Calibration Coefficients Performance Test

This test process will reset the cal kit definitions to factory defaults; therefore custom cal kit definitions will be lost.

This test verifies the network analyzer's uncorrected test port characteristics, and verifies the Uncorrected System Performance specifications. Either an electronic calibration kit (ECal) or mechanical calibration kit may be used. The test results are contained in the error terms resulting from the calibrations that are performed during the test.

Be sure that ClosedPause on test point fail is not selected for this test.

Test process for the Factory Recommended Variant

If running the Factory Recommended Variant test plan, the test process has been optimized by eliminating the full 2-port calibration. Therefore the number of connections is reduced in half. This new procedure applies when using either an ECal or mechanical calibration kit. Note that models with LFE option (low frequency extension) that previously could only use mechanical calibration kits, can now use the new D-model ECal kits. Using an ECal is significantly faster than using a mechanical calibration kit.

Test process for the Normal Variant

If running the Normal Variant test plan, the calibration process has not changed. If using a mechanical calibration kit, two full SOLT (short-open-load-thru) 2-port calibrations are performed for each port pair on the PNA. If using an ECal, the known values of the ECal's impedance standards along with the raw measurements made by the analyzer during the two-port calibration are used to generate a set of error terms.

For PNA-L models N5231A/B, N5232A/B, N5239A/B, and N5230A/C, the improved test process is not possible in either variant (factory or normal). Those models will continue to use the full 2-port calibration process.

Refer to the PNA service guide for your model for additional information about calibration coefficients and error terms.

For troubleshooting help, see Calibration Coefficient Troubleshooting.

Required Test Equipment

Below is the required test equipment separated by the DUT connector type. Select the link that applies to the connector type for your PNA model.

  • This test allows the calibration kit to be either an ECal module or a mechanical kit. The model of the ECal module will vary depending on the test plan variant being run in TME and the configuration of the DUT. Note that N5290A and N5291A mm-wave systems can only use mechanical calibration kits.

  • TME requires the ECal serial number to be entered. Depending on the model of the ECal, the serial number can be either a 5-digit number or 10-digit alphanumeric string. Some modules will have both numbers on the label. To identify the correct number to enter into TME, refer to the E-Cal Module Troubleshooting page for more information.
for 3.5 mm connector models:

N5241A/AS/B/BC, N5242A/AS/B, N5242AH85, N5249A/AS/B
N5221A/AS/B, N5222A/AS/B
N5231A/AS/B, N5232A/AS/B, N5239A/AS/B
N5230A/C with option 12x, 14x, 22x, 24x, or 02x

Calibration Kits for
3.5 mm Connector Models1

 

ECal Modules

Mechanical3

Test Plan Variants

N4691D2 Options 0DC, M0F

N4691-60004
(order as N4691B Opt. M0F)

N4691-60008

N4691-60001

  • Order as N4691A Option M0F

  • Only allowed with N5230A/C Opt. 22x. The frequency range is insufficient for other PNA models.

85052B

85052D

Factory Recommended

  • without LFE options4

X

X

X

Factory Recommended

  • with LFE options4

X

 

X

Normal

 

X

X

N5230A/C both variants

 

X

X
  1. Uses RF cable 85131-60013, 3.5 mm (f) to 3.5 mm (f).

  2. Firmware requirements:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above.

    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above.

  3. When a calibration may be done with or without sliding loads, using sliding loads improves the accuracy and decreases the measurement uncertainty of the test results.
  4. LFE (Low Frequency Extension) options: 220, 205, 405, 420, and 425

 

for 2.4 mm connector models:

N5244A/AS/B, N5245A/AS/B/BC
N5224A/AS/B, N5225A/AS/B
N5234A/AS/B, N5235A/AS/B
N5230A/C with option 42x or 52x

Calibration Kits for
2.4 mm Connector Models1

 

 

ECal Modules

Mechanical3

Test Plan Variants

N4693D2 Options 0DC, M0F

N4693-60001
(order as N4693A Opt. M0F)

N4693-61001

85056A

Factory Recommended

  • without LFE options4

X

X

X

X

Factory Recommended

  • with LFE options4

X

 

 

X

Normal

 

X

 

X

N5230A/C Factory Recommended Variant

 

X

X

X

N5230A/C Normal Variant

 

X

 

X
  1. Uses RF cable 2.4 mm (f) to 2.4 mm (f): 85133-60016 (more flexible) or 85133-60002
    (less flexible).

  2. Firmware requirements:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above
    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above
  3. When a calibration may be done with or without sliding loads, using sliding loads improves the accuracy and decreases the measurement uncertainty of the test results.
  4. LFE (Low Frequency Extension) options: 220, 205, 405, 420, and 425.

 

for 1.85 mm connector models:

N5247A/AS/B/BC, N5227A/AS/B

Calibration Kits for
1.85 mm Connector Models1

 

ECal Modules

Mechanical3

Test Plan Variants

N4694D2 Options 0DC, M0F

N4694-60001
(order as N4694A Opt. M0F)

85058B

Factory Recommended

  • without LFE options4

X

X

X

Factory Recommended

  • with LFE options4

X

 

X

Normal

 

X

X
  1. Uses RF cable 1.85 mm (f) to 1.85 mm (f): 8121-2921.

  2. Firmware requirements:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above
    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above
  3. When a calibration may be done with or without sliding loads, using sliding loads improves the accuracy and decreases the measurement uncertainty of the test results.
  4. LFE (Low Frequency Extension) options: 220, 205, 405, 420, and 425.

 

for 1 mm connector models:

N5290A, N5291A

1 mm Connector Models

Test Equipment

Recommended Model

Alternate Model

Calibration kit, 1 mm
(CalkitTwoPort2)

85059B

 

Connection Setups

Due to the complexity of the PNA family of analyzers, the following notes apply to illustrations in the PNA Help:

  • Only a single representative PNA model will be shown. Therefore, port locations may differ in older PNA models than what is shown in the illustration. Refer to the port labels on the UUT.
  • Some illustrations may differ than those in TME.
  • If the test procedure applies to multiple ports, illustrations may show the setup on only one test port.
  • Setups for some option configurations may not appear in the Help.

 

For PNA mm-Wave systems N5290A and N5291A, .

 

  • Because of the variations possible with mechanical calibration setups, illustrations in TME and the Help will only show some of the setups.

  • For default front and rear cabling between the PNA and the test set, refer to Step 2: Prepare the PNA for Testing of the Getting Started Guide.

  • The setup below is repeated on all four frequency extenders.

 

Thru measurement

 

For all other PNA models, .

All Error Terms with ECal Measurement

 

Because of the variations possible with mechanical calibration setups, illustrations in TME and the Help will only show ECal setups.

ECal, port 1

ECal, port 2

ECal, port 3

ECal, port 4

Thru measurement

Only required if running the Normal Variant test plan (all PNA models) and for PNA-L models N5231A/B, N5232A/B, N5239A/B, and N5230A/C in either test plan variant (factory or normal).