PicoVNA® 100 Series vector network analyzers

Calibration and measurement reference standards

Pico Technology offers a range of short, open, load and through (SOLT), 4-piece, 5-port manual calibration kits in male and female genders. All kits have high-performance, tight-

tolerance stainless steel interface connectors and are supplied as an assembled five-port “Y” SOLT. They can be disassembled for individual usage, or for economical refurbishment

should a calibration standard be damaged. Each SOLT is supplied with calibration data linked to the kit serial number.

Both the Standard and Premium kits offer exceptional

residual directivity for the price. It is this that combines

with good uncorrected port match on the PicoVNAs to

deliver exceptional price-performance.

Premium PC3.5 kits are calibrated to reduced uncertainty

using TRL intercomparison above 1.5 GHz.

* SMA, PC3.5 and K-type/2.92 connectors can all be

mated with each other. SMA type has solid dielectric,

PC3.5 has air dielectric.

Order code

Name

Type

Ports

Impedance Connector*

Characterization*

TA344

SOLT-STD-M

Standard

manual

SOLT

5

(short,

open,

load,

through)

50 Ω

SMA(m)

Full S-parameter

300 kHz to 8.5 GHz.

Serial-numbered

.kit file provided

on USB memory

stick.

TA345

SOLT-STD-F

SMA(f)

TA346

SOLT-PREM-M Premium

manual

SOLT

PC3.5(m)

TA347

SOLT-PREM-F

PC3.5(f)

Automated E-Cal USB-controlled and ovened calibration standards

Minimized as far as possible, the manual calibration process involves several torqued connect/disconnect operations and a manual loading of unique data files for each standard.

The E-Cal SOLT calibration process reduces this to just one connection by internally switching its calibration standards. The process becomes automatic and highly repeatable, with

power, control and data read all managed by the PicoVNA software over a USB interface.

Fast, convenient and less error-prone, an E-Cal standard is to an extent compromised by switch errors, resulting in non-ideal short, open, load and through. Mitigating this, the

PicoVNA E-Cal standards include fast-rise oven control of device temperature, and seventeen traceable, full span s-parameters characterize the now stable imperfections. It is also

true that the convenience, de-skilling and speed of automated calibration tend to promote more regular calibration, and thus more accurate, repeatable and reliable measurement –

so much so that some process managers insist upon an automated E-Cal.

All PicoVNA calibration and check standards (below) are calibrated against fully traceable PC3.5 standards and are supplied in a protective carry case. Further specifications for the

instrument and calibration kits can be found on later pages. We also offer a calibration service for Pico standards: see Ordering information.

Order code

Name

Type

Ports

Standards

Impedance Connector*

Characterization

TA518

SOLT-AUTO-M

Ovened

USB-

controlled

automated

E-Cal SOLT

2

Short, open,

load, through

and separate

characterized/

polarized port

adaptor

50 Ω

SMA(m)

Full S-parameter

300 kHz to 8.5 GHz.

Embedded and read

from USB device

TA519

SOLT-AUTO-F

SMA(f)