A Multireflect-Thru Method of Vector-Network-Analyzer Calibration

Published

March 1, 2017

Author(s)

Arkadiusz Lewandowski, Wojciech Wiatr, Nate Orloff, James Booth

Abstract

We present a new method for two-port vector-network-analyzer calibration which uses multiple offset-reflect standards and a flush thru connection. Offset-reflect standards consist of sections of the same uniform transmission-line with different lengths, which are terminated with the same highly-reflective load. The unknown propagation constant of the transmission line and the load reflection coefficient are then determined simultaneously with the vector-network- analyzer calibration coefficients. We compare our method with the multiline thru-reflect-line method, and show that both methods yield similar results. Our new multireflect-thru method is solely based upon dimensional parameters of the calibration standards. Therefore, like the multiline thru-reflect-line method, it can be used to establish a traceable vector-network- analyzer calibration, Thus, the multireflect-thru method constitutes an alternative to the multiline thru-reflect-line calibration in environments in which the use of transmission lines is troublesome, such as in the case vector-network-analyzers with very small coaxial and waveguide connectors.

Citation

IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques

Volume

65

Issue

3

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

vector network analyzer, calibration, error analysis, redundancy, offset reflects

Citation

Lewandowski, A. , Wiatr, W. , Orloff, N. and Booth, J. (2017), A Multireflect-Thru Method of Vector-Network-Analyzer Calibration, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=920602 (Accessed October 9, 2025)