The Network Metrology Premium PC3.5(f) Demonstrator Kit, product code PQ188, is designed for RF engineers, universities, research laboratories, postgraduate training, production facilities and measurement teams that need a complete set of premium accessories for accurate vector network analyser calibration and measurement verification.
The kit combines:
- Two premium phase-stable VNA test leads
- A premium manual PC3.5 female SOLT calibration kit
- A characterised non-insertable check standard
- Traceable calibration and reference data
- Network metrology training documentation
- A protective carry case
The PQ188 package can be used to realise and verify the measurement capability of a PicoVNA. It also helps users demonstrate how calibration-kit quality, connector condition, cable movement, measurement uncertainty and reference standards affect VNA results.
Complete Network Metrology Demonstrator Package
The official PQ188 package contains:
- 2 × TA338 premium 8.5 GHz test leads
- 1 × TA347 premium PC3.5 female SOLT calibration kit with data
- 1 × TA431 SMA female-to-female non-insertable check standard with data
- Protective carry case
- Access to the Network Metrology Training Kit User’s Guide and files
The current RevineTech page should add the TA431 check standard, as it is an important part of the official PQ188 package and is required for independent measurement verification.
Designed for Calibration and Independent Verification
The PQ188 kit supports two separate measurement-control processes.
The TA347 SOLT calibration kit is used to establish the VNA error correction at the measurement reference planes.
The TA431 check standard is then measured after calibration to verify that the complete measurement setup produces results consistent with its traceable reference data.
This combination can help identify:
- Incorrect SOLT calibration
- Connector contamination
- Cable movement after calibration
- Incorrect connector torque
- Reference-plane errors
- Damaged test leads
- Measurement drift
- Incorrect calibration data
- Unexpected VNA performance changes
A calibration kit corrects systematic errors. A check standard provides an independent test of the corrected setup.
Premium PC3.5 Measurement Interfaces
The PQ188 kit uses premium PC3.5 interfaces in its test leads and SOLT calibration standards.
PC3.5 connectors are mechanically compatible with correctly specified SMA interfaces but are manufactured to tighter tolerances for improved measurement repeatability.
The premium interface is suitable for:
- Precision RF measurements
- Reference calibration
- Network metrology
- Research measurements
- High-repeatability laboratory work
- Measurement uncertainty demonstrations
- Doctoral and postgraduate projects
- Calibration-controlled test environments
The TA347 calibration kit provides female PC3.5 calibration reference planes, while the TA338 test leads terminate in PC3.5 male connectors at the measurement end.
Two TA338 Premium Phase-Stable Test Leads
The package includes two TA338 premium 8.5 GHz flex-form test leads.
Each test lead provides:
- Type N male connector for connection to the PicoVNA
- PC3.5 male connector at the measurement end
- 50 Ω nominal impedance
- Stainless steel RF connectors
- Flex-form cable construction
- Measurement support up to 8.5 GHz
- Improved amplitude and phase stability during cable movement
The flex-form construction allows the cable to remain in a selected position until intentionally moved. This helps improve repeatability during fixed bench measurements and calibration workflows.
Improved Cable Phase Stability
Cable movement after calibration can change insertion phase and amplitude, creating measurement error.
Pico states that its premium TA338 and TA339 PC3.5 test leads produce approximately 1.1° phase change at 8.5 GHz under its defined flexing test. Standard SMA leads show a larger phase change under the same test.
Improved phase stability is valuable for:
- Group-delay measurements
- Phase comparison
- Long electrical delay measurements
- Cable and connector testing
- Amplifier phase response
- Filter characterisation
- High-repeatability production testing
- Calibration demonstrations involving cable movement
The cables should still be positioned before calibration and moved as little as possible during measurement.
TA347 Premium PC3.5 Female SOLT Calibration Kit
The PQ188 includes the TA347 Premium 8.5 GHz SOLT Calibration Kit with PC3.5 female interfaces.
The TA347 is a manual mechanical calibration kit containing:
- Short standard
- Open standard
- 50 Ω load standard
- Through adaptor
- Four-piece, five-port construction
- Serial-number-specific calibration data
- Precision PC3.5 female connectors
The TA347 is characterised from 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz and is intended for accurate two-port VNA calibration.
The TA347 is not:
- An electronic E-Cal module
- USB powered
- Automatically switched
- Oven stabilised
- A one-touch calibration device
Each mechanical standard must be connected manually when requested by the VNA calibration workflow.
Manual SOLT Calibration
SOLT represents:
These standards allow the VNA to calculate corrections for systematic errors such as:
- Directivity
- Source match
- Load match
- Reflection tracking
- Transmission tracking
- Forward measurement errors
- Reverse measurement errors
- Isolation or crosstalk where included
The characterisation data supplied with the TA347 represents the actual behaviour of the standards rather than assuming they are electrically ideal.
TA431 Non-Insertable Check Standard
The PQ188 includes the TA431 CHK-NON-F non-insertable SMA female-to-female check standard.
