An efficient testing system and calibration method for a reflection type vector modulator

•Designing, simulation and realization of a reflection type vector modulator (VM).•A systematic introduction for VM design and testing.•A novel testing setup for the design VM.•A novel method for increase the testing efficiency.•Reducing in testing time and work load.

This paper introduces the designing, realization, testing and calibration of a reflection type Vector Modulator (VM) for the application of a Ka-B and phase array radar Transmit/Receive (TR) module. First of all, the schematic design, simulation results and realization of such VM are illustrated. Secondly, in order to test and calibrate the designed VM, a LabVIEW based automatic testing system is constructed to evaluate its performance on phase shift and amplitude attenuation. The final testing results have demonstrated that the proposed testing system and calibration method have the advantages of fast development, convenient for using, high efficiency and low cost.