Anritsu AutoCal 36581NNF User manual

AutoCal ®
36581NNF, 36581KKF,
36582KKF
Automatic VNA Calibrator
User’s Guide
Automatic Calibrator for Anritsu 360B and
37000 Series Vector Network Analyzers or
MS462XX Series Vector Network Measurement Systems
MARCH 2007 10410-00199
COPYRIGHT 2007, ANRITSU CO. REVISION: E

Table of Contents
General Information
Introduction .....................1-1
Description .....................1-1
Calibrations .....................1-3
System Requirements ................1-4
Definitions .....................1-5
Thru .......................1-5
Isolation .....................1-5
VNA Measurement Averaging Factor .....1-6
VNA Video IF Bandwidth ...........1-6
Characterization File ..............1-6
Performance Specifications .............1-7
Operation
Introduction .....................2-1
Physical Setup....................2-1
Controller Setup...................2-3
Loading Software ................2-3
Software Operation .................2-4
Software Interface................2-4
Starting AutoCal ................2-5
Using AutoCal HELP ..............2-5
Automatic Calibration Procedure ..........2-8
Manual Control ...................2-8
Pin Depth Specifications ..............2-9
Pin Depth Examples ..............2-10
i

ii
WARRANTY
TheAnritsuproduct(s)listedonthetitlepageis(are)warrantedagainstdefects
in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of shipment.
Anritsu’s obligation covers repairing or replacing products which prove to be
defective during the warranty period. Buyers shall prepay transportation
charges for equipment returned to Anritsu for warranty repairs. Obligation is
limited to the original purchaser. Anritsu is not liable for consequential
damages.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty does not apply to Anritsu connectors that have failed
duetonormalwear.Also, the warranty doesnotapplytodefectsresulting from
improper or inadequate maintenance by the Buyer, unauthorized modification
ormisuse,oroperationoutsidetheenvironmentalspecificationsoftheproduct.
No other warranty is expressed or implied, and the remedies provided herein
are the Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies.
TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCal is a registered trademark of Anritsu Company.
NOTICE
Anritsu Company has prepared this manual for use by Anritsu Company
personnel and customers as a guide for the proper installation, operation and
maintenance of Anritsu Company equipment and computer programs. The
drawings, specifications, and information contained herein are the property of
Anritsu Company, and any unauthorized use or disclosure of these drawings,
specifications, and information is prohibited; they shall not be reproduced,
copied, or used in whole or in part as the basis for manufacture or sale of the
equipment or software programs without the prior written consent of Anritsu
Company.

iii

How to Use this Manual
This manual describes how to setup the AutoCal ® calibrator and how
to access the on line HELP documentation. After setup, nearly all oper-
ation is guided by the associated software, running on a standard Per-
sonal Computer. Most of the documentation necessary to understand
and use the AutoCal calibrator is provided on line, following the stan-
dard form for HELP used with the Windows operating system.
This manual describes (1) the physical requirements, including test
hardware, software, and computer resources necessary to setup a mea-
surement and (2) how to start and use the software to control the cali-
bration.
First-time users and maintenance supervisors should read the general
material in Chapter 1. This chapter describes the basic operation of the
instruments, and the performance specifications.
Important Usage Note
Refer to the MS462XX Operation Manual when using AutoCal with
the MS462XX Vector Network Measurement System. The serial en-
abled 37000 series VNA with firmware version 3.37 or later offers an
internal serial AutoCal control interface, therefore a separate PC is not
required. Consult the 37000 VNA Operation Manual for more details.
iv

Chapter 1
General Information
Introduction
This chapter provides a general description of the AutoCal calibrators,
including specifications, setup, and the use of the associated software
and online documentation. This series has five models, as shown
below. Throughout this manual, the term AutoCal will refer to the
series. Individual models will be referred to by model number. The
36581NNF/1 and KKF/1 are for use with the MS462XX Vector
Network Measurement System (VNMS).
Model Switch Freq. Range Connector.
36581NNF Electronic 40 MHz-18 GHz N (Male)-N (Female)
36581KKF Electronic 40 MHz-20 GHz K (Male)-K (Female)
36582KKF Mechanical 40 MHz-40 GHz K (Male)-K (Female)
36581NNF/2 Electronic 10 MHz-9 GHz N (Male)-N (Female)
36581KKF/2 Electronic 10 MHz-9 GHz K (Male)-K (Female)
Description
The AutoCal module is controlled by a Personal Computer and
appropriate software, a 37000 series Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)
equipped with a serial interface and firmware version 3.23 or later, or
any MS462XX VNMS. The AutoCal module provides an automatic
system for fast, repeatable high-quality calibrations of a VNA.
1-1

