Calibrating On-Wafer Probes to the Probe Tips

This paper investigates the accuracy of on-wafer scattering-parameter calibrations at the probe tips. Data show the extent to which certain probe-tip calibrations are consistent with one another and applicable to the characterization of devices or circuits fabricated on different wafers or embedded in different transmission-line media. Calibrations to the probe tips are especially well suited to lower-frequency microwave measurements. Further results demonstrate conditions under which probe-tip calibrations fail.