VectorStar™ MS464xB Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzer Calibration and Measurement Guide : Performance Verification Tools : Verification Kit Components
 
Verification Kit Components
The three main verification kits for the MS464xB Series VNAs are those corresponding to 3.5 mm, K, and V connectors:
3666-1 series for 3.5 mm
3668-1 series for K
3669B-1 series for V
The verification kits and their use are described in the following documents:
VectorStar MS464xB Series VNA 3666-1 3.5 mm, 3668-1 K, and 39669B-1 V Verification Kits and 2300-579 (67688) Performance Verification Software (PVS) User Guide—10410-00270
VectorStar MS464xB Series VNA 366X-1 Verification Kits and 2300-579 (67688) PVS Quick Start Guide—10410-00285
The devices in these kits are selected based on their ability to stress the envelope of possible measurement parameters while still providing a very stable and repeatable behavior. The key attribute of the devices is that of long-term stability. These kits contain the following devices:
An airline to represent a low-loss, well-matched device:
7.5 cm for K and 3.5 mm
5 cm for V
A stepped impedance (Beatty) airline to represent a variable match device with a range of insertion losses:
7.5 cm for K and 3.5 mm
5 cm for V
A 20 dB attenuator to represent a moderate-loss, well-matched device.
A higher value attenuator to represent a very lossy device:
50 dB for K and 3.5 mm
40 dB for V
No Verification with Calibration Kits
Calibration kit components cannot be used for verification since the result would be biased (some calibrations force the result to match expectations for the components used during calibration). Higher loss devices could have been used but they become more difficult to characterize accurately and the value of the verification would be reduced. Active devices with gain have not been used due to concerns about stability of the response over time. The envelope of coverage of the existing standards is illustrated in Figure: Regions of Parameter Coverage of Verification Kit Component. Each standard has a regime of coverage in terms of insertion loss and return loss; when combined, the entire kit reasonably exercises a wide variety of parameter values.
The diagram in Figure: Regions of Parameter Coverage of Verification Kit Component illustrates the regions of parameter coverage of the various verification kit components. The regions are not drawn to scale.
Regions of Parameter Coverage of Verification Kit Component
For the MS464xB Series VNAs, the verification comparison is valid for calibrations performed with the calibration kits listed under each verification kit:
3668-1 K Verification Kit
3652A-1 K Manual Calibration Kit or the 36585K-2MF Precision AutoCal Module
3669B-1 V Verification Kit
The 3654D-1 V Manual Calibration Kit or the 36585V-2MF Precision AutoCal Module
3666-1 3.5 mm Verification Kit
The 3650A-1 SMA/3.5 mm Manual Calibration Kit
Other combinations of calibration kits with verification kits are not supported. Verification kits based on other connector types such as GPC-7 or N exist for other Anritsu VNAs, but the MS464xB Series VNA verification software does not support all of these.