The AutoCal module is inserted between the VNA test ports to
perform the calibration.
The electronic AutoCal modules use solid state electronic switches to
exchange the internal calibration standards. Note that these units have a
lower frequency limit (18 and 20 GHz). The mechanical modules use
electro-mechanical actuators to exchange the standards and have the
highest frequency limit, but have a small non-repeatability error. The
mechanical modules contain internal standards used to measure port
isolation; the electronic modules do not contain isolation standards and
require a manual operation to perform this measurement.
A standard serial RS-232 interface extender is used to connect the
AutoCal module to the PC host controller, VNA, or VNMS. The GPIB
interface (IEEE488.2) is used to control the VNA. The VNA must be
either an Anritsu model 360B or a member of the Anritsu 37000 series.
Power is supplied by a connecting cable from a universal power supply
(+5 Vdc, +15 Vdc, -15 Vdc for the electronic modules; +5 Vdc,
+24 Vdc for the mechanical modules). A power on-off switch is not
provided.
Test Port Cable Converters (Anritsu series 36583) are used during and
after the calibration process to establish the desired test port connector
type and sex.
The host PC controller runs under the Microsoft Windows operating
system and requires an internal National Instruments GPIB interface
card.
Refer to the MS462XX Operation Manual when using AutoCal with a
MS462XX VNMS.
Chapter 1 General Information
1-2

Calibrations
Four types of calibrations can be performed using AutoCal:
One-Port: S11 1-Port and S22 1-Port are 1-port calibrations performed
on the indicated port of the VNA and are equivalent to the traditional
Open-Short-Load calibrations. Note that an S22 1-Port calibration is not
available with the 360B.
Full 2-Port: This type is equivalent to the traditional
Open-Short-Load-Thru (OSLT) calibration.
Thru Update: This type is a new form of calibration which is used to
update an existing 12-term calibration in the VNA. This calibration
could have been performed using any method of calibration which
yields 12 terms (LRL, LRM, AutoCal, or OSLT). Due to cable
movement and aging, the calibration may have degraded over time. The
Thru Update refreshes the calibration by measuring a Thru connection
and updating the Transmission Tracking and Load Match calibration
constants.
Adapter Removal: This calibration measures the characteristics of
male-male or female-female test port cables for subsequent
measurement of non-insertable devices. An adapter is required for this
calibration. Adapter Removal requires two calibration procedures in
order to calculate the parameters and electrical length of the adapter.
NOTE: If a full frequency range calibration is not
required, modify the VNA Setup Menu to reflect only
the needed range. This will be useful when calibrating
a 40 GHz VNA below 20 GHz with a 20 GHz AutoCal
module.
Chapter 1 General Information
1-3

System Requirements
Computer (if used as the controller):
·Standard PC with a 386 or higher processor and a math
coprocessor
·Windows 3.1 or later operating system
·1.5 MB of RAM in addition to memory required by any other
operating programs
·National Instruments GPIB card and extension cable (available
from Anritsu) with Windows software drivers installed.
·Serial communications port (COM port)
Network Analyzer:
·Anritsu 360B, with system software version 4.04 or newer
·Anritsu 37000, system software version 1.04 or newer or 3.23 or
newer for internal control
·MS462XX Vector Network Measurement System, system
software version 1.01 or newer
Calibrator:
·Anritsu AutoCal module
Electronic modules for 10 MHz to 20 GHz, no isolation
standards
Mechanical module for 40 MHz to 40 GHz, with isolation
standards
·Power supply with attached cable
(Different power supplies are used for the two types of modules
and the power connectors are of different types to avoid errors in
connection.)
·Serial interface cable
·AutoCal program disk
Chapter 1 General Information
1-4

