I know I am going out on a limb here......
Everyone knows how much of a stickler the military is in general about being "by the book".... so, by chance, does anyone know of a general procedure or technique in use by the Air Force or Navy/ Marines (I already know the Army doesn't have one) for calibrating devices using a Network Analyzer, specifically the Agilent models?
I know the Navy has something on using an older model, 2007ish, and I know the Air Force has procedures to calibrate (partially at least) the actual PNA (E8364Bs), but I am looking for something for field techs to use to actually calibrate the PNA for use and measure customer devices. I know it is not something you can just pick up and do from a written procedure (I do use PNAs daily), but a nice handy procedure to "guide" them and to be "by the book" would be nice.....
Any help would be appreciated. I do know the services have been slow to adopt PNAs (something about re-inventing the wheel :roll: )
As far as I knoe,Agilent has the only procedure ( software ) and they will not give it out to just anyone.We have a copy because we are an Agilent Distributor.
As previously stated the performance test is software based & available from Agilent.
That being said, a couple of (equipment) generations ago, i.e the 8510 and perhaps the 8720/22 series, published information stated the NIST traceablity was established through the verification kit by way of a "system verification", that is you calibrated your piece (operator cal) with the appropriate cal kit and then you measured the charaterized devices in your verification kit. The PNA has the stuff in it to direct you through the verification. When I test mine I always peform the verification in addition to the performance test.
As for the military & sticklers, maybe so. Lowest bidder fits in there somewhere too when it come to procurement.
Agilent TME Platform has all the perf tests.My Mistake--go to Agilent website and search for N7800A.The platform is free--Each cal will cost approx.$130 for the license plus all the equipment they say is required.
J,
If you are looking for procedure that will use your Agilent PNA to calibrate various items like attenuators and power splitters, we have as set of SAM (Special Applications for Metrogy) procedures that wil do just that.
If you are looking for a turn-key solution we have the PCS-50, Power Calibration System, that will do Power Sensor, Power Splitters and Attenuators all racked up and ready to roll.
Mike Schwartz
Cal Lab Solutions
Thank you all for your answers, however, with the exception on Mike, none were on target - and even automation is a wee more than what I need.
We have TME and other Agilent automation stuffs to test the PNAs (completely) and use TME to test sensors and Spec Ans.
What I am looking for is a procedure (preferably from one of the services) that describes and dictates using a PNA to measure one port and two port items, to include setup, caling up the PNA, verifying it, and then running the actual TIs. Basically, a written procedure for running "dummy" passive devices using a PNA, outside of any automation software.
I'm very well versed in what Agilent does and doesn't give out, to include written manuals on how to use their stuff, "Just pay us $$$$ per tech and we will train them up for you", meaning the techs.... and I am not taking a shot at Agilent, gotta love their business model - and definitely know how a PNA is used and how to use it, to include maintaining traceability and calculating the uncertainties, all traceable to NIST, who by the way, STILL uses 8510s...... or at least did last I have heard of.
So, if anyone can recall a NAVAIR or K procedure that references making measurements on a PNA, not a Scalar or VNA, please let me know.
Thanks everybody!