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Introduction
Signal Integrity applications commonly utilize balanced/differential transmission lines which are typically characterized using vector network analyzers (VNA). There are two approaches to performing these measurements and the selection of the best method depends on what you need to measure. The Superposition technique relies on the inherent linear nature of a transmission line and mathematically derives the differential and common-mode transmission line characteristics through superposition while stimulating just one side of the balanced transmission line at a time. The True Balanced/Differential technique uses two sources to create actual differential and common-mode stimuli, hence the shortened name true balanced. This white paper offers guidance to signal integrity designers on the differences between these approaches and which one may best fit their need.
Measurement Theory
The most complete description for balanced devices are the mixed mode S-parameters (Figure 1). Mixed mode S-parameters are comprised of four blocks of four parameters: differential parameters, common to differential mode parameters, differential to common mode parameters and common mode parameters. These 16 parameters are one way of providing a complete description of a 4-port device. The balanced transmission line does not need to have a ground plane or common terminal. When no ground is physically present, a virtual ground is assumed.
Physical Port 1
Differtential-Mode Ports
Physical Port 2
adm1 bdm1
Mixed-Mode 2-Port
acm1 bcm1
Common-Mode Ports
Figure 1. Mixed mode parameters include important mode conversion parameters for determining both the differential and common mode characteristics.
Port 1 Port 2
Port 3 Port 4
Figure 2. The superposition technique uses a standard single source two port VNA with a switch matrix to measure single ended s-parameters for deriving differential and mixed mode parameters.
Figure 3. The true balanced technique uses a dual source VNA with the sources synchronized with a 180 phase difference to directly measure the common, differential and mixed mode parameters.
The true balanced technique directly measures the differential and common-mode parameters. It requires the use of two sources that are phase coherent and uses active phase and amplitude control of each of the two input sources. An example is shown in Figure 3. In addition, the VNA may have special features such as multipliers, amplifiers and ALC circuitry for precisely controlling each source output. Controlling multiple sources with very precise magnitude and phase alignment also requires a more extensive calibration and can potentially limit the stability of the calibration over time. Further complicating this, the exact phase and amplitude relationship of the signals delivered to the DUT can be a strong function of the DUT reflection characteristics so the phase and amplitudes must be continuously adjusted resulting in further degradation in stability and measurement time. Due to these issues, this technique is usually only employed when required by the device under test.
Superposition Technique
X X
True Balanced
Dual source VNA Measured directly Passive, active linear and non-linear 10 MHz -67 GHz Typical 4-port plus calibration of dual sources Approx. 2T Calibrate more frequently due to stability issues $$
Single source VNA Calculated Passive and active linear 70 kHz to 110 GHz Typical 4-port T (Time depends on number of points, IF BW, skill of operator) Normal measurement calibration intervals $
2.5
2.7
3.3
3.5
(a) Magnitude
(b) Phase
Figure 4. Comparison of the stability of the two techniques highlights the challenges of maintaining alignment between the true differential sources.
Conclusion
Determining which measurement technique is best for you is fairly straightforward. If you are measuring passive devices or active devices that stay in their linear range, then the superposition technique offers the simplest, most stable and lowest cost solution. The added cost, calibration complexity and stability concerns of the true balanced solution are only worth it if you are testing active devices in their non-linear range.
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