Vector Network Analyzer
P/N: 10410-00066
REVISION:C
PRINTED: JANUARY 1992
COPYRIGHT 1990 WILTRON CO.
Materials Measurement Software
Software User ’s Guide
This manual applies to the
WILTRON
Materials Measurement Software,
Materials Measurement Package
360 Vector Network Analyzer:
Software Version 1.02
and
WILTRON
Model 2300-11A
Model 360
TEL (408) 778-2000
490 JARVIS DRIVE ● MORGAN HILL, CA 95037-2809
● TELEX 285227 WILTRON MH ● FAX 408-778-0239
DISCLAIMER
This software program disk is supplied without representation or warranty of
any kind. WILTRON, therefore, assumes no responsibility and will not accept
liability (consequential or otherwise) arising from the use of the program
material or the program disk.
NEW APPLICAT ION PROGRAMS
New application programs are continually being developed for the 360 Vector
Network Analyzer System. If you would like to receiv e information about these
programs, send us your name and address.
CONTENTS
Page
Chapter 1 General Information . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 2 Required Equipment . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 3 Configuring the System . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 4 Program Description . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter 5 Running the Program . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 6 In Case of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . 19
Appendix A Examples of Materi als
Measurement Data Output . . . . A1
Appendix B Measurement Considerati ons,
including Sample Preparation
Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1
Appendix C Installation and Configurat ion
Instructions for t he National
Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA Card
and NI-488 MS-DOS Handler
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1
i/ii
Chapter 1
General Information
Contents Para Name Page
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3 Data Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Materials Measurement Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 Introduction
This manual sup port s the WILTRON Materials Measu rement Software.
The software operates with the WILTRON 360 Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) System. The manual is organized into six chapters, as
follows:
General Information – provides an overview of the materials
•
measurement software and a description of the materials measurement package.
Required Equipment – describes the equipment required to use
•
this materials measurement software.
Conf i guri ng the System – describes how the equipment is setup
•
and interconnected.
Program Description – provides an overview of the materials
•
measurement software program.
Running the Program – provides step-by-step instructions for
•
running the materials measurement software program.
In Case of Trouble – contains troubleshooting suggestions and
•
service information.
2Capability
The materials measurement software operates with the 360 VNA system to determine the relative complex permittivity (
ity (µ
) of a material based on one-port (reflection) S-parameter meas-
r
urements.
To compute
measurements of the following:
•
•
•
•
ε
and µr of a material, the softw are requir es d a ta fr om S
r
Flush Short – to define the reference plane for the measurement.
Empty Line (of known length) – to determine the propagation
rate and dispersion characteristics of the transmission line.
Short Sample (length l) – a short-circuited material sample of
known l engt h.
Long Sample (length 2l) – a sho rt-cir cuited material sample that
is exactly two times the length of the short sample.
ε
) and permeabil-
r
Page 1
11
The software performs materials measurement over any frequency
range supported by the 360 VNA system — coaxial measu rement s from
40 MHz to 60 GHz, waveguide measurements to 110 GHz. Any type of
transmission line may be used — coax ial, wav egu ide, rid ge waveg uide,
circular waveguide, etc. — without requiring any knowledge of its
cut-off frequency, dispersion, loss, or cross-sectional shape or dimensions.
The materials measurement software works together with the 360
VNA system’s optional time domain capability to gate out mismatches
and discontinuities not related to the samples.
The software makes accurate materials measurements at very high
temperatures by compensating for dimensional changes in the measurement fixture and phase dispersion in waveguide fixtures.
The materials measurement software incorporates error bounding. A
loose connection, damaged cable, improperly mounted sample, etc. can
cause a measurement to be outside of the established error limits.
Duri ng the calcula tion of
measurement data an d display s an error message to ale rt the o perator.
3 Dat a Ou tpu t
Upon completion of calculations, the materials measurement software
sends to the 360 VNA the computed real and imaginary values-vs-frequency of
ε
and µr. The data is placed in trace memory and displayed
r
graphically on the 360 VNA’ s display. In addition, the software ou tputs
to the 360 VNA either the intermediate values of K (impedance ratio;
Z/Z
) and T (transmission factor) or the values of tan δ (loss tangent)
0
and tan δ
(loss tangent magnetic), depending on operator selection.
m
This data is placed in trace memory and may be displayed to aid in
material evaluation. All 360 VNA display and analysis features, such
as cursor readou t and p lot/pr in t, may be app lied to th ese r esults. Re fer
to Appendix A fo r examples of materials measurement data printouts.
