MultiPath scalar calibration using S-parameters files

Application

Used to correct the power meter measurement to the DUT reference plane. The aim of this calibration is to determine, without S-parameters pre-characterization, the offset factor to apply on each power meter to get calibrated measurements.
This Calibration process will help to calibrate the input and output ports when wideband modulated signal measurements are required:
Note: Vector Signal Analyzer is not mandatory for the calibration, but should be enabled for 2-Tones Measurements, Video Bandwidth (VBW) Measurements, Modulation Measurements and I/Q Measurements .

Setup Editor Requirement

The IQSTAR calibration wizard is linked to the Setup Editor configuration. In order to get access to the Scalar Power calibration wizard, the following conditions have to be respected:

  • A minimum of two Power Meter instruments (input and output) need to be enabled

  • One RF Source instrument need to be enabled
  • I/O Switch needs to be enabled


Calibration Wizard

To start a new calibration, select the Calibrations tab and click on New Calibration. The software will propose to choose between two Scalar Calibration:
Then select "S-parameters files".


Once all required hardware is listed, click on ‘Next’.
Select the RF path to calibrate.
Note: Unselected paths will not be calibrated and so they will not available during measurement.


Define the frequency list to use during the calibration.


Once the frequency list has been defined, click ‘Next’. Then select the first path, and define the "direct" and "coupled" s-parameters files needed to describe frequency-wise input path of first path. Once the first path has been filled in, use the drop-down list to select the second path and fill in the "direct" and "coupled" S-Parameter files required to describe the second path's input path. This step will be done iteratively for each RF path until all RF path are done and colored in black.

Note: When RF paths are similar, the S-Parameters files used for a specific path can be used for other paths using "Copy" button. In this case, the path using error will be copied form another path.
Note: If the frequencies defined in the calibration frequency list are not included in the S-Parameter file, these will be automatically interpolated.
In case of refected Power Meter use, fill "reflected" S-Parameters file to describe each refected path. As descrided previously, this step will be done iteratively for each RF path until all RF path are done and colored in black.


Finally, fill the "output' S-Parameters file to describe each output path. As described previously, this step will be done iteratively for each RF path until all RF path are done and colored in black.

Once the calibration is finished, the error terms are downloaded and recorded in the Calibrations tab. A comment is automatically added but can be modified. This calibration will be used by default for the measurement unless the box ‘Use this calibration’ is unchecked.
Quick checks can be performed to verify the accuracy of this calibration using Validate calibration. To learn more see Validate Calibration.
Note: Contrary to the Scalar Calibration, in Scalar Calibration using S-parameters files the Raw Power Calibration won't be performed automatically.