Calibration of measuring device, in particular vector network analyzer

Abstract

The invention relates to calibration of a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer. A calibration device for a measurement device, in particular a vector network analyzer, is provided. The calibration device comprises: at least one connection port for connecting the calibration device to a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer; at least one passive calibration criterion; at least one active calibration criterion; and a switching unit configured to alternately connect the at least one connection port to one of the at least one passive calibration standard and the at least one active calibration standard. In this case, the at least one active calibration standard comprises a signal measurement unit configured to measure the magnitude and / or phase of the RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard via the at least one connection port and the switching unit. Alternatively, the at least one active calibration standard comprises a signal generation unit configured to generate a reference signal and output the reference signal to the at least one connection port via the switching unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a calibration device for a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, the use of such a calibration device for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, a system of such a calibration device and a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, and a method for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer. Background Art

[0002] In general, with an increasing number of applications that are tested with the aid of measuring devices, in particular vector network analyzers, there is an increasing demand for calibration devices for measuring devices, in particular vector network analyzers, the use of such calibration devices for calibrating measuring devices, in particular vector network analyzers, systems including such calibration devices and measuring devices, in particular vector network analyzers, and methods for calibrating measuring devices, in particular vector network analyzers, in order to ensure particularly accurate and efficient testing of these applications due to particularly accurate and efficient calibration of the corresponding measuring devices or vector network analyzers.

[0003] Document US 7,030,625 B1 relates to a method and apparatus for performing minimally connected multiport through-reflect-line calibration and measurement. Disadvantageously, the configuration disclosed in said document does not allow fully automated calibration, and thus not only lacks particularly effective calibration of the corresponding vector network analyzer, but is also prone to calibration errors. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a calibration device for a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, the purpose of such a calibration device for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, including a system of such a calibration device and a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, and a method for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, so as to ensure particularly accurate and effective calibration of the measuring device or the vector network analyzer, thereby allowing particularly accurate and effective measurements and tests to be performed with the aid of the corresponding measuring device or the vector network analyzer.

[0005] This object is solved by a calibration device for a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, the use of such a calibration device for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, a system comprising such a calibration device and a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, and a method for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer. The present application includes further improvements.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a calibration device for a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, is provided. The calibration device comprises: at least one connection port for connecting the calibration device to the measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer; at least one passive calibration standard; at least one active calibration standard; and a switching unit, the switching unit being configured to alternately connect the at least one connection port to one of the at least one passive calibration standard and the at least one active calibration standard. In this case, the at least one active calibration standard comprises a signal measurement unit, the signal measurement unit being configured to measure the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard via the at least one connection port and the switching unit. Alternatively, the at least one active calibration standard comprises a signal generation unit, the signal generation unit being configured to generate a reference signal and output the reference signal to the at least one connection port via the switching unit.

[0007] Advantageously, a particularly accurate and efficient calibration of the measuring device or the vector network analyzer can be ensured, thereby allowing particularly accurate and efficient measurements and tests to be performed by means of the corresponding measuring device or the vector network analyzer.

[0008] Advantageously, calibration can be fully automated, further reducing inaccuracies and inefficiencies.

[0009] With regard to the above-mentioned at least one active calibration standard, it is noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one active calibration standard is preferably traceably calibrated according to at least one national standard.

[0010] With regard to the above-mentioned reference signal, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the magnitude and / or phase and / or frequency of the reference signal is known. Furthermore, the reference signal may be traceable.

[0011] According to an implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the calibration device comprises a control interface, the control interface being configured to connect the calibration device to a control device, in particular to the measuring device or the vector network analyzer. In this case, the switching unit is configured to receive a control signal via the control interface, and is further configured to connect the at least one passive calibration standard and / or the at least one active calibration standard to the at least one connection port in relation to the control signal.

[0012] Advantageously, for example, a self-calibration of a corresponding measuring device or a vector network analyzer can be effectively achieved.

[0013] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the calibration device comprises at least one DUT connection port for connecting the calibration device to a DUT (device under test). In this case, the switching unit is configured to connect the at least one connection port to the at least one DUT connection port.

[0014] Advantageously, for example, the calibration device can be used in particular as an inline calibration unit. Thus, the calibration device can always remain connected to the measuring device or vector network analyzer. Calibration can be done without adding the calibration device to the corresponding port of the measuring device or vector network analyzer. Only the DUT changes.

