Enhanced vector calibration of load-pull measurement systems

This paper presents an alternative approach to improving the vector measurement accuracy, especially near the edge of the Smith Chart, of load-pull measurement systems. Improved measurement accuracy, after vector calibration, is achieved by exploiting the load-pull capability during calibration to minimize the impact of measurement errors on the raw data of the calibration standards before it is utilized in the traditionally implemented LRL/TRL calibration algorithm. This approach eliminates the need to utilize complex optimization algorithms post calibration. The proposed method has been tested and applied to actual measurement data.