Practical and Precise Means of Microwave Power Meter Calibration Transfer

The benefits resulting from the implementation of calibration systems based on the power equation concept are presented. Resulting uncertainties in the comparison of bolometer efficiencies are on the order of ±0.2 percent. Calibration costs have also been cut in half in respect to previous methods practiced at Autonetics. This method also shows significant cost advantages with respect to other methods described in the literature by Dentinger and de Pian. Both manual and automated bolometer calibration systems are described. Results of an experiment designed to illustrate the advantages of this concept using both type-N and SMA connectors are presented.