[0015] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the calibration device comprises at least one further connection port. In this case, the switching unit is configured to alternately connect the at least one further connection port to: the at least one passive calibration standard and the at least one active calibration standard; or at least one further passive calibration standard, in particular at least one further passive calibration standard comprised by the calibration device, and at least one further active calibration standard, in particular at least one further active calibration standard comprised by the calibration device; or at least one further passive calibration standard, in particular at least one further passive calibration standard comprised by the calibration device, and the at least one active calibration standard.

[0016] Advantageously, for example, only the at least one active calibration standard may be shared for the at least one further connection port, thereby not only reducing costs and required space but also preventing excessive heating.

[0017] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit is configured to connect the at least one connection port to the at least one other connection port.

[0018] Advantageously, for example, both unknown open-short matching calibration and through-open-short matching calibration (where the through- is especially known) are possible.

[0019] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit comprises one or more switching stages.

[0020] Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be further increased, thereby improving efficiency.

[0021] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit comprises one or more switch elements, in particular one or more electronic switch elements and / or one or more mechanical switch elements.

[0022] Advantageously, for example, such a switching element may include at least one of a transistor, a diode, a relay, or any combination thereof.

[0023] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the calibration device comprises a housing. In this case, the at least one active calibration standard is arranged within the housing or in a housing separate from the housing of the calibration device.

[0024] Advantageously, for example, heat can be efficiently dissipated.

[0025] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the at least one active calibration standard or the signal generating unit comprises or is a pulse source, a comb source, a noise source, or any combination thereof.

[0026] Advantageously, for example, accuracy and efficiency may be further improved.

[0027] According to another implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one passive calibration standard includes or is an open-circuit calibration standard and / or a short-circuit calibration standard and / or a matched calibration standard.

[0028] Advantageously, for example, inefficiencies may be further reduced.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a calibration device according to the first aspect of the present invention or any implementation form thereof for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer.

[0030] Advantageously, a particularly accurate and efficient calibration of the measuring device or the vector network analyzer can be ensured, thereby allowing particularly accurate and efficient measurements and tests to be performed by means of the corresponding measuring device or the vector network analyzer.

[0031] Further advantageously, calibration can be fully automated, further reducing inaccuracies and inefficiencies.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system comprises a calibration device according to the first aspect of the present invention or any implementation thereof, and a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer. In this case, the at least one connection port of the calibration device is preferably connected to the measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer.

[0033] Advantageously, a particularly accurate and efficient calibration of the measuring device or the vector network analyzer can be ensured, thereby allowing particularly accurate and efficient measurements and tests to be performed by means of the corresponding measuring device or the vector network analyzer.

[0034] Further advantageously, calibration can be fully automated, further reducing inaccuracies and inefficiencies.

[0035] According to an implementation form of the third aspect of the present invention, the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer, is configured to control the calibration device, preferably so that the at least one passive calibration standard and the at least one active calibration standard are connected to the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer, in an alternating manner.

[0036] Advantageously, for example, a self-calibration of a measuring device or a vector network analyzer may be effectively achieved.

[0037] According to another implementation form of the third aspect of the present invention, the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer, is configured to measure at least one corresponding S parameter.

[0038] Advantageously, for example, efficiency can be further improved.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: preferably by means of a switching unit, more preferably by means of a switching unit of the calibration device, alternately connecting at least one connection port of the calibration device to at least one passive calibration standard, in particular at least one passive calibration standard of the calibration device and at least one active calibration standard, in particular one of at least one active calibration standard of the calibration device; preferably by means of a signal measuring unit, more preferably by means of a signal measuring unit of the at least one active calibration standard, measuring the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard via the at least one connection port, in particular the switching unit; or preferably by means of a signal generating unit, more preferably by means of a signal generating unit of the at least one active calibration standard, generating a reference signal and outputting the reference signal to the at least one connection port, in particular outputting the reference signal to the at least one connection port via the switching unit.

[0040] Advantageously, a particularly accurate and efficient calibration of the measuring device or the vector network analyzer can be ensured, thereby allowing particularly accurate and efficient measurements and tests to be performed by means of the corresponding measuring device or the vector network analyzer.

