Automatic network measurements in the time domain

Abstract

The time-domain automatic network analyser (TDANA) is described. It utilizes time-domain measurements and the fast Fourier transform to obtain frequency-domain scattering parameters. A TDANA consists of a pulse generator, sampling oscilloscope, and a minicomputer. The present state of the art for TDANA's includes frequency coverage from dc to 18 GHz in a single instrument and complex scattering parameter measurement uncertainties of the order of 1 percent.