A Verification and Harmonic Reference Kit for RF Contact Harmonic Test Setup Characterization

Abstract

This article presents a dedicated verification and harmonic reference kit for contact harmonic measurement, consisting of a printed circuit board (PCB) for contact harmonics testing, an S-parameter verification PCB, and a harmonic reference source PCB with a controlled nonlinear element. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed reference source provides predictable harmonic-versus-power behavior, good repeatability, a well-defined operating range, and adjustable harmonic output. The proposed kit provides a practical method for verifying the radio frequency (RF) signal path, checking the system self-harmonic baseline, and comparing the measured harmonic response with a repeatable nonlinear reference. It improves measurement reliability and provides a basis for future interlaboratory comparison of contact harmonic measurements.