A 50 Hz-250 MHz Computer-Operated Transmission Measuring Set

Abstract

A computer-operated transmission measuring set has been developed for the 50 Hz to 250 MHz frequency range. Use of the computer in this system has significantly effected the test set design and the measurements obtainable. Compared with previously available transmission measuring sets, the computer-operated set increases speed more than 300 : 1. This speed, along with state-of-the-art accuracy and increases in operating range, flexibility, and convenience, enables the set to be used for types and quantities of measurements previously not practical. It has already been applied to laboratory and production testing with resulting improvements in the quality and reliability of manufactured product designs. In addition to the directly measured quantities of insertion loss and phase, the set provides insertion delay, impedance, and two-port parameters as derived quantities. The two-port data conversion program provides H, T, Z, G, T, S, ABCD and ABCD <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">−1</sup> parameters with a number of useful options. Results of transmission measurements, impedance measurements, and two-port measurements are presented. Some of the error mechanisms and means of measuring them are discussed. Further development of centralized measuring facilities, with the computer operated set as a basic element, is discussed.