Measurement Method for Determining the Equivalent Reflection Coefficient of Directional Couplers and Power Splitters

A measurement method presented by John R. Juroshek (NIST) in conjunction with the Vector Network Analyzers R&S ZVM or R&S ZVK from Rohde & Schwarz allows fast and accurate determination of the equivalent reflection coefficient of power splitters or directional couplers. If the magnitude and phase of reflection coefficients of source (e.g. power splitter) and sink (e.g. power meter) are known, a mathematical correction of the measurement error caused by mismatch is possible. This measurement uncertainty content can thus normally be reduced by one order of magnitude, which is beneficial during the calibration of power meters, for example.