Definitions
The following terms are used in explaining the calibration procedures
using the AutoCal module:
Thru
Athru is a connection of the two test ports where the transmission path
is of modest or low loss when used during calibration. Two kinds of
thru connections are defined for the AutoCal calibration: (1) a
Calibrator thru is an internal path through the calibrator. (2) a True
thru is a direct cable connection between the test ports, with no
intervening connectors. The calibrator thru is not as accurate as a true
thru, so you have the option of using the more accurate method, if
necessary. The 4-port AutoCal module contains internal thru paths that
are normally used during a calibration. True thrus can be used in lieu of
the internal thrus in some calibrations for small improvements in
transmission tracking accuracy. This is available only in some firmware
versions; contact Anritsu for more information.
Isolation
For certain measurements that require accurate S21 or S12 readings for
very small values of those parameters, an isolation step is required to
characterize the leakage of the VNA and test setup. Isolation is some-
times used to improve the dynamic range by mathematically reducing
the effects of leakage. This calibration step is optional and can be per-
formed by using the external calibration standards (see the MS462XX
Operation Manual). Since the MS462XX’s internal leakage is very
small, the step does not usually help very much. However, if the cable
setup from the VNA is leaking, there are cases when the isolation step
can be helpful.
Chapter 1 General Information
1-5

VNA Measurement Averaging Factor
This is the averaging factor used within the VNA to determine the
number of samples taken during a calibration. Default values are
provided for the various standards with the general rule being higher
averaging for measurements with lower signal-to-noise ratios (for
example, match measurements on loads or thrus). This factor is set by
the VNA menu:
Avg/Smooth Menu
VNA Video IF Bandwidth
The video IF bandwidth is the measurement bandwidth of the VNA
that can be changed both during a calibration and during a
measurement. The default value is 1 kHz, but it can be increased for
faster measurements (and slightly higher trace noise and noise floor) or
decreased for better dynamic range. In conjunction with VNA
averaging above, this determines the calibration or measurement time
and usually does not have to be changed for the calibration. This setting
is the same as the value set by using the VNA menu:
Video IF BW
Characterization File
Each calibrator module has a file containing data which characterizes
each standard in the calibrator. This file also contains information
(identification number, start and stop frequencies) concerning the
capabilities of the calibrator. Each characterization file has the
extension “.acd.” When modules are changed, you must open the
appropriate new characterization file using the menus (see Chapter 2):
File | Open Characterization File...
Chapter 1 General Information
1-6

Performance Specifications
Temperature Range: 23 °C±3°C ambient
Frequency Range: 40 MHz to 18 GHz (36581NNF)
10 MHz to 9 GHz (36581NNF/2)
40 MHz to 20 GHz (36581KKF)
10 MHz to 9 GHz (36581KKF/2)
40 MHz to 40 GHz (36582KKF)
Module Connectors: N Male, N Female (36581NNF)
K Male, K Female (36581KKF, 36582KKF)
Test Port Cable: K Male (2 ea), K Female (2 ea) (3658K)
Converter Set: 3.5 mm Male (2 ea)
3.5 mm Female (2 ea) (36583L)
SMA Male (2 ea)
SMA Female (2 ea) (36583S)
without 36583 with 36583 36581/2
Converter Set Converter Set Models
Directivity:
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— 38 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 38 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 38 dB
2 to 9 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 36 dB
9 to 20 GHz 38 dB 36 dB ——
20 to 40 GHz 34 dB 32 dB ——
Load Match:
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— 38 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 38 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 38 dB
2 to 9 GHz 38 dB 36 dB 36 dB
9 to 20 GHz 38 dB 36 dB ——
20 to 40 GHz 34 dB 32 dB ——
Chapter 1 General Information
1-7

