All calibration sequences must start with a baseline calibration. A baseline calibration is the calibration made from the PNA to the first reference plane. Any plane being calibrated beyond the first cal plane is performed using an extension calibration type. Baseline calibrations can be of the following cal types:

  • SParam - Using 'Standard' measurement mode
  • SParamWithPower - Using 'Standard' measurement mode with a power sensor internal to the calibration device
  • Noise - Using 'Noise Figure Cold Source' measurement mode
  • Power - Using 'Standard' measurement mode
  • GainCompression- Using 'Gain Compression' measurement mode
  • DIQ - Using 'Differential I/Q' measurement mode
  • NFX - Using 'Noise Figure Converters' measurement mode
  • SweptIMD - Using 'Swept IMD' measurement mode
  • SpectrumAnalyze - Using 'Spectrum Analyzer' measurement mode
  • IMSpectrum - Using 'IM Spectrum' measurement mode
  • TransmissionResponse - Using 'Standard' measurement mode (a unique ATE exclusive calibration for high power amplifiers)
  • CalAll - Using any measurement mode, this is equivalent to the Keysight 'Cal All' wizard
  • MultiChannel - Performing a calibration on a per channel basis. (this differs from a Cal All in that each channel's calibration is run separately)


Baseline calibrations are executed utilizing the Keysight PNA guided calibration function. The cal device is put in the proper impedance states as required by the PNA in order to acquire raw data and calculate error terms. The measurements are then processed and error terms are calculated and stored on the PNA as a Cal Set. Typically before a baseline calibration is run, a file is recalled to place the PNA in the proper state prior to the calibration measurements being performed. This file should be stored on the PC in the same directory as defined by the calibration's "DirectoryToUse" key. In addition when a calibration sequence is finished (usually at the last extension of the reference plane) another state file is saved that can be recalled prior to corrected measurements to be taken by the user. The following should be noted and kept in mind when performing a baseline calibration.

  • Baseline calibrations that include power or noise data are extended to the appropriate reference plane using extension calibrations.
  • A path component is required for every calibration and the calibration devices defined in the path specify what ports are being calibrated.
  • Characterization files and Cal kits that reside on the calibration device are copied to the PNA once and stored there, so the first calibration performed will take longer than subsequent calibrations.
  • State files must reside on the PC and will be transferred to or from the PNA as needed by calibration library.
  • For calibrations of 2 or more ports, unknown through measurement(s) must be made and the unknown through paths to use must be specified.
  • The unknown through paths specified must match the "ThruPortPairs" that are defined.
  • If a CalSet name is not specified it will automatically be the same as the calibration name. This is a good practice so that cal sets can be quickly recognized.
  • If the "DirectoryToUse" is not specified, default directories are used and may be difficult to trace where files are going. It is highly recommend setting this value so that files can be located with ease.