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24E‐055A/B‐RF, 12/20/2023, Rev 2

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

FOR

50 GHz Vector Network Analyzers

1 Scope.

This Purchase Description (PD) identifies the requirements for Vector Network Analyzer’s (VNA) for use in the Air Force Primary Standards Laboratory (AFPSL) and Type IIA Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories (PMEL).

The AFPSL VNA will replace an obsolete Hewlett‐Packard 8510C VNA, E8364C VNA, and the ZVA50 VNA used at the AFPSL. More specifically, this VNA will be used to calibrate the lowest reflection coefficients required by the Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) program and re‐characterize Verification Kit discs within a required frequency range from 10 MHz to 50 GHz. AFMETCAL has decided to utilize the METAS Tools software engine to perform uncertainty analysis calculation. This is to be integrated into the VNA for the AFPSL. Additional to the VNA and firmware/software required for calibration and operation, accessories such as: verification kits, amplitude and phase stable test‐port VNA cables, and any necessary auxiliary equipment shall be included.

The PMEL VNA will be used to calibrate less accurate workload at the secondary lab level. Calibration and verification kits will not be required for these units. The units for the PMEL’s will require test port cables.

2 Measurement Capabilities

2.1 S‐Parameter Measurements. The VNA must be capable of measuring all four two‐port complex scattering parameters, known as S‐parameters. The S‐parameters are commonly designated: S11 ‐ forward reflection, S21 ‐ forward transmission, S12 ‐ reverse transmission, and S22 ‐ reverse reflection.

2.2 Test Set. The VNA test set must be auto‐reversing, or automatically switch between forward and reverse S‐parameter measurements. Circuitry for both the source and the receiver, for each port, must be identical.

2.3 Capabilities. The VNA shall be capable of performing and reporting complex measurements

(magnitude and phase) for the following parameters/quantities throughout the full frequency range of the VNA:

Reflection coefficient, return loss, VSWR Transmission coefficient, insertion loss, gain Measurements/calibrations on non‐similar connector devices (adapter removal) Time domain, electrical length, electrical delay, group delay

2.4 Calibration of the VNA. Calibration of the VNA shall be capable of being performed via mechanical or automatic calibration kits.

2.5 Real‐Time Measurement Uncertainty. The VNA to be used in the AFPSL shall have METAS VNA

Tools II software integrated into the firmware of the VNA or installed on the embedded operating system.

3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. The minimum operating performance requirements, specifications, accuracies, and limits necessary for the VNA are itemized below and in paragraph 2

Measurement Capabilities with its subparagraphs. All requirements, specifications, accuracies, and limits apply throughout the full operating frequencies, ranges, and capabilities of the VNA except where specific conditions are noted. Performance requirements apply to both ports and in both directions. All parameters including the performance and functional requirements listed below must be warranted.

3.1 General Requirements

3.1.1 Characteristic Impedance 50 Ohms (nominal)

3.1.2 Number of Test Ports 2

3.1.3 Test‐port connectors 2.4 mm (male)

3.2 Source Frequency Requirements

3.2.1 Frequency Range 10 MHz to 50 GHz

3.2.2 Timebase 10 MHz (nominal)

3.2.3 Accuracy ≤ 1 ppm/year (5 to 40 C)

3.2.4 Resolution. 1 Hz

3.3 Source Amplitude Requirements.

3.3.1 Maximum Leveled Power

10 MHz to 25 GHz ≥ +8 dBm 25 to 30 GHz ≥ +5 dBm

30 to 40 GHz ≥ +3 dBm

40 to 45 GHz ≥ 0 dBm

45 to 50 GHz ≥ ‐1 dBm

3.3.2 Power Resolution ≤ 0.01 dB

3.4 Receiver Requirements.

3.4.1 IF Bandwidth. 1 Hz to 15 MHz (1,2,3,5,7 sequence minimum)

3.4.2 Noise Floor (normalized to 1 Hz bandwidth)

10 to 30 MHz ≤ ‐78 dBm/Hz 30 to 100 MHz ≤ ‐95 dBm/Hz

100 to 500 MHz ≤ ‐110 dBm/Hz 500 MHz to 2 GHz ≤ ‐123 dBm/Hz 2 to 20 GHz ≤ ‐123 dBm/Hz 20 to 24 GHz ≤ ‐123 dBm/Hz 24 to 30 GHz ≤ ‐123 dBm/Hz

