An Approach for Characterizing the Frequency Response of Sampling-Oscilloscopes Using a Large-Signal Network Analyzer

Published

June 1, 2019

Author(s)

Alirio De Jesus Soares Boaventura, Dylan Williams, Paul D. Hale, Avolio Gustavo

Abstract

We propose an approach for characterizing the complex frequency response of sampling- oscilloscopes using a calibrated large-signal network analyzer (LSNA) and a broadband pulse source. First, we perform a full wave-parameter calibration of the LSNA using its internal CW sources. Then, we replace the internal CW sources with an external broadband pulse source and we measure it with the calibrated LSNA and with the oscilloscope under-test connected to the LSNA test port. The complex frequency response of the oscilloscope's sampler is derived in the frequency domain as the ratio of the oscilloscope signal to the calibrated LSNA signal. We achieve less than 0.7 dB amplitude difference and less than 5 degrees phase difference up to 45 GHz, compared to the previous NIST EOS characterization of the same sampler.

Proceedings Title

International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2019

Conference Dates

June 2-7, 2019

Conference Location

Boston, MA, US

Conference Title

2019 International Microwave Symposium

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Sampling-oscilloscopes, complex frequency response, LSNA, standard transfer

Citation

Soares Boaventura, A. , Williams, D. , Hale, P. and Gustavo, A. (2019), An Approach for Characterizing the Frequency Response of Sampling-Oscilloscopes Using a Large-Signal Network Analyzer, International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2019, Boston, MA, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=927381 (Accessed October 24, 2025)