User`s guide

Using 8480 Series Power Sensors 7
N1911A/1912A P-Series Power Meters User’s Guide 179
Measurement Accuracy
Power sensors have small errors in their response over frequency. The
response of each sensor is measured during manufacture (and during
periodic calibration) and the resulting frequency compensation information
is supplied in the form of calibration factors. Using calibration factors
enables you to achieve improved measurement accuracy. The P- Series
power meters provide two methods of using the calibration factors:
– inputting the individual calibration factor for a frequency prior to
making the measurement, or
– using sensor calibration tables.
If you are making most of your measurements at a single frequency, or in
a narrow range of frequencies, entering a specific calibration factor is a
more effective method. Only a minimal amount of data entry is required.
However, if you are making measurements on a wide range of signal
frequencies, a sensor table is more effective as you only need to enter the
frequency of the signal you are measuring. The power meter automatically
selects and applies the calibration factor from the selected table.