Error analysis and uncertainty estimation for a millimeter-wave phase-shift measurement system at 325 GHz

• Error analysis for a millimeter-wave phase-shift measurement system at 325 GHz are presented.
• The measurement errors due to noise, drift, mismatch and leakage are evaluated.
• We also estimate the errors due to inductive voltage divider and repeatability.
• The expanded uncertainties in phase-shift measurement are estimated.
• Phase-shift measurement uncertainties for a 0–60 dB attenuator are 0.57–1.3° at 325 GHz.

Error analysis and uncertainty estimation for a millimeter-wave phase-shift measurement system at 325 GHz are presented. The measurement errors due to inductive voltage divider, receiver noise, phase drift, mismatch at test ports, gauge-block attenuator, leakage and repeatability have been identified and evaluated. The standard uncertainty of these error components have been estimated and combined to obtain the expanded uncertainty in phase-shift measurement. The differential phase-shift measurement uncertainty for a 0–60 dB WR-03 rotary vane attenuator is estimated to be 0.57–1.3° at 325 GHz.