Agilent Technologies 85052B Manual

User’s and Service Guide
Agilent Technologies 85052B
3.5 mm Calibration Kit
This manual applies to 85052B calibration kits with serial number prefix 3106 and later.
Agilent Part Number: 85052-90077
Printed in USA
Print Date: November 2011
Supersedes: September 2011
© Copyright 1994–1995, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008 - 2011 Agilent Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

ii 85052B
WARRANTY STATEMENT
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND IS SUBJECT
TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AGILENT DISCLAIMS ALL
WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL AND
ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. AGILENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR FOR INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, USE, OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
SHOULD AGILENT AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH
WARRANTY TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT
WITH THESE TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPARATE AGREEMENT WILL
CONTROL.
DFARS/Restricted Rights Notice
If software is for use in the performance of a U.S. Government prime contract or subcontract, Software is
delivered and licensed as “Commercial computer software” as defined in DFAR 252.227-7014 (June
1995), or as a “commercial item” as defined in FAR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted computer software” as
defined in FAR 52.227-19 (June 1987) or any equivalent agency regulation or contract clause. Use,
duplication or disclosure of Software is subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard commercial license
terms, and non-DOD Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Government will receive no greater than
Restricted Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Government users will receive
no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2)
(November 1995), as applicable in any technical data.
Certification
Agilent Technologies, Inc. certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of
shipment from the factory. Agilent Technologies, Inc. further certifies that its calibration measurements
are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed
by the Institute's calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards
Organization members.

85052B iii
Assistance
Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are available for Agilent
products.
For any assistance, contact Agilent Technologies. Refer to “Contacting Agilent” on page 5-4.
Printing Copies of Documentation from the Web
To print copies of documentation from the Web, download the PDF file from the Agilent web site:
•Gotowww.agilent.com.
• Enter the product model number in the Search function and click Search.
• Click on the Manuals hyperlink.
• Open the PDF of your choice and print the document.

iv 85052B

Contents
85052B Contents-v
1 General Information
Calibration Kit Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Broadband Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Offset Opens and Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Sliding Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Calibration Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Installation of the Calibration Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Equipment Required but Not Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Incoming Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Recording the Device Serial Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
Calibration Kits Documented in This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Calibration Kit History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
85052B Kits with Serial Prefix 3027A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Precision Slotless Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Clarifying the Terminology of a Connector Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8
Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8
When to Calibrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
2 Specifications
Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Temperature—What to Watch Out For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Pin Depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Electrical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Residual Errors after Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
3 Use, Maintenance, and Care of the Devices
Electrostatic Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Visual Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Look for Obvious Defects and Damage First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
What Causes Connector Wear?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Inspect the Mating Plane Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Inspect Female Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Cleaning Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Gaging Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Connector Gage Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
When to Gage Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Gaging Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Gaging 3.5 mm Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Gaging the 3.5 mm Sliding Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Adjusting the Sliding Load Pin Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15
How to Make a Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15
Preliminary Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15
Final Connection Using a Torque Wrench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15

Contents-vi 85052B
Contents
Connecting the Sliding Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
How to Separate a Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Using the Sliding Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Handling and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
4 Performance Verification
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
How Agilent Verifies the Devices in Your Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Recertification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
How Often to Recertify. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Where to Send a Kit for Recertification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
5 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Where to Look for More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Returning a Kit or Device to Agilent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Contacting Agilent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
6 Replaceable Parts
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
A Standard Definitions
Class Assignments and Standard Definitions Values are Available on the Web. . . . . . . . . .A-2

85052B 1- 1
1General Information

1-2 85052B
General Information
Calibration Kit Overview
Calibration Kit Overview
The Agilent 85052B 3.5 mm calibration kit is used to calibrate Agilent network analyzers
up to 26.5 GHz for measurements of components with 3.5-mm connectors.
Kit Contents
The 85052B calibration kit includes the following items:
• calibration kit storage case
• user’s and service guide
• offset opens and shorts, broadband loads and sliding load terminations
• 3.5 mm gage sets
• three 3.5 mm adapters
• 5/16 in, 90 N-cm (8 in-lb) torque wrench
• centering bead (for gaging 3.5 mm sliding loads
• open-end wrench
Refer to Table 6-1 on page 6-2 and Table 6-2 on page 6-4 for a complete list of kit contents
and their associated part numbers.
For measurement convenience, the kit also contains three 3.5 mm adapters. The adapters
are primarily intended for use in measuring non-insertable devices, but can also be used as
a connector saver.
Broadband Loads
The broadband loads are metrology-grade terminations that have been optimized for
performance up to 26.5 GHz. The rugged internal structure provides for highly repeatable
connections. A distributed resistive element on sapphire provides excellent stability and
return loss.
Offset Opens and Shorts
The offset opens and shorts are built from parts that are machined to the current
state-of-the-art in precision machining.
The offset short’s inner conductors have a one-piece construction, common with the
shorting plane. The construction provides for extremely repeatable connections.
The offset opens have inner conductors that are supported by a strong, low-dielectric
constant plastic to minimize compensation values.
Both the opens and shorts are constructed so that the pin depth can be controlled very
tightly, thereby minimizing phase errors. The lengths of the offsets in the opens and shorts
are designed so that the difference in phase of their reflection coefficients is approximately
180 degrees at all frequencies.

