Can I use a custom calibration kit to calibrate the TTR500A series, or do I need to purchase one make by Tektronix?

Can I use a custom calibration kit to calibrate the TTR500A series, or do I need to purchase one make by Tektronix?

You can use a custom calibration kit as long as you know the calibration standards.You can create a calibration kit in VectorVu by following the steps below:

You add a calibration kit to the VNA by selecting an empty kit and modifying it. You can also use empty kits to modify a preloaded calibration kit to change standards or parameters.

Since a calibration kit is a collection of standards in different subclasses (for various calibration procedures), when you add a calibration kit, you must:

1. Define calibration standards.

2. Specify subclasses for the standards.

Define a calibration standard

To define a calibration standard, you must specify its calibration coefficients. You can define them in two ways:

• Model-based definition – Use coefficients of the nth degree polynomial equation that defines the model of the standard.

• Data-based definition – Obtain this information from the datasheet of a kit or import a touchstone file (S1P, S2P) that describes the standard.

Once you have the calibration coefficients,

1. In Response > Cal > Cal Kit, select an empty user kit from the data entry bar. These are numbered 1–13.

2. Once you have selected a calibration kit, modify it by clicking Cal > Modify Cal Kit.

3. Define a calibration standard. Select Cal > Modify Cal Kit > Define Standards. Select a standard and enter values for settings in the dialog box.

Specify a subclass

A subclass is a grouping of standards. A set of standards can be grouped in several different subclasses for different calibration procedures. Each subclass must cover the entire frequency range of the calibration of the standard. However, you can use individual standards to cover sections of the frequency range.

Different VNAs support different calibration kits and standards so you may need to redefine a calibration kit when you import it. Since calibration standards are defined for 1 and 2 ports, standard subclasses are also defined for 2–ports.

1. Select Response > Cal > Modify Cal Kit > Specify Subclass.

2. Select a subclass to modify. You can set an existing subclass (Male-Male DUT) or pick an empty subclass. The subclass dialog box opens.

3. Specify the SOLT or TRL standard settings for port 1 and port 2. Click Apply to save the subclass.

4. During calibration, when you select a user-defined standard, make sure you specify the subclass in the Subclass Id field.

Label the calibration kit

After you create standards and specify subclasses for them, select Response > Cal > Modify Cal Kit > Label Kit. Enter a name for the new calibration kit and save it