Benchmarking Electronic Calibration of USB-Enabled Network Analysers

This technical report describes a benchmarking exercise focused on a new electronic calibration unit designed for USB-driven vector network analysers (VNAs). The report outlines the challenges associated with verifying the performance of electronic calibration units, particularly in terms of accuracy, due to their 'black box' nature. It details a comparison of the electronic calibration unit's performance against traditional mechanical calibration kits and the UK's primary national standards for measurement accuracy. The assessment includes various calibration methods, such as SOLT and electronic calibration, utilizing the PicoVNA 108. The results indicate that the electronic calibration unit performs comparably to mechanical methods, providing a quick and reliable calibration process. The report further discusses the implications of these findings for the use of electronic calibration in RF and microwave test laboratories, emphasizing the importance of accurate calibration in achieving reliable measurement outcomes.