SMA calibration kit - Kirkby Microwave 85033.

This SMA calibration kit is suitable for all Agilent, HP, Anritsu, Copper Mountain, LA Techniques, Rohde & Schwarz, Picotech, National Instruments, Tektronix, Siglent, LibreVNA and SDR-kits VNAs. It should also worth with other VNAs, but please contact us about others before buying from our website. Sometimes SMA calibration kits are referred to as SMA cal kits. The 85033 is really an SMA calibration and verification kit, as an attenuator included with the kit allows the calibration to be verified. However, the name SMA calibration kit is used, to be consistent with industry practice.

The kit is available in versions from 7 to 20 GHz, with the 7 GHz being the cheapest, and the 20 GHz being the most expensive. Kits for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 GHz each use especially selected SMA loads. The 20 GHz kit uses 2.92 mm loads, which adds significantly to the cost.

Most options may be added to the kit after the initial purchase, as the foam insert is cut with space for several options. However, if you require a set of 3 phase-matched adapters, which are highly recommended for the HP/Agilent 8753, 8719, 8720 and 8722 series VNAs, it is suggested that you purchase these with the kit (option 003E), rather than purchase the adapters at a later date (option 003F). This is because the option changes two of the adapters in the kit for different models, so it costs us less to include this option with the kit.

Complete SMA calibration kit with all options SMA calibration kit with no options

Introduction, and description.
Additional options - to improve functionality or performance.
- Option 001 - adds two reverse polarity SMA adapters, with measured electrical delay. One of each gender.
- Option 002 - adds two long-life U.FL adapters, with measured electrical delay. One of each gender.
- Option 003A - adds two MMCX adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
- Option 003B - adds two SMB adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
- Option 003C - adds two SMC adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
- Option 003D - adds two MCX adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
- Option 003E or option 003F - Includes a set of 3 phase matched adapters (male-female, male-male and female-female). This option changes the male-male and female-female thrus for a more expensive type, and adds a male-female adapter. All three adapters are phase matched. A set of phase matched SMA adapters may be purchased from us for £200, but if you want those, it is better to order them with the SMA kit, as the cost is £160. It is cheaper to purchase this at the time of ordering the kit, as you are not paying for 3 new adapters, but only one new adapter, with two upgraded.
- Option 004 - adds a 0.45 Nm (4 lb inch) torque wrench.
- Option 005 - adds a carry strap - this is rarely needed with an SMA kit, but more useful with our N calibration kit
- Option 006 - adds a floppy disk for an HP/Agilent 8510C VNA
- Option 007 - adds a floppy disk for an HP/Agilent 8714 VNA
- Option 009 - adds a floppy disk for an HP/Agilent 8719, 8720 or 8722 series instrument.
- Option 010 - adds a floppy disk for an HP/Agilent 8753 series VNA
- Option 022 - adds a female-female attenuator for verification purposes (a male-female attenuator is a standard item)
- Option 023 - adds a male-male attenuator for verification purposes (a male-female attenuator is a standard item)
Specifications.
Purchasing.
- eBay.
- With PayPal in GBP
- With PayPal in USD
- With PayPal in Euros
- Bank transfer - payments are accepted in all major currencies.
- 30 days credit - for UK universities only.
Technical support
Returns Policy
Warranty

Introduction to the 85033 SMA calibration and verification kit

The 85033 SMA calibration kit is suitable for calibrating all HP, Agilent, Keysight, Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz and Copper Mountain vector network analyzers. As well as the leading manufacturers of VNAs listed, the kit can be used to calibrate virtually any vector network analyzer to enable SMA, 3.5 mm or 2.92 mm coaxial devices to be measured, irrespective of the test ports on the VNA (N, 3.5 mm, APC7, 2.4 mm etc). In addition to the leading manufacturers of VNAs, the kit has been used with VNAs from Picotech, Siglent, LibreVNA, National Instruments, LA Techniques and SDR-kits. The kit includes parts for both male and female genders, so it is not restricted to male or female components only as some VNA calibration kits are male SMA calibration kit or female SMA calibration kit available from other manufacturers.

