Highly Accurate Absolute Group Delay Measurement Technique for Frequency-Translation Devices

This paper describes an advanced absolute group delay measurement technique. It uses a mixer calibration standard and vector error correction to achieve high-precision absolute group delay measurements of frequency-translation devices, such as mixers and frequency converters. The advantages of this technique include: 1. Improved absolute and relative group delay measurement accuracy of +/- 150 ps 2. Lower measurement ripples for highly accurate S-parameter measurements 3. Vector-calibrated performance by characterizing and removing test system errors This application is most valuable for designers, manufacturers, and system integrators of communication systems (such as telemetry applications, satellite, LMDS and point-to-point radio) in which high-accuracy group delay measurements are of great importance.