85052B 1-3
General Information
Calibration Kit Overview
Adapters
Like the other devices in the kit, the adapters are built to very tight tolerances to provide
good broadband performance and to ensure stable, repeatable connections.
The beads are designed to minimize return loss and are separated far enough so that
interaction between the beads is minimized. The adapters are designed so that their
nominal electrical lengths are the same, which allows them to be used in calibration
procedures for non-insertable devices.
Sliding Loads
The sliding loads in this kit are designed to provide excellent performance from 3 GHz to
26.5 GHz. The inner and outer conductors of the airline portion are precision machined to
state-of-the-art tolerances. Although the sliding load has exceptional return loss, its
superior load stability qualifies it as a high-performance device.
The sliding load was designed with the ability to extend the inner conductor for connection
purposes and then pull it back to a preset pin depth. This feature is critical since it
minimizes the possibility of damage during the connection, while maintaining a minimum
pin depth to optimize performance.
Calibration Definitions
The calibration kit must be selected and the calibration definitions for the devices in the
kit installed in the network analyzer prior to performing a calibration. Refer to your
network analyzer user’s guide for instructions on selecting the calibration kit and
performing a calibration.
The calibration definitions can be:
• resident within the analyzer
• entered from the front panel
Class assignments and standard definitions may change as more accurate model and
calibration methods are developed. You can download the most recent class assignments
and standard definitions from Agilent’s Calibration Kit Definitions Web page at
www.na.tm.agilent.com/pna/caldefs/stddefs.html
NOTE The 8510 network analyzer is no longer being sold or supported by Agilent.
However, you can download the 8510 class assignments and standard
definitions from Agilent’s Calibration Kit Definitions Web page at
www.na.tm.agilent.com/pna/caldefs/stddefs.html
Installation of the Calibration Definitions
The calibration definitions for the kit may be permanently installed in the internal
memory or hard disk of the network analyzer.
If the calibration definitions for the kit are not permanently installed in the network
analyzer, they must be manually entered. Refer to your network analyzer user’s guide for
instructions.

1-4 85052B
General Information
Incoming Inspection
Equipment Required but Not Supplied
Connector cleaning supplies and various electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices
are not supplied with the calibration kit but are required to ensure successful operation of
the kit. Refer to Table 6-2 on page 6-4 for ordering information.
Incoming Inspection
Refer to “Kit Contents” on page 1-2 to verify a complete shipment. Use Table 1-1 to record
the serial numbers of all serialized devices in your kit.
Check for damage. The foam-lined storage case provides protection during shipping. If the
case or any device appears damaged, or if the shipment is incomplete, refer to “Contacting
Agilent” on page 5-4. Agilent will arrange for repair or replacement of incomplete or
damaged shipments without waiting for a settlement from the transportation company.
See “Returning a Kit or Device to Agilent” on page 5-3.

85052B 1-5
General Information
Recording the Device Serial Numbers
Recording the Device Serial Numbers
In addition to the kit serial number, the devices in the kit are individually serialized (serial
numbers are labeled onto the body of each device). Record these serial numbers in
Table 1-1. Recording the serial numbers will prevent confusing the devices in this kit with
similar devices from other kits.
The adapters included in the kit are for measurement convenience only and are not
serialized.
Table 1-1 Serial Number Record for the 85052B
Device Serial Number
Calibration kit
-m- broadband load
-f- broadband load
-m- open
-f- open
-m- short
-f- short
-m- sliding load
-f- sliding load
-m- connector Gage
-m- gage Master
-f- connector Gage
-f- gage Master
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

1-6 85052B
General Information
Calibration Kits Documented in This Manual
Calibration Kits Documented in This Manual
This manual applies to any 85052B calibration kit with serial number prefix 3106A. If
your calibration kit has a different serial number prefix, refer to the “Calibration Kit
History” section below for information on how this manual applies.
Calibration Kit History
This section describes calibration kits with serial number prefixes lower that the ones
listed on the title page.
85052B Kits with Serial Prefix 3027A
These calibration kits did not have a calibration definitions disk to support the Agilent
8510C network analyzer. The part numbers provided in this manual are the recommended
replacement parts for these kits. The devices in these kits should meet the specifications
published in this manual.

