Standard test port adaptor SMA(f-f)

The Pico TA343 Standard Test Port Adaptor SMA(f-f) is designed for RF engineers, laboratories and vector network analyzer users who need to change a male SMA test port to a female SMA test port.

The adaptor has SMA female connectors at both ends, allowing equipment with a male test interface to connect to devices under test that also have male connectors.

Pico Technology identifies the TA343 as its ADA-STD-FF standard test port adaptor. Current PicoVNA documentation specifies the standard SMA adaptor family with a 50 Ω impedance and bandwidth up to 18 GHz.

SMA Female-to-Female Gender Conversion

The primary purpose of the TA343 is straightforward gender adaptation.

It can be used to:

• Convert an SMA male test port to an SMA female test port
• Connect SMA male DUTs to compatible male-port measurement setups
• Adapt VNA test ports for different DUT connector genders
• Reduce the need to maintain separate test leads for every connector configuration
• Support single-port and two-port RF measurement configurations

This makes the adaptor particularly useful in laboratories where different devices under test may use different SMA connector genders.

50 Ω RF Measurement System

The TA343 belongs to Pico's 50 Ω standard SMA test port adaptor range.

Maintaining the correct characteristic impedance is important in RF and microwave test systems because impedance discontinuities can introduce reflections and measurement errors.

The adaptor is therefore suitable for compatible 50 Ω RF measurement paths, including:

• Vector network analyzers
• RF test leads
• Calibration setups
• RF test fixtures
• SMA-equipped devices under test
• Network metrology systems

Up to 18 GHz Bandwidth

Pico's current PicoVNA datasheet specifies the standard SMA test port adaptor family, including TA342, TA343 and TA357, with a bandwidth of 18 GHz.

This provides useful frequency headroom beyond the operating frequency of current PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 instruments and allows the adaptor to be used in other compatible high-frequency SMA measurement arrangements.

PicoVNA Measurement Applications

Pico lists the TA343 as a recommended PicoVNA accessory.

The adaptor can be used with PicoVNA systems when testing:

• Single-port male DUTs
• Dual-port devices
• Non-insertable devices
• Mixed-gender devices
• RF filters
• Amplifiers
• Attenuators
• Cables and interconnects
• Antennas and RF networks
• RF components and assemblies

Pico's current measurement configuration guidance specifically includes TA343 in setups using standard SMA test leads and both manual and automated calibration standards.

Measurement Uncertainty Consideration

Pico Technology specifically warns that adding a test port adaptor increases measurement uncertainty.

An adaptor introduces additional:

• Electrical length
• Insertion loss
• Mismatch
• Connection interfaces

For general measurements, these effects may be acceptable. For precision vector network analysis, they should be considered as part of the complete measurement setup.

Calibration and De-Embedding

PicoVNA documentation provides several methods for managing the additional error introduced by a test port adaptor.

Depending on the measurement configuration, the TA343 can be:

• Included within the calibration
• Measured and subsequently de-embedded
• Compensated using reference-plane shift
• Accounted for using normalization where appropriate

Including the adaptor within calibration is generally preferable where the test configuration and available calibration standards allow it.

For setups using only one calibration kit, Pico also describes workflows where the adaptor is measured after calibration and its error is de-embedded from subsequent measurements.

Support for Non-Insertable DUT Measurements

The TA343 is particularly useful for non-insertable devices.

A non-insertable DUT has connectors that cannot be directly connected between the available test ports without changing gender at one side. For example, a dual-port device with two male SMA connectors may require an SMA female-to-female adaptor.

Pico recommends using and including the TA343 within calibration where appropriate when measuring these types of devices.

Typical Applications

The Pico TA343 is suitable for:

• Vector network analyzer measurements
• RF and microwave component testing
• Network metrology
• SMA connector gender conversion
• VNA calibration configurations
• Non-insertable DUT measurements
• Filter and amplifier characterization
• RF cable and interconnect testing
• Antenna measurements
• Research and development laboratories
• RF production testing
• Electronic component validation
• Training and education laboratories