This page describes the 85054 kit in detail. Other pages on our site show how to set up calibration kits for various VNAs. Unless you know how to set up a calibration kit, you will need to read both sections to familiarize yourself with this kit, and also how to set it up.
The kit is particularly popular with
The frequency range of the 85054 type-N calibration and verification kit is DC-18 GHz. However, new loads suitable for use to 18 GHz are very expensive, which makes producing a kit at an economic price impossible. So most kits are sold with loads suitable for use to 6 GHz - the opens and shorts are still usable to 18 GHz. Please advise us if you need frequencies above 6 GHz, as we may be able to supply suitable loads. The photograph below shows a kit with 6 GHz loads. This is by far the most popular version of the kit we sell.
We can sometimes supply the kit with 18 GHz load - typically the HP 909F. These looks somewhat different
VNAs manufactured by the following companies are fully supported.
We may be able to support other makes, such as Advantest, but we would need to be made aware of the model number first, to allow us to research this.
It is necessary to load the coefficients of the kit into the VNA. The coefficients of the kit will be supplied with the kit - if you have lost them, or purchased a used kit, please contact us, stating the serial number, and we will advise you of the coefficients.
It should be obvious what the following parts are:
A photograph will be added later
Unlike the male open, the female open is a two part construction, consisting of a gold-plated body, and an extender. The extender is needed because male pins on plugs have a poorly defined geometry, so it's impossible to calculate the electomagnetic properties of a male plug accurately. The extender, supplied with the female open, removes this problem, as this gives a well defined geometry, from which the electromagnetic properties can be calculated. The gold body should be screwed into the male plug, and then the extender gently inserted into the body, so it pushes onto the male pin, as shown in the following photograph. Ensure the male pin is in the centre, because if displaced too much to one side, the extender will get damaged. Please note, that no extender is required with the male calibration standard.
When mated to a male plug, and the extender pressed in, the extender should protrude approximately 18 mm out of the back of the gold-plated body. If it protrudes about 21 mm, then the extender has not been pressed onto the male pin correctly. You should hear a lick when the female extender engages with the male pin.
Since late 2017, each kit has been supplied with individual data for that kit, which is put on the USB stick. Kits sold prior to this have generic coefficients. If you are unsure of the coefficients of your kit, please provide us the serial number and the frequency range over which the kit is to be used, as the coefficients can be optimised for use at lower frequencies, if one is not using the kit to 18 GHz.
How you calibrate the VNA depends on the particular VNA. You will need to read the manual, although we can explain the procedure on some VNAs. We have web pages set up to describe how to use calibration kits with a number of different VNAs.
Anritsu
Copper Mountain (1-port and transmission/reflection)
Copper Mountain (Full 2-port & 4-port)
HP 8714
HP/Agilent 8753
HP/Agilent 8719, 8720 & 8722
HP/Agilent 8510
Agilent/Keysight PNA
Agilent/Keysight PNA-X
Agilent/Keysight FieldFox
Agilent/Keysight ENA
LA Techniques
Rohde & Schwarz
Once the VNA is set up to use the 85054 calibration and verification kit, it is tempting to start making measurements. However, it is wise to verify that that the kit is correctly configured, and the VNA giving sensible results. Our kits include a serial numbered attenuator
which has been measured using an Agilent 85054B calibration kit. The results of the measurements are stored on a USB stick included with the kit. We have a page about verification in our FAQ, so please read that.
Kirkby Microwave Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 08914892. Registered office: Stokes Hall Lodge, Burnham Rd, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6DT.