ε
and µr, the software flags the erroneous
r
Page 2
4 Materials Measurement Package
The WILTRON Model 2300-11A Materials Measurement Package con-
sists of a WILTRON 360CC MS-DOS
the materials measurement software and a GPIB interface card factory-installed and tested, a 2-meter GPIB cable, a 3.5-inch/1.44 Mbyte
backup disk containin g the materials measuremen t software, and a set
of manuals. Option 1 provides the materials measurement software
and manual only.
The 360CC Computer/Controller has a 20 MHz 80386 microprocessor
and 80387 numeric coprocessor with 2 Mbytes of RAM, a 3.5-inch/1.44
Mbyte disk drive, and a 40 Mbyte hard disk drive. The 14-inch VGA
monitor has 640x480 pix els w i th 256 color s. T he ke ybo ard is a 101-k ey,
enhanced AT-type keyboard. A parallel printer port and an RS-232
serial port provide input/outpu t capability, and a National Instrume nts
GPIB-PCII/IIA (IEEE-488) Interface card provides the interface between the computer/controller and the 360 VNA system.
MS-DOS ® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
®
Computer/Controller that has
Chapter 2
Required Equipment
Contents Para Name Page
5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6 Hardware Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
7 Computer/Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
8 GPIB Interface Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
9 Vector Network Ana l yzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
10 GPIB Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 Introduction
This chapter describes the equipment required to use the materials
measurement software.
NOTE
If yo u have t he WILTRON Model 2300-11A Materials Measurement Package, you only need a 360 VNA system to perform material measurements.
6 Hardware Key
The materials measurement software is linked to a parallel interface
hardware key. The hardware key is included with the software. This
key must be connected to the 25-pin parallel port (LPT 1) of the
computer during software operation. The materials measurement software will not operate without the key connected to the computer.
7 Computer/Controller
Yo u need an IBM AT or compatible computer to execute the materials
measurement software. WILTRON recommends the use of a computer
that has a 20 MHz 80386 microprocessor and 80387 numeric coprocessor, 2 Mbytes of RAM, a 3.5-inch/1.44 Mbyte disk drive, a 40 Mbyte
hard disk, and a VGA monitor that has 640x480 pixe ls with 256 color s.
You also need an MS-DOS
Alternate computer c onfig u ration s w hich ar e no t co mpatible
or do not meet or exceed these requirements will either run
very slowly or not at all.
A WILTRON 360CC MS-D OS
of the WILTRON Model 2300-11A Materials Measurement Package.
®
3.3 (or higher) Operating System.
NOTE
®
Computer/Controlle r is provided as part
Page 3
8 GPIB Interface Card
You need to have a National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA (IEEE-488)
Interface card installed in the computer/controller. The card provides
GPIB interface between the computer/controller and the 360 VNA
system. Refer to Appendix C for GPIB Interface card installation and
configuration instructions.
The GPIB interface card is provided as part of the WILTRON Model
2300-11A Materials Measurement Package. It has been factory-installed and tested in the c omputer/controller.
9 Vector Network Analyzer
You need a WILTRON M odel 360 Vector Network Analyzer System. The
360 VNA system consists of a 360 Network Analyzer, a 36XX-Series
Test Set, and a frequency source. Any 360 VNA system configuration
with any suitable fr equ en c y ran g e may be u sed. A calibration kit of the
measurement transmission line type is also required.
10 GPIB Cable
Yo u need a GPIB cable to connect the computer/controller to the 360
VNA system. This is in addition to the cables normally required for
operation of the 360 VNA system.
A two-meter GPIB cable is provid ed with the WIL TRO N Model 2300-11A
Materials Measurement Package.
