Premium 8.5 GHz flex-form test lead, female port, N(m) - PC3.5(f)

The Pico TA339 Premium 8.5 GHz Flex-Form Test Lead, N(m) to PC3.5(f) is designed for RF engineers, metrology laboratories, production test teams and vector network analyzer users who require improved phase and amplitude stability during high-frequency measurements.

Pico Technology specifies the TA339 as:

• Order Code: TA339
• Performance Grade: Premium
• Connector Configuration: N-type male to PC3.5 female
• Impedance: 50 Ω
• Maximum Frequency: 8.5 GHz
• Construction: Flex-form
• Length: 600 mm
• Dielectric: Low-density PTFE
• Diameter over Jacket: 7.5 mm
• Gauge: 270 µm

The premium cable family provides better phase and amplitude stability than Pico's standard SMA test leads, making the TA339 particularly useful where the test cable may be repositioned between calibration and DUT measurement.

Premium VNA Test Lead

The TA339 belongs to Pico Technology's premium PC3.5 VNA test lead range.

It is designed for measurement configurations where repeatability is important, particularly when test leads need to be moved or formed into a different position during:

• VNA calibration
• DUT connection
• RF component testing
• Production measurements
• Laboratory characterization

Pico describes the premium flex-form leads as cables that remain flexible but tend to hold their shape until intentionally moved.

This behavior can improve repeatability in fixed-port laboratory measurements and test installations.

N-Type Male to PC3.5 Female Configuration

The TA339 provides:

• Instrument-side connector: N-Type Male
• Test-port connector: PC3.5 Female

The PC3.5 female end is suitable for connecting compatible male DUT ports, calibration standards and RF accessories.

This configuration is particularly useful when a PicoVNA or another compatible RF instrument uses an N-type interface and a precision female PC3.5 test interface is required.

8.5 GHz Frequency Capability

The TA339 is specified for measurements up to:

• 8.5 GHz

This makes it suitable for the full operating frequency range of the PicoVNA 108 8.5 GHz Vector Network Analyzer.

Typical high-frequency applications include:

• S-parameter measurements
• Return-loss analysis
• Insertion-loss testing
• RF filter characterization
• Amplifier measurements
• Cable and connector testing
• Antenna measurements
• RF network analysis

Low Cable Loss

Pico publishes the following loss specifications for the premium TA338/TA339 cable family:

• 0.6 dB at 6 GHz
• 0.7 dB at 8.5 GHz

These exact manufacturer values are more useful than generic claims such as "low-loss RF cable."

Knowing the cable loss is useful when evaluating the overall signal path and measurement configuration.

Improved Phase Stability

Cable movement can alter electrical length and phase response, which can affect VNA measurements after calibration.

Pico specifies the TA339 phase stability as:

• 0.8° at 6 GHz
• 1.1° at 8.5 GHz

This is significantly better than Pico's standard TA336/TA337 leads, which are specified at:

• 2° at 6 GHz
• 2.8° at 8.5 GHz

The improved phase stability makes the TA339 suitable for precision measurement setups where the test cable may need to move between calibration and measurement.

0.05 dB Amplitude Stability

Pico specifies the premium cable family's amplitude stability as:

• 0.05 dB at 6 GHz

Amplitude stability indicates how much the measured signal magnitude changes when the cable is flexed under Pico's specified test conditions.

This supports better repeatability in applications where the cable cannot remain completely stationary.

Defined Flex-Stability Test Method

Pico specifies cable phase and amplitude performance by comparing the cable when straight with the cable formed into:

• One complete 360° turn
• Around a 10 cm mandrel

The measurement is evaluated up to 8.5 GHz.

This test method provides a defined basis for comparing Pico's standard and premium VNA test leads.

Flex-Form Construction

Unlike Pico's standard highly flexible test leads, the TA339 uses a flex-form construction.

Pico describes these cables as:

• Flexible
• Able to retain their formed position
• Suitable for fixed-port bench measurements
• Suitable for repeatable test installations

This makes the TA339 useful where test lead positioning needs to remain relatively consistent throughout a series of measurements.

Low-Density PTFE Dielectric

The TA339 uses:

• Low-density PTFE dielectric

This is part of Pico's published premium cable construction and contributes to its controlled RF transmission characteristics.

7.5 mm Cable Diameter

Pico specifies:

• Diameter over jacket: 7.5 mm
• Approximately 0.30 inches

This physical specification can help engineers plan cable routing and test-bench installation.

600 mm Cable Length

The TA339 has a manufacturer-specified length of:

• 600 mm
• 60 cm

The length provides practical reach for benchtop VNA measurements without requiring an unnecessarily long RF cable.

PicoVNA Compatibility

Pico Technology officially recommends the TA339 for its PicoVNA 100 Series.

The TA339 is specifically used as the premium PC3.5 female-port test lead.

Typical PicoVNA applications include:

• S11 measurements
• S21 measurements
• Full two-port S-parameters
• Filter characterization
• Amplifier measurements
• Antenna testing
• Cable measurements
• RF component validation
• Network metrology

Female-Port Measurement Configurations

Pico's current VNA measurement guidance recommends the TA339 PC3.5 female-port lead for devices with male ports.

For a single-port or dual-port non-insertable device with male port(s), Pico recommends premium configurations using TA339 female-port test leads with the appropriate PC3.5 calibration kit.

Typical Applications

The Pico TA339 is suitable for:

• Vector network analyzer testing
• RF and microwave measurements
• S-parameter analysis
• Return-loss measurements
• Insertion-loss measurements
• RF filter testing
• Amplifier characterization
• Antenna measurements
• Cable and connector testing
• Signal-integrity measurements
• RF component validation
• Network metrology
• R&D laboratories
• Production RF testing
• Calibration-sensitive measurement setups