Title :
Elf: computer automation and error correction for a microwave network analyzer
Author :
Williams, Wyman L. ; Compton, Richard C. ; Rutledge, David B.
Author_Institution :
Div. of Eng. & Appl. Sci., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
fDate :
3/1/1988 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A microwave measurement system has been developed that combines a personal computer (PC) and an conventional vector network analyzer to yield a full complex-error-corrected automatic network analyzer. The system consists of a Hewlett-Packard HP 8410C network analyzer, an HP 8350B sweep oscillator, and an IBM PC. A program called Elf runs on the PC, performing calibration and measurement algorithms and providing a flexible, menu-oriented user interface. The system, when calibrated, achieves a worst-case measurement error vector of magnitude ⩽0.02 for transmission and reflection coefficient measurements over the 2-12.4-GHz frequency range and has a measurement speed of three frequency points/s. Elf provides an inexpensive method for upgrading the HP 8410 to achieve the high accuracy of an automatic network analyzer
Keywords :
IBM computers; calibration; computerised instrumentation; error correction; microcomputer applications; microwave measurement; network analysers; user interfaces; 2 to 12.4 GHz; Elf; HP 8350B sweep oscillator; Hewlett-Packard HP 8410C; IBM PC; calibration; complex-error-corrected automatic network analyzer; error correction; menu-oriented user interface; microwave measurement system; microwave network analyzer; personal computer; vector network analyzer; Algorithm design and analysis; Automation; Error correction; Frequency measurement; Microcomputers; Microwave measurements; Microwave oscillators; Performance analysis; Performance evaluation; Velocity measurement;
Journal_Title :
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on
