Phase calibration and uncertainty evaluation for a RF comb generator

Abstract

In this paper, we present calibration and uncertainty evaluation methods for the phase of a radio-frequency comb generator using a calibrated sampling oscilloscope. In addition, we present many solutions that are indispensable for the precise calibration of phase up to 50 GHz. First, we correct the sampling time error, which is the systematic error of the equivalent time sampling system. Second, the frequency response of the oscilloscope is de-convoluted from the measured pulse, and the impedance mismatch between the radio-frequency comb generator and the oscilloscope is calibrated. Finally, we present the calibrated phase of the radio-frequency comb generator and the measurement uncertainty, which demonstrated 95% confidence intervals within ±4.4° up to 50 GHz. The calibrated radio-frequency comb generator, which is traceable to SI units, is used to calibrate a nonlinear vector network analyzer, vector signal analyzer, and oscilloscope. Uncertainties are easily propagated to the measurement uncertainty of other apparatus since it is obtained in the form of covariance.