Abstract :
This paper describes new calibration and measurement techniques for measuring absolute group delay of frequency converters with multiple mixing stages. The calibration methodology used is Agilent\´s Vector Mixer Calibration (VMC), where reflection measurements are used to characterize a calibration mixer, which is then used as a characterized through adapter to calibrate a frequency-translating test system for absolute magnitude and phase. The measurement methodology includes the use of a "meta-LO", which is a local oscillator derived from the LOs used for the converter under test. The meta-LO drives a reference mixer and the calibration mixer. For converters employing embedded LOs for which there is no access, but where access to a common time base is provided, an alternative measurement methodology is described.
