Service Guide E8364-90026 3-7
PNA Series Microwave Network Analyzers      Tests and Adjustments
E8362B, E8363B, E8364B About System Verification and Performance Tests
System Verification Procedure
The system verification procedure tests the network analyzer measurement “system”, as 
defined previously, against the system specifications. If confirmation is successful, the 
measurement system is capable of making measurements to the accuracy specified by the 
graphs of measurement uncertainty.
The procedure consists of calibrating the analyzer with a calibration kit, measureing a set 
of characterized devices, and comparing the resultant measured data to the data and 
uncertainty limits supplied with the verification kit. The device data provided with the 
verification kit has a traceable path to NIST. The total measurement uncertainty limits for 
the performance verification are the sum of the factory measurement uncertainties and 
the uncertainties associated with measuring the same devices on the system being 
verified. The difference between the factory-measured data and the verification-measured 
data must fall within the total uncertainty limits at all frequencies for the total system 
uncertainty test to pass.
NOTE
Calibration kits are different from verification kits. Calibration kits are used 
to determine the systematic errors of a network analyzer measurement 
system. Verification kits are used to confirm system specifications and are not 
used to generate error correction.
Performance Tests
Performance tests are used to confirm analyzer performance against the “instrument” 
specifications. If confirmation is successful, the analyzer meets the instrument 
specifications.
Performance tests are contained in the N7840A Software Package and are described at 
“Performance Tests (Agilent N7840A Software Package)” on page 3-31.
An illustrated outline of the performance verification procedure:
• for ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 verification, is shown in Figure 3-1 on page 3-9.
• for non-ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 verification, is shown in Figure 3-2 on page 3-10.
Certificate of Calibration
Agilent Technologies will issue a certificate of calibration upon successful completion of 
system verification or completion of the performance tests. The certificate of calibration 
will apply to the “system” (analyzer, calibration kit, test cables, and any necessary 
adapters) if the system verification procedure is used to confirm the system specifications. 
If the performance tests are used to confirm instrument specifications, the certificate of 
calibration will apply to the PNA as an independent instrument. The equipment and 
measurement standards used for the tests must be certified and must be traceable to 
recognized standards.
NOTE
If you have a measurement application that does not use all of the 
measurement capabilities of the analyzer, you may ask your local Agilent 
Technologies service office to verify only a subset of the specifications. 
However, this “limited calibration” creates the possibility of making