without 36583 with 36583 36581/2
Converter Set Converter Set Models
Source Match:
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— 36 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz 34 dB 32 dB 36 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz 34 dB 32 dB 36 dB
0.2 to 9 GHz 34 dB 32 dB 34 dB
9 to 20 GHz 34 dB 32 dB ——
20.0 to 40.0 GHz 26 dB 24 dB ——
Reflection Tracking:
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— ±0.15 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz ±0.15 dB ±0.20 dB ±0.15 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ±0.15 dB
2to9GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ±0.20 dB
9to20GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ——
20.0 to 40.0 GHz ±0.25 dB ±0.30 dB ——
Transmission Tracking (Module Thru Mode):
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— ±0.15 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz ±0.15 dB ±0.20 dB ±0.15 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ±0.15 dB
2to9GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ±0.20 dB
9to20GHz ±0.20 dB ±0.25 dB ——
20.0 to 40.0 GHz ±0.25dB ±0.30 dB ——
Transmission Tracking (True Thru Mode):
0.01 to 0.04 GHz —— —— ±0.15 dB
0.04 to 0.2 GHz ±0.10 dB ±0.15 dB ±0.15 dB
0.2 to 2 GHz ±0.10 dB ±0.15 dB ±0.15 dB
2to9GHz ±0.10 dB ±0.15 dB ±0.20 dB
9to20GHz ±0.10 dB ±0.15 dB ——
20.0 to 40.0 GHz ±0.20dB ±0.25 dB ——
Operating Temperature: 0 °Cto+50°C
Storage Temperature: -20 °Cto+70°C
Re-characterization Period: 6 months
Chapter 1 General Information
1-8 Specifications subject to change without notice.

Chapter 2
Operation
Introduction
This chapter describes the setup and operation of the AutoCal
calibration module, the host PC controller, and how to make use of the
extensive on-line documentation.
Refer to the MS462XX Operation Manual when using AutoCal with
the MS462XX Vector Network Measurement System. Refer to the
37000 series Operation Manual when using the internal AutoCal con-
trol.
Physical Setup
See Figure 2-1 (next page) for an illustration of the connections
necessary to perform an automatic calibration using the AutoCal mod-
ule. Different power cable connectors are used with the mechanical
modules and the electronic modules to prevent connecting the wrong
power supply in error.
There is no on-off switch. When power is connected to the AutoCal
module, the LED labeled POWER should come on immediately. The
second LED, labeled OPERATE, should come on in about five
minutes, after the internal temperature control oven has stabilized. In-
ternal temperature is held within a 5 oC window.
2-1

Chapter 2 Operation
2-2
Calibration
Menu
Hard Copy
Markers/Limits
SystemState
Local Lockout
SRQ
Listen
Talk
Remote
GPIB
Power
Port 1
CAUTION
+20dBmMAX
40VDC MAX
AVOIDSTATIC
DISCHARGE
Default
Program
Utility
Menu
Begin
Cal Apply
Cal
Save/
Recall
Menu
Start
Print
Stop
Print
Menu
Limits
Marker
Menu
Readout
Marker
Graph
Type
Set
Scale
Auto
Scale
S
Params
Ref
Plane Trace
Memory
Channel
Menu Ch 1 Ch 2
Ch3 Ch4
Option
Menu
Video
IFB W
Avg/
Smooth
Menu
Trace
Smooth
Average
Setup
Menu
Data
Points
Hold Domain Appl
Enter
789
456
123
0.-
MHz
ns
X1
cm
GHz1 0 3
us m
kHz
ps
10
-3
mm
Clear
RetLoc
Measurement
Enhancement
Channels
DataEntry
Display
a
a
S
b
12
S
21
S
S
b
11 22
1
1
2
2
CAUTION
+20dBmMAX
40VDC MAX
AVOIDSTATIC
DISCHARGE
Port 2
37247B
NetworkAnalyzer
40MHz- 20GHz
Port2Port1
BiasInput Keyboard
Figure 2-1. AutoCal Measurement Setup
Note: Com X indicates the
appropriate Com 1 through
Com 4 serial port.

