Uncertainties of Multiport VNA S-Parameter Measurements Applying the GSOLT Calibration Method

For the general short-open-load-thru (SOLT) calibration of the n-port vector network analyzer with n + 1 measurement channels, the sensitivity coefficients for the S-parameters of the n-port device under test are developed as functions of the deviations of the scattering parameters for the SOLT calibration standards. Using the concept of general node equation, a generalized formula for the S-parameter deviations with respect to the error terms has been deduced. In addition, expressions representing the deviations of error terms with respect to the non-ideal calibration standards are given by a series of matrix operations. Finally, after calculation of sensitivity coefficients, they can be used for establishing the type-B uncertainty budget for S-parameter measurements.