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System-Level Calibration of a Millimeter-Wave Vector Signal Analyzer with Uncertainties
Joshua M Kast1, Paritosh Manurkar1, Kate A Remley1
1National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305 USA.
IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
|May 4, 2026
Summary
System-level calibration of a 28 GHz vector signal analyzer was performed. Measurement comparison using IEEE 1765-2022 validated uncertainty in error vector magnitude against a sampling oscilloscope.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Metrology
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Accurate calibration of high-frequency test equipment is crucial for reliable measurements.
- Vector signal analyzers (VSAs) are essential for characterizing complex modulated signals.
- Uncertainty quantification is vital for ensuring measurement traceability and comparability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the system-level calibration of a 28 GHz vector signal analyzer.
- To evaluate the uncertainty in error vector magnitude (EVM) using a standardized measurement comparison approach.
- To validate the VSA's performance against a traceable reference instrument.
Main Methods:
- System-level calibration of the VSA at 28 GHz, including magnitude and phase uncertainty determination.
- Application of the IEEE 1765-2022 measurement comparison method.
- Utilizing an equivalent-time sampling oscilloscope with traceable calibration as the reference receiver.
- Comparative measurements using a large-signal network analyzer (LSNA) on an arbitrary frequency grid.
Main Results:
- Determination of uncertainties in the magnitude and phase measurements of the VSA.
- Successful evaluation of EVM uncertainty for the VSA against the reference oscilloscope.
- Good agreement observed in amplitude, phase, and EVM between the VSA, sampling oscilloscope, and LSNA.
Conclusions:
- The system-level calibration and measurement comparison approach provide a robust method for assessing VSA uncertainty.
- The IEEE 1765-2022 standard facilitates reliable inter-instrument comparisons for high-frequency measurements.
- The results demonstrate the VSA's accuracy and the validity of the calibration methodology.
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