Rohde & Schwarz R&S ZV-Z51 Manual

1164.0644.92-05
Technical Information
Calibration Units
R&S®ZV-Z51
1164.0515.30 / 1164.0515.70
R&S®ZV-Z52
1164.0521.30 / 1164.0521.72
Printed in Germany
Test and Measurement Division

1164.0644.92 2 E-6
Safety Instructions
This calibration unit has been designed and tested in accordance with the EC
Certificate of Conformity and has left the manufacturer’s plant in a condition fully
complying with safety standards.
To maintain this condition and to ensure safe operation, you must
observe all instructions and warnings given on this page.
USB Connection to the Analyzer
•The calibration unit is intended for direct connection to network analyzers of the
R&S®ZVAB family following the procedure described on the following pages and
in the analyzer’s help system. Do not connect the unit to other USB hosts, e.g. a
PC, or insert any USB hubs between the analyzer and the unit, as this may cause
damage to the unit or the host.
•The length of the connecting USB cable should not exceed 1 m. It is
recommended to use the cable delivered with the calibration unit.
•You can connect several calibration units to the different USB ports of the
analyzer. You can also connect cal units and other devices (mouse, USB memory
stick etc.) simultaneously.
•An unused calibration unit may remain connected to the USB port while the
network analyzer is performing measurements. It must be disconnected during a
firmware update.
•It is safe to connect or disconnect the calibration unit while the network analyzer
is operating. Never connect or disconnect the unit while data is being transferred
between the analyzer and the unit. Never connect the unit during a firmware
update.
ESD Protective Measures
To protect the calibration unit against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage use the
wrist strap and grounding cord supplied with the network analyzer and connect
yourself to the GND connector at the front panel. For details refer to the Quick Start
Guide of your analyzer.
RF Connection
The maximum RF input power of the calibration unit is beyond the RF output power
range of the analyzer, so there is no risk of damage if the device is directly connected
to the test ports. If you use an external power amplifier, make sure that the maximum
RF input power of the calibration unit quoted in the “Specifications” is never exceeded.
R&S®is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
Trade names are trademarks of the owners.

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Automatic Calibration
A calibration unit is an integrated solution for automatic calibration of several network
analyzer ports. The unit R&S ZV-Z51 (stock numbers 1164.0515.30 or 1164.0515.70
for models equipped with 3.5 mm or type N sockets) supports frequencies up to 8
GHz. The unit R&S ZV-Z52 (stock numbers 1164.0521.30 and 1164.0521.72 for
models equipped with 3.5 mm or type N sockets) supports frequencies up to 18 GHz
(with type N sockets) or 24 GHz. The units contain calibration standards that are
electronically switched when a calibration is performed. The calibration kit data for the
internal standards is also stored in the calibration units, so that the analyzer can
calculate the error terms and apply the calibration without any further input.
Automatic calibration is generally faster and more secure than manual calibration:
•There is no need to connect several standards manually. The number of
standards to be connected quickly increases with the number of ports.
•Invalid calibrations due to operator errors (e.g. wrong standards or improper
connections) are almost excluded.
•No need to handle calibration kit data.
•The internal standards do not wear out because they are switched electronically.
This Technical Information gives a brief introduction to the unit’s
connection and use. For detailed information refer to the help
system of your network analyzer.
USB Connection to the Network Analyzer
The calibration unit provides the following connectors:
•A USB type B connector at the rear is used to power-supply and control the unit.
A USB cable for connection to the network analyzer is provided with the
calibration unit.
•Two or four RF connectors numbered 1 to 4 are to be connected to the test ports
1 to 4 of the analyzer. The connector type is either type N (f) or 3.5 mm (f) for all
connectors.
To connect the unit...
1. Switch on and start-up your network analyzer.
2. Wear a grounded wrist strap; see ESD Protective Measures on the previous
page.
3. Connect the USB type A connector of the USB cable to any of the USB type A
connectors on the front or rear panel of the analyzer. You can also connect the
unit before switching on the analyzer.
4. Wait until the operating system has recognized and initialized the new
hardware. When the unit is connected for the first time, this may take longer
than in normal use.
The unit is ready to be used as outlined on the following page.

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Performing an Automatic Calibration
After connection and initialization, you can use the calibration unit as follows:
1. Connect ports 1 through n (n = 1 to 4, depending on your analyzer and
calibration unit model and the number of ports to be calibrated) of the analyzer
to n arbitrary ports of the calibration unit. Terminate all unused ports (no. n + 1
to 4) with a 50 Ωmatch.
2. Perform the automatic calibration for the selected number of ports using the
Measurement Wizard or the Start Calibration menu. For details refer to the
analyzer’s help system.
3. Remove the test cables from the unit, connect your DUT instead and perform
calibrated measurements.
Accuracy Considerations
To ensure an accurate calibration, please observe the following items:
•Unused ports of the calibration unit must be terminated with a 50 Ωmatch.
•No adaptors must be inserted between the calibration unit and the test ports.
•After connecting the unit to the USB port, allow for a sufficient warm-up time (see
“Specifications”) before starting the calibration.
•To ensure best accuracy the analyzer automatically reduces the source power to
–10 dBm. If the test setup contains a large attenuation, deactivate Automatic Power
Reduction for Calibration Unit in the initial tab of the System Config dialog and
ensure an input power of –10 dBm at the ports of the calibration unit (please also
refer to the separate technical Specifications).
•In manual control, a 1-port calibration can be performed at port 1 or port 2, a 2-port
calibration at ports 1 and 2 etc. To perform any calibrated measurement using port
3 or 4, a 3- or 4-port calibration is required.
In remote control mode, an arbitrary assignment between the
analyzer and the calibration unit ports is possible. This is
important for the calibration of ports 3 and 4 with a 2-port unit R&S
ZV-Z52, var. 72. For detailed information refer to the help system
of your network analyzer.
The calibration type depends on the number of ports:
Number of ports calibrated Calibration type
1 (port 1 or port 2) Full one port
2 / 3 / 4 (ports 1, 2, …) TOSM