An S-parameter test-set is a component of a network-analyser used for measuring and characterising the behaviour of electronic devices, particularly in the radio frequency (RF) and microwave frequency ranges. S-parameters, or scattering parameters, describe how a device or network responds to signals at different frequencies.
The S-parameter test-set typically includes various components such as directional couplers, bridges, and detectors. These elements allow the network analyser to measure the amplitude and phase of signals as they pass through or reflect off the device under test (DUT).
S-parameters are represented in matrices, and different S-parameters (like S11, S21, S12, S22) provide information about signal reflection and transmission characteristics. For example, S11 represents the reflection coefficient at port 1, while S21 represents the transmission from port 2 to port 1.
Overall, the S-parameter test-set plays a crucial role in the characterisation of RF and microwave devices, providing valuable insights into their performance, impedance matching, and signal behaviour across a range of frequencies.