Page 4
Chapter 3
Configuring the System
Contents Para Name Page
11 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
12 Hardware Interconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
13 360 VNA GPIB Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
14 Ha rdware K ey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
15 GPIB Interface Card
Installation and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
16 Materials Measurement S oftware Installation . . . . . . . . . 6
11 Introduction
This chapter descr ibes how to connec t the system comp on ents togeth er
and perform the initial system setup necessary for proper operation of
the materials measurement software.
12 Hardware Interconnection
Connect the computer/controller to the 360 VNA system using the
GPIB cable. The connection is from the computer/controller GPIB port
to the GPIB connector on the 360 Network Analyzer’s rear panel. The
computer/controller GPIB port is part of the National Instruments
GPIB-PCII/IIA Interface card.
Ensure that the GPIB cable from the computer/controller to
the 360 Network Analyzer’s rear panel is connected to the
connector labeled 360 GPIB and not the connector labeled
SYSTEM BUS.
If yo u have a WILTRON 2225C Ink Jet printer, connect it to the con-
nector labeled PRINTER on the 360 Network Analyzer’s rear panel.
Any compatible GPIB plotter can be c onn ected to the co nnector labele d
SYSTEM BUS on the 360 Network Analyzer ’s rear panel.
13 360 VNA GPIB Address
Turn on the 360 VNA system and ensure that the GPIB address for
the 360 VNA system is set to 6.
CAUTION
Page 5
14 Hardware Key
Ensure that the hardware key is installed on the 25-pin parallel port
(LPT 1) of the computer/controller. The materials measurement software will not operate without the key installed. The message ERROR
– Hardware Key is missing appears on the computer/controller
display whenever y ou try to run the prog ram without the key installed.
NOTE
If you have the WILTRON Model 2300-11A Materials Measurement Package, no further system configuration is required. You are now ready to run the materials measurement software.
If you are using your computer as computer/controller, continue configuring the system as detailed in paragraphs 15
and 16.
15 GPIB Interface Card Installation and Configuration
Follow the procedures in Appendix C to install and configure the
National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA interface card and the NI-488
MS-DOS Handler software in your computer.
During the installation of the GPIB handler software, the installation
program IBSTART creates the file GPIB.COM and adds the line, DE-
VICE=GPIB.COM, to the CONFIG.SYS file on your boo t disk-dr ive. Thi s
ensures that DOS will load the GPIB handler whenever the computer
is booted. Anytime that you use a different disk-drive to boot the
computer, you will have to transfer the GPIB.COM file and the CON-
FIG. SYS file—with the DEVICE =GPIB. COM line—to the new boot disk-
drive. Otherwise, the GPIB interface will not function properly.
Page 6
16 Materials Measurement Software Installation
To install the materials measurement software program on your computer’s hard disk, boot the computer and insert the software disk into
the disk drive. At the DOS prompt:
Type: A:
Press: <ENTER> (The A:\DOS prompt will appear.)
Type: COPY MM.EXE [hard disk letter]:\[directory name]\MM.EXE
Press: <ENTER>
When the computer has comple ted cop ying the program on to the hard
disk, the DOS prompt will appear. Remove the materials measuremen t
software disk from the disk drive and maintain it as a backup for the
hard disk resident program.
Chapter 4
Program Description
Contents Para Name Page
17 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
18 Program Sequence of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
17 Introduction
The program uses a series of menus to guide the user through the
proper sequence of steps necessary to compute
This chapter describes each of the steps involved in running the materials measurement software.
18 Program Se quence of Ope ration
Once you have configured the system and started the materials measurement software, the program displays the main menu and prompts
you to select one of the following menu items:
SETUP
CALIBRATE
TIME DOMAIN
MEASUREMENT
EXIT PROGRAM
ε
and µr of a material.
r
The program automatically positions the selection cursor to SETUP,
indicating that this is the first step in the sequence. The program
requires that setup and calibration be done before measurements can
be performed . Likewise, it requires that calibration be completed before
time domain can be selected. Consequently, the program will not permit you to proceed until you have completed each of the required steps
in the sequence.
After you have selected SETUP from the main menu, the program
displays the setup menu and prompts you to enter sample data and
make calculation and display selec tion s. The requ ir ed d a ta entries an d
selections are:
Material Name
Empty Line Length (in millimeters)
Short or Long Sample Length (in millimeters)
Calculation Based On (the short or long sample)
Z/Zo & T Display (Yes or No)
Because the long sample must always be two times the length of the
short sample, you can either enter the length of the short sample or
the long sample and the program automatically enters the other value.
