Skinner, J; Stokes, D; Manning, L; Celep, M (2026) Assessment of VNA Frequency Extender Linearity by Attenuation Build-Up Method. In: 2026 106th ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference (ARFTG), 18-21 Janaury 2026, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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Abstract

This paper reports on the application of an attenuation build-up method to assess the linearity of vector network analyzer (VNA) frequency extenders. In place of a primary attenuation standard, a pre-characterized 3 dB step of a rotary vane attenuator (RVA) is used as a working reference. The 0 dB and 3 dB steps of this RVA are measured at incremental attenuation steps from 0 to 120 dB, with the increments provided by a build-up attenuator. The limits of the measurement system were investigated to determine the highest measurable attenuation level. In order to achieve suitable measurement accuracy at high attenuation levels, measurements were taken in phases with the base attenuation level of the setup increased for each phase. The final linearity results combined from four phases of measurements are compared with those of the base VNA at microwave frequencies. These are evaluated using traditional traceable methods. The results indicate the small contribution of the frequency extenders to the overall non-linearity of the measurement system at attenuation levels as high as 85 dB.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Keywords:	vector network analyser; linearity scattering parameters; attenuation; RVA
Subjects:	Electromagnetics > RF and Microwave
Divisions:	Electromagnetic & Electrochemical Technologies
Publisher:	IEEE
Identification number/DOI:	10.1109/ARFTG68976.2026.11475023
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2026 14:38
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/10538