The Calibration Standards; Frequency Response Of Calibration Standards - Agilent Technologies 8719D User Manual

During measurement calibration, the analyzer measures actual, well-dellned standards and
mathematically compares the results with ideal "models" of those standards. The differences
are separated into error terms which are later removed during error-correction. Most of the
differences are due to systematic errors - repeatable errors introduced by the analyzer, test
set, and cables - which are correctable.
The standard devices required for system calibration are available in compatible calibration
kits with different connector types. Each kit contains at least one short circuit, one open
circuit, and an impedance-matched load. In kits that require adapters for interface to
the test set ports, the adapters are phase-matched for calibration prior to measurement of
non-insertable and non-reversible devices. Other standard devices can be used by specifying
their characteristics in a user-defined kit, as described later in this section under "Modifying
Calibration Kits. n
The accuracy improvement of the correction is limited by the quality of the standard devices,
and by the connection techniques used. For maximum accuracy, use a torque wrench for final
connections.

Frequency Response of Calibration Standards

In order for the response of a reference standard to show as a dot on the smith chart display
format, it must have no phase shift with respect to frequency. Standards that exhibit such
"perfect" response are the following:
short (with no offset)
n
type-N male short (with no offset)
n
There are two reasons why other types of reference standards show phase shift after
calibration:
The reference plane of the standard is electrically offset from the mating plane of the test
n
port. Such devices exhibit the properties of a small length of transmission line, including a
certain amount of phase shift.
The standard is an open termination, which by deGnition exhibits a certain amount of fringe
n
capacitance (and therefore phase shift). Open terminations which are offset from the mating
plane will exhibit a phase shift due to the offset in addition to the phase shift caused by the
fringe capacitance.
The most important point to remember is that these properties will not affect your
measurements. 'I'he analyzer compensates for them during measurement. As a result, if these
standards are measured after a calibration, they will not appear to be "perfect" shorts or
opens This is an indication that your analyzer is
performed a calibration. Figure 6-49 shows sample displays of various calibration standards
after calibration.
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and that it has successfully
working properly