System Default Cal Verification (Functional) Test

This test applies to the following models with Option 011:

N5241B/BC, N5242B, N5249B
N5221B, N5222B
N5231B, N5232B, N5239B
N5244B, N5245B/BC
N5224B, N5225B
N5234B, N5235B
N5247B/BC, N5227B

This test uses data collected during the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test. Therefore, the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test should be run within 14 days prior to running this test. This applies to the Factory Recommended Variant test plan only.
Be sure that Pause on test point fail is not selected for this test.

The System Default Cal Verification authenticates the accuracy and existence of a firmware-based calibration that enables the use of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurements (Option 011). This factory two- or four-port S-parameter calibration is required for accurate TDR measurements.

Required Calibration Data

The System Default Cal Verification test uses data obtained from two different calibration processes. The first set of calibration data is present in the DUT and is called System Default Cal Set. The other calibration data required for the test is obtained from running the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test. During the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test, measurement data is collected and stored in a Calibration Coefficients Calibration File. This section will discuss the two sets of calibration and how the System Default Cal Verification test uses them.

System Default Cal Set

The System Default Cal Set should be present in the DUT. If the DUT does not contain the System Default Cal Set, the user is prompted to perform this calibration through the firmware. This can be done through the SFP (soft front panel) of the PNA by one of two ways:

From the drop-down menu of the PNA: Utility > System > Service > Adjustment Routines > System Default Cal
From the side menu of the PNA: System > Service > Adjustment Routines > System Default Cal

For more information regarding the System Default Cal process, refer to the PNA's Help system.

Calibration Coefficients Calibration File

The Calibration Coefficients Calibration File is created during the Calibration Coefficients test. Therefore, if the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test has not been run within the last 14 days, the user is prompted to run the test before they can perform this verification. There are test plan dependencies for obtaining the Calibration Coefficients Calibration File. Refer to the NOTE below.

Test plan variant dependencies

The Calibration Coefficients Calibration File is created during the Calibration Coefficients test run in the Factory Recommended Variant test plan only. If running the Normal Variant test plan, the System Default Cal Verification test will guide the user through the measurement process of the Factory Recommended Variant version of the Calibration Coefficients test. The full test is not run—only the measurement data collection part of the test is performed so that the Calibration Coefficients Calibration File may be created. (Reports will not be generated.) Refer to the Calibration Coefficients test topic page for equipment requirements and connection setups.

How the System Default Cal Verification test uses both sets of calibration data

The System Default Cal Verification test compares Error Term values in the Calibration Coefficients Calibration File to the values stored by the original System Default Cal Set. The Error Terms values are calculated during a calibration in the Calibration Coefficients Performance Test using a calibration kit (ECal or mechanical). If the difference between the new measured calibration kit values and the stored System Default calibration values are less than the verification limit, the verification is considered valid.

Required Test Equipment

Test equipment is only required if the Calibration Coefficients Calibration File needs to be generated. Refer to the Calibration Coefficients test topic page for equipment requirements and connection setups.