30 to 40 GHz ≤ ‐118 dBm/Hz 40 to 50 GHz ≤ ‐108 dBm/Hz

3.4.3 Dynamic Accuracy. (at 10 Hz IF BW; relative to ‐10 dBm or other) (specified to 1 GHz or other frequency)

Input Power Level 10 MHz to 50 GHz +8 dBm ≤ 0.100 dB +5 dBm ≤ 0.100 dB 0 dBm ≤ 0.050 dB ‐5 dBm ≤ 0.040 dB ‐10 dBm ≤ 0.025 dB ‐15 dBm ≤ 0.015 dB ‐20 dBm ≤ 0.010 dB ‐25 dBm ≤ 0.015 dB ‐30 dBm ≤ 0.020 dB ‐35 dBm ≤ 0.025 dB ‐40 dBm ≤ 0.030 dB ‐45 dBm ≤ 0.035 dB ‐50 dBm ≤ 0.040 dB

3.5 Error Correction and Calibration.

3.5.1 Error Correction Models. The VNA with appropriate calibration kit shall have the capability to perform standard error term correction prior to performing measurements on test instruments. As a minimum, the VNA must support the following error correction types:

Full two‐port/two‐path 12‐term Frequency response (transmission/reflection) Reflection only Frequency response, response and isolation, enhanced response Through Reflect Line (TRL)

3.5.2 Verification Kits. The VNA to be used in the AFPSL shall be provided with verification kits of the following connector types: 2.4mm, 3.5mm, 7mm, Type‐N. The verification kits supplied shall meet the overall error corrected system performance stated in PD paragraph 3.6. No verification kits are needed for the PMEL units.

3.5.3 Calibration Data Medium. The calibration models for the device definitions shall be included in firmware of the VNA or they shall be externally loadable via an USB memory device and / or a 3.5 in floppy disc drive included in / with the VNA.

3.6 System Performance.

3.6.1 Reflection Magnitude Measurement Accuracy. The following accuracy requirements are the combined effects of the VNA and applicable Calibration Kit (mechanical or electronic calibration module) with the following criteria:

S21=S12=0 (Linear) for DUT, IFBW = 10 Hz.

The accuracy for a reflection coefficient (Γ) of 0.018 to 0.3 shall be within;

± 0.008, 0.01 to 20 GHz ± 0.011, 20 to 40 GHz ± 0.013, 40 to 50 GHz The accuracy for a reflection coefficient (Γ) of 0.3 to 1.0 shall be within;

± (0.008 + [0.04*(Γ – 0.3)], 0.1 to 20 GHz ± (0.011 + [0.04*(Γ – 0.3)], 20 to 40 GHz ± (0.013 + [0.04*(Γ – 0.3)], 40 to 50 GHz

3.6.2A Minimum Achievable Directivity. The minimum achievable directivity of the VNA with applicable Calibration kit to be used in the AFPSL & Type IIA PMELs shall be 42 dB.

4 VNA ACCESSORIES. The following accessories or equivalent shall at a minimum be included with the VNA. All accessories shall be directly compatible and operational with the VNA.

4.1 Amplitude and Phase Stable Test‐Port VNA Cables. Sets of test‐port VNA cables shall be supplied with the VNA used in the Type IIA PMELs. Each set of VNA cables shall be comprised of two cables. The first cable within each set shall mate with the test‐ports of the VNA, with the other side of the cable being a male connector of the respective connector type specified unless the connector type is sexless. The second cable within each set shall mate with the test‐ports of the VNA, with the other side of the cable being a female connector of the respective connector type specified unless the connector type is sexless. If the specified connector type is sexless, both VNA cables shall mate with the test‐ports of the VNA, with the other side of the cable being of the respective connector type specified. The individual cable length shall be at least 12 inches and not greater than 25 inches. Each of the two VNA cables in each set shall be of the same length. The VNA cables shall be flexible and of metrology grade which are both amplitude and phase stable. The sets of required test‐port VNA cables are:

Test‐port to 7mm, sexless Test‐port to Type‐N Test‐port to 3.5mm Test‐port to 2.4mm

The AFPSL unit will not require cables to be included.

