Optimizing Time-Domain Network Analysis

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate how changes in sample density, time-window size, and waveform averaging affect the accuracy and acquisition time of calibrated time-domain network analysis. One of the key results from this study is that accuracy can be enhanced by eliminating the incident step-edge signal from the time-domain reflection waveform before maximizing the instrument's vertical scale. This study identifies the trade-offs between accuracy and measurement speed and examines other trends to provide general guidance in establishing reliable and efficient time-domain network analysis measurements for a variety of rf and microwave applications.