The maximum frequency range of the SMA coaxial calibration kit can be chosen to be 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 20 GHz, with 7 GHz being the cheapest, and 20 GHz the most expensive. The kit is both a calibration and a verification kit since is supplied with an attenuator which can be used to verify the calibration is correct. The S-parameters of the attenuator was measured on an HP 8720D (20 GHz) VNA using an Agilent 85052B 26.5 GHz 3.5 mm calibration kit. After setting up the VNA to use the calibration kit, calibrating the VNA, the user can check the VNA is performing correctly by measuring the attenuator which is provided and comparing that to the measured results, which are on a USB stick supplied with the kit.

Options to improve functionality or performance

The standard 85033 SMA kit includes all the components necessary for a VNA calibration kit. However, the following options are available to increase performance and or functionality. (A torque wrench is essential, and is option 004 if you don't have one).:

Option 001 - adds a pair of SMA to reverse polarity SMA adapters.

The RP. SMA connector is very common on WiFi devices, such as routers, WiFi amplifiers, antennas etc. This option adds two reverse polarity SMA adapters, giving both male and female in reverse polarity. These have a measured electrical delay so their effect can be compensated for by port extensions, moving the reference plane, or whatever else your VNA calls such a procedure.
Option 002 - adds a pair of SMA to long life, low-retention force U.FL adapters.
- SMA female to U.FL female.
- SMA male to U.FL male.
These U.FL adapters have a measured electrical delay, so their effect can be compensated for by port extensions, moving the reference plane, or whatever else your vector network analyzer calls such a procedure. The delay is given with the other parameters of the kit. Note the lifetime of U.FL connectors usually is about 20 matings, but the low retention force adapters have a long life and have the same warranty as the rest of the SMA calibration kit.
Option 003A - adds a pair of SMA to MMCX adapters, with measured electrical delay. Both male and female MMCX adapters are provided.
Option 003B - adds two SMB adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
Option 003C - adds two SMC adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
Option 003D - adds two MCX adapters, one with a male connector the other a female. Both have a measured electrical delay.
Option 003E - includes a set of 3 phase-matched adapters (male-male, male-female and female-female). This allows one to use the swap equal adapter method during calibration. It's not needed on the latest 4-receiver VNAs which support unknown thru, but is highly useful on older VNAs (eg 8510, 8753, 8719, 8720, 8722), or low-end modern instruments.
Option 004 - adds a highly recommended 0.45 Nm (4 lb inch) torque wrench.

SMA connectors should be tightened more than hand tight, yet are easily damaged if over-tightened with a spanner.
Option 005 - adds a carry strap, which can be useful if the kit is taken outside, but is not necessary in a laboratory.
Option 006 - adds a floppy disk to allow the coefficients to be read into an HP 8510C VNA. Note the 8510A and 8510B do not have floppy drives.
Option 007 - adds a floppy disk to allow the coefficients to be read into an HP 8714 VNA.
Option 009 - adds a floppy disk to allow the coefficients to be read into an HP 8719, 8720 or 8722 series VNA.
Option 010 - adds a floppy disk to allow the coefficients to be read into an HP 8753 VNA.
Option 022 - adds an attenuator for verification purposes which has two female connectors. (This is made from a male-female attenuator and female-female thru, but is permanently fixed with Locktite)
Option 023 - adds an attenuator for verification purposes which has two male connectors. (This is made from a male-female attenuator and male-male thru, but is permanently fixed with Locktite)

The standard VNA calibration kit for SMA connectors, which includes an attenuator for verification purposes, has the following properties:

Suitable for all Agilent, HP, Anritsu, Copper Mountain, LA. Techniques, Rohde & Schwarz and SDR-kits VNAs. Optionally includes a floppy disk which can load coefficients directly into HP and Agilent 8753, 8720, 8510 and PNA instruments which have a floppy drive.
Includes all the components necessary to conduct both 1-port and 2-port calibrations, as well as to verify the calibration is working properly. The kit includes:
- SMA Female short
- SMA Female open
- SMA Female load
- SMA Male short
- SMA Male open
- SMA Male load
- SMA Male-Male thru
- SMA Female-Female thru
- SMA Attenuator for verification purposes.
- USB stick with data for each calibration standard and attenuator, both in easy to see PDF files, as well as several .s1p and .s2p Touchstone files. The USB stick also includes many application notes and manuals specific to vector network analyzers.
Housed in a black IP67 rated Peli case, this is splash proof and waterproof.
Includes an attenuator with measured S-parameters so the user can ensure their VNA is set up correctly to use the kit.
Includes standards for both male and female connectors, with loads having a return loss of better than 32 dB at the maximum frequency of the kit. This is sufficient accuracy for all amateur and all but the most demanding of professional applications, yet considerably cheaper than cal kits made by Agilent, Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz, Maury Microwave or Rosenberger. The kit is much more accurate than other low-cost or economy kits which are sold without any coefficients.
The offset lengths (or delays) of the opens and shorts were chosen so the phase difference between the open and short are as close to 180° as possible at all frequencies. The phase difference between the measured phase and the phase predicted by the model is less than 3°.
The kit works with all VNAs from
- Agilent
- Anritsu
- HP
- Keysight
- Rohde & Schwarz
- LA Techniques
- National Instruments
- Pico Technology (PicoVNA 106)
- SDR-kits
It should be possible to use this SMA calibration kit with other makes of VNA, which need a VNA calibration kit, although you should seek advice first if your VNA is not listed above.

Specifications of the SMA calibration and verification kit - SMA cal kit

The specifications of the 85033 SMA calibration kit are as follows.

Frequency range: DC to 7 GHz, 8 GHz, 9 GHz, 10 GHz, 11 GHz, 12 or 20 GHz. Please select the appropriate frequency either if paying with PayPal, or asking us for a quote.
>32 dB return loss for the SMA loads from DC to the highest frequency of the kit. The 20 GHz kit uses 2.92 mm loads rather than SMA loads, and the SMA adapters are designed for use to 27 GHz rather than 18 GHz devices, which are used in the lower frequency kits.
Difference between the phase predicted by the mathematical model of the opens and the actual phase of the opens is <3°
Difference between the phase predicted by the mathematical model of the shorts and the actual phase of the shorts is <3°
Mechanical pin depth of the devices is 0.000" to -0.010" (0 to -0.25 mm). Typically they in the range 0.000 to -0.0025" (0.00 mm to -0.06 mm)
Size 251 x 142 x 67 mm.
Weight: approximately 600 g for the standard kit. Kits with options are heavier, but always less than 1 kg.
Colour of the case: Black or yellow. IP67 rated. The case used is a Pelican 1060, which is 251 x 142 x 67 mm. Full specifications are on the Pelican website. The use of a yellow case is recommended if the kit is to be used outside a laboratory, which is rarely the case with SMA, but quite common with an N calibration kit.

Purchasing the 85033 SMA calibration and verification kit

The SMA calibration kit may be purchased in several ways. The prices vary somewhat depending on where bought, the method of payment, the currency, due to the commission charged by various bodies (banks, Paypal, eBay etc). If people want a proforma invoice or formal quotation, let us know, and we will produce one.

It is ESSENTIAL we have a telephone number for the courier. We usually use UPS or FedEx, both of which require a telephone number before we can book the courier. If there are any problems with delivery, the courier will usually telephone you.

PayPal

You can purchase the kit in either

GBP, which is cheapest
USD
Euros

Bank transfer in GBP

Payment by bank transfer is the cheapest if paid from a UK bank account. Please ensure you email us at drkirkby@kirkbymicrowave.co.uk for a quotation, as we can't give a specific price on the website due to the number of options available.

Other payment methods

If you wish to pay by any other method, then please contact us to discuss this.

Kirkby Microwave Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 08914892. Registered office: Stokes Hall Lodge, Burnham Rd, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6DT.