Perform unsexed power calibration at load plane

You can only start this task if you started one of the procedures in part HPA device measurement. For more details, see Unsexed calibration.

  1. Calibration choice
    Select Unsexed power calibration and Power sensor connected to the load plane. Then, click on .
    Figure: Calibration choice


  2. Hardware configuration check
    All the measurement hardware needed for calibration must be correctly set. If so, all hardware is marked with . Then, click on .
    Figure: Hardware check OK


    Otherwise, click on to identify the type of error, click on Cancel and return on Schematic tab to properly configure the instrument.
    Figure: Hardware check error


    Note: The calibration wizard reminds you to check the 10 MHz signal configuration between external signal generator and VNA.
  3. Frequency and power settings:
    • If you only want to do HF characteristics, follow these instructions: set the power level and center frequency that will be used during vectorial calibration. Select Simple span definition and set span frequency and Number of points. Select Linear scale and click on . Note: If you do not have a precise knowledge of the characteristics of your DUT, take a number of points high enough to be able to correctly measure the variations of the gain in the band of the amplifier.
    Figure: Power and frequency settings - HF characteristics


    • If you want to do HF and LF characteristics, follow these instructions: set the power level and center frequency that will be used during vectorial calibration. Select Advanced span definition. This configuration allows a finer definition of the frequency axis for more accurate measurement of the LF memory effects. By default, a frequency grid is defined. Enable Pre-characterize and click on . Note: it is recommended to have made 2-tone measurements (Perform validation measurement of a device or a subsystem) in advance to know the LF memory effects of the DUT and thus to adjust the frequency grid as well as possible. For more details, see RF Definition.


    Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and click on Perform pre-characterization.


    A window opens with a graph displaying measurements of each small tone from 3-tones signal for different tone spacing. The tone spacing are defined previously from the advanced span definition. If you do not notice any anomaly such a large deviation from the average value of more than 1 dB for example, you can continue the calibration procedure by clicking on Close and Next. If there is an anomaly, return to Frequency and power settings and change the Advanced span definition. See Pre-characterization for more details.


  4. Vectorial calibration
    Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and perform a full 2-port calibration using the VNA interface.
    Figure: Vectorial calibration


  5. S-parameters calibration check
    Make a thru connection between 2 ports and click on S-parameters calibration check. A window opens with the graphs displaying S-parameters measurements. Click on Perform measurement to make another measurement. You can save the measurement data to a file by clicking on Import into 'File manager'. Click on Close > Next.


  6. SOL Calibration
    To define a calibration plan different from the DUT plane, you must perform a 1-port SOL calibration. You can do this via the VNA interface or the VISION interface:
    • VISION interface
      • Select Performed 1-port calibration using VISION interface and click on Next.
        Figure: VISION interface


      • Choose your Calibration kit, select the type of connector of your standard you will use for Open - Short - Load calibration and click on Next.
        Figure: Calibration kit


      • Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and click on Measure OPEN, Measure SHORT and Measure LOAD corresponding to the measurement of the respective standards and click on Next.
        Figure: SOL calibration


    • VNA interface
      • Select Performed 1-port calibration using VNA interface and click on Next.
        Figure: VNA interface


      • Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and perform an 1-port calibration using the VNA interface.

  7. Power sensor calibration
    Perform power meter internal zeroing and calibration, if the instrument allows you. Then, click on .
    Figure: Power sensor calibration


  8. Amplitude calibration:
    Amplitude calibration step allows to calibrate the VNA measurement receivers for the absolute power using a power sensor standard. For more details, see Amplitude calibration definition.
    There are two different ways to set the power during amplitude calibration:
    • Without optimization: disable Perform optimization and set Pinitial raw power and Plimit power sensor. Then, click on .


    Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and click on .


    The next step is a graph showing the raw power measured at VNA receivers as a function of frequency defined previously in the calibration. At the end of the measurement, click on .


    • With optimization: enable Perform optimization and set Pinitial raw power, Ptarget power sensor, Plimit power sensor and Power count. Then, click on .


    Connect the measurement bench as shown in the following figure and click on .


    The next step is a graph showing the raw power measured at VNA receivers and VNA linearity error as a function of Ppm, value measured by power meter, according with respect of frequency defined previously in the calibration. At the end of the measurement, click on .


  9. Save calibration
    The calibration is complete. By default, a comment is written recalling the type of calibration and power. This comment is editable.
    • To Use this calibration directly for the measurement, enable the corresponding button and click on . The calibration now appears in the available calibrations.