Method for calibrating a broadband voltage/current probe

A calibration method for performing open circuit and closed circuit calibrations of a voltage/current (VI) probe, the method comprising:

• inserting a VI probe into a circuit including a first known load, Load 1 and applying an RF signal to the circuit from a radio frequency (RF) signal generator;
• measuring a first raw impedance (ZRAW1) using the Load 1;
• inserting the VI probe into a circuit including a second known load, Load 2 and applying the RF signal to the circuit from the RF signal generator;
• measuring a second raw impedance (ZRAW2) using the Load 2;
• defining a fixed reference impedance (ZR50);
• generating a parameterized open circuit, short circuit and fixed impedance equation based on the first and second raw impedances, and the fixed reference impedance;
• using the parameterized open circuit, short circuit and fixed impedance equation to determine an open circuit impedance, Zoc and a short circuit impedance, Zsc;
• and
• using ZOC and ZSC to determine a plurality of calibration coefficients for the VI probe.

A calibration method for performing open circuit and closed circuit calibrations of a voltage/current (VI) probe, the method comprising:

• providing a computer that is placed in communication with a circuit;
• using the computer to control a radio frequency (RF) signal generator that generates an RF signal that is applied to the circuit;
• inserting a first known load, Load 1 into the circuit;
• inserting a VI probe into the circuit and applying the RF signal to the circuit from the RF signal generator;
• using the VI probe to measure a first raw voltage and a first raw current related to the Load 1;
• using the first raw voltage and the first raw current values obtained by the VI probe relating to the Load 1 to determine a first raw impedance (ZRAW1) using the Load 1;
• removing the Load 1 and inserting a second known load, Load 2 into the circuit;
• applying the RF signal to the circuit and using the VI probe to measure a second raw voltage and a second raw current relating to the second known load (Load 2);
• using the second raw voltage and the second raw current values obtained by the VI probe relating to the Load 2 to determine a second raw impedance (ZRAW2) using the Load 2;
• defining a fixed reference impedance (Zr50);
• generating a parameterized open circuit, short circuit and fixed impedance equation based on the first and second raw impedances, and the fixed reference impedance;
• using the parameterized open circuit, short circuit and fixed impedance equation to determine an open circuit impedance, Zoc and a short circuit impedance, Zsc;
• and
• using ZOC and ZSC to determine a plurality of calibration coefficients for the VI probe.