Best Practice Guide for Planar S-Parameter Measurements using Vector Network Analysers

In the European project PlanarCal a major effort has been undertaken to characterise components and devices for eventual use in high-speed and microwave applications (e.g. wireless communications, automotive radar and medical sensing) with known measurement uncertainties. It is the purpose of this Best Practice Guide to give an overview of the major outcomes of this project together with useful information on recommended measurement practice, different sources of uncertainty and the determination of uncertainties. This Best Practice Guide is not intended to replace available literature which offers comprehensive introductions to the subject of on-wafer measurements and deembedding. Instead, this Guide aims to present useful best practice recommendations together with key takeaways developed from the research performed in PlanarCal during the project’s lifetime from 2015 until 2018.