User Characterizations can be saved to Disk Memory. Learn how.

This feature provides the following benefits:

• A User Characterization using connectors that are NOT included in the supported connector table can NOT be stored to the ECal module. But when stored to disk memory, ANY connector type is allowed by firmware using a description of any length for the User Characterization.

• There is NO limit to the number of data points allowed in a User Characterization stored to disk memory. When stored in the ECal module, the number of data points is limited by the analyzer.

• The number of User Characterizations that can be stored to disk memory is limited only by available disk space.

• User Characterizations stored to disk memory can be freely shared between analyzers.

Learn how to Manage User Characterization in Disk Memory.

2.  Either calibrate the analyzer using mechanical standards or recall an existing Cal Set.

3.  Measure the ECal module, including adapters, as though it were a DUT.

4.  The measurement results are the characterization data that then gets stored inside the module or to disk.

Note

A 2-port analyzer can be used to perform a User Characterization on a 4-port ECal module. However, a 4-port ECal module has SIX different port pairs. The analyzer must be recalibrated for each port pair that uses unique connecter types or gender.

• If all 4 ECal module ports have the same connector type and gender, then only one calibration is required to measure all six port pairs.

• If all 4 ECal module ports have different connector types or gender, then 6 calibrations are required.

When more than one calibration is required during a User Characterization, then ALL calibrations must be performed using the standard Cal Wizard, saved to Cal Sets, and then recalled from Cal Sets DURING the User Characterization.

Detailed steps to Perform a User Characterization

1. Connect the ECal module to the network analyzer with the USB cable. See Connect ECal Module USB to the analyzer USB.

2. Allow the module to warm up until it indicates READY.

3. Preset the analyzer.

4. Set up the measurement.  For best accuracy, the IF bandwidth should be set to 1 kHz or less.

5. Start and complete the Characterize ECal Module Wizard:

Using front-panel hardkey [softkey] buttons

Using Menus

1. Press cal

2. then [More]

3. then [ECal]

4. then [Characterize ECal Module]

1. Click Response

2. then Cal

3. then More

4. then ECal

5. then Characterize ECal Module

Select Module and Location dialog box help

ECal Module  Select one of the ECal modules that are connected to the analyzer.

Detect Connected ECals  Click to rescan the USB for ECal modules.

Location

• ECal Module Memory  Click Next to see the following dialog.

• Disk Memory  Enter a Characterization Name. This name appears when selecting a User Characterization to be used with subsequent calibrations.

• • Learn how to manage characterizations that are stored to disk memory.

  • See the benefits of storing the User Characterization to disk Memory.

Keyboard  Launches a keypad that can be used to type a characterization name from the analyzer front panel.

Next  Click to continue to the Select Connectors for the Characterization dialog box.

See note regarding extended frequency use.

Select User Number for new characterization dialog box help

Scroll to view all of the parameters of the stored characterizations. Select an empty location or select to overwrite an existing characterization.

Next  Click to continue to the Select Connectors for the Characterization dialog box.

See note regarding extended frequency use.

Select Connectors for the Characterization dialog box help

Select the adapters for the ECal module test ports. Select No adapter if no adapter is used on a port.

PORT A  Lists the connector types available for Port A.

PORT B  Lists the connector types available for Port B.

PORT C  Lists the connector types available for Port C (available with a 4-port ECal module).

PORT D  Lists the connector types available for Port D (available with a 4-port ECal module).

Next  Click to continue to the Calibrations to perform or recall dialog box.

Calibrations to perform or recall dialog box help

The analyzer must be calibrated before measuring the ECal module and necessary adapters. This dialog box displays the number and types of mechanical calibrations required for the characterization.

Guide me through this cal now  Click to perform a Guided calibration.  A calibration kit is required for each connector type.

If more than one calibration is required, the following selection is not available. See Note.

Let me recall this cal from a cal set  Click to select an existing Cal Set. You cannot select a Cal Set that is currently in use. Learn more about Using Cal Sets.

Next  Click to continue to either the Select Cal Kits or the Select Cal Set dialog box.

Select Cal Kits dialog box help

Provides a list of calibration kits to perform the calibration. Select the Cal Kit you will use for each port.

Enable Unknown Thru for characterizing the module  Check to enable. This reduces the number of steps required to characterize the THRU standard.

Next  Click to continue to the Select Cal Set dialog box.

Select Cal Set dialog box help

The calibration that you perform will be written to a Cal Set. This dialog box allows you to select a Cal Set to overwrite, or to write to a new Cal Set. The current choice is visible below the Select Cal Set button.

Select Cal Set  Click to open the Select A Cal Set dialog box.

Create new Cal Set  Check to create a new Cal Set to store the calibration. Clear to select and overwrite a stored Cal Set.

Next  Click to continue to the Guided Calibration Steps dialog box.

Note: Remember the Cal Set name for future reference.

