Test cables, adaptors, calibration standards and measurement check standards
A range of high-integrity RF and Microwave accessories are available from Pico Technology. Test cables and calibration standards have particular significance to the overall performance of a VNA, so we recommend that you select your accessories and perform your calibrations carefully.
Cables and standards are often the weakest links in a VNA measurement, generally contributing significantly to measurement uncertainty despite their traditionally high cost. At the lowest levels of uncertainty, costs can be significant and measurements can be compromised by seemingly quite minor damage or wear. For these reasons, many customers hold both premium-grade items for calibration, reference or measurement standards and standard-grade items as working standards and cables. Pico Technology now offers cost-effective solutions in both grades. In general we recommend PC3.5 interfaces for premium or reference use and SMA interfaces for working use.
Test leads and calibration standards selection guide
Calibration kits can be purchased as a pair or as a single kit depending on the primary (best uncertainty) measurement application and its DUT interface, and sometimes to meet a secondary purpose with other DUT interfaces. Budget may also be a consideration. Pico Technology provides for all purchase options. You can order any combination of accessories, but to get you started we recommend that you choose one of the following standard configurations.
Recommended ‘universal’ configuration
For best overall test efficiency and uncertainty in a mix of single- or dual-port test application of both genders, we recommend this dual-port, insertable test lead and calibration standards configuration and the use of additional test port adaptors as necessary. All calibration modes are then available and where needed port adaptors can be fully included in the calibration.
Primary DUT interface
Accessory grade
Test leads required
Cal. kits required
Supported calibration modes
Suited to DUTs...
Dual-port insertable
with a male and a
female port
Choose:
Standard SMA
1x male + 1x female:
TA336 + TA337
1x male + 1x female:
TA344 + TA345
All S-parameters, insertable DUT (zero length thru calibration). Non-insertable via port adaptors.
Insertable dual-port devices and any single-port male or female device.
Use and fully calibrate port adaptors for dual-port single-gender noninsertable devices.
Premium PC3.5
TA338 + TA339
TA346 + TA347
Single-gender port configurations
The following configurations are recommended where there is a focus upon a particular port gender, single-port DUT or noninsertable dual-port DUTs of a single gender.
Primary DUT interface
Accessory grade
Test leads required
Cal. kits required
Supported calibration modes
Suited to DUTs...
Single-port or dual-port
noninsertable
with female port(s)
Choose:
Standard SMA
2x male* TA336
1x female:
TA345
All S-parameters and all calibration modes except insertable
Noninsertable dual female port devices and single female port devices.
Use port adaptors for male port devices, separately measured and de-embedded**.
Premium PC3.5
TA338
TA347
Single-port or dual-port
noninsertable
with male port(s)
Choose:
Standard SMA
2 x female*
TA337
1x male:
TA344
Noninsertable dual male port devices and single male port devices.
Use port adaptors for female port devices, separately measured and de-embedded**.
Premium PC3.5
TA339
TA346
Check standards
We offer two economical check standards that can be used to validate the accuracy of a network analysis test setup and its calibration before and during or after measurements are made. Akin to the Beatty line, each check standard is a short length of mismatched line (75 mm of 25 Ω) with a predictable, smooth and stable mismatch and transmission characteristic that spans the frequency range of the PicoVNA. These devices validate system measurement accuracy in the presence of high and varying mismatch and thus present a demanding validation on which to base confidence in a setup.
A comparison utility is provided in the PicoVNA 2 or 3 software to evaluate the comparison against a combination of specified measurement uncertainties for the device, test leads and instrument. Each check standard is supplied with Touchstone measurement data on USB memory. The data is traceable via PC3.5 standards to national standards. The supplied Touchstone measurement data is compatible with and can be used to manually validate a measurement of any manufacturer’s VNA.
Two check standards are available: insertable SMA(m-f) and noninsertable SMA(f-f).
Name
Port connectors
Parameter
Minimum
Maximum
Impedance
Bandwidth
Supports S-parameters and calibration modes
CHK-INS-MF
Insertable with a male and a female port
Port 1: SMA female
Return loss
< –30 dB
> –6 dB
25 Ω
8.5 GHz
All S-parameters and insertable 12‑term calibration mode
Port 2: SMA male
Insertion loss
> –0.2 dB
< –1.9 dB
CHK-NON-F
Noninsertable with female ports
Port 1: SMA female
Return loss
< –30 dB
> –6 dB
All S-parameters and noninsertable, known and unknown thru calibration modes
