Accurate Pigtail Calibration Method up to 8.5 GHz

We present a novel calibration technique for on-board measurements with so-called pigtails, which are thin flexible or semi-rigid coaxial cables with an SMA connector in one end, and an openended inner conductor extension in the other. We also suggest a measurement-modeling sequence that characterizes printed circuit board (PCB) properties with sufficient accuracy to model the interconnects in a matching circuit on a PCB. This allows the method to be used for basically any PCB material and thickness. We have validated the presented methods for measuring and matching antennas at ultra-wideband (UWB) channels 5 to 9 at 6.25 GHz - 8.25 GHz, as well as for measuring a low-noise amplifier (LNA) at the same frequency band.