Available if a non-power sweep mode of Frequency-Based Sweep or Index-Based Sweep is selected.
Port Selection (Port 1/Port 2/Port 3/Port 4)
Select displays the SELECT PORT dialog box allowing touch screen selection of Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, or Port 4.
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.
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.
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. 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 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 – Non-Power Sweep Modes with Option 32 (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.
Source Selection (Port 1/Port 2/Port 3/Port 4/Src 2 out Port 1/Src 2 out Port 2)
With Source2 Out Redirection ON, “Port Selection” is renamed “Source Selection”. The Source Selection button displays the SELECT PORT dialog box which allows touch screen selection of Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, Port 4, Src 2 out Port 1, or Src 2 out Port 2. The selected port is shown in the button display field.
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.
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.
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. 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 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).
• 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/Port3/Port4)
The Port Selection button toggles the port selection between Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, and Port 4.
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.
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 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).
• Option 32 installed, Source2 Out Redirection is ON (Power Setup Menu)
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.
Source Selection (Port 1/Port 2/Port 3/Port 4/Src 2 out Port 1/Src 2 out Port 2)
With Source2 Out Redirection ON, “Port Selection” is renamed “Source Selection”. The Source Selection button displays the SELECT PORT dialog box which allows touch screen selection of Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, Port 4, Src 2 out Port 1, or Src 2 out Port 2. The selected port is shown in the button display field.
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.
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 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).
• MAIN | Power | POWER | Power Cal | POWER CAL | Perform Cal | POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2/PORT 3/PORT 4)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
POWER CAL (PORT 1/PORT 2/PORT 3/PORT 4) Dialog Box – USB Sensor Not Detected and 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 Dialog – USB Power Sensor Detected and Broadband Disabled
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/PORT 3/PORT 4) Dialog Box – With USB Sensor – Broadband 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 Broadband Enabled
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. These sensors cannot be used to perform fundamental power correction.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2/PORT 3/PORT 4) Dialog Box – Broadband Enabled – Using USB Sensor
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 Not Detected and Broadband Enabled
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.
POWER CALIBRATION (PORT 1/PORT 2/PORT 3/PORT 4) Dialog Box – Broadband Enabled – No USB Sensor
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.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.
• 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) (1 of 2). This refers to the calibration options submenu where the .s2p file is often generated.
Power Menu Set – Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear or Log) (1 of 2)
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).
