7-16 precision coaxial connector calibration

NPL has set up calibration services with traceability to UK national standards for the 7-16 precision coaxial connector that was developed during the 1960s.

NPL Calibration Services for the 7-16 Connector The 7-16 precision coaxial connector was developed during the 1960s during an era when such connectors were beginning to become standardised.

It is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest due to its particular suitability for certain applications in high performance military systems and cellular base station installations; including high power 3G systems.

The name of the connector comes from the nominal values of 16 mm at the interface for the internal diameter of the outer conductor, and 7 mm for the diameter of the centre conductor.

The exact ratio is chosen such that it gives a nominal impedance of 50 ohms.

It is a precision connector with excellent electrical performance including low insertion and return loss, good connection repeatability and high power handling capability and can cover a frequency range from DC to 7.5 GHz.

It is mechanically robust and exhibits low Passive Inter-Modulation (PIM).

High quality devices fitted with 7-16 connectors are available for use as standards for calibrating Vector Network Analysers (VNAs), reflection analysers and other similar measuring instruments.

In response to the growing demand for assurance of measurements of devices in this connector type, NPL has set up calibration services with traceability to UK national standards (and hence the SI).

Currently impedance (ie complex S-parameters) and antenna measurements are available with attenuation and power measurement services coming soon.

A service providing measurements of characteristic impedance of precision air lines in this line size is also available.

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