VNA - do I really need a sliding match for calibration?

Question

When I start a TOSM calibration there is also a calibration sweep with sliding match in the list. Is that really necessary? I am only intend to calibrate using TOSM standards. Can I skip this "sliding match" requirement?

Answer

Yes - for the calibration types OSM, UOSM and TOSM the calibration with sliding match is optional. A calibration sweep with sliding match is only offered if the choosen calibration kit contains data for it.

After the calibration sweeps with the standards Open, Short, Match and Through have been done it is possible to apply the calibration. So the calibration with sliding match is skipped then. In the higher GHz range a match standard without mismatch can not be achieved. A sliding match offers the possibility to repeat the measurement with different phase. With a special algorithm the perfect match is calculated.