Sliding Load vs. Sliding Mismatch

[Bryan]

Are they the same?  Looking at Agilent 85027 series bridges, 26.5 GHz (A, B & C models) use sliding load and signal separation chart to perform directivity based on highest & lowest reflected values, 50 GHz (D model) uses sliding mismatch and some table called a Nomogram to evaluate peaks & troughs (which appear to be the same as highs & lows).
TIA,
Bryan 

[txted]

Cool I finally get to post something I enjoy.   Bryan the difference between a load and a mismatch is concerned with the reflection coefficient.   A load attempts to terminate a port or transmission line or whatever in its characteristic impedence, where an offset creates a known amount of reflection or mismatch in to the measurement.   What a sliding load does is allows you to find the actual spot when the load is closest to the ideal termination.   The sliding mismatch attempts to do the same thing with a known value of offset or mismatch.   As to the nomograph, this is just a graph that plots 3 variables and allows you to use a known function to create a graphical representation of whats going on.  (much easier than crunching the numbers. ) The performance test in this manual explains the measurement involved here is a link to the pub.  http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/85027-90001.pdf.   Hope this helps.

[Bryan]

Do you think it would be valid to apply the sliding load methodology used with the 26.5 GHz and lower versions to the 50 GHz bridge?   Don't know what the results will be but I'm just looking to take a shot at a piece I normally have to send out for cal.  I see the mismatch referred to is long out of production (at least at Agilent).