An approach to ultra-wideband channel calibration using a vector network analyser

In this paper, two calibration methods are investigated to determine the most suitable approach for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication channel measurements. The first method is the through, open, short and match (TOSM) calibration technique. The second method is through, reflection and load calibration technique. Presented experiment results show that the through, reflection and load calibration process is more precise for calibration of coaxial cables and the UWB channel as clearly seen by increased magnitudes of the channel transfer function. It is also shown that the proposed through, reflection and load technique leads to an improved larger measured root-mean-square value and that the measured magnitude transfer function of the wireless channel is increased by an absolute value of approximately 5 dB after calibration compared with results achieved when TOSM technique is used. In the paper, it is also shown that the time delay associated with test equipment of the UWB channel measurement can be equally well removed by using either the through, reflection and load or TOSM calibration techniques.