Data Assessment of The ARFTG Microwave Vector Network Analyzer Measurement Comparison Program

The purpose of the Automatic Radio Frequency Techniques Group (ARFTG) Measurement Comparison Program (MCP) is to allow participating laboratories to compare their measurements on the ARFTG standards kits to measurements obtained from other laboratories. The MCP is designed to permit the intercomparison of a large number of automatic vector network analyzers (VNA) and of different connector types. The MCP should give the participants more confidence in their measurement capabiity and assist them in identifying measurement deficiencies. A vast set of data has been collected from the Measurement Comparison Program. This paper presents a brief description of measurement requirements and then an assessment of the interlaboratory measurement data of each kit. Conclusions will be presented regarding the repeatability and reproducibility of each kit.