First-Order Modeling of Errors Due to Coaxial Connector Interface

We present an approach for first-order modeling of errors in vector-network-analyzer (VNA) measurements caused by the coaxial-connector interface. These errors result primarily from the presence of a gap in the inner conductor. Our approach relies on an approximate model of the connector interface that comprises an analytical equivalent-circuit for the inner conductor gap section and a behavioral scattering-parameter model for the socket-contact section. We verify this model using full-wave electromagnetic simulations for the 1.85, 2.4, 3.5 mm, and Type-N coaxial-connector interface for different inner conductor-gap widths. We further apply this model to asses first-order errors in VNA calibration introduced by the tolerance on the inner conductor-gap width. We show that the inner conductor-gap effect can be accounted for with a series inductance inserted at the inner conductor mating-plane while the effect of the socket contact can be lumped into the VNA calibration coefficients. We verify this error model experimentally by measuring a Type-N offset load with an adjustable inner conductor gap. We also demonstrate that including our error model in coaxial offset-short definitions leads to improved consistency of a one-port VNA calibration with 3.5-mm coaxial offset-short standards. Our results can be used in the uncertainty analysis and accuracy enhancement of VNA scattering-parameter measurements.