Determining adapter efficiency by envelope averaging swept frequency reflection data

A simple automated network analyzer swept frequency technique for measuring adapter efficiency across its entire frequency band is described. The technique aids measurement assurance. Only the theory and the errors due to the theoretical approximations are given. The procedure is relatively simple to perform and produces accurate results by taking advantage of the swept frequency aspect of modern network analyzers. Envelope averaging is used to avoid the mode assumptions usually found in regression averaging techniques. Calculations show that errors arising from the theoretical assumptions leading to the technique are around 0.004 dB for a common WR 42 waveguide-to-coaxial adapter