US 7,924,024 B2 · Automatic calibration techniques with improved accuracy and lower complexity for high frequency vector network analyzers

Abstract

A calibration module, for use in calibrating a VNA, includes ports connectable to the VNA, calibration standards, and single pole multi throw (SPMT) switches. Each SPMT includes a single pole terminal, multiple throw terminals and a shunt terminal corresponding to each multiple throw terminal. A switching path is between each throw terminal and the single pole terminal, and between each shunt terminal and the single pole terminal. Each switching path includes at least one solid state switching element. The calibration standards are selectively connectable to the ports of the calibration module by selectively controlling the switching elements. Each port of the calibration module is directly connected to a throw terminal of one of the SPMT switches. Also, unique algorithm are provided for calibrating a VNA when using a calibration impedance that is a hybrid of a reflect standard and a transmission standard, which can be achieved using the calibration module.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A calibration module for use in calibrating a vector network analyzer (VNA), the calibration module comprising:

a plurality of ports connectable to a VNA;
a plurality of calibration standards;
and
a plurality of single pole multi throw (SPMT) switches each of which includes
a single pole terminal,
multiple throw terminals,
a shunt terminal corresponding to each of the multiple throw terminals, and
a switching path between each of the throw terminals and the single pole terminal, and between each of the shunt terminals and the single pole terminal, wherein each of the switching paths include at least one solid state switching element;
wherein the calibration standards are selectively connectable to the ports of the calibration module by selectively controlling the switching elements of the switching paths of the SPMT switches;
and
wherein each port of the calibration module is connected to one of the throw terminals of one of the SPMT switches without any intervening pole terminal.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic calibration techniques with improved accuracy and lower complexity for high frequency vector network analyzers

Life of this patent

Automatic calibration techniques with improved accuracy and lower complexity for high frequency vector network analyzers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20