Indirect Measurement of Switch Terms of a Vector Network Analyzer with Reciprocal Devices

Abstract

This paper presents an indirect method for measuring the switch terms of a vector network analyzer (VNA) using at least three reciprocal devices, which do not need to be characterized beforehand. This method is particularly suitable for VNAs that use a three-sampler architecture, which allows for applying first-tier calibration methods based on the error box model. The proposed method was experimentally verified by comparing directly and indirectly measured switch terms and performing a multiline thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration.