VectorStar™ MS464xB Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzer User Interface Reference : Power Menus – 2-Port VNAs : Power Cal Menu Variants – 2-Port VNAs
 
Power Cal Menu Variants – 2-Port VNAs
POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
POWER CAL Menu – Segment-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Note 
The menus are identical for frequency-based sweep and segment-based sweep.
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POWER Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
POWER Menu – Segment-Based Sweeps – 2-Port VNAs
Prerequisites
Sweep = Frequency and Segment-Based Sweep – See Sweep Setup and Sweep Type Menus. Navigation to Sweep Type:
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Type | SWEEP TYPES
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL
POWER CAL Menu – Non-Power Sweep Modes (1 of 2)
POWER CAL Menu (Non-Power Sweep Modes)
Available if a non-power sweep mode of Frequency-Based Sweep or Index-Based Sweep is selected.
Port Selection (Port 1/Port 2)
The Port Selection button toggles the port selection between Port 1 and Port 2.
Port Selection (Port 1/Port 2/Aux Module)
Availability requires Option 31 dual source and one of Options 084, 085, 088, or 089 installed.
Selecting button opens Select Port dialog and allows selection between Port 1, Port 2, or Aux Module. This feature is active only when either:
The receiver is configured for 3739 test set use, and IMDView (Option 044) is active in a millimeter waveband, or:
The receiver is configured for Multiple Source control using the 3739 test set, and both sources (Option 031) are active
.
 
Power Cal (Off/On)
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable. If a prior successful power calibration has been completed, the toggle button is available and allows the user to toggle the power calibration off and on.
Target Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
Perform Cal
Starts the power calibration routine and displays the POWER CALIBRATION dialog box. When the calibration is successfully completed, the Save Cal button (below) and the Power Cal (Off/On) button (above) are available.
Save Cal
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable. The Save Cal button is available after a successful power calibration (above). If the sweep mode is set to a frequency sweep, select displays the SAVE AS (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL.FPC FILE) dialog box.
Recall Cal
The Recall Calibration (Recall Cal) button allows a prior saved calibration to be recalled. As above, if the sweep mode is set to a frequency sweep, select displays the OPEN (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL.FPC FILE) dialog box.
When a Power Cal is successfully recalled on any port of the channel, the indicator ‘PwrCal’ is shown on the Channel Status bar.
NW Extraction
This button is only available if there is an existing power calibration. This menu enables one to load files separately for embedding and de-embedding, where an existing power calibration is modified by the S-parameters in a .s2p file to reflect a network that was added after the power calibration (embedding) or removed after calibration (de-embedding).
POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs with Option 32
POWER CAL Menu – Segment-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs with Option 32
Note 
The menus are identical for frequency-based sweep and segment-based sweep.
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POWER Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs (Option 32)
POWER Menu – Segment-Based Sweeps – 2-Port VNAs
Prerequisites
Option 32 installed
Sweep = Frequency and Segment-Based Sweep – See Sweep Setup and Sweep Type Menus. Navigation to Sweep Type:
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Type | SWEEP TYPES
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL
POWER CAL Menu – Non-Power Sweep Modes (1 of 2)
POWER CAL Menu (Non-Power Sweep Modes)
Available if a non-power sweep mode of Frequency-Based Sweep or Index-Based Sweep is selected.
Port/Source Selection (Port 1/Port2 or Port 1/Port2/Src 2 out Port 1)
With Src2 Out Redirection OFF, button is named Port Selection. Select toggles between Port 1, or Port 2.
With Src2 Out Redirection ON, button is named Source Selection. Select opens a dialog to select Port 1, Port 2 or Src 2 out Port 1.
Power Cal (Off/On)
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable. If a prior successful power calibration has been completed, the toggle button is available and allows the user to toggle the power calibration off and on.
Target Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
 
Save Cal
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable. The Save Cal button is available after a successful power calibration (above). If the sweep mode is set to a frequency sweep, select displays the SAVE AS (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL.FPC FILE) dialog box.
Recall Cal
The Recall Calibration (Recall Cal) button allows a prior saved calibration to be recalled. As above, if the sweep mode is set to a power sweep, select displays the OPEN (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL.PPC FILE) dialog box.
When a Power Cal is successfully recalled on any port of the channel, the indicator ‘PwrCal’ is shown on the Channel Status bar.
NW Extraction
This button is only available if there is an existing power calibration. This menu enables one to load files separately for embedding and de-embedding, where an existing power calibration is modified by the S-parameters in a .s2p file to reflect a network that was added after the power calibration (embedding) or removed after calibration (de-embedding).