5 FIRMWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS. The VNA firmware/software shall include the following capabilities and / or features.

5.1 Operation and Control. The VNA shall be capable of being operated manually or programmatically from an external controller. The complete set of programmable commands for the VNA as designed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) shall be included in the firmware and fully documented in technical data supplied.

5.2 Real‐Time Measurement Uncertainty. The VNA to be used in the AFPSL shall have METAS VNA Tools II software integrated into the firmware of the VNA or installed on the embedded operating system. Software developed by the vendor which uses the METAS VNA Tools II math engine is acceptable.

5.2.1 File Formats. The Real‐Time Measurement Uncertainty software, at a minimum, can save measurements in the SDATB & S2P file formats.

5.2.2 Usage License. A permanent usage license shall be included for the Real‐Time Measurement Uncertainty software.

5.3 Adapter Removal. The VNA firmware or software must be capable of compensating for the electrical effects of adapters or dissimilar connector types on measurements by mathematically removing adapters from measurement results.

5.4 Frequency Step. The VNA firmware or software shall have the capability to be set directly from front panel for: Start Frequency, Stop Frequency, Number of Points, and Frequency Step Size. This shall be capable for as many frequency bands as needed with increment size being independent from band to band.

5.5 Time Domain Analysis. The VNA firmware or software shall include the following time domain measurement capabilities: (1) show response of a test item as a function of time or distance, (2) lowpass mode to include both impulse and step response capabilities, (3) bandpass mode to include impulse mode, (4) windowing capability to improve sidelobe responses, and (5) gating capability to select a specific range of times or distances.

5.6 8510C Emulation Requirement: Because the VNA may be used as a replacement for a legacy HP 8510C used in conjunction with preexisting mission essential third party software, emulation capability for the 8510C GPIB command mnemonics must be included in the firmware/software. Any mnemonics excluded from the 8510C emulation set in the firmware/software which is necessary for proper operation of the third party mission essential AFPSL software, but omitted from the set of emulation translator, must be added/supported by the OEM throughout the AFMETCAL warranty period.

5.7 Performance Testing and Adjustment. If Performance Testing and Adjustment is done via automation, the following shall apply.

5.7.1 All Performance Tests done via software shall also be able to be verified using external standards and test methods within same warranted tolerances. There shall be no undocumented commands that are required in the setup, or measurement, of the performance tests that cannot be set from the front panel.

6.0 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

6.1 Location of Test‐ports. Test‐port connectors shall be located on the front panel of the VNA.

6.2 Front Panel Controls. All modes and functions of the VNA shall be operable using front panel controls. The locations and labeling of indicators, controls, and switches shall provide for maximum clarity. All front panel controls including soft menu/touchscreen selections shall be easily understood without reference to other tables, charts, or diagrams. If the controls are in a menu format, the menu structure shall be efficient with related controls grouped together. If a menu format is not used, each principle parameter shall have its own selection key, and the control buttons shall be logically organized on the front panel. Incrementing and decrementing keys and/or a rotary knob shall be provided to adjust whatever principle parameter has been selected. The size of increment shall be user‐selectable over a reasonable range of values which may depend on the parameter selected. Numerical keys shall be located on the front panel to facilitate direct data entry. Common unit keys (MHz, GHz, dBm, etc.)

shall either be located on the front panel or, if a menu format is chosen, appear as menu choices when appropriate. An invalid or out‐of‐range input shall not be accepted nor displayed.

6.3 Display.

6.3.1 Status Displays. The front panel display(s) shall indicate the actual status of the principle parameters in both remote and local modes of operation. The type and number of parameters displayed at any given time shall be such as to provide the user an indication of all significant parameters respective to the instantaneous state of the VNA.

