Standard 8.5 GHz phase stable test lead, female port, N(m) - SMA(f)

The Pico TA337 Standard 8.5 GHz Phase-Stable Test Lead is designed for RF engineers, laboratories, production test teams and vector network analyzer users who require a flexible interconnect between an N-type test port and an SMA female measurement interface.

Pico Technology specifies the TA337 as:

• Order Code: TA337
• Performance Grade: Standard
• Connector Configuration: N(m) to SMA(f)
• Impedance: 50 Ω
• Length: 600 mm
• Maximum Specified Frequency: 8.5 GHz
• Construction: Flexible
• Dielectric: Low-density PTFE
• Diameter Over Jacket: 7.1 mm
• Gauge: 170 µm

The cable uses stainless-steel connectors and is designed to maintain controlled amplitude and phase behavior when flexed during RF measurements.

Designed for Vector Network Analyzer Measurements

The TA337 is an official recommended accessory for the PicoVNA 100 Series, including Pico’s 6 GHz and 8.5 GHz vector network analyzer configurations.

It is suitable for RF measurement workflows such as:

• S-parameter measurements
• Return-loss measurement
• Insertion-loss testing
• RF component characterization
• Filter testing
• Amplifier measurements
• Cable and interconnect analysis
• Antenna matching and tuning
• RF test fixture connection
• Network metrology
• Production RF testing
• Research and development

N-Type Male to SMA Female Configuration

The TA337 provides:

• Instrument-side connector: N-type male
• Measurement-side connector: SMA female

This connector arrangement is useful when a VNA or other compatible RF instrument uses an N-type interface and the device under test or accessory requires an SMA female connection.

The female SMA end allows direct connection to compatible SMA male DUTs, calibration devices, adaptors or other RF accessories.

8.5 GHz High-Frequency Performance

The TA337 is specified for use up to 8.5 GHz.

Pico publishes cable-loss values at two frequencies:

• 0.7 dB at 6 GHz
• 0.85 dB at 8.5 GHz

These manufacturer-published values provide a more useful representation of cable performance than generic terms such as "low loss."

Phase-Stable Performance

Movement or bending of an RF cable can change its electrical length, which may affect phase-sensitive measurements.

Pico specifies TA337 phase stability as:

• 2° at 6 GHz
• 2.8° at 8.5 GHz

Pico evaluates its phase and flatness performance by forming a straight cable into one complete 360° turn around a 10 cm mandrel.

This specification is particularly relevant in VNA measurements where cables may be repositioned between calibration and DUT connection.

Amplitude Stability

Pico specifies amplitude stability of:

• 0.1 dB

Amplitude stability indicates how much the measured signal level may change when the cable is flexed under the manufacturer’s specified test conditions.

For accurate network-analysis measurements, unnecessary movement of RF test leads after calibration should still be minimized.

Flexible Cable Construction

The TA337 is designed as a flexible RF test lead rather than a rigid or semi-rigid interconnect.

Pico describes its VNA test leads as robust and highly flexible, making them suitable for laboratory and production setups where devices under test must be connected and repositioned regularly.

Low-Density PTFE Dielectric

The cable uses:

• Low-density PTFE dielectric

This is part of Pico’s published cable construction specification and is used in its standard phase-stable VNA test lead design.

7.1 mm Jacket Diameter

Pico specifies the TA337 cable diameter as:

• 7.1 mm over jacket
• 0.28 inches

This provides a useful physical reference when planning test-bench routing or cable-management arrangements.

600 mm Cable Length

The TA337 has an official cable length of:

• 600 mm
• 60 cm

This should replace generic wording such as "standard length suitable for most VNA setups."

Stainless-Steel Connectors

Pico specifies its VNA test leads with stainless-steel connectors.

This provides a manufacturer-supported construction detail and is more precise than generic statements such as "high-quality connectors."

Standard vs Premium Pico VNA Test Leads

Pico provides both standard SMA and premium PC3.5 VNA test leads.

The standard family includes:

• TA336: N(m) to SMA(m)
• TA337: N(m) to SMA(f)

Premium alternatives include:

• TA338: N(m) to PC3.5(m)
• TA339: N(m) to PC3.5(f)

The TA337 is suitable where a standard SMA female measurement port is required, while the PC3.5 leads provide improved phase and amplitude stability for higher-precision measurement setups.

Typical Applications

The Pico TA337 is suitable for:

• PicoVNA measurements
• RF and microwave testing
• S-parameter characterization
• Return-loss measurements
• Insertion-loss measurements
• Filter testing
• RF amplifier testing
• Cable and connector measurements
• Antenna testing
• RF component verification
• Production test systems
• Network metrology
• Research laboratories
• Electronic design validation