POWER CAL Menu – Power-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
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POWER Menu – Power-Based Sweeps – 2-Port VNAs
Prerequisites
Sweep = Power-Based Sweep (CW Frequency or Swept Frequency). See Sweep Setup and Sweep Type Menus. Navigation to Sweep Types:
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Type | SWEEP TYPES
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Setup | POWER SETUP | Power Cal | POWER CAL
POWER CAL Menu – Power Sweep Modes (1 of 2)
POWER CAL Menu (Power Sweep Modes)
Available if Power Sweep (CW Frequency) or Power Sweep (Swept Frequency) is selected.
Port Selection (Port 1/Port 2)
The Port Selection button toggles the port selection between Port 1 and Port 2.
Power Cal (Off/On)
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable.
If a prior successful power calibration has been completed, the toggle button is available and allows the user to toggle the power calibration off and on.
Target Start Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Start Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
Target Stop Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Start Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
Perform Cal
Starts the power calibration routine and displays the POWER CALIBRATION dialog box. When the calibration is successfully completed, the Save Cal button (below) and the Power Cal (Off/On) button (above) are available.
Save Cal
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable.
The Save Cal button is available after a successful power calibration (above).
If the sweep mode is set to a power sweep, select displays the SAVE AS (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL.PPC FILE) dialog box.
 
Recall Cal
The Recall Calibration (Recall Cal) button allows a prior saved calibration to be recalled.
As above, if the sweep mode is set to a frequency sweep, select displays the OPEN (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) dialog box. The dialog box is similar to the dialog box below:
When a Power Cal is successfully recalled on any port of the channel, the indicator ‘PwrCal’ is shown on the Channel Status bar.
NW Extraction
This button is only available if there is an existing power calibration. This menu enables one to load files separately for embedding and de-embedding, where an existing power calibration is modified by the S-parameters in a .s2p file to reflect a network that was added after the power calibration (embedding) or removed after calibration (de-embedding).
POWER CAL Menu – Power-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs with Option 32
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POWER Menu – Power-Based Sweeps – 2-Port VNAs
Prerequisites
Option 32 installed
Sweep = Power-Based Sweep (CW Frequency or Swept Frequency). See Sweep Setup and Sweep Type Menus. Navigation to Sweep Types:
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Type | SWEEP TYPES
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Setup | POWER SETUP | Power Cal | POWER CAL
POWER CAL Menu – Power Sweep Modes (with Option 32) (1 of 2)
POWER CAL Menu (Power Sweep Modes)
Available if Power Sweep (CW Frequency) or Power Sweep (Swept Frequency) is selected.
Port/Source Selection (Port 1/Port2 or Port 1/Port2/Src 2 out Port 1)
With Src2 Out Redirection OFF, button is named Port Selection. Select toggles between Port 1, or Port 2.
With Src2 Out Redirection ON, button is named Source Selection. Select opens a dialog to select Port 1, Port 2 or Src 2 out Port 1.
Power Cal (Off/On)
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable.
If a prior successful power calibration has been completed, the toggle button is available and allows the user to toggle the power calibration off and on.
Target Start Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Start Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
 
Target Stop Power (dBm)
Select displays the Target Start Power field toolbar and allows the user to enter power levels in dBm.
Perform Cal
Starts the power calibration routine and displays the POWER CALIBRATION dialog box. When the calibration is successfully completed, the Save Cal button (below) and the Power Cal (Off/On) button (above) are available.
Save Cal
If a successful power calibration has not been completed, the button is unavailable.
The Save Cal button is available after a successful power calibration (above).
If the sweep mode is set to a power sweep, select displays the SAVE AS (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL.PPC FILE) dialog box.
Recall Cal
The Recall Calibration (Recall Cal) button allows a prior saved calibration to be recalled.
As above, if the sweep mode is set to a frequency sweep, select displays the OPEN (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) dialog box. The dialog box is similar to the dialog box below:
When a Power Cal is successfully recalled on any port of the channel, the indicator ‘PwrCal’ is shown on the Channel Status bar .
NW Extraction
This button is only available if there is an existing power calibration. This menu enables one to load files separately for embedding and de-embedding, where an existing power calibration is modified by the S-parameters in a .s2p file to reflect a network that was added after the power calibration (embedding) or removed after calibration (de-embedding).
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box
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POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL | Perform Cal | POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box
Note 
The examples shown below have the Sweep Setup set to Frequency Sweep. When Sweep Setup is set to Power Sweep, the dialog states: “Power calibration in power sweep adjusts the source output power for the frequency specified across the power sweep range to provide a linear power level at the calibration plane.”
