A rapid method for measuring the transfer impedance of connectors

An inexpensive, simple, and sensitive workbench setup has been developed to determine the transfer impedance Z/sub t/ of shielded connectors. The injection current is measured by an inductive sensor integrated in the setup. The induced voltage is determined by a spectrum/network analyzer. The overall sensitivity is 3 /spl mu//spl Omega/ or better; the frequency range is up to 1 GHz. No special calibration samples are needed. As a demonstration the Z/sub t/ is measured for both a coaxial tube with a small hole in the shield which provides a mutual inductance of 0.1 pH. Improvements in the design of the shield of a telecommunication connector are presented. Results for some common connectors are given; the transfer impedances for these connectors ranges from 1 m/spl Omega/ to more than 100 m/spl Omega/ at 1 GHz.