Copper Mountain Technologies ACM4509 User manual

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Automatic Calibration Module
Revision 21.1 02.11.2021
631 E New York Street | Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
www.coppermountaintech.com

Contents
Page 2
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................5
SafetyInstructions ................................................................................................................................................5
GeneralOverview...................................................................................................................................................7
Modification .................................................................................................................... 8
ACM2506 ................................................................................................................ 10
ACM2509 ................................................................................................................ 13
ACM2520 ................................................................................................................ 16
ACM2543 ................................................................................................................ 19
ACM4509 ................................................................................................................ 22
ACM4520 ................................................................................................................ 25
АСМ2708 ................................................................................................................ 29
ACM4000T .............................................................................................................. 31
ACM6000T .............................................................................................................. 33
ACM8000T .............................................................................................................. 36
ACM8400T .............................................................................................................. 39
Protective Housing ...................................................................................................... 42
Delivery Kit ................................................................................................................... 45
Specifications .............................................................................................................. 46
Measurement Capabilities ......................................................................................... 47
Principle of Operation ................................................................................................. 52
Types of Calibration Standards ............................................................................ 53
Attenuator ................................................................................................................ 53
Module Block Diagrams ........................................................................................ 54
Preparation for Use ...........................................................................................................................................58
Operating Restrictions ................................................................................................ 58
Installation ..................................................................................................................... 60
Software ....................................................................................................................... 61
Operation Procedure ......................................................................................................................................62

Contents
Page 3
Connection Diagrams ................................................................................................. 62
Full One-Port Calibration ....................................................................................... 63
One-Path Two-Port and Full Two-Port Calibration .............................................. 64
Full Three-Port Calibration ..................................................................................... 65
Full Four-Port Calibration ....................................................................................... 66
Module Work Session ................................................................................................. 67
Module Preparation for Calibration ...................................................................... 67
Parameters Setting ..................................................................................................... 68
Calibration .................................................................................................................................................................69
Measurement Errors ................................................................................................... 70
Calibration Types ........................................................................................................ 71
Full One-Port Calibration ....................................................................................... 71
One-Path Two-Port Calibration ............................................................................. 71
Full Two-Port Calibration ....................................................................................... 72
Full Three-Port Calibration ..................................................................................... 72
Full Four-Port Calibration ....................................................................................... 72
Unknown Thru .......................................................................................................... 73
Thermal Compensation .............................................................................................. 74
Calibration Procedure ................................................................................................. 75
User Characterization Procedure .............................................................................. 78
Confidence Check ....................................................................................................... 80
Automation ................................................................................................................... 82
Maintenance ...........................................................................................................................................................83
Maintenance Procedure ............................................................................................. 83
Maintenance Activities ........................................................................................... 84
Cleaning Connectors .............................................................................................. 85
Gauging Connectors .............................................................................................. 86
Connecting and Disconnecting Devices .............................................................. 88

Contents
Page 4
Cleaning and Care of the Protective Housing ..................................................... 90
Ambient Conditions Control .................................................................................. 91
Verification .............................................................................................................. 91
RoutineRepairs .....................................................................................................................................................92
StorageInstructions ........................................................................................................................................93
Transportation ......................................................................................................................................................94
AnnexA—ModulesOverview.................................................................................................................95
Annex B— Instruction for Use ofthe Protective Housing .............................................110
Glossary........................................................................................................................................................................112
Copyright ....................................................................................................................................................................114

