Calibration techniques for simplified high-frequency multiport differential measurements

A machine readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause a system to:

• determine a first group of calibration terms by performing at least two two-port calibrations on outboard ports of a switch fabric having at least four outboard ports;
• measure reflection coefficients for each member of a first pair of outboard ports from the at least four outboard ports when the first pair is connected with a first transmission line;
• measure reflection coefficients for each member of a second pair of outboard ports from the at least four outboard ports when the second pair is connected with a second transmission line;
• and
• utilize the first group of calibration terms and the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs to calibrate the vector network analyzer, wherein the instructions that when executed by the processor cause the system to utilize the first group of calibration terms and the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs comprise instructions that when executed by the processor cause the system to:
• determine load match values from the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs and utilize the load match values;
• and
• determine a second group of calibration terms from the load match values and the first group of calibration terms.

A calibration tool for calibrating a vector network analyzer having a switch fabric with at least four outboard ports, the calibration tool configured to:

• determine a first group of calibration terms by performing at least two two-port calibrations on the outboard ports;
• measure reflection coefficients for each member of a first pair of outboard ports from the at least four outboard ports when the first pair is connected with a first transmission line;
• measure reflection coefficients for each member of a second pair of outboard ports from the at least four outboard ports when the second pair is connected with a second transmission line;
• and
• utilize the first group of calibration terms and the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs to calibrate the vector network analyzer, wherein the calibration tool, when utilizing the first group of calibration terms and the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs:
• determines load match values from the reflection coefficients from the first and second pairs and utilizes the load match values;
• and
• determines a second group of calibration terms from the load match values and the first group of calibration terms.