Agilent Technologies 85056D Manual

User’s and Service Guide
Agilent Technologies 85056D
2.4 mm Economy Calibration Kit
Agilent Part Number: 85056-90021
Printed in USA
Print Date: August 2010
Supersedes: December 2009
© Copyright 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010 Agilent Technologies, Inc. All rights
reserved.

ii 85056D
WARRANTY STATEMENT
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TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AGILENT DISCLAIMS ALL
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WARRANTY TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT
WITH THESE TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPARATE AGREEMENT WILL
CONTROL.
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will receive no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) or
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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.

85056D iii
Assistance
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For any assistance, contact Agilent Technologies. Refer to “Contacting Agilent” on
page 5-5.
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iv 85056D

Contents
85056D v
1. General Information
Calibration Kit Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Broadband Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Offset Opens and Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Installation of the Calibration Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Incoming Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Recording the Device Serial Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
Precision Slotless Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Clarifying the Terminology of a Connector Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
When to Calibrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
2. Specifications
Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Electrical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
3. Use, Maintenance, and Care of the Devices
Electrostatic Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Inspecting Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
What Causes Connector Wear?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Cleaning Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Gaging Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Gaging 2.4 mm Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
Making Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Preliminary Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Final Connection Using a Torque Wrench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Handling and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
4. Performance Verification
How Agilent Verifies the Devices in Your Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
Recertification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
5. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Where to Look for More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Returning a Kit or Device to Agilent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Contacting Agilent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
6. Replaceable Parts
A. Standard Definitions
Class Assignments and Standard Definitions Values are Available on the Web . . . . . . . . . A-2

vi 85056D
Contents

1-1
1 General Information

1-2 85056D
General Information
Calibration Kit Overview
Calibration Kit Overview
The Agilent 85056D 2.4 mm calibration kit is used to calibrate Agilent network analyzers
up to 50 GHz for measurements of components with 2.4 mm connectors.
Kit Contents
The 85056D calibration kit includes the following items:
• offset opens and shorts
• broadband terminations
• 2.4 mm adapters
• 5/16 in, 90 N-cm (8 in-lb) torque wrench
• 7 mm open-end wrench
Refer to Chapter 6 , “Replaceable Parts,” for a complete list of kit contents and their
associated part numbers.
NOTE 85056D kits with serial prefix 3012A did not have a calibration definitions
disk to support the 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.
Broadband Loads
The broadband loads are metrology-grade, 50Ωterminations that have been optimized for
performance up to 50 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.
Adapters
Like the other devices in the kit, the adapters are built to very tight tolerances to provide

85056D 1-3
General Information
Calibration Kit Overview
good broadband performance and to ensure stable, repeatable connections.
The adapters are designed so that their nominal electrical lengths are the same, allowing
them to be used in calibration procedures for non-insertable devices.
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.
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 6-3 for ordering information.

1-4 85056D
General Information
Incoming Inspection
Incoming Inspection
Verify that the shipment is complete by referring to Table 6-1.
Check for damage. The foam-lined storage case provides protection during shipping. Verify
that this case and its contents are not damaged.
If the case or any device appears damaged, or if the shipment is incomplete, contact
Agilent Technologies. See “Contacting Agilent” on page 5-5. Agilent will arrange for repair
or replacement of incomplete or damaged shipments without waiting for a settlement from
the transportation company.
When you send the kit or device to Agilent, include a service tag (found near the end of this
manual) with the following information:
• your company name and address
• the name of a technical contact person within your company, and the person's complete
phone number
• the model number and serial number of the kit
• the part number and serial number of the device
• the type of service required
•adetailed description of the problem

85056D 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 85056D
Device Serial Number
Calibration kit
–m– open
–f– open
–m– short
–f– short
–m– broadband load
–f– broadband load
–m– to –m– 2.4 mm adapter
–m– to -f- 2.4 mm adapter
–f– to –f– 2.4 mm adapter
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

1-6 85056D
General Information
Precision Slotless Connectors
Precision Slotless Connectors
The female 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.

85056D 1-7
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 sex 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 techniques are described in Chapter 3 . 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.
When to Calibrate
A network analyzer calibration remains valid as long as the changes in the systematic
Table 1-2 Clarifying the Terminology 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

1-8 85056D
General Information
When to Calibrate
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.

2-1
2 Specifications

2-2 85056D
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
Tem per 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, 0% to 95% at 40 °C, non-condensing

85056D 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 3-7 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 85056D
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
+0.0030 to −0.0030 mm
+0.00012 to −0.00012 in.
+0.0030 to −0.0157 mm
+0.00012 to −0.00062 in
Shorts 0 to −0.0127 mm
0 to −0.00050 in
+0.0015 to −0.0015 mm
+0.00006 to −0.00006 in
+0.0015 to −0.0142 mm
+0.00006 to −0.00056 in
Fixed loads −0.0025 to −0.0203 mm
−0.00010 to −0.00080 in
+0.0030 to −0.0030 mm
+0.00012 to −0.00012 in
+0.0005 to −0.0234 mm
+0.00002 to −0.00092 in
Adapters 0 to −0.0381 mm
0 to −0.00150 in
+0.0030 to −0.0030 mm
+0.00012 to −0.00012 in
+0.0030 to −0.0411 mm
+0.00012 to −0.00162 in

85056D 2-5
Specifications
Electrical Specifications
Electrical Specifications
The electrical specifications in Table 2-3 apply to the devices in your calibration kit when
connected with an Agilent precision interface.
Certification
Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time
of shipment from the factory. Agilent further certifies that its calibration measurements
are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
to the extent allowed by the institute’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities
of other International Standards Organization members. See “How Agilent Verifies the
Devices in Your Kit” on page 4-2 for more information.
Table 2-3 Electrical Specifications for 85056D 2.4 mm Devices
Device Specification Frequency (GHz)
Broadband loads Return loss ≥ 42 dΒ (ρ ≤ 0.00794) dc to ≤4
(male and female) Return loss ≥ 34 dΒ (ρ ≤ 0.01995) > 4 to ≤20
Return loss ≥ 30 dB (ρ ≤ 0.03162) > 20 to ≤ 26.5
Return loss ≥ 26 dB (ρ ≤ 0.05019) > 26.5 to ≤ 50
Adapters Return loss ≥ 32 dΒ (ρ ≤ 0.02512) dc to ≤4
Return loss ≥ 30dΒ (ρ ≤ 0.03162) > 4 to ≤26.5
Return loss ≥ 25dB (ρ ≤ 0.05623) > 26.5 to ≤ 40
Return loss ≥ 20 dB (ρ ≤ 0.10000) > 40 to ≤ 50
Offset opensa
a. The specifications for the opens and shorts are given an allowed deviation from the
nominal model as defined in the standard definitions (see “Class Assignments and
Standard Definitions Values are Available on the Web” on page A-2).
±0.5°deviation from nominal dc to ≤2
(male and female) ±1.25°deviation from nominal > 2 to ≤20
±1.75°deviation from nominal > 20 to ≤40
±2.25°deviation from nominal > 40 to ≤50
Offset shortsa±0.50°deviation from nominal dc to ≤2
(male and female) ±1.25 °deviation from nominal > 2 to ≤20
±1.5°deviation from nominal > 20 to ≤40
±2.0°deviation from nominal > 40 to ≤50

2-6 85056D
Specifications
Electrical Specifications