85052B 1-7
General Information
Precision Slotless Connectors
Precision Slotless Connectors
The female 3.5 mm connectors in this calibration kit are metrology-grade, precision
slotless connectors (PSC). A characteristic of metrology-grade connectors is direct
traceability to national measurement standards through their well-defined mechanical
dimensions.
Conventional female center conductors are slotted. When mated, the female center
conductor is flared by the male pin. Because physical dimensions determine connector
impedance, electrical characteristics of the female connector (and connection pair) are
dependent upon the mechanical dimensions of the male pin. While connectors are used in
pairs, their male and female halves are always specified separately as part of a standard,
instrument, or device under test. Because of these facts, making precision measurements
with the conventional slotted connector is very difficult, and establishing a direct
traceability path to primary dimensional standards is nearly impossible.
The precision slotless connector was developed to eliminate these problems. All PSCs are
female. A PSC incorporates a center conductor with a solid cylindrical shell that defines
the outside diameter of the female center pin. Its outside diameter and, therefore, the
impedance in its region does not change. The inner part provides an internal contact that
flexes to accept the allowed range of male pin diameters.
The calibration of a network analyzer having a conventional slotted female connector on
the test port remains valid only when the device under test and all calibration standards
have identical male pin diameters. For this reason PSC test port adapters are supplied in
most calibration kits.
Precision slotless connectors have the following characteristics:
• There is no loss of traceable calibration on test ports when the male pin diameter of the
connector on the device under test is different from the male pin diameter of the
calibration standard.
• The female PSC and its mating male connector can be measured and specified
separately as part of the device either is attached to.
• All female connectors can have a known, stable impedance based only on the diameters
of their inner and outer conductors.
• Female calibration standards can be fully specified. Their specifications and
traceability are unaffected by the diameter of the male mating pin.
• A fully traceable performance verification is made using a precision 50 ohm airline
having a PSC.
• Measurement repeatability is enhanced due to non-changing connector characteristics
with various pin diameters.
With PSCs on test ports and standards, the percentage of accuracy achieved when
measuring at 50 dB return loss levels is comparable to using conventional slotted
connectors measuring devices having only 30 dB return loss. This represents an accuracy
improvement of about 10 times.

1-8 85052B
General Information
Clarifying the Terminology of a Connector Interface
Clarifying the Terminology of a Connector Interface
In this document and in the prompts of the PNA calibration wizard, the gender of cable
connectors and adapters is referred to in terms of the center conductor. For example, a
connector or device designated as 1.85 mm –f– has a 1.85 mm female center conductor.
8510-series, 872x, and 875x ONLY: In contrast, during a measurement calibration, the
network analyzer softkey menus label a 1.85 mm calibration device with reference to the
sex of the analyzer’s test port connector—not the calibration device connector. For
example, the label SHORT(F) refers to the short that is to be connected to the female test
port. This will be a male short from the calibration kit.
A connector gage is referred to in terms of the connector that it measures. For instance, a
male connector gage has a female connector on the gage so that it can measure male
devices.
Preventive Maintenance
The best techniques for maintaining the integrity of the devices in the kit include:
• routine visual inspection
• cleaning
• proper gaging
• proper connection techniques
All of these are described in page 3-1. Failure to detect and remove dirt or metallic
particles on a mating plane surface can degrade repeatability and accuracy and can
damage any connector mated to it. Improper connections, resulting from pin depth values
being out of the observed limits (see Table 2-2 on page 2-4) or from bad connection
techniques, can also damage these devices.
Table 1-2 Clarifying the Sex of Connectors: Examples
Terminology Meaning
Short –f– Female short (female center conductor)
Short (f) Male short (male center conductor) to be connected to female port

85052B 1-9
General Information
When to Calibrate
When to Calibrate
A network analyzer calibration remains valid as long as the changes in the systematic
error are insignificant. This means that changes to the uncorrected leakages (directivity
and isolation), mismatches (source match and load match), and frequency response of the
system are small (<10%) relative to accuracy specifications.
Change in the environment (especially temperature) between calibration and
measurement is the major cause in calibration accuracy degradation. The major effect is a
change in the physical length of external and internal cables. Other important causes are
dirty and damaged test port connectors and calibration standards. If the connectors
become dirty or damaged, measurement repeatability and accuracy is affected.
Fortunately, it is relatively easy to evaluate the general validity of the calibration. To test
repeatability, remeasure one of the calibration standards. If you can not obtain repeatable
measurements from your calibration standards, maintenance needs to be performed on the
test port connectors, cables and calibration standards. Also, maintain at least one sample
of the device under test or some known device as your reference device. A verification kit
may be used for this purpose. After calibration, measure the reference device and note its
responses. Periodically remeasure the device and note any changes in its corrected
response which can be attributed to the test system. With experience you will be able to see
changes in the reference responses that indicate a need to perform the measurement
calibration again.

