[time-nuts] OT: Power level reference

[v. Bonhorst]

To all interested in this matter.

There is an excellent application note on power measurement available on
Agilents web site.
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-6255EN.pdf
Fundamentals of RF and Microwave Power Measurements
Another outstanding application note can be found on Rohde and Schwarz web
page.
http://www2.rohde-schwarz.com/file_2212/SLMESS_E.PDF
voltage and power measurements.
For sure this list is not complete, think of Tegam as well, but a good point
to start with.

To verify the output of a 30 / 50 MHz to less than might be 2 % the easiest
way is to use a HP 432 powermeter with a 478A powersensor (thermistor
mount)and follow the procedures given in the 436A manual. Just take a
calibration factor of 99 % if not known more exactly. If you want to be more
precise in test get a sensor calibrated at a higher level, and at the
highest level (national institutes) you will achieve less than 0.2% fort he
calibration factor. There is no easy way to have the highest precission in
RF and Microwave power measurement. 
If you have detailed questions on this matter contact me offline and I will
try to answer your question.

Good luck in calibrating powersensors!

Hubert
DB7ME 


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] Im
Auftrag von Adrian
Gesendet: Dienstag, 1. Dezember 2009 14:25
An: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Betreff: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Power level reference

Joe,

the HP 434A calorimetric power meter does the trick as it works from DC 
to 12.4 GHz.
And, it measures 10 mW to 10 W full scale.
http://www.hpmemory.org/wa_pages/wall_a_page_10.htm
Just scroll 2/3 down.

Adrian


Joseph Gray schrieb:
> We all have our various highly accurate frequency and perhaps time
> references. Is there a relatively simple and inexpensive method of
> making an accurate RF power level reference? If so, then what do we
> calibrate it with, not already having such an accurate reference?
>
> One possibility that comes to mind is an HP 436A power meter. These
> are abundant and usually have no sensor probes (which are expensive).
> They also have a built in 50MHz, 0dBm reference. However, without more
> fancy test equipment, I have no way to calibrate the reference, or
> even verify that it is accurate.
>
> Joe Gray
> KA5ZEC
>
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