NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

LABORATORY 2a
INTRODUCTION TO KEYSIGHT NETWORK ANALYZER AND BENCHVUE
SOFTWARE

Objective
i) To perform TRM calibration using the user-defined calibration kits

ii) To introduce and demonstrate measurement parameters, features and settings of a

Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) using various lengths of coaxial cable with various
terminations: open, short and load

iii) To introduce and demonstrate measurement parameters, features and settings of a

Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) using various lengths of coaxial cable with various
terminations: open, short and load in the Keysight Benchvue software.

Equipment& Accessories Required

i) Vector Network Analyzer
ii) 2 × SMA RF coaxial m-m cable (1 m)
iii) Thru-Reflect-Match (TRM) Calibration PCB

1. Calibration Procedures (Using TRM PCB calibration kit)

Note:
The following steps to set up a VNA are based on the Keysight E5061B ENA-L RF Network
Analyzer model. Preset the instrument to its default state before performing the following
calibration by selecting the [Preset] button followed by {OK}.

Figure 1: Through Reflect Match (TRM) PCB calibration kit

1. Connect both Port 1 and Port 2 with SMA RF coaxial m-m cable (1 m) each.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Calibrate: [Cal] > {Calibrate} > {2-Port Cal} > {Reflection}
2. Connect an OPEN calibration standard to test port x (either Port 1 or Port 2).
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

Note:
In this situation, for open measurement, the correction will be only up until the SMA
cable and not to the TRM PCB path.

3. Press Port x Open to start the calibration measurement (x denotes either Port 1 or Port
2).

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Port: {Port x Open}

4. Disconnect the OPEN calibration standard and replace it with a SHORT calibration
standard.
5. Press Port x Short to start the calibration measurement. (SHORT refer to REFLECT
in TRM PCB calibration kit as shown in Figure 1.)

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Port: {Port x Short}

6. Disconnect the SHORT calibration standard and replace it with a LOAD calibration
standard.

7. Press Port x Load to start the calibration measurement (LOAD refer to Match in TRM
PCB calibration kit as shown in Figure 1.).

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Port: {Port x Load}

8. Repeat Step 2 to Step 7 for the other port.

9. Press Return.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Return: {Return}
10. Press Transmission.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Calibrate: {Transmission}
11. Make a THRU connection between the two ports.

12. Press Port 1-2 Thru to start the calibration measurement. (THRU refer to Through in
TRM PCB calibration kit as shown in Figure 1).

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Port: {Port 1-2 Thru}
13. Press Return.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Return: {Return}
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

14. Press Done to terminate the full two-port calibration process. Upon pressing the key,
the calibration coefficients will be calculated and saved. The error correction function
will also be automatically enabled.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Done: {Done}

Note (Just for your reference, no need to perform following task):

• An asterisk (*) in the upper right of the softkey indicates that, if you select the test port
and execute the acquisition of the calibration coefficient (press Done), the existing
calibration coefficient will be cleared.
• The above calibration state can be saved by using the following procedure:
i. Press Save/Recall.
ii. Press Save State.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

Save: [Save/Recall] > {Save State}
iii. When you want to use a pre-defined file name (example: State01.sta -
State08.sta, Autorec.sta), press State01 − State08 or Autorec.

E5061B setting: “[ ]”: Hardkey; “{ }”: Softkey

State: {State0x or Autorec}

• If “A:\Autorec.sta” or “D:\Autorec.sta” is found on the system at startup, the

E5061A/E5062A is automatically configured using the saved settings. When both files
are found, “A:\Autorec.sta” is recalled. To disable the auto recall function, delete the
Autorec.sta files.
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

2. One-Port Measurement
Note: Go back to [Preset] > [OK]

1. Set the VNA as follows:

Display : S11 on Smith Impedance Chart
Start Frequency : 1MHz
Stop Frequency : 10MHz

a. Observe the trace on the Smith Chart in Figure 4 for (i) with the load removed
(open), (ii) the cable with matched load, and (iii) with a short (zero-ohm)
termination added to the cable, as shown in 2, ensure that there is marker at
the ends of each trace.

Note: Placing a marker on the trace will help you identify the frequency as
you move it along the trace.

Vector Network Analyzer

(i) Open (no

connection)

P1 P2 (ii) Matched load

(TRM Match)

1m RF
coaxial (iii) Short
cable (TRM Reflect)

Figure 2 – Measurement with Different Types of Terminations

2. Remove all terminations, leaving only the RF coaxial cable with the open end. Double
the Stop Frequency to 20MHz, and then double the frequency again to 40MHz.
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

3. Two-Port Measurement

Vector Network Analyzer

P1 P2

1m RF coaxial
In some steps cable
DUT
2-port

the DUT is
inserted at P1

Figure 3 – VNA Setup for Two-Port Measurement

1. Connect the VNA as shown in Figure 3, with the same 1m RF coaxial cable that was
used in the previous One-Port Measurement. Initially connect the RF coaxial cable to
both P1 and P2, without any DUT attached.

2. Preset the VNA to its factory defaults, and set it to:

Display : S21dB
Start Frequency : 1MHz
Stop Frequency : 2.5 GHz
Scale : autoscale

a. Observe the trend of the S21dB trace.

b. Compare this Insertion Loss (IL= −S21dB) with the Return Loss (RL=
−S11dB) plot.
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

4. Connection of Network Analyzer in Keysight BenchVue Software

Note: Go back to [Preset] > [OK]

1. On the PC, double click on Keysight Connection Expert to check whether

E5061B ENA Network Analyzer is being connected in the BenchVue software as
shown in the Figure 4.

Figure 4: Keysight Connection Expert

2. Double click on Keysight BenchVue Lab – Client icon to open the Benchvue
software. The window as Figure 5 will be displayed.

Figure 5: Keysight BenchVue Software

3. Click on the Network Analyzer icon on the right panel of the BenchVue
software. The window as Figure 6 will be displayed.
NMK 31503 RF & MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY SEM 1(2023/2024)

Figure 6: Keysight Network Analyzer displayed in BenchVue Software

4. On the left panel of BenchVue software show the Network Analyzer setting. Do the
same setting as in “2. One-Port Measurement” and “3. Two-Port Measurement”, then
observe the results. Perform 2 traces of S11 and S21 in one window.