Improved Scalar Transmission Measurements using Vector Source Match Correction

Scalar transmission measurements are limited mainly by mismatch errors when the insertion loss is small. Unlike vector analyzers, it is not possible to use 12- term error correction to reduce these errors. However, using an inexpensive six - port reflection analyzer and a scalar detector, it is possible to greatly improve measurement performance by correcting for source match error in the transmission measurement. The load match can¿t be errorcorrected, but in practice the source match error dominates since a detector is better matched than the source output or test port of a bridge. This paper shows how a reduced 12- term error model can be used provided the transmission detector is ratioed to the reference detector in the six - port.