Evaluation of mismatch uncertainty in microwave power sensor calibration using Monte-Carlo method

The mismatch uncertainty in microwave power sensor calibration system is analyzed. Propagation of uncertainties from the reflection coefficients in real and imaginary format are considered. Monte Carlo method (MCM) is used to estimate the probability distribution function (PDF) of the mismatch factor, which is found to be non-Gaussian for small reflection coefficient values. The mismatch uncertainties estimated using MCM for various reflection coefficient values are larger than those obtained by the method recommended in the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). This study shows that MCM gives more reliable mismatch uncertainty estimation than a conventional GUM method in microwave power sensor calibration.