Calibrating HP Network Analyzers: Choosing the Connector Sex

The calibration standard definition may be different between the male and female standards. One example is the type-N open and short circuits found in calibration kits such as the 85054B/D. The offset length is different for the male and female standard.The choice of female or male that is given in the calibration sub-menu always refers to the sex of the test port not the sex of the standard. For example, if the port-1 cable has a male connector at the end, the female open and short circuits will be connected during the calibration. In this case, male should be selected since the sex of the test port is male (the calibration standards are female).For some connectors the analyzer does not distinguish between the female and male version. In these cases, the same standard definition is used for both female and male calibration standards.