Unit 5 — Calibration and Verification

TM-TOOL-002 — Open Handout TM Chapters: Chapter 6, Chapter 7 ELOs: Calibrate the ANTENNA ANALYZER — VECTOR IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT; verify performance against acceptance criteria; complete calibration log Estimated time: 45 minutes (actual lab work required)

Step 1: Read the TM

Open TM-TOOL-002. Read Chapter 6 — Calibration and Chapter 7 — Verification and Acceptance completely.

Then come back here.

Chapter 6 — Calibration Content

6-1 SOLT Calibration

Before measuring an antenna, perform a one-port SOLT calibration at the DUT SMA connector (not at the instrument chassis):

1. Connect SHORT (shorted SMA cap). Press CAL → SHORT.
2. Connect OPEN (SMA cap with no connection). Press CAL → OPEN.
3. Connect 50Ω LOAD (SMA terminator). Press CAL → LOAD.
4. Press CAL → DONE. Calibration plane is now at DUT connector.

After SOLT cal, short should read SWR >50:1, open should read SWR >50:1, and 50Ω load should read SWR <1.05:1 across the calibrated band.

Chapter 7 — Verification Content

1. Connect a precision 50Ω load (Pasternack PE6010 or calibrated terminator). Verify SWR <1.05:1 at all calibrated frequencies.
2. Connect a known 100Ω resistor (1%, non-inductive). Verify R reads 100 ± 5Ω, X reads 0 ± 5Ω at 1 MHz.
3. Connect a 50Ω + 50 nH load (resistor in series with known inductor). Verify jX reads within ±10% of calculated inductive reactance at 10 MHz.
4. If any check fails, repeat SOLT calibration. Persistent errors indicate coupler asymmetry or AD8302 bias fault.
5. Log: date, calibration kit used, frequency range, short SWR, open SWR, load SWR, 100Ω R/X readings.

Calibration vs. Verification — Distinction

Calibration (Chapter 6): active adjustments to bring the tool within specification. You are permitted to adjust, tweak, and repeat until the criterion is met.

Verification (Chapter 7): independent confirmation that the calibration succeeded. No adjustments are permitted during verification. If a verification check fails, you return to Chapter 6, not to Chapter 7.

Acceptance Criterion

A criterion found in Chapter 6: 50Ω. Confirm the exact criterion in the TM.

Write the exact criterion from the TM here before you start the lab:

Lab Checklist

Work through each item in sequence. Do not skip steps.

• [ ] All required equipment gathered and ready
• [ ] Equipment warmed up per TM requirements
• [ ] All Chapter 4 setup steps verified complete
• [ ] Chapter 6 calibration performed (all steps)
• [ ] Calibration criterion met (recorded below)
• [ ] Chapter 7 verification performed (all steps, no adjustments)
• [ ] All verification criteria passed
• [ ] Calibration log entry completed

Calibration Log Entry

• [ ] Date
• [ ] Equipment used
• [ ] Measurements taken
• [ ] Results vs. criteria
• [ ] Operator name

Record your results:

Self-Check Questions

SC5-1. What is the acceptance criterion for this calibration (from Chapter 7)?

SC5-2. During verification, one reading fails. What is the correct action per the TM?

SC5-3. List the items required in a calibration log entry per Chapter 7.

SC5-4. What is the difference between calibration and verification in this context?

SC5-5. If the tool passes all Chapter 7 checks, what does that tell you about its current state?

Answer Key

SC5-1. See Chapter 7. The criterion is stated as a specific value with units.

SC5-2. Stop verification. Return to Chapter 6 and re-calibrate. Diagnose the cause before re-adjusting.

SC5-3. See Chapter 7, last numbered step. The log items are listed there.

SC5-4. Calibration allows adjustments; verification does not. Verification is independent confirmation.

SC5-5. It tells you the tool is performing within its specified accuracy at this time. It does not tell you how long it will remain in calibration — periodic re-calibration is required.

Checkpoint

You are ready for the final assessment when you can: - [ ] State the acceptance criterion from memory - [ ] State the difference between calibration and verification - [ ] State the required log items from memory

→ Proceed to Final Assessment