US 8,508,241 B2 · Method and device for the calibration of network analyzers using a comb generator

Abstract

A vectorial network analyzer including n test ports. With the connection of several different calibration standards to the test ports, several calibration measurements are implemented. For the calibration, different measurements are implemented. Initially, in n calibration measurements, a comb-generator signal is supplied via a direct connection successively to all n test ports. Using a measuring point at the output of the comb generator and the measuring point associated with the respective test port, phase measurements are implemented at all of the frequencies forming the comb-generator signal. A frequency-dependent phase offset is determined from the phase measurements. Moreover, in at least one measurement, all n test ports are terminated successively in each case using known, input impedances, identical within one measurement, of arbitrary transmission properties, wherein successively, all n test ports are excited using a transmission oscillator successively with all frequencies of the comb-generator signal.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for the calibration of vectorial network analyzers, which comprise n test ports, wherein several different calibration standards are connected to the test ports, and wherein n is an arbitrary number greater than 1, the method comprising:

performing n calibration measurements by:
connecting a comb-generator for providing a comb-generator signal, using a connecting line, successively to all n test ports,
the comb-generator signal comprising a sum of several sinusoidal signals of equidistant frequency interval,
successively measuring the phase of the individual signals of the comb-generator signal at the same time at a measuring point on the comb generator and at a measuring point of the respective test port, and
determining a frequency-dependent phase offset of the individual signals from the measured phase values, and
performing another calibration measurement by:
terminating all n test ports in each case using known, identical, first input impedances of arbitrary transmission properties, and
successively exciting all n test ports using a transmission oscillator successively with all frequencies of the comb-generator signal.

5 more elements

A device for the calibration of vectorial network analyzers, comprising:

n test ports having different calibration standards, wherein n is an arbitrary number greater than 1, and the device implements a plurality of measurements for the calibration:
a comb-generator for supplying a comb-generator signal using a connecting line successively to all n test ports,
the comb-generator signal being a sum of several sinusoidal signals of equidistant frequency interval,
means for measuring, successively, the phase of the individual signals of the comb-generator signal at the same time at a measuring point on the comb generator and at a measuring point of the respective test port, and
means for determining a frequency-dependent phase offset from the measured phases, wherein the comb-generator, the means for measuring, and the means for determining conduct first n calibration measurements;
a terminating means for terminating all n test ports in each case using known, identical, first input impedances of arbitrary transmission properties, and
an exciting means for exciting, successively, all n test ports using a transmission oscillator successively with all frequencies of the comb-generator signal,
wherein the terminating means and the exciting means conduct second n calibration measurements.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for the calibration of network analyzers using a comb generator

Life of this patent

Method and device for the calibration of network analyzers using a comb generator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18