Guided Calibration Steps dialog box help

Instructs you to connect each calibration standard to the measurement port.

Measure  Click to measure the standard.

Back  Click to repeat one or more calibration steps.

Done  Click after a standard is re-measured and all measurements for the calibration are complete.

Next  Click to continue to the next calibration step. (Does not measure the standard.)

Cancel  Exits Calibration Wizard.

The Specify nominal delay or Guided Calibration completed dialog box appears when the steps are completed.

Specify nominal delay dialog box help

This dialog ONLY appears when Adapter Removal or Unknown Thru calibrations are performed.

The following values were estimated from the measurement. Most of the time, they are adequate. However, for CW sweep or frequency sweep with large step sizes, the accuracy of the values may be improved.

Nominal adapter delay  To improve this value, measure and record the delay of the adapter with a dense step size. Enter that value here.

Nominal phase offset  (Waveguide ONLY). To improve this value, measure and record the phase offset of the Waveguide adapter with dense step size. Enter that value here.

When one connector is coax and the other connector is waveguide, the phase offset has an ambiguity of 180 degrees. For consistency, the estimate provided here is always between 0 and 180 degrees. You can change this estimate to any value between -180 degrees and +180 degrees.

Guided Calibration completed dialog box help

Allows you to finish the calibration and continue to the next characterization steps.

No. Finish now  Select to save Cal Set data.

Yes  Allows selection of Save options.

Next  Click to continue to the Exit to Inspect Quality of Calibration dialog box.

Exit to Inspect Quality of Calibration dialog box help

Allows you to exit User Characterization to validate the calibration before proceeding with the characterization.

Back  Allows you to repeat calibration.

Next  Click to continue to the Characterization Steps dialog box.

Cancel  Exits the Calibration.  

To return to the current step:

1. Start User Characterization.

2. In the Select user number for new characterization dialog box, click Next.

3. In the Select Connectors for Characterization dialog box, click Next. (Previous entry is stored in memory.)

4. In the Calibrations to perform or recall dialog box, recall the Cal Set that you just performed.

Characterization Steps dialog box help

Describes the instructions for each measurement required for characterization.

Measure  Measures the ECal module.

Next  Click to continue to the Information for the New Characterization dialog box when measurements are complete.

Information for the New Characterization dialog box help

Allows you to describe the properties of the User Characterization.

Suggestions for connector abbreviations

To minimize the number of characters, we suggest using the following 3-character codes to describe the connectors listed.

A User Characterization using connectors that are NOT included on this list can NOT be stored to the ECal module. But when stored to disk memory, ANY connector type is allowed.  Learn more about storing to Disk Memory.

Next  Click to continue to the Write Characterized Data to the ECal module dialog box.

Write Characterized Data dialog box help

User Characterization and factory characterization data is written to either the disk memory or the ECal module memory.

Write  Click to write data.

The Summary of new User Characterization dialog box opens after data is saved to module.

• Existing data will be overwritten is you selected a User Characterization number that already has data. Learn more

• For more information, see Restore ECal module memory.

• The ECal Data Wipe Utility is the only way that data can be deleted from the module. Learn more at http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/apps/applications.htm.

Summary of new User Characterization dialog box help

Verify the status of the ECal User Characterization.

• ECal module model number

• summary from User Characterization

Cancel  Click to exit (characterization complete).

Finish  Click to exit (characterization complete).

How to Manage ECal User Characterizations in Disk Memory

Using front-panel
hardkey [softkey] buttons

Using Menus

1. Press Cal

2. then [More]

3. then [ECal]

4. then [Manage ECal Disk Memory]

1. Click Response

2. then Cal

3. then More

4. then ECal

5. then Manage ECal Disk Memory

Manage ECal User Characterizations in Disk Memory  dialog box help

This dialog allows you to do either of the following:

• Save an existing User Characterization in disk memory to an *.euc file.

• Load a previously saved *.euc file for use on the analyzer with the specified ECal module.

Learn more about User Characterizations stored to Disk Memory.

ECal Module  Select an ECal Module from the list for which User Characterizations are currently stored in disk memory.

Save As  Saves a User Characterization that is currently in disk memory to a *.euc file. This file can be used as a backup in case the archive file is accidentally deleted, or allows you to move the file to another analyzer to be used with the selected ECal Module.

Import  Loads a previously saved *.euc file for use on the analyzer with the specified ECal module.

Delete  Removes a User Characterization from disk memory.

How to Restore ECal Module Memory

Using front-panel
hardkey [softkey] buttons

Using Menus

1. Press system

2. then [Service]

3. then [Utilities]

4. then [Restore...]

1. Click Utility

2. then System

3. then Service

4. then Utilities

5. then Restore...

No Programming commands are available for this feature.

Module to be restored  dialog box help

Verify the serial number of the module to be restored. If two modules are connected, choose the one to have data restored.

Next   Click to write data to the module.