When you have co mpleted the requir ed data entries an d selection s, you
select exit to the main menu. The program then displays the main
menu and positions the selection cursor to CALIBRATE indicating the
next step in the sequence.
Page 7
Once you have selected CALIBRA TE from the main menu, the progr am
displays the calibrate menu and instructs you to:
perform a one-port calibration on the 360 VNA system, or
recall a previously stored one-port calibration.
After you have completed the calibration, the program returns to the
main menu. The program now advances the selection cursor to TIME
DOMAIN, indicating the next logical step in the sequence. This is an
optional step. You may bypass it and advance directly to MEASUREMENT.
Following your selection of TIME DOMAIN, the program displays the
time domain menu. The software c ompu tes and displays the minimu m
line length necessary for a practical or beneficial time domain gate.
The program then queries you as to whether you have a line of this
length. If your response indicates that you do not have a line of suffi-
cient length, the program returns to the main menu and advances the
selection cursor to MEASUREMENT. If your response indicates that
you do have a line of sufficient length, the program advances to the
next level time domain menu. It then instructs you to connect the line
and set the desired time domain gating parameters on the 360 VNA.
When you have set the parameters, the program returns to the main
menu and advances the selection cursor to MEASUREMENT.
Once you have selected MEASUREMENT, the program displays the
measurement menu containing selections for:
S
measurements of the Flush Short, Short Sample,
11
Long Sample, and Empty Line,
the calculation of
ε
and µr, and
r
the return to the main menu.
S
measurements are accomplished by connecting the item to the
11
measurement port of the 360 VNA system and selecting the item on
the menu. The prog r am allow s the fou r measur eme nts to b e perfo rmed
in any order, but requires that all four be measured before it makes
the calculation of
Once you have selected the calculation of
calculates the real and imaginary values-vs-frequ ency of
ε
and µr a valid selection.
r
ε
and µr, the software
r
ε
and µr and
r
graphically displays the results on the 360 VNA display. In addition,
the software outputs to the 360 VNA either the intermediate values of
K (Z/Zo) and T or the values of tan δ and tan δ
, depending on the
m
selection made on the setup menu. There they are stored in trace
memory and may be displayed to aid in material evaluation. After the
calculations are completed, the program advances the cursor to the
return to the main menu selection. When you have selected return to
the main menu, the program displays the main menu.
At the main menu, you can terminate the program by selecting EXIT
PROGRAM, or you can repeat the measurement process for the same
samples or another mater ial sample by selecting SETUP and r epeating
the steps just described. You may also return to the Setup Menu and
change the calculation basis to the short or long sample, then advance
to the Measurement Menu and recalculate
ε
and µr, all without reat-
r
taching or remeasuring the material samples.
Page 8
Chapter 5
Running the Program
Contents Para Name Page
19 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
20 Starting the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
21 Selecting from the Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
22 Entering Sample Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
23 Calibrating the 360 VNA System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
24 Setting Time Domain Gating Parameters . . . . . . . . . . 15
25 Measuring the Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
19 Introduction
The materials measurement software provides a means of characterizing material by computing its complex permittivity (
meability (µ
rial samples by the 360 VNA system. The software then displays the
real and imaginary values-vs-frequency of
display.
The program provides a series of menus that step you through the
proper seque nce of setu p (inp ut sample data), 360 VNA sys tem calibr ation, time domain selec tion (if av ailable), an d measureme nt oper ations.
Before running the program, the following items must be available:
) based on one-port S-parameter measurements of mate-
r
ε
and µr on the 360 VNA
r
ε
) and per-
r
Flush Short
Empty Line
Short Sample (l)
Long Sample (2l)
Calibration kit of the same transmission line type as the samples being measured (same transmission line type is not a
requirement if time domain techniques are used)
In addition, the line length (in millimeters) of the Short or Long Sample
and the Empty Line must at hand.
NOTE
Proper sample preparation is critical to obtaining accurate
measurements. Refer to Appen dix B for a disc ussion of measurement consid er ations an d samp le pr epar ation tech nique s.
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