Characterization of PCB s-parameters with a new calibration method

Abstract

There are several existing techniques like Direct Loss Subtraction, Through-Reflection-Line (TRL) calibration and Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR) with 2XThrough fixtures for characterizing PCB unit length insertion loss. In this paper, 1) a new method for characterizing PCB loss by using AFR with 1X Open fixtures is proposed. This new method has been proved to have the similar accuracy with TRL and AFR with 2X throughs, but can save much more PCB area and measurement time; 2) based on measurements of transmission lines with different reference impedance, the measurement bandwidth, accuracy, efficiency and cost of these techniques are compared.