Page 5
Introduction
Safety Instructions
Carefully read the following safety instructions before putting the Module into
operation. Observe all the precautions and warnings provided in this Manual for all
the phases of operation, service, and repair of the Module.
Observe all general safety precautions related to the operation of electrically
energized equipment.
WARNING
The Module should be used only by skilled and thoroughly
trained personnel with the required skills and knowledge of
safety precautions.
Connect the body of the controlling PC and the body of the
VNA (the post marked ) to be used with the Module
before starting operation.
Exceeding maximum input power of the RF signal or
maximum DC voltage specified on the front panel of the
Module can result in the Module breaking down.
Never operate the Module if the USB cable is damaged.
Protection from electrostatic discharge
WARNING
Make sure to protect the work area from electrostatic
discharge.
Electrostatic discharge can damage the Module when
connected or disconnected from the VNA, during the
connectors cleaning, or during visual inspection.
Static charge can build up on the body and damage the
sensitive circuits of internal components of both the Module
and the VNA being calibrated. To avoid damage from
electric discharge, observe the following:
· Always discharge the static charge accumulated on the
body before touching the Module or any other sensitive
to static electricity devices.
· Always use a desktop anti-static mat under the DUT.

Page 6
· Always wear a grounding wrist strap connected to the
desktop anti-static mat via daisy-chained 1MΩresistor.
Definitions of safety symbols used on the instrument and in the manual are listed
below.
WARNING
This sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure,
practice, or condition that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in injury or death to personnel.
CAUTION
This sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure,
practice, or condition that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or
all of the instrument.
NOTE
This sign denotes important information. It calls attention to a
procedure, practice, or condition that is essential for the user
to understand.

Page 7
General Overview
The Module is designed for calibration (error correction) of Vector Network Analyzers
in automatic mode.
Calibration is performed by automatically connecting the reflection and transmission
impedance states to the VNA test ports.
Calibration determines systematic errors in accordance with the VNA model. The
process of mathematical compensation (numerical reduction) for measurement
systematic errors is called error correction.
Using the Module instead of a mechanical calibration kit has several advantages,
which ensure high measurement accuracy and a longer service life of the VNA test
ports. The measurement accuracy is achieved using precision Module standards
(states) descriptions, by the stability of the selected configuration, and by the
application of temperature drift functions and self-diagnosis in the form of confidence
check. Single module connection during calibration allows to:
· Extend the VNA ports service life.
· Reduce technical staff workload and risk of human error.
· Make the measurement process most efficient.
The Module control protocol is based on the USBTMC-USB488 standard.

Page 8
Modification
The Module differ in operating frequency range and in the number of ports. Their
functional features are briefly described in the table below and in Appendix А.
During calibration, the Modules are controlled by the VNA software installed on the
connected PC. The USB 2.0 interface is used for control.
The Modules feature several hardware configurations depending on the connector
types of PORT A, PORT B and, if available, PORT C and PORT D. To view the
possible connector type front and side views for each Module, click on the name of
the desired Module in the table below.
The Module delivery package is specified in Delivery Kit.
Functional Features
Module
Frequency range
50 Ohm two-port Modules
ACM2506
20 kHz to 6.5 GHz
ACM2509
20 kHz to 9 GHz
ACM2520
100 kHz to 20 GHz
ACM2543
10 MHz to 44 GHz
ACM6000T
20 kHz to 6 GHz
ACM8000T
100 kHz to 8 GHz
75 Ohm two-port Modules
ACM2708
20 kHz to 8 GHz
ACM4000T
20 kHz to 4 GHz
50 Ohm four-port Modules
ACM4509
100 kHz to 9 GHz

Page 9
Module
Frequency range
ACM4520
100 kHz to 20 GHz
ACM8400T
100 kHz to 8 GHz
1 The upper frequency point of ACM2520 and ACM4520 with type N connectors
is 18 GHz.
2 The upper frequency point of ACM2543 with 2.92 mm connectors is 40 GHz.

Page 10
ACM2506
The front panels of the different models of ACM2506 are shown in the figure below.
Front panel ACM2506

Page 11
Parts of the ACM2509
Test port
The test ports are designed for connection to VNA being calibrated. The VNA
connectors, the cross sections of which were calibrated, are referred to as its test
ports.
The Modules connectors are shown in figures below.
Type N, male
Type N, female
3.5 mm, male
3.5 mm, female
Mini USB Connector (on side panel)
The mini USB connector is located at the side panel of the
Module and is intended for the Module connection to the
controlling PC. The Module is powered using the USB
cable.

