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

Volume

37

Issue

1

fYear

1988

fDate

3/1/1988 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

95

Lastpage

100

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;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9456

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/19.2672

Filename

2672