A Precision System for Radio-Frequency Network Analysis

A system is described that characterizes two-port RF networks from 0.4-500 MHz. Parameters measured are characteristic insertion loss, characteristic phase, and return loss, as well as group delay. Emphasis is placed on dynamic range specifications and the choices made in arriving at them. The factors controlling dynamic range are considered in detail with particular regard to those decisions that were made before hardware design began. An example is given demonstrating 115-dB range from maximum drive level to all noise and crosstalk.