[0041] Further advantageously, calibration can be fully automated, further reducing inaccuracies and inefficiencies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be further explained by way of example only and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0043] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0044] Figure 2 A second exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0045] Figure 3 A third exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0046] Figure 4 A fourth exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0047] Figure 5 A fifth exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0048] Fig. 6A A sixth exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0049] Figure 6B Shown according to Fig. 6A A variation of the sixth exemplary embodiment;

[0050] Figure 7 A seventh exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown;

[0051] Figure 8 An eighth exemplary embodiment of a calibration apparatus is shown; and

[0052] Fig. 9 A flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In advance, with respect to all the following explanations, it should be noted that calibration is exemplarily explained in the context of a vector network analyzer to be calibrated, in particular the vector network analyzer 10. However, the vector network analyzer or the vector network analyzer 10 may be replaced by another measuring device, such as a network analyzer, a component analyzer, a signal analyzer, a spectrum analyzer, or any combination thereof.

[0054] First, refer to Figure 1 , depicting a first exemplary embodiment of a calibration device 11 for a vector network analyzer 10 .

[0055] according to Figure 1 The calibration device 11 includes: at least one connection port for connecting the calibration device 11 to the vector network analyzer 10, exemplarily a connection port 12; at least one passive calibration standard, exemplarily three passive calibration standards 13, in particular an open circuit calibration standard (O), a short circuit calibration standard (S) and a matching calibration standard (M); at least one active calibration standard, exemplarily an active calibration standard 14, in particular a known source node (source) or a known sink node (sink); and a switching unit 15.

[0056] In this case, the switching unit 15 is configured to connect the at least one connection port or the connection port 12 alternately to one of the at least one passive calibration standard 13 and the at least one active calibration standard 14 .

[0057] As described above, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 may include or be a known source node or a known sink node.

[0058] Therefore, in particular in the sense of such a known sink node, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 comprises a signal measuring unit which is configured to measure the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 via at least one connection port or connection port 12 and switching unit 15.

[0059] Alternatively, in particular in the sense of such a known source node, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 comprises a signal generation unit which is configured to generate a reference signal and output the reference signal via switching unit 15 to at least one connection port or connection port 12 .

[0060] It should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the calibration device 11 comprises a control interface configured to connect the calibration device 11 to a control device, in particular to the vector network analyzer 10, wherein the switching unit 15 is configured to receive control signals via the control interface and is in turn configured to connect at least one passive calibration standard (exemplarily three passive calibration standards 13) and / or at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily active calibration standard 14) to at least one connection port (exemplarily connection port 12) with respect to the control signals. It should also be noted that this may apply analogously to each of the following embodiments of the calibration device.

[0061] With regard to the following embodiments of the calibration device, it should be noted that identical or similar parts or elements of each of the embodiments are not explicitly explained again, but have the same reference numerals, or the reference numerals are increased by ten or an integer multiple of ten, or the reference numerals are extended with letters. For these identical or similar parts or elements, the above explanations can be applied analogously, and vice versa.

[0062] Now, refer to Figure 2 , shows a second exemplary embodiment of the calibration device 21. The calibration device 21 comprises at least one DUT connection port, exemplarily the DUT connection port 16, for connecting the calibration device to the DUT.

[0063] In this case, the switching unit 15 is configured to connect at least one connection port, exemplarily the connection port 12 , to at least one DUT connection port or the DUT connection port 16 .

[0064] It should be noted that the calibration device 21 may in particular be an inline calibration device.

[0065] according to Figure 3 , shows a third exemplary embodiment of a calibration device 31, which is based on Figure 1 ,and Figure 1 The difference lies in that at least one active calibration standard, exemplarily active calibration standard 14, is arranged externally relative to the housing of calibration device 31. Advantageously, heat can be dissipated effectively.

[0066] according to Figure 4 In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the calibration device 41 comprises, in addition to the connection port 12a, at least one further connection port, exemplarily a further connection port 12b.

[0067] In this case, the switching unit 25 is configured to alternately connect at least one additional connection port (exemplarily the additional connection port 12b) to at least one passive calibration standard (exemplarily the three passive calibration standards 13) and at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily the active calibration standard 14).

[0068] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in another embodiment of the calibration device not explicitly shown, Figure 4 The two connection ports 12a, 12b can be expanded to multiple connection ports or N connection ports.

[0069] Now, refer to Figure 5 , a fifth exemplary embodiment of a calibration device 51 is depicted.