Power Calibration Dialog – USB Power Sensor Not Detected and Broadband Disabled
When Broadband receiver mode is disabled and a USB power sensor is not detected, the dialog instructions appear as shown in Figure: POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Not Detected – Broadband Disabled.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Not Detected – Broadband Disabled
Instructions
For best results: Set the source power, port attenuator, and power target so that the test port level is correct at the desired port.
1. Preset, Zero, and Calibrate the power meter.
2. If using a GPIB power meter, connect it to the dedicated GPIB interface on the VNA. If using a USB power meter, connect it to a USB port on the VNA. In either case, connect the RF port of the sensor to the desired DUT reference plane connected to Port 1.
3. Select Start Cal to perform the calibration.
4. Click Close to return. Click Abort Cal to end calibration session.
Power Calibration – Pulse Mode and Broadband Disabled
In pulse modes (Options 35 and 42 required), a power calibration selection is available to calibrate based only on energy in specific time intervals (e.g., in the middle of the on-state of the pulse). The timing parameters are set in the PulseView Configuration section and their use requires a pulsed power meter. The Calibrate Pulsed Power check box is available in the POWER CALIBRATION dialog box, as shown in Figure: POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – Calibrate Pulsed Power – 3739 Mode Disabled.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – Calibrate Pulsed Power – 3739 Mode Disabled
Power Calibration Dialog – USB Power Sensor Detected and 3739 Mode Disabled
When 3739 Broadband receiver mode is disabled and a USB power sensor is detected, the dialog instructions appear as shown in Figure: POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Detected – 3739 Mode Disabled.
Note 
The MA24500A series USB PowerMaster is supported only on VectorStar systems equipped with Windows 7 or Windows 10 IoT Operating System and requires a dual USB Type A male to single USB Type A female cable to supply needed current draw.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Detected – 3739 Mode Disabled
Instructions
Clicking on the ‘lamp’ icon opens the following notice: “For Best Results: Set the source power, port attenuator, and power target so that the test port level is correct at the desired port.”
1. Preset, Zero, and Calibrate the power meter.
2. If using a GPIB power meter, connect it to the dedicated GPIB interface on the VNA. If using a USB power meter, connect it to a USB port on the VNA. In either case, connect the RF port of the sensor to the desired DUT reference plane connected to Port 1.
3. Select Start Cal to perform the calibration.
4. Click Close to return. Click Abort Cal to end calibration session.
Power Calibration Dialog – USB Power Sensor Detected and Any 3739 Mode Enabled
When any 3739 receiver mode is enabled and a USB power sensor is detected, the dialog instructions appear as shown in Figure: POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Detected – 3739 Mode Enabled.
When in 3739 broadband mode, checking the “Use Fundamental Power Correction” box improves overall power accuracy by characterizing the harmonic content during the power calibration.
Note 
The MA24500A series USB PowerMaster is supported only on VectorStar systems equipped with Windows 7 or Windows 10 IoT Operating System and requires a dual USB Type A male to single USB Type A female cable to supply needed current draw.
These sensors cannot be used to perform fundamental power correction.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Detected – 3739 Mode Enabled
Instructions
Clicking on the ‘lamp’ icon opens the following notice: “For Best Results: Set the source power, port attenuator, and power target so that the test port level is correct at the desired port.”
1. Preset, Zero, and Calibrate the power meter.
2. Connect the RF port of the sensor to the desired DUT reference plane connected to Port 1.
If using a GPIB power meter, connect it to the dedicated GPIB interface on the VNA.
If using a USB Erickson PM5 power sensor, this option is only available Flatness and Linear power cal dialogs, when the application is in any of HB1, HB2, or HB3 modes, and the frequency range includes 70 GHz or above.
If using a USB power meter, connect it to a USB port on the VNA.
3. Select Start Cal to perform the calibration.
4. Click Close to return. Click Abort Cal to end calibration session.
Power Calibration Dialog – USB Power Sensor Not Detected and any 3739 Mode Enabled
When Broadband receiver mode is enabled (3739 Test set enabled in Application | Receiver Config.), and a USB sensor is not detected, the dialog instructions appear as shown in Figure: POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor NOT Detected – 3739 Mode Enabled. The USB power sensor selection is disabled because no USB sensor was detected.
Note that when in 3739 broadband mode, checking the “Use Fundamental Power Correction” box improves overall power accuracy by characterizing the harmonic content during the power calibration.