Page 12
Hardware configurations
Model
Connector type
Port A
Port B
ACM2506-011
type N, female
type N, female
ACM2506-012
type N, male
type N, female
ACM2506-111
3.5 mm, female
3.5 mm, female
ACM2506-112
3.5 mm, male
3.5 mm, female

Page 13
ACM2509
Front panel of different models of ACM2506 are shown in figure below.
Front panel ACM2509

Page 14
Parts of Module
Test port
The test ports are designed for connection to VNA being calibrated. The VNA
connectors, the cross sections of which were calibrated, are referred to as its test
ports.
The Modules connectors are shown in figures below.
Type N, male
Type N, female
3.5 mm, female
3.5 mm, male
Mini USB Connector (on side panel)
The mini USB connector is located on the side panel of the
Module and is intended for the Module connection to the
controlling PC. The Module is powered using the USB
cable.

Page 15
Hardware configurations
Model
Connector type
Port A
Port B
ACM2509-011
type N, female
type N, female
ACM2509-012
type N, male
type N, female
ACM2509-111
3.5 mm, female
3.5 mm, female
ACM2509-112
3.5 mm, male
3.5 mm, female

Page 16
ACM2520
The front panels of the different models of ACM2520 are shown in the figure below.
Front panel ACM2520

Page 17
Parts of Module
Test port
The test ports are designed for connection to VNA being calibrated. The VNA
connectors, the cross sections of which were calibrated, are referred to as its test
ports.
The Modules connectors are shown in figures below.
Type N, male
Type N, female
3.5 mm, female
3.5 mm, male
Connector (on side panel)
The connector is located on the top of the Module and is
intended for the Module connection to the controlling PC.
The Module is powered using the USB cable.
LED Status Indicator (on rear panel)
NOTE
LED Status Indicator is located under the label and is visible
only during operation.
The LED indicates the following statuses:
· Blinking green and red LED mean testing LED and indicating external power
supply voltage presence.

Page 18
· Red LED indicator means warm-up mode of the Module. The time required for
operating mode setting is automatically counted from the moment of the Module
connection using USB. If the Module is disconnected during setting and
reconnected again, then the countdown counter starts from the beginning.
Additional red LED may indicate the Module connection loss with the PC. In this
case, check the Module connection with software (the Autocalibration softkey
should be active), if there is no connection, disconnect the USB cable from the
Module and repeat the connection.
· Green LED indicator means the Module is ready for operation.
Hardware configurations
Model
Connector type
Port A
Port B
ACM2520-011
type N, female
type N, female
ACM2520-012
type N, male
type N, female
ACM2520-111
3.5 mm, female
3.5 mm, female
ACM2520-112
3.5 mm, male
3.5 mm, female

Page 19
ACM2543
The rear panels of the different models of ACM2543 are shown in the figure below.
Rear panel ACM2543

Page 20
Parts of Module
Test port
The test ports are designed for connection to VNA being calibrated. The VNA
connectors, the cross sections of which were calibrated, are referred to as its test
ports. The Modules connectors are shown in figures below.
2.4 mm (2.92 mm), female
2.4 mm (2.92 mm), male
LED Status Indicator
The LED indicates the following statuses:
· Blinking green and red LED mean testing LED and indicating external power
supply voltage presence.
· Red LED indicator means warm-up mode of the Module. The time required for
operating mode setting is automatically counted from the moment of the Module
connection using USB. If the Module is disconnected during setting and
reconnected again, then the countdown counter starts from the beginning.
Additional red LED may indicate the Module connection loss with the PC. In this
case, check the Module connection with software (the Autocalibration softkey
should be active), if there is no connection, disconnect the USB cable from the
Module and repeat the connection.
· Green LED indicator means the Module is ready for operation.
Mini USB Connector (on side panel)
The connector is located on the top of the Module and is
intended for the Module connection to the controlling PC.
The Module is powered using the USB cable.