[0070] In addition to at least one passive calibration standard (exemplarily three passive calibration standards 13a), the calibration device 51 also includes at least one additional passive calibration standard (exemplarily three additional passive calibration standards 13b). It should be noted that the explanations about at least one passive calibration standard or three passive calibration standards 13, 13a can be similarly applied to at least one additional passive calibration standard or three additional passive calibration standards 13b, and vice versa.

[0071] Furthermore, in addition to at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily active calibration standard 14a), calibration device 51 also includes at least one further active calibration standard (exemplarily further active calibration standard 14b). It should be noted that the explanations regarding at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standards 14, 14a may be similarly applicable to at least one further active calibration standard or further active calibration standard 14b, and vice versa.

[0072] from Figure 5 It can also be seen that the switching unit, which exemplarily includes switching stages 15a and 15b, is configured to alternately connect at least one additional connection port (exemplarily an additional connection port 12b) to at least one additional passive calibration standard (exemplarily three additional passive calibration standards 13b) and at least one additional active calibration standard (exemplarily an additional active calibration standard 14b).

[0073] Furthermore, according to the sixth exemplary embodiment showing the calibration device 61 Fig. 6A , exemplarily comprising switching stages 15a, 15b and 35, a switching unit is configured to alternately connect at least one further connection port (exemplarily the further connection port 12b) to at least one further passive calibration standard (exemplarily three further passive calibration standards 13b) and at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily the active calibration standard 14).

[0074] Advantageously, according to Fig. 6A In this exemplary case, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 can be shared by at least one connection port (exemplarily connection port 12a) and at least one other connection port (exemplarily other connection port 12b). Therefore, not only can cost and required space be saved, but heat can also be effectively dissipated.

[0075] It should be noted that Figure 6B Describes the basis Fig. 6A A variation of the embodiment of Figure 6B Variations and Fig. 6A The embodiment of is different in that the switching stage 35 is omitted. Thus, still advantageously, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 can be shared by at least one connection port, exemplarily the connection port 12a, and at least one further connection port, exemplarily the further connection port 12b.

[0076] As an additional advantage, at least one active calibration standard or active calibration standard 14 can be connected in parallel to at least one connection port, exemplarily connection port 12a, and to at least one further connection port, exemplarily further connection port 12b.

[0077] also, Figure 7 The calibration equipment 71 is based on Fig. 6A The calibration device 61 of FIG. 71 differs in particular in that at least one active calibration standard, exemplarily the active calibration standard 14 , is arranged externally relative to the housing of the calibration device 71 . Advantageously, heat dissipation can be further improved.

[0078] Now, refer to Figure 8 , shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a calibration device 81 based on the calibration device 51, wherein a switching unit exemplarily including switching stages 45a and 45b is configured to connect at least one connection port (exemplarily the connection port 12a) to at least one other connection port (exemplarily the other connector port 12b).

[0079] Advantageously, both unknown open-short matching calibration and through-open-short matching calibration (where the through-is especially known) are possible.

[0080] With respect to each of the above-mentioned switching units or switching stages, it should be noted that it can be particularly advantageous if such a switching unit or switching stage comprises one or more switching elements, in particular one or more electronic switching elements (e.g. transistors and / or diodes), and / or one or more mechanical switching elements (e.g. relays).

[0081] It should also be noted that it can be particularly advantageous if at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily active calibration standard 14, 14a) and / or at least one further active calibration standard (exemplarily further active calibration standard 14b) and / or the signal generating unit comprises or is a pulse source, a comb source, a noise source, or any combination thereof.

[0082] With regard to the above-described vector network analyzer 10, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the vector network analyzer 10 is configured to control a corresponding calibration device, in particular such that at least one passive calibration standard (exemplarily three passive calibration standards 13, 13a) and at least one active calibration standard (exemplarily active calibration standard 14, 14a) are connected in an alternating manner to the vector network analyzer 10. This may similarly apply to the elements 13b and 14b, or any combination of the elements 13, 13a, 13b, 14, 14a, 14b.

[0083] It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the vector network analyzer 10 is configured to measure at least one corresponding S-parameter.

[0084] at last, Fig. 9 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for calibrating a vector network analyzer is shown.

[0085] The first step 101 comprises alternately connecting at least one connection port of the calibration device to one of at least one passive calibration standard, in particular at least one passive calibration standard of the calibration device, and at least one active calibration standard, in particular at least one active calibration standard of the calibration device, preferably by means of a switching unit, more preferably by means of a switching unit of the calibration device.

