Keysight N4693D - Accuracy of Electronic Calibration Versus Mechanical Calibration

1-2 Electronic Calibration Modules Reference Guide
General Information
Manual Overview
1-
— A female connector gage has a male interface so it can measure female
devices.
Accuracy of Electronic Calibration versus Mechanical Calibration
As the number of DUT test ports increases, the required number of calibration
measurements also increases. This boosts the probability of bad connections
and bad calibrations when mechanical calibration standards are used rather
than ECal. Also, test port cable repeatability and stability errors are amplified
by the increased number of connections and disconnections. To perform an
SOLT 4-port calibration, a minimum of twelve 1-port standards and three
2-port (thru) standards are measured, requiring a total of eighteen
connections. The same calibration using a 2-port ECal module (N755xA and
N469xD) requires only four connections.
Ignoring connection related errors, the following table compares the accuracy
of ECal versus mechanical calibration in various calibration options.
N755xA ECals can be used for S-parameter measurement calibrations. The
residual measurement uncertainty makes them unsuitable for advanced
applications, such as load pull, noise figure, etcetera.
Mechanical Calibration Type ECal Thru Type Measurement ECal Mechanical
Calibration
1-Port, calibration constant (not
data-based) SOL
NA Reflection ++
1-Port, short, open, sliding load NA Reflection +
1-Port, data-based, expanded NA Reflection +
2-Port TRL All types Reflection
Transmission
++
++
≥2-Port, calibration constant SOL, flush
thru
a
Characterized Reflection
Transmission
++ ++
Internal unknown Reflection
Transmission
++
External flush
a
Reflection
Transmission
++
≥2-Port, calibration constant SOL,
unknown thru
Characterized Reflection
Transmission
++ ++
Internal unknown Reflection
Transmission
++
=
=