCal Modules that have an assurance step.
AutoCal complete for AutoCal Modules that have no assurance step.
1
Update: AutoCal complete for AutoCal Modules that have no assurance step.
2
True Thru: Connect through line.
3
Adapter: Reverse AutoCal module connection for Adapter Removal
4
NoModule: AutoCal module not found.
5
NoOrient: AutoCal module orientation not detected.
6
NoFile: AutoCal Characterization file not found.
7
NoMatch: AutoCal Characterization file and module mismatch. Check AutoCal serial number match to AutoCal Characterization file name.
8
No12T: Characterization function needs Full 2-Port (12-Term) calibration. Full 2-Port calibration not found.
9
NotAllowed: AutoCal automatic orientation not available on Lightning modules. Orientation must be manually specified.
10
OutOfRange: Frequencies are out of AutoCal module range.
11
AssuranceFailed: Assurance failed for AutoCal modules that have an assurance step.
Not applicable for AutoCal Modules that do not have an assurance step
12
Aborted: AutoCal calibration or Characterization aborted, typically by user.
13
AbortOK: Abort operation concluded successfully.
14
AbortNotOK: Abort operation not concluded successfully.
15
ACError: AutoCal unspecified error.
16
ACFatalError: AutoCal unspecified fatal error.
17
DoneCalculateCoeff: AutoCal module has completed calculating required coefficients.
18
ACConnectCalB
19
CharacBad: Characterization is bad.
20
DisplayMessage
21
ConnectToPort1: Connect AutoCal module to Port 1.
22
ConnectToPort2: Connect AutoCal module to Port 2.
23
ConnectToPort3: Connect AutoCal module to Port 3. Requires 4-port VNA.
24
ConnectToPort4: Connect AutoCal module to Port 4. Requires 4-port VNA.
25
ConnectToPorts12: Connect AutoCal module to Ports 1 and 2.
26
ConnectToPorts13: Connect AutoCal module to Ports 1 and 3. Requires a 4-port VNA.
27
ConnectToPorts14: Connect AutoCal module to Ports 1 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
28
ConnectToPorts23: Connect AutoCal module to Ports 2 and 3. Requires a 4-port VNA.
29
ConnectToPorts24: Connect AutoCal box to Ports 2 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
30
ConnectToPorts34: Connect AutoCal module to Ports 3 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
31
ConnectThrubwPorts12: Connect Thru line to Ports 1 and 2.
32
ConnectThrubwPorts13: Connect Thru line to Ports 1 and 3. Requires a 4-port VNA.
33
ConnectThrubwPorts14: Connect Thru line to Ports 1 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
34
ConnectThrubwPorts23: Connect Thru line to Ports 2 and 3. Requires a 4-port VNA.
35
ConnectThrubwPorts24: Connect Thru line to Ports 2 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
36
ConnectThrubwPorts34: Connect Thru line to Ports 3 and 4. Requires a 4-port VNA.
All VectorStar AutoCal modules support an assurance step. Some Lightning AutoCal modules do not support an assurance step.
LRL Calibration
The LRL calibration method must first be specified using the command below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect LRL
FULL3 LRL Calibration
The FULL3 LRL calibration is accomplished by performing two, FULL2 calibrations having a common port. The following command sets the calibration type to a full 3-port LRL calibration for the indicated channel:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:PORT{13 | 14 | 23 | 24}:FULL3
The port selection for the CALa calibration is limited to the ports shown below. The command’s argument must complement that of the port selection for the CALB calibration. The port selections available for the CALB calibration are limited based on the port selection made in the CALa calibration as follows:
CALa Port Selection
 
CALB Port Choices
PORT13 or PORT24
<-------->
PORT14 or PORT23
PORT14 or PORT23
<-------->
PORT13 or PORT24
Caution 
If the rules above for the CALB calibration port pair is violated, the FULL3 command will fail.
FULL4 LRL Calibration
The FULL4 LRL calibration is accomplished by performing two, FULL2 calibrations on independent port pairs. The following command sets the calibration type to a full 4-port LRL calibration for the indicated channel:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:FULL4
In addition, one to four thru lines must be measured using the commands listed below:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:CLEar
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:THRu:ADD
Available thrus are:
THRu12 | THRu13 | THRu14 | THRu23 | THRu24 | THRu34
Setting Up the Device Parameters
The following commands are then used to set up the device parameters:
The following three commands provide backward compatibility with legacy VectorStar software and are used to set up the frequency, line length, and loss values:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:PORT12:LINE:FREQuency
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:PORT12:LINE:LENGth
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:PORT12:LINE:LOSS
The following three commands provide support for newer VectorStar software and are used to set up the frequency, line length, and loss values:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:FREQuency
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:LENGth
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:LOSS
The following commands provide support for newer VectorStar software and for the 4-port test set. Omitting the optional [:CALa] keyword in these commands provide support for legacy 2-port instruments:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:BAND{1-5}
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:BANDs:COUNt
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:C0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:R
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:Z0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:DEVice{1-10}:TYPe
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:FREQuency:BREakpoint
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:OPEN:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:REFPlane
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL[:CALa]:SHORT:OFFS
 
The following commands are used for the corresponding CALB parameters:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB{1-5}:REFLection:TYPe
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:BANDs:COUNt
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:FREQuency
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:LENGth
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:LINE:LOSS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:C0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:L0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:R
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH:Z0
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:DEVice{1-10}:TYPe
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:FREQuency:BREakpoint
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:OPEN:OFFS
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:REFPlane
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:CALB:SHORT:OFFS
The following command defines which match corresponds to which port:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:MATCH:PORT
The following commands collect LRL calibration data:
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{1-4}:MATCH
:SENSe{1-16}:CORRection:COLLect:LRL:DEVice{1-10}:PORT{12 | 13 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 34}:LINE