[0086] Furthermore, step 102 comprises measuring the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard via at least one connection port, in particular a switching unit, preferably by means of a signal measuring unit, more preferably by means of the signal measuring unit of the at least one active calibration standard.

[0087] Alternatively, step 103 comprises generating a reference signal, preferably by means of a signal generating unit, more preferably by means of a signal generating unit of at least one active calibration standard, and outputting the reference signal to at least one connection port, in particular via a switching unit.

[0088] It should be noted that if Fig. 9 The method uses Figures 1 to 8 One of the calibration devices can then be particularly advantageous.

[0089] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented only as examples and not in a limiting manner. Without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, many changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments according to the disclosure herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Instead, the scope of the present invention should be limited according to the attached claims and their equivalents.

[0090] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, other persons skilled in the art will recognize equivalent changes and modifications upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, although a particular feature of the present invention may be disclosed for only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, which may be desirable and advantageous for any given or specific application.

Claims

1. A calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) for a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer (10), the calibration device comprising: at least one connection port (12, 12a) for connecting the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) to the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer (10); at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a); at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a); and a switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) configured to connect the at least one connection port (12, 12a) alternately to one of the at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a) and the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a), wherein the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) comprises a signal measuring unit configured to measure the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) via the at least one connection port (12, 12a) and the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b), or The at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) comprises a signal generating unit, which is configured to generate a reference signal and output the reference signal to the at least one connection port (12, 12a) via the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b).

2. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to claim 1, in, The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises a control interface, which is configured to connect the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) to a control device, in particular to the measuring device or the vector network analyzer (10), The switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) is configured to receive a control signal via the control interface, and is further configured to connect the at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a) and / or the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) to the at least one connection port (12, 12a) based on the control signal.

3. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises at least one DUT connection port (16) for connecting the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) to a device under test (DUT), Wherein, the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) is configured to connect the at least one connection port (12, 12a) to the at least one DUT connection port (16).

4. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises at least one further connection port (12b), Wherein, the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) is configured to alternately connect the at least one other connection port (12b) to: The at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a) and the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a), or at least one further passive calibration standard (13b), in particular comprised by the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), and at least one further active calibration standard (14b), in particular comprised by the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), or At least one further passive calibration standard (13b), in particular comprised by the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), and the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a).

5. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) is configured to connect the at least one connection port (12, 12a) to the at least one further connection port (12b).

6. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) comprises one or more switching stages.

7. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) comprises one or more switching elements, in particular one or more electronic switching elements and / or one or more mechanical switching elements.

8. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises a housing, Therein, the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) is arranged in the housing or in a housing separate from the housing of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81).

9. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in, The at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) or the signal generating unit comprises or is a pulse source, a comb source, a noise source, or any combination thereof.

10. The calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in, The at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a) comprises either an open circuit calibration standard and / or a short circuit calibration standard and / or a matched calibration standard.

11. Use of a calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer (10).

12. A system comprising: A calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer (10), Therein, the at least one connection port (12, 12a) of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) is preferably connected to the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer (10).

13. The system according to claim 12, in, The measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer (10), is configured to control the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), preferably such that the at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a) and the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) are connected to the measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer (10), in an alternating manner.

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13, in, The measuring device, in particular the vector network analyzer (10), is configured to measure at least one corresponding S parameter.

15. A method for calibrating a measuring device, in particular a vector network analyzer (10), comprising the following steps: Preferably by means of a switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b), more preferably by means of a switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b) of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), at least one connection port (12, 12a) of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) is alternately connected (101) to one of at least one passive calibration standard (13, 13a), in particular at least one passive calibration standard of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) and at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a), in particular at least one active calibration standard of the calibration device (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81); preferably by means of a signal measuring unit, more preferably by means of a signal measuring unit of the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a), measuring (102) the magnitude and / or phase of an RF signal fed to the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a) via the at least one connection port (12, 12a), in particular the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b); or Preferably, a reference signal is generated (103) by means of a signal generating unit, more preferably by means of a signal generating unit of the at least one active calibration standard (14, 14a), and the reference signal is output to the at least one connection port (12, 12a), in particular via the switching unit (15, 15a, 15b, 25, 35, 45a, 45b).

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