Pico Technology has added two new products to check the accuracy of their VNA's. The new TA430 (Insertable M-F) and TA431 (Non-insertable F-F) VNA check standards can optionally be used to validate the accuracy of a network analysis test setup and its calibration before, during or after a sequence of measurements is made.
Each check standard is a short length of mismatched line (75 mm of 25 Ω) with a predictable, smooth and stable mismatch and transmission characteristic that spans the frequency range up to 6 GHz. These devices validate system measurement accuracy in the presence of high and varying mismatch and thus present a demanding validation on which to base confidence in a setup.
Suitable for use with any network analyzer, the check standards assure, for example, that test leads and connectors have not become damaged or that environmental change is not degrading accuracy.
A data comparison utility is provided with the PicoVNA 2 software to evaluate the comparison against a combination of specified measurement uncertainties for the device, test leads and the instrument. Each check standard is supplied with Touchstone measurement data on a USB memory stick. The data is traceable via PC3.5 standards to national standards. The supplied Touchstone measurement data is compatible with the PicoVNA 106 Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) and can be used to manually validate a measurement of any manufacturer’s VNA, although the degree of support for the comparison will vary.
Click here for more information on the new check standards.
