An improved method for microwave power calibration, with application to the evaluation of connectors

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

In the procedures for microwave power calibration, which are well documented, the subject of mismatch errors (or corrections) plays a major role.In particular, the evaluation of mismatch corrections requires the measurement of complex r eflection coefficients; and the accuracy of this measurement is limited , in part, by connector imperfections.The applica tion of recently developed "power equation" method s to th is problem provides both a simplified determ in ation of the mismatch correction (Mgm) and improved accuracy.In particular, the interm ed iate step of measuring the reflection coefficients is eliminated, and the p recision conn ecto r requirem ent is greatly relaxed.If this new method were adopted at each level of the usual ca librat ion hierarchy, the accuracy of di sseminating measuremen ts re fere nced to the primary standards at NBS would be greatly improved.T he accuracy potential was demonstrated in a series of experiments involving the Type N, GPC-7, a nd waveguid e flan ge connec tors.The outco me of thi s experi ment al eva luation , in whi ch the "ord inary" Type N performed on a par with GPC-7, rai ses some rath er seriou s qu estions relative to current trends in connector development.