ME1000 RF Circuit Design Lab 4 Filter Characterization Using Vector Network Analyzer
ME1000 RF Circuit Design Lab 4 Filter Characterization Using Vector Network Analyzer
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Objectives
i) To characterize the RF filter with reflection and transmission measurement via a vector network
analyzer (VNA)
ii) To display results in multiple plots such as the Smith Chart, Magnitude, and Phase plot
Equipment Required
i) Agilent E5061A ENA-L RF Network Analyzer
ii) ME1000 RF Transceiver Kit (Transmitter Unit)
Accessory Required
i) 2 SMA(m)-to-SMA(m) coaxial cable
IMPORTANT:
Turn off the training kit when not in use. The kit will turn off automatically when no mouse or keyboard action
is detected for more than 10 minutes. Always ensure that the casing is grounded and the cover is latched up
before powering up the device.
1. Introduction
a. Basic Equipment Setup
Important:
There are multiple measurement channels on the VNA, which can be thought of as having multiple VNAs in
a single equipment. You might want to use Channel 1 for transmission measurements and Channel 2 for
reflection measurements.
For this laboratory, you have to recall the calibration data from Lab 1, by pressing <Save/Recall> on the
VNA. Using the knob, select the saved calibration data in the nonvolatile memory and press RECALL
STATE.
It is best to look at just one channel at a time. That is, when you are looking at transmission measurements,
turn Ch 1 off, and when you are doing reflection measurements, turn Ch 2 off. When viewing signals, use the
<Scale>, <Format>, and <Marker> menus to help you navigate with ease. Use the AUTO SCALE option
under the <Scale> menu, to help you manipulate the display.
Note that if you press <Preset>, you will need to recall your calibration. You can verify your calibration at
anytime with a TRM short PCB board for reflection and a TRM through PCB board for transmission.
Similarly, the above calibration can be performed using appropriate cal standards. (Preset also sets the
Calibration Kit selection to the default kit that generally does not correspond to the TRM PCB board you
will use.)
Note:
Use the marker to record down your readings. Marker(s) is/are used to obtain a reading at a particular
frequency or amplitude. For simplicity, you may wish to use the Marker Function or Marker Search option to
look for maximum and minimum points.
2. Transmission Measurements
1. Recall the calibration data (saved in the previous lab) from the nonvolatile memory.
2. Connect the filter as shown in Figure 1.
3. Use the following settings to determine the insertion loss of the filter:
Note:
Set the start stop frequency until you see the filter function (between 300 MHz and 1.5 GHz range).
Exercises
a) What is the type of this filter? (bandpass, low pass, high pass, or not sure)
b) Use the marker function to find the following parameters:
Note:
The center frequency is defined as the mean of the lower and upper 3 dB frequencies.
4. Use the following settings to determine the group delay of the filter:
Format: Delay
Scale: Auto scale
Exercises
a) Find the group delay at the center frequency.
Format: Phase
Scale: Auto scale
Exercises
a) Sketch the phase response of the filter:
b) How does the general shape of the phase response correlate with the group delay measured in the
previous step?
Exercises
a) Find the rejection at the stopband (at 300 MHz, 500 MHz, and 800 MHz offset from the center
frequency).
3. Reflection Measurements
1. Use the following settings to determine the return loss of the filter:
Exercises
a) What is the return loss at the passband?
Note:
You can choose any frequency point within the passband or stopband.
2. Change the setting to display the Smith Chart for impedance measurement.
Exercises
a) What is the impedance at the passband?
Note:
You can choose any frequency point within the passband or stopband.
References
[1] Application Note 1287-1, Understanding the Fundamental Principles of Vector Network Analysis,
Agilent Technologies
[2] Application Note 1287-2, Exploring the Architectures of Network Analyzers, Agilent Technologies
[3] Application Note 1287-3, Applying Error Correction to Network Analyzer Measurements, Agilent
Technologies
[4] Application Note 1287-4, Network Analyzer Measurements: Filter and Amplifier Examples, Agilent
Technologies
[5] Thomas H. Lee, Planar Microwave Engineering, Cambridge University Press, 2004