A multiline method of network analyzer calibration

The author presents a method for the calibration of network analyzers. The essential feature is the use of multiple, redundant transmission line standards. The additional information provided by the redundant standards is used to minimize the effects of random errors, such as those caused by imperfect connector repeatability. The resulting method exhibits improvements in both accuracy and bandwidth over conventional methods. The basis of the statistical treatment is a linearized error analysis of the TRL (thru-reflect-line) calibration method. The analysis presented is useful in the assessment of calibration accuracy. It also yields results relevant to the choice of standards.