PicoVNA E-Cal 8.5 GHz Automated calibration kit (SMA male)

The PicoVNA TA518 Automated E-Cal Calibration Kit is developed for RF engineers, calibration laboratories, production facilities, universities and research organisations requiring fast and repeatable two-port VNA calibration.

The module combines:

• Two 50 Ω SMA male RF ports
• Internal short, open, load and through calibration standards
• Separately characterised and polarised SMA female-to-female adaptor
• Full S-parameter characterisation
• 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz calibration bandwidth
• USB power and communication
• Embedded calibration data
• Internal oven temperature stabilisation
• Automatic switching of calibration standards
• PicoVNA software integration
• Protective carrying case

The TA518 is intended for calibration setups where the VNA test cables terminate with SMA female connectors.

Automated Two-Port SOLT Calibration

Traditional manual SOLT calibration normally requires engineers to repeatedly connect:

• Open standard
• Short standard
• Load standard
• Through connection

This involves multiple connector mating cycles that may introduce:

• Connector wear
• Cable movement
• Torque variation
• Connector contamination
• Incorrect standard selection
• Operator error

The TA518 replaces this process with a single RF connection.

Once connected, PicoVNA software automatically:

• Detects the E-Cal module
• Reads the stored characterisation data
• Switches internally between Short, Open, Load and Through
• Completes the full two-port SOLT calibration

This reduces calibration time while improving repeatability.

Two SMA Male RF Ports

The TA518 provides:

• Two SMA male connectors
• 50 Ω characteristic impedance
• Two-port calibration capability
• Male calibration reference planes

The module is suitable when the measurement setup includes:

• SMA female test cables
• Female RF fixtures
• Female device ports
• Female calibration reference planes
• RF adaptors
• Microwave fixtures
• PCB launch connectors

Unlike the TA519, both RF connectors are SMA male.

300 kHz to 8.5 GHz Calibration Range

The TA518 is characterised from:

• 300 kHz
• Up to 8.5 GHz

This supports calibration for:

• PicoVNA 106
• PicoVNA 108
• RF filters
• Amplifiers
• Antennas
• Couplers
• Attenuators
• RF cables
• PCB transmission lines
• Wireless modules
• Cellular products
• Wi-Fi equipment
• Bluetooth devices
• GNSS systems
• RFID equipment

The full calibration bandwidth should always be written as 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz rather than simply "8.5 GHz".

Internal Electronic Calibration Standards

The TA518 contains electronically switched:

• Short
• Open
• Load
• Through

During calibration PicoVNA software automatically selects each internal standard.

The calibration compensates for systematic VNA errors including:

• Directivity
• Source match
• Load match
• Reflection tracking
• Transmission tracking
• Forward and reverse measurement paths

Once calibration is complete the measurement reference planes are established at the selected cable ends.

Embedded Full S-Parameter Characterisation

Every TA518 module contains its own individual RF characterisation.

Rather than assuming perfect standards, Pico Technology stores:

• Full-span S-parameter characterisation
• Multipath correction data
• Individual module identification
• Internal calibration records

During calibration PicoVNA software reads this information automatically through USB.

This improves:

• Calibration repeatability
• Long-term measurement consistency
• High-frequency accuracy
• Production repeatability

USB Power and Automatic Control

The TA518 uses a USB 2.0 Micro interface for:

• Electrical power
• Module identification
• Internal standard switching
• Reading embedded calibration data
• Communication with PicoVNA software

USB carries only:

• Power
• Control
• Characterisation information

RF calibration measurements continue through the two SMA ports.

No external power adaptor is required.

Oven-Controlled Temperature Stabilisation

The TA518 includes an internal temperature-controlled oven.

Published characteristics include:

• Operating temperature: 5°C to 40°C
• Oven control range: 18°C to 28°C
• Typical warm-up time: 45 seconds at 23°C

Temperature stabilisation minimises drift caused by environmental changes and helps maintain repeatable calibration performance.

Published Calibration Performance

The TA518 provides the following published residual calibration performance:

These figures describe the characterised E-Cal module itself.

Overall measurement uncertainty also depends on:

• VNA model
• Test cables
• Connector condition
• Connector torque
• DUT mismatch
• Temperature stability
• Calibration reference plane

Port Protection

The RF ports are specified for:

• Normal operating input: +10 dBm
• Protection limit: +20 dBm or 1 V peak

The protection limit should not be treated as the normal operating level.

Traceable Characterisation

Pico Technology calibrates its VNA calibration and verification products against traceable PC3.5 reference standards.

Traceable characterisation supports:

• RF laboratories
• Research facilities
• Production testing
• Measurement verification
• Telecom development
• University laboratories
• Calibration-controlled environments

The TA518 stores this characterisation internally and PicoVNA software loads it automatically during calibration.

Typical Calibration Workflow

A normal calibration sequence is:

1. Allow the VNA and E-Cal module to stabilise.
2. Clean the SMA connectors.
3. Connect the TA518 to the two SMA female VNA cables.
4. Connect USB.
5. Allow oven warm-up.
6. Start E-Cal in PicoVNA software.
7. The software automatically performs the SOLT sequence.
8. Save the completed calibration.
9. Disconnect the module.
10. Connect the DUT.

Reduced Calibration Time

Compared with manual calibration the TA518 can help reduce:

• Calibration time
• Connector wear
• Cable movement
• Manual handling
• Operator variation
• Incorrect standard selection
• Repeated connector mating

Frequent calibration becomes practical because the procedure is faster and easier.

Compatible PicoVNA Systems

The TA518 supports calibration for:

• PicoVNA 106
• PicoVNA 108

It is intended for systems using SMA female test-port connections.

TA518 Compared with TA519

Users requiring both connector genders should consider the TA520 Dual E-Cal Kit, which contains both modules.

Applications

The TA518 is suitable for:

• PicoVNA calibration
• RF laboratories
• Antenna measurements
• Filter testing
• Amplifier measurements
• Cable verification
• Connector evaluation
• PCB transmission-line testing
• Wireless product development
• RF production testing
• Automated RF systems
• Research laboratories
• Engineering education
• Measurement verification
• Quality assurance