Measurement of Passive Intermodulation with Uncertainty Budget using a Vectorial-PIM System

In this paper, vectorial network analyzer (VNA) based measurements of Passive Intermodulation (PIM) were presented. The PIM measurement system was established as a part of the EMPIR JRP FutureCom project. A modified calibration model was introduced for calibrating the PIM measurement system using a ‘Without Thru’ calibration algorithm. The uncertainty contributors were identified and evaluated. Two PIM standards from Rosenberger with a 4.3-10 connector type were employed for PIM measurement with uncertainty at different PIM levels using this vectorial PIM System. The measurement uncertainty was calculated, and it is 0.43dB&2.3dB for the measured PIM levels −76.25dBm& −114.72 dBm, respectively. The uncertainty budget was also calculated and reported in this work.