Choosing the Right Configuration Options for Your Calibration Cart

Calibration carts provide the ideal solution for the calibration of RF generators. It combines a high accuracy Bird power sensor, a user friendly 4421A Multifunction Power Meter,  and a low reflection load in an easily transportable mobile package. The system is indispensable for semiconductor fabs with multiple  RF generators in various locations.  

 

A calibration cart is factory configured based on the customer's (that's you) requirements.  A selection of power sensors is available covering various frequency  bands from 250 kHz to 170 MHz. In addition, a number of loads are offered with maximum power ratings from 1kW to 10kW. 

 

You can ease your path to selecting the right calibration cart to meet your needs by answering the following questions:

1. What frequency is your generator operating at? - Generators are among the most expensive tools in the power transmission system and often operate over a finite frequency range to help limit the cost and complexity of the design. Bird offers a variety of power sensors that also focus on limited frequency range, so by knowing what your frequency is, you can help to select the right sensor to meet your needs. 
2. What is the maximum power level expected to be? - The power level will not only help define the model of sensor to be used but also aid in selecting the appropriate input connector and the load that the cart will include. The power that a connector can handle varies with temperature, decreasing in capability as the frequency increases. See our FAQ article Average Power Handling for QC Connectors for more information. 
3. Do you need to support more than one frequency in the same setup? - There are two primary configurations of calibration cart: one option containing a single sensor and another containing two sensors, SCC7 and MSCC7, respectively. 
4. What is the mains voltage used in the area the calibration cart will operate? - Some of the load options will integrate fans to aid in the cooling process, and these fans are driven by the AC voltage provided at the site where it will be used. 
5. What type of plug will you need to connect to the mains voltage? - Different regions of the world require different plug styles. Bird calibration carts have options to support North America and International customers. 

After these details are known, you can use the Product Selection Guide found in the cal cart datasheet to help identify the specific model calibration cart that best meet your needs. 

 

One final note is that if you have higher power requirements, Bird does offer the SCC8 calibration carts that accommodate up to 25 kW of RF power. 

 

As always, if you have any remaining questions, contact Bird for customization assistance to ensure that the calibration cart is optimized to your application.