New study from W. L. Gore & Associates evaluates measurement uncertainty

Using a variety of manufacturers’ cable assemblies with a range of insertion loss and VSWR characteristics, Gore performed a series of experiments, initially testing six cable assemblies in controlled conditions on each instrument. Next, they evaluated the instruments’ measurement uncertainty in the best-case scenario with the highest-performing assembly. Then, to ensure TDR/VNA test parity, they evaluated the VNA using both one-port s11 reflection and the more traditional two-port s21 transmission method.

According to Paul Pino, W. L. Gore & Associates’ North American product engineer for test and measurement, “While the topic of measurement is a popular one and fundamental to the test and measurement industry, measurement uncertainty and accuracy are often ignored. Because precision is crucial in this industry, understanding the accuracy of an instrument is essential. Although our study indicated that one platform operated with significantly lower measurement uncertainty than the other, the important learning from this study is that both instruments are formidable tools, with each having its own strengths and weaknesses.”