Establishment of attenuation standards in the frequency range of 110 GHz to 170 GHz using a millimeter wave VNA system

Establishment of an attenuation reference primary standard in the frequency range of 110 GHz to 170 GHz conducted at NMIJ is described. A millimeter wave VNA system, which consists of an intermediate frequency VNA and a set of millimeter wave S-parameter test extenders, is used as a measurement system. The traceability is ensured by the calibration to the intermediate frequency VNA using the calibrated step attenuator at 10.3 MHz. The mismatch uncertainties are evaluated and minimized by measuring the DUT in four different phase networks. The dynamic range of the system is expected to be more than 50 dB.