CalPod

Notes:

• Because the OPEN, SHORT, AND LOAD states in the CalPods are measured, it is not important what is connected to the CalPod when Initialize is pressed. Therefore, for highest accuracy, click Initialize IMMEDIATELY and ONLY ONCE after performing the calibration - before causing ANY cable movement.

• If an adapter is required to connect the DUT to a CalPod, use a high-quality adapter. Any temperature drift due to the adapter is NOT recorrected.

• Always connect the DUT as close as possible to the CalPod modules.

How to start the CalPod dialog

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

1. Press Cal > Cal Sets & Cal Kits > Cal Pod....

CalPod dialog box help

Learn all about the CalPod process.(Scroll up)

Initialize Channel  Calibrated measurements of the CalPod states are performed as initial reference data points for the active channel.

Initialize All Channels  Calibrated measurements of the CalPod states are performed as initial reference data points for all current channels.  This command is not recommended, it is generally preferable to initialize each channel immediately following calibration.

Recorrect Channel  Recorrects the active channel Cal Set to match the initial reference.

Recorrect All Channels  Recorrects the Cal Sets on ALL channels that were initialized.

Correct Power  

This checkbox causes power to be recorrected ONLY when source power correction data is stored as error terms in the CalSet. This occurs only when a Guided Power Cal is performed and when an app channel is calibrated such as a FCA, GCA, IMD, and Noise Figure channel. This checkbox has NO effect when a S-parameter Cal or a standard Source Power Cal has been performed, because source power correction data is not stored in the CalSet.

When any of the above power cals have been performed, and when this box is checked, the power output at the VNA port is adjusted to compensate for any change in path loss when Recorrect is performed.  For example, if the path loss between the VNA port and the CalPod was increased by two dB following initialization, then the VNA output power will be increased by two dB upon recorrection.  Do this when you add a significant amount of loss in the calibration path, or when the power level at the DUT is important.

When a significant amount of loss is introduced in the calibration path, it may not be possible to increase the source power enough to overcome the loss. In this case, an Unleveled source message may appear on the VNA screen.

When the checkbox is cleared, the source power level is not corrected.

OSL Averages  Controls the number of sweeps worth of raw measurements to be measured and averaged together for the recorrection computations for each state of each CalPod.

Assignment of CalPods to VNA Ports

For each VNA port, select a CalPod module.

CalPod Setup  Starts the CalPod Setup dialog

Delete All CalPod Cal Sets  Deletes all recorrection Cal Sets and reinstates the Initialization Cal Set.

CalPod Setup dialog box help

To start this dialog, click CalPod Setup in the CalPod dialog box.

CalPod Serial Number  Type the CalPod module (without 'sn'), then click Add CalPod. The new module is added to the list of available CalPod modules.

Serial # and CalPod Types

Shows the list of available CalPod modules.  A CalPod module type may be STANDARD or THERMAL (include temperature correction). A CalPod module will be listed as a STANDARD type unless the thermal characterization data was previously loaded into the PNA from the USB flash drive that came with the CalPod. Once thermal characterization data has been loaded into the PNA, the CalPod is automatically listed in the CalPod Setup dialog.

Note: Loading thermal characterization data from the USB flash drive is the only method of setting up a THERMAL CalPod. Simply entering the serial number in the CalPod Setup dialog will set the CalPod Type to be STANDARD.

STANDARD and THERMAL data files are stored in C:\e-trak\adapters.

Buttons

Utilities  Launches the VNA CalPod Utilities used to configure the CalPod Controller and VNA over LAN.

Note: Before using a CalPod Controller, the LAN MUST be set up using the CalPod Utilities or an error message will be displayed indicating that the VNA is unable to communicate with the CalPod Controller.

Test  Click to test the connection between the controller and the selected CalPod module. The message box displays the connection status and temperature for both Ambient and Thermal modules.  Only the Thermal module will apply test temperature for recorrection.

IP Setup  Starts the IPSetup dialog box to confirm the CalPod controller settings.

Delete  Removes the selected STANDARD CalPod module from the list.

To delete a THERMAL CalPod from the list:

1. Navigate to the c:/e-trak/adapters/itm directory.

2. Delete the .xml file associated with the CalPod serial number.

3. Exit all CalPod dialog boxes and restart the CalPod dialog.

4. The CalPod may now be removed using the Delete button.

About  Shows the CalPod software version information.

Controller Addresses

Each controller can support 4 modules directly, and up to 48 modules using external splitters. Additional controllers may be required if more than 48 CalPod modules are needed.

IP Address  Enter the IP Address of the Controller, then click Add. The IP address is configured using the IPSetup Utility. The default IP=192.168.0.100, but different static network settings can be configured if required.

Delete  Select the Controller Address, then click Delete to remove the address from the list.

For more CalPod Setup information, see the CalPod web site: http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/calpod. Click CalPod Controller Configuration.