The TA431 consists of:
- Two SMA female ports
- A 75 mm mismatched transmission line
- Approximately 25 Ω nominal line impedance
- Characterisation from 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz
- Full S-parameter reference data
- Touchstone data supplied on USB memory
- Traceability through PC3.5 standards to national standards
Its smooth, predictable mismatch presents a more demanding verification than a simple through connection.
Why a Mismatched Check Standard Is Useful
A highly matched through connection may not expose all errors in a calibrated VNA setup.
The TA431 introduces a known mismatch and transmission response that varies across frequency. Comparing the measured response with its traceable Touchstone data helps evaluate the system under more realistic and demanding conditions.
It supports verification of:
- S11 input reflection
- S21 forward transmission
- S12 reverse transmission
- S22 output reflection
- Return loss
- Insertion loss
- Magnitude
- Phase
- Smith-chart response
The TA431 supports non-insertable, known-through and unknown-through calibration configurations.
Traceable Calibration and Reference Data
The TA347 calibration kit and TA431 check standard are supplied with reference data traceable to national standards.
The data is linked to the individual standard or kit and accounts for frequency-dependent behaviour such as:
- Connector parasitics
- Short-standard inductance
- Open-standard capacitance
- Load mismatch
- Through loss
- Through phase
- Check-standard reflection
- Check-standard transmission
Traceable data supports:
- Measurement assurance
- Internal calibration procedures
- Research documentation
- University training
- Production validation
- Comparison between test systems
- Laboratory quality processes
- VNA accuracy verification
The RevineTech page should not automatically claim that a specific NABL certificate is included unless its scope, certificate number and applicability to the supplied components are confirmed separately.
Full Measurement Capability of PicoVNA Systems
The PQ188 kit is intended to help realise and verify the professional measurement capability of:
The kit’s components are characterised to 8.5 GHz, covering the full frequency range of both current PicoVNA models.
The TA338 test leads connect from the Type N PicoVNA ports to PC3.5 male measurement interfaces. The TA347 female SOLT standards mate directly with the PC3.5 male lead ends.
The TA431 check standard uses SMA female interfaces that are mechanically compatible with the PC3.5 male test leads when handled correctly.
Compatible with Other Vector Network Analysers
The kit is designed around PicoVNA systems, but its characterised mechanical standards and industry-standard reference data may also support compatible third-party VNA workflows.
Compatibility depends on:
- Port connector type
- Calibration-software support
- Ability to load characterised calibration standards
- Ability to import Touchstone files
- Measurement frequency range
- Test-port impedance
- Required uncertainty
The TA431 Touchstone data can be used to validate compatible VNAs from other manufacturers.
Network Metrology Training
The PQ188 is particularly suitable for teaching network measurement principles.
Training exercises can demonstrate:
- One-port and two-port calibration
- SOLT calibration
- Calibration reference planes
- Source and load match
- Directivity
- Reflection tracking
- Transmission tracking
- Cable movement errors
- Connector repeatability
- Measurement uncertainty
- Traceable verification
- Insertable and non-insertable devices
- Live versus reference trace comparison
The official Network Metrology Training Kit User’s Guide and associated files support structured classroom and laboratory activities.
Suitable for Research and Doctoral Projects
Pico identifies the premium demonstrator kit as suitable not only for teaching but also for wider research and doctorate-level projects.
Accurate calibration and independent verification help researchers establish known measurement error terms before testing:
- RF filters
- Amplifiers
- Antennas
- Cables
- Connectors
- PCB transmission lines
- Matching networks
- Couplers and splitters
- Wireless components
- Experimental RF devices
This helps distinguish actual device behaviour from errors introduced by the measurement system.
Typical Calibration and Verification Workflow
A normal measurement procedure may include:
- Allow the PicoVNA, test leads and standards to reach a stable temperature.
- Inspect and clean all RF connectors.
- Connect the two TA338 leads to the VNA ports.
- Arrange the cables in their intended measurement positions.
- Load the serial-number-specific TA347 calibration data.
- Perform the manual short, open, load and through calibration.
- Save the completed calibration.
- Connect the TA431 check standard.
- Import its traceable Touchstone reference data.
- Compare the live measurement with the reference trace.
- Investigate any result outside the expected uncertainty.
- Connect the device under test without disturbing the test leads.
Connector Care and Torque
The premium components require careful handling.
Recommended practices include:
- Inspecting connectors before every use
- Keeping protective caps fitted during storage
- Using approved RF connector cleaning methods
- Avoiding rotation of the device body while tightening
- Using the specified connector torque
- Avoiding over-tightening
- Minimising unnecessary mating cycles
- Preventing side loading of the connectors
- Keeping cable movement to a minimum after calibration
Poor connector handling can reduce measurement repeatability even when premium standards and traceable data are used.
Applications
The PQ188 Network Metrology Premium Demonstrator Kit is suitable for:
- Vector network analyser training
- VNA calibration
- Calibration verification
- RF and microwave education
- University laboratories
- Doctoral research
- Network metrology
- Antenna measurement
- RF filter testing
- Amplifier characterisation
- Cable and connector analysis
- PCB transmission-line measurements
- Wireless component testing
- Telecom development
- Production validation
- Measurement assurance
- Research and development
- Calibration-controlled laboratories