6.3.2 Channels. The VNA shall be capable of displaying four channels, at a minimum. Each different S‐parameter shall be capable of being displayed in one of the four display channels simultaneously real time, as well as a different graph type for each channel if desired. The VNA shall be capable of displaying polar, rectilinear, or Smith Chart graphs for the frequency domain. The rectilinear graph types shall include, at a minimum: magnitude, phase, SWR, group delay, real, and imaginary. The VNA shall be able to display magnitude in linear or logarithmic format. The VNA shall be able to display time domain response as a function of time or distance.

6.4 Remote Programming Requirements.

6.4.1 GPIB. The VNA shall be remotely programmable over the IEEE 488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) and shall comply with all requirements of the IEEE 488.2 1987 standard.

6.4.2 Ethernet/LAN. The VNA shall have the capability to be remotely controlled over a LAN connection meeting the following requirements: One 100/1000 BaseT Ethernet RJ45 port.

6.4.3 USB. The VNA shall have a minimum of four (minimum two located on the front panel) integrated USB version 2.0 compliant ports included in the VNA. This capability may be used for manually importing and exporting data as well as interfacing with auxiliary equipment or connection to an interface bus.

6.5 Peripheral Interfaces.

6.5.1 Keyboard. If operation of the VNA routinely uses inputs entered from a keyboard, then a standard keyboard shall be included with the VNA.

6.5.2 Mouse. If the VNA routinely uses a mouse to navigate within firmware menu selections and/or to activate operational capabilities and functions, then a standard mouse shall be included with the

VNA.

6.5.3 Additional Hardware. Any/all additional hardware required to make this VNA function seamlessly as identified by this purchase description shall be required to be provided with the VNA.

7.0 RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY REQUIREMENTS.

7.1 Reliability. The design of the VNA shall be such that under normal use and operation the mean‐ time‐between‐failure (MTBF) for intermittent operation shall be at least 8000 hours of operation. The time for MTBF begins once the government begins testing as verified by the warranty sticker date. A failure shall be considered any condition in which the VNA does not meet any of the requirements as stated in this PD, excluding the display and 3.5 in floppy drive (if included in VNA). Intermittent operation is considered to be the summation of actual operational time when RF power is being sourced into or received from any of the VNA test‐ports.

7.2 Periodic Certification. The OEM shall provide a recommended interval of time for periodic certifications of the VNA which shall be based upon achieving a minimum 85% of units remaining within specified tolerances as set forth in this PD at the end of the recommended interval. The minimum interval between periodic certifications of the VNA shall be 12 months.

7.3 Alignment and Maintenance Adjustments.

7.3.1 Adjustments. The design of the VNA shall provide for readily accessible alignment and maintenance adjustments. These adjustments shall be provided by variable value components which are adjustable by the use of simple means. Substitution of selected components or parts is not allowed unless specifically approved by AFMETCAL. Adjustments, wherever possible, shall be accessible without removal of the equipment case, modules, or circuit cards.

7.3.2 Timebase. The timebase of the VNA shall have the capability to be readily adjusted. Adjustment of the timebase must be able to be accomplished with either a manual tweaker, through front panel controls, or through a GPIB controller. If automated, the timebase adjustment must not require any equipment other than a 10 MHz reference signal being connected to the VNA (front or back), and a GPIB controller if applicable.

7.4 Maintainability. The VNA shall meet the maintainability requirements listed below.

7.4.1 Fault Isolation. The design of the VNA shall permit isolation of faults, and repair of replaceable assemblies, with the maintenance provisions/manuals furnished with the VNA.

7.4.2 Preventative Maintenance. The VNA shall not require more than 1 hour preventative maintenance from a skilled technician within a 90‐day period.

7.4.3 Enclosure. The VNA shall be constructed so that no damage to any component shall occur, and no permanent distortion to any structural member shall be caused, by placing the complete equipment on a flat horizontal surface using any of the six sides necessary to support it during maintenance and periodic certification of the VNA.

