An automated method for VNA accuracy verification using the modified calibration comparison technique

This article presents a new method of accuracy verification of calibrated vector network analyzers based on the modified calibration comparison technique. The method is of particular interest for low frequency ranges as well as for cost-effective S-parameter measurement systems where the use of conventional ripple test and precision reference air line standards may be impractical and/or relatively expensive. Moreover, it allows automation, significantly reducing the time required and drastically simplifying the system verification procedure. Through experimental results and comparison against conventional procedures the approach has been validated on a commercially available low-cost reflectometer in the frequency range of 100 MHz to 4.8 GHz.