1-10 85052B
General Information
When to Calibrate

85052B 2-1
2Specifications

2-2 85052B
Specifications
Environmental Requirements
Environmental Requirements
Temperature—What to Watch Out For
Changes in temperature can affect electrical characteristics. Therefore, the operating
temperature is a critical factor in performance. During a measurement calibration, the
temperature of the calibration devices must be stable and within the range shown in
Table 2-1.
IMPORTANT Avoid unnecessary handling of the devices during calibration because your
fingers are a heat source.
Table 2-1 Environmental Requirements
Parameter Limits
Temper ature
Operatinga
a. The temperature range over which the calibration standards maintain conformance to their
specifications.
+20 °C to +26 °C
Storage −40 °C to +75 °C
Error-corrected rangeb
b. The allowable network analyzer ambient temperature drift during measurement calibration
and during measurements when the network analyzer error correction is turned on. Also, the
range over which the network analyzer maintains its specified performance while correction
is turned on.
± 1 °C of measurement calibration temperature
Relative humidity Type tested at 95%, 40 °C (non-condensing)

85052B 2-3
Specifications
Mechanical Characteristics
Mechanical Characteristics
Mechanical characteristics such as center conductor protrusion and pin depth are not
performance specifications. They are, however, important supplemental characteristics
related to electrical performance. Agilent Technologies verifies the mechanical
characteristics of the devices in the kit with special gaging processes and electrical testing.
This ensures that the device connectors do not exhibit any center conductor protrusion or
improper pin depth when the kit leaves the factory.
“Gaging Connectors” on page 3-6 explains how to use gages to determine if the kit devices
have maintained their mechanical integrity. Refer to Table 2-2 on page 2-4 for typical and
observed pin depth limits.
Pin Depth
Pin depth is the distance the center conductor mating plane differs from being flush with
the outer conductor mating plane. See Figure 2-1. The pin depth of a connector can be in
one of two states: either protruding or recessed.
Protrusion is the condition in which the center conductor extends beyond the outer
conductor mating plane. This condition will indicate a positive value on the connector gage.
Recession is the condition in which the center conductor is set back from the outer
conductor mating plane. This condition will indicate a negative value on the connector
gage.
Figure 2-1 Connector Pin Depth

2-4 85052B
Specifications
Mechanical Characteristics
The pin depth value of each calibration device in the kit is not specified, but is an
important mechanical parameter. The electrical performance of the device depends, to
some extent, on its pin depth. The electrical specifications for each device in the kit take
into account the effect of pin depth on the device’s performance. Table 2-2 lists the typical
pin depths and measurement uncertainties, and provides observed pin depth limits for the
devices in the kit. If the pin depth of a device does not measure within the observed pin
depth limits, it may be an indication that the device fails to meet electrical specifications.
Refer to Figure 2-1 for a visual representation of proper pin depth (slightly recessed).
Table 2-2 Pin Depth Limits
Device Typical Pin Depth Measurement Uncertaintya
a. Approximately +2 sigma to −2 sigma of gage uncertainty based on studies done at the
factory according to recommended procedures.
Observed Pin Depth Limitsb
b. Observed pin depth limits are the range of observation limits seen on the gage reading due
to measurement uncertainty. The depth could still be within specifications.
Opens 0 to −0.0127 mm
0 to −0.00050 in
+0.0064 to −0.0064 mm
+0.00025 to −0.00025 in
+0.0064 to −0.0191 mm
+0.00025 to −0.00075 in
Shorts 0 to −0.0127 mm
0 to −0.00050 in
+0.0041 to −0.0041 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00016 in
+0.0041 to −0.0168 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00066 in
Fixed loads −0.0025 to −0.0254 mm
−0.0001 to −0.0010 in
+0.0041 to −0.0041 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00016 in
+0.0016 to −0.0295 mm
+0.00006 to −0.00116 in
Adapter −0.0025 to −0.0254 mm
−0.0001 to −0.0010 in
+0.0041 to −0.0041 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00016 in
+0.0016 to −0.0295 mm
+0.00006 to −0.00116 in
Sliding loads 0 to −0.0076 mm
0 to −0.00030 in
+0.0041 to −0.0041 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00016 in
+0.0041 to −0.0117 mm
+0.00016 to −0.00046 in