Note 
The MA24500A series USB PowerMaster is supported only on VectorStar systems equipped with Windows 7 or Windows 10 IoT Operating System and requires a dual USB Type A male to single USB Type A female cable to supply needed current draw.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2) Dialog Box – USB Sensor NOT Detected – 3739 Mode Enabled
Instructions
Clicking on the ‘lamp’ icon opens the following notice: “For Best Results: Set the source power, port attenuator, and power target so that the test port level is correct at the desired port.”
1. Preset, Zero, and Calibrate the power meter.
2. If using a GPIB power meter, connect it to the dedicated GPIB interface on the VNA. If using a USB power meter, connect it to a USB port on the VNA. In either case, connect the RF port of the sensor to the desired DUT reference plane connected to Port 1.
3. Select Start Cal to perform the calibration.
4. Click Close to return. Click Abort Cal to end calibration session.
OPEN (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) Dialog Box
Overview
Allows the user to find, open, and recall a frequency sweep power calibration (FPC file). If a frequency sweep is set, recalling a prior calibration displays the Open (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) dialog box. See left image in Figure: OPEN FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes.
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POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs.
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL | Recall Cal | OPEN (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) Dialog Box
OPEN (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) Dialog Box
Allows the user to find, open, and recall a power sweep power calibration (PPC file). If a power sweep is set, recalling a prior calibration from the Power Cal menu displays the Open (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) dialog box. See right image in Figure: OPEN FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes.
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POWER CAL Menu – Power-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Setup| POWER SETUP |Power Cal | POWER CAL | Recall Cal | RECALL CAL (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) Dialog Box
OPEN FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes
At left, Open Frequency Sweep Power Cal FPC File
At right, Open Power Sweep Power Cal (PPC) File
SAVE AS (FREQ SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) Dialog Box
Allows the user to save a frequency sweep power calibration (FPC file). If a frequency sweep is set, clicking Save Cal displays the Save As (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) dialog box. See left image in Figure: SAVE AS FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes.
Full Name
SAVE AS (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CALIBRATION FPC FILE)
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POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL | Save Cal | SAVE AS (FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL FPC FILE) Dialog Box
SAVE AS (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) Dialog Box
Allows the user to save a power sweep power calibration (PPC file). If a power sweep is set, clicking Save Cal displays the Save As (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) dialog box. See right image in Figure: SAVE AS FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes.
Previous
POWER CAL Menu – Power-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Setup| POWER SETUP |Power Cal | POWER CAL | Save Cal | SAVE AS (POWER SWEEP POWER CAL PPC FILE) Dialog Box
SAVE AS FPC or PPC File Dialog Boxes
At left, SAVE AS FREQUENCY SWEEP POWER CAL (FPC) FILE Dialog
At right, SAVE AS POWER SWEEP POWER CAL (PPC) FILE Dialog
NW EXTRACTION Menu
Full Name
NW Extraction
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POWER CAL Menu – Frequency-Based Sweep – 2-Port VNAs
Navigation
MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL | NW Extraction
An additional function available with power calibrations is embedding or de-embedding, where an existing power calibration is modified by the S-parameters in a .s2p file to reflect a network that was added after the power calibration (embedding) or removed after calibration (de-embedding). These functions are placed on the NW Extraction submenu (short for network extraction) shown in Figure: Power Menu Set – Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear or Log). This refers to the calibration options submenu where the .s2p file is often generated.
Power Menu Set – Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear or Log) 
This menu enables the user to load files separately for embedding and de-embedding.
1. Power Cal menu
2. Selection opens NW Extraction menu.
Click “Load NW Extract – Embed File” to select s2p file for embedding. Once a valid .s2p file is selected, a check mark will be displayed in the “Load NW Extract – Embed File” menu item.

Click “Load NW Extract – De-embed File” to select s2p file for de-embedding. Once a valid .s2p file is selected, a check mark will be displayed in the “Load NW Extract-De-embed File” menu item.
3. Loaded s2p file – Embed is ON
4. Loaded s2p file – De-embed is ON
NOTE: The updated cal file values (after embedding/ de-embedding) are applied to the system only if the “Power Cal” status is ON. If the “Power Cal” status is OFF, then the updated cal file values are applied to the system when it is turned ON.
The user is also allowed to turn ON/OFF the “NW Extract – Embed / De-embed” ON/OFF toggle buttons to remove the embedding / de-embedding effects from the existing power calibration (the effect of .s2p file data is removed from the power cal file values).