Controller Setup
Loading Software
The AutoCal software is furnished on a standard 3.5 inch floppy disk.
The AutoCal host computer must be running the Windows 3.1 or later
operating system. Software installation follows standard Windows
practice.
With Windows running, place the AutoCal software floppy disk in a
convenient floppy disk drive (usually a:). In the Windows 3.1 Program
Manager or File Manager, click FILE and choose Run. In later Win-
dows versions, click Start and choose Run. In the Run dialog window,
type:
drivename:\setup
in the Command Line and press ENTER or click OK.
You will be prompted to choose a drive partition and directory for in-
stallation of the AutoCal software. Unless there is some unusual rea-
son, choose a drive letter and accept the default directory \AutoCal\.
The software will be installed.
Note: The calibration standards internal to each
AutoCal module have been characterized by the
factory and this characterization is recorded in the
software disk unique to each particular AutoCal
module. Each AutoCal module must be used with its
corresponding characterization file.
Chapter 2 Operation
2-3

Software Operation
Software Interface
The AutoCal software follows the standard Windows interface
conventions. As with other Windows-based applications, dialog boxes
are used to display available choices or alternatives and for the user to
indicate choices or to enter data. If you are not familiar with the
Windows interface conventions, study of the Windows documentation
will be helpful. A brief review will be given below.
The typical Windows dialog box has a title bar, which displays the
name or subject of the dialog box. Where appropriate, there may be a
brief instruction or explanation in the space below the title bar.
List boxes are used to display lists of choices, usually data sets or
alternative actions. If there are too many choices to fit in the list box,
slide bars are provided at the borders of the list box to permit viewing
of all items in the list. Where appropriate, a list box may be presented
as the name of a single item (the currently active item) with a
down-arrow in a little box at the right (a combo box). Selection of the
down-arrow brings the entire list into view. Click on an item in the list
to select it.
Option buttons are used to choose between mutually exclusive
options. Option buttons appear as a round selection area labeled with
the name of the associated option. The selected option has a large black
dot in the selection area. To change to another option, click on the
corresponding selection area.
The dialog window may contain a display box, which shows the
current values of variables or settings with descriptive labels.
Finally, a dialog window will contain one or more labeled command
buttons. Clicking a command button will choose and execute the
Chapter 2 Operation
2-4

command as labeled. Nearly always, there will be a command button
labeled HELP, which gives access to the HELP text (see below). Of-
ten, a dialog window will be used only to transmit information to the
user. The command button labeled OK serves to close the dialog
window.
A command button labeled CANCEL is always provided to allow a re-
turn to the previous status without taking an action.
Starting AutoCal
The AutoCal software is started by executing the program
auto_cal.exe in the directory where the software is installed (as chosen
on page 2-3). Alternatively, the software can be started by clicking the
AutoCal icon in the Program Manager (if one has been created).
If there is no AutoCal Program Manager icon, click File in the
Program Manager or File Manager, choose Run, and type:
disk partition:\AutoCal directory\auto_cal
Press OK.
For example: e:\autocal\auto_cal [OK]
The AutoCal program will appear and will display the
Characterization Files dialog window.
Using AutoCal HELP
Most of the information necessary to use the AutoCal software is
contained in the extensive associated HELP files.
All AutoCal dialog windows contain a command button labeled
HELP. Clicking HELP brings up descriptive material appropriate to
that dialog box. Frequently, terms and references used in any HELP
screen are displayed in light green with an underline. When the cursor
Chapter 2 Operation
2-5

is moved over a light green area, the cursor turns into a pointing hand.
Clicking the cursor brings up a screen with additional material. The
user can then continue to bring up related material in the same manner,
or can use command buttons to return to the main HELP menu or to
return to the main AutoCal program.
Note that the command button labeled HISTORY gives convenient
access to a list of previously chosen items. Clicking on an item name in
HISTORY gives immediate access to that item without returning to the
original context.
Characterization Files
The AutoCal program begins by displaying the Characterization
Files dialog window. AutoCal looks for all files in the current
directory with the extension “.acd” and displays them in a list box in
the Characterization Files dialog window. One characterization file
must be chosen to correspond to the specific AutoCal module to be
used.
The unique Module ID number for the currently selected file will be
displayed, together with the maximum and minimum frequency that
can be used in the calibration.
To accept the configuration displayed and to proceed with the
calibration procedure, click Command Button ACCEPT.
If you wish to allow files from other directories or files with extensions
other than “.acd” to be included in the list, click Command Button
BROWSE to bring up the standard Windows Open File dialog box.
Click HELP to access detailed instructions and explanations.
Click CANCEL to return without taking an action.
Chapter 2 Operation
2-6