7.5 Interchangeability. All units, replaceable assemblies, subassemblies, components, and parts of a designated model provided shall be fully interchangeable without interference or degradation of performance.

8 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

8.1 Parts, Materials, and Processes. Parts, materials, and processes associated with the equipment shall meet the following requirements.

8.1.1 Coaxial Cable Electrical Insulation. Materials used in electronic cable and connector technology shall be selected such that they degrade by a mechanism other than elimination and shall be resistant to corrosion and reductions in performance.

8.1.2 Commercial Parts. Commercial parts and materials that are used shall have properties consistent with a precision laboratory instrument.

8.1.3 Selected Components. Matched and selected components as well as specially built, nonstandard components shall not be used.

8.1.4 Metals. Metals shall be of the corrosion‐resistant type or shall be metallurgically processed or suitably treated to resist corrosion due to atmospheric conditions likely to be met in storage, service, and/or transportation. Dissimilar metals in close contact with each other shall not be present.

8.1.5 Design and Construction. The equipment shall be designed and constructed of materials that meet the requirements of this specification and in accordance with the best commercial practices for industry approved equipment. It shall be designed and manufactured to achieve reliability, maintainability, accuracy of operation, and ease of operation. All parts such as shafts, bearings, regulators, switches, controls, etc., shall have proper clearance and adjustments. They shall work together so that the equipment will supply the rated requirements without unnecessary strains, vibrations, or overheating. They shall be able to withstand the conditions met in shipping, storage, installation, and service. All materials and parts of this equipment shall be capable of withstanding the environmental requirements of this specification.

8.2 Electrical Power Sources and Connections.

8.2.1 Power Requirements. The equipment shall operate within the specified performance and accuracy requirements under nominal power conditions of either commercial, military, and/or shipboard single‐phase power sources of 110 volts (rms) or 220 volts (rms) plus or minus 10%, at 50 and 60 Hz plus or minus 5% single phase input power.

8.2.2 Input Power Switch. There shall be an input power on / off switch located on the front panel of the equipment.

8.2.3 Fuses or Circuit Breakers. Fuses or circuit breakers shall be provided to automatically disconnect the equipment from the source in the event of excessive current drain. If circuit breakers are used, both sides of the power source shall be automatically disconnected from the equipment in the event of excessive current. If fuses are used, only the high side of the input power line shall be fused. Fuses and circuit breakers shall be readily accessible.

8.2.4 Indicators. Visual indication shall be provided on the front panel of the equipment to indicate when the equipment is energized.

8.2.5 Polarization. The polarization of all cable connectors shall be accomplished by a mechanical or visual method that prevents inadvertent mating in more than one position.

8.2.6 Plug‐in Cabling. All plug‐in cabling shall be capable of being connected and disconnected without disassembly or removal of adjacent components.

8.3 Dimensions, Weight, and Mechanical Stability. The equipment shall meet the following requirements.

8.3.1 Dimensions. The overall dimensions of the VNA, not including handles or covers, shall not exceed 19 inch wide, 15 inch high, 24 inch deep. It must be capable of fitting into a standard 19 inch rack‐mount frame.

8.3.2 Weight. The total weight of the VNA including all covers, handles, flanges shall not exceed 100 pounds. (Cables, cords, calibration kit and other accessories are not included within this requirement.)

8.3.3 Mechanical Stability. The equipment shall be designed to preclude tipping during normal handling and operation.

8.4 Enclosure. The VNA shall have an enclosure. The enclosure shall be constructed of aluminum, , stainless steel, plastic, or fiberglass. The enclosure shall provide protection from mechanical shock and conditions associated with bench‐top use and shall have no openings on the top surface.

8.5 Equipment Identification. The VNA shall be assigned a model number designation by the manufacturer. Each production unit shall be assigned a unique serial number designation by the manufacturer. The VNA purchase shall follow the Unique Item Designator (UID) clause as stated in the basic contract.

8.6 Warm‐Up, Continuous Operation, Environmental Requirements.

8.6.1 Warm‐Up Period. After a warm‐up period not to exceed 90 minutes, the VNA shall meet all specifications contained in this PD unless otherwise specified.

8.6.2 Continuous Operation. After the required warm‐up period, the VNA shall meet all specifications of this purchase description and shall not display any intermittent characteristics or overheating for an extended period of not less than 8 hours of continuous operation.

8.6.3 Operating Temperature Range. The VNA shall meet the specified performance and accuracy requirements over the operating temperature range of 73 ± 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

8.6.4 Operating Relative Humidity Range. The VNA shall meet the specified performance and accuracy requirements over the operating relative humidity range of 20 to 50%.

8.6.5 Non‐operating Storage Temperature. The VNA shall meet specified performance and accuracy requirements after being stored at temperatures ranging from 15 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (‐9 to 60 Celsius).

8.7 Accessories. All accessories necessary for normal operation of the VNA shall be supplied, not necessarily limited to the following: power cords (detachable, at least 6 feet in length), GPIB cables (IEEE STD 488.2 1987, at least 6 feet in length), equipment cases/covers, adapters.

9 TESTING REQUIREMENTS. The VNA shall be inspected and accepted at destination as specified elsewhere in the contract. The item will be checked with test equipment whose parameters are equal to or better than those required to ensure specified performance requirements are met. Test equipment used, where required, has first echelon certification directly traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology or other AFMETCAL approved sources. Tests will be performed to ensure the VNA meets the requirements of this purchase description, OEM commercial manuals, and/or any AFPSL check standards with documented historical data deemed appropriate by the government.

Such testing at destination does not relieve the contractor of performing all inspections and quality checks at the point of fabrication, as specified elsewhere in the contract, or as necessary, to ensure performance as specified herein.

10 Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health. A combination of the system manual, other documentation, and/or the system itself shall identify potential environment, safety and occupational health hazards and how they are mitigated when the design itself cannot mitigate them. This will be accomplished through stating the hazard and accompanying mitigation through the use of safety devices, use of warnings, or use of special operational procedures to counter such hazards.

10.1 Accessible Potentials. Operating and maintenance personnel shall be protected from hazardous potentials by shielding, marking, or other suitable measures. Parts of equipment which become accessible upon removing a cover, opening a door, adjusting a control, setting a supply circuit voltage mechanism, replacing a fuse, attaching and detaching an interconnecting cable assembly, etc. and are intended for access by the operator during normal use shall not render an electric shock.

10.2 Grounding. During operation of the fully assembled test equipment, all electrically conductive external surfaces except trim and identification plates shall be at earth ground potential. Ground connection shall be of sufficient mechanical strength to minimize the possibility of ground disconnection. Such ground path shall have sufficiently low impedance and ample capacity to conduct safely any operating or fault currents imposed on it.

10.3 Thermal Hazards. Protection shall be provided from equipment temperatures which could constitute a hazard to personnel.

10.4 Mechanical Hazards. Suitable protection shall be provided to prevent contact with moving mechanical parts when the equipment is complete and operating. Sharp projections on enclosures shall be avoided.

Attachment to

Purchase Description

24E-055AB-RF

50 GHz VNA

DATA REQUIREMENTS

MANUALS: A complete user and service manual and calibration procedure shall be provided with each unit in contractor format. Manuals shall be on CD/DVD-ROM in Indexed Portable Document Format

(iPDF). The manuals shall comply with Data Item Description (DID) DI-TMSS-80527D and the Contract

Data Requirements List (DD Form 1423).

CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE: A calibration certificate, traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or other national metrology institutes (NMIs) shall be provided with each instrument. This calibration certificate must comply with Data Item Description (DID) DI-QCIC-80798C and the Contract Data Requirements List (DD Form 1423).

SOFTWARE USER MANUAL: The software user manual shall contain instructions to execute one or more related computer software configuration items. The software user manual shall be on CD/DVD-ROM in

Indexed Portable Document Format (iPDF) and prepared in accordance with Data Item Description DI-

IPSC-81443A and Contract Data Requirements List (DD Form 1423),