Resources
Technical Notes
Recently Issued:
AN-75, “IN SITU’ MEASUREMENT OF Γt IN A VECTOR LOAD PULL TUNER”, Dec. 2025
AN-70, “INJECTION POWER SAVINGS IN HYBRID LOAD PULL”, Sept. 2024
AN-71, “HYBRID HARMONIC LOAD PULL MADE REAL”, Sept. 2024
AN-72, “STATISTICAL NOISE PARAMETER ANALYSIS”, Apr. 2025
AN-74, “THE EVOLUTION OF HARMONIC LOAD PULL (1990-2014)”, May 2025
PN-92, “HYBRID TUNERS”, July 2017
PN-94, “DELTA TUNERS INHERENTLY OFFER BETTER ACCURACY ON-WAFER”, Sept. 2021
AN-65, “ON WAFER LOAD-PULL MEASUREMENTS USING DELTA TUNERS”, Aug. 2022
Application (AN) and Product (PN) Notes are documents, created starting 1989 with the beginning of Focus Microwaves, published on our website since the mid 90’s, and describe products and methods used in non-50 Ohm noise and power measurements using test setups and impedance tuners. They cover frequencies from 1.5 MHz to 330 GHz. Parallel to the Notes, Focus has issued also a set of Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ) covering a number of definitions and often neglected aspects of the technology.
The total of over 170 Notes has been regrouped in basic subjects for easier browsing:
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- TUNERS (WIDEBAND): PN-5, PN-5A, PN-9A, PN-10, PN-11A, PN-30, PN-41, PN-48, PN-59, PN-90, FAQ: How does a Slide Screw Tuner (Frequency>100MHz) work? | Comparing Contacting and Non-Contacting RF probes (Slugs) | Electronic and Mechanical Tuners
- HARMONIC: PN-79, AN-11, AN-24, AN-47, AN-56, AN-71, AN-70, AN-74, FAQ: Does Load Pull without Harmonic tuners make sense? | Hybrid Harmonic LP and wideband Tuners| Why do Triplexers cause spurious Oscillations
- DELTA TUNERS: AN-65, PN-94, PN-93
- PULSED IV: PN-84A, AN-76, AN-73
- NOISE: AN-1-90, AN-19, AN-31 , AN-72, FAQ: What are Noise Measurements| Limitations and Recommendations in Noise Measurements| Hot Cold Y Factor Noise Measurement Method
- ACTIVE/HYBRID: AN-62, AN-70, AN-71, PN-33, PN-40, PN-42, PN-92, PN-91, FAQ: Hybrid Harmonic LP and wideband Tuners | Active Load Pull: Strength & Weaknesses
- DESIGN APP: AN-1-92, AN-63
- DRIVERS: AN-5, TN-2-98, AN-3-98, AN-50, AN-52, AN-57
- POWER LOAD PULL: AN-64, AN-60, PN-34, FAQ: What is a Load Pull Setup?| What are Load Pull Measurements?| Input Power Calibration for avoiding input Isolator| Measure Zin (DUT) using a passive Load Pull System| Power Added Efficiency | Limitations of a Load Pull System
- GENERAL & THEORY: AN-8, AN-44, AN-46, AN-64, FAQ: Basic Notions about Noise and Load-Pull | How do we Interpolate between Impedance points? | What is Tuner Loss?
- ON WAFER TESTING: AN-48, AN-55, AN-66, AN-65
- MEASUREMENT ERRORS: AN-15, AN-18, AN-54, FAQ: Attention with Isolators | What are Impedance Errors in Multitone (Intermod) Measurements?
- IMPEDANCE PATTERN: AN-25
- USING SPECIAL TUNERS: AN-42, AN-57, FAQ: Contacting versus Non-contacting Tuner Probes (Slugs) | Comparing Contacting and Non-Contacting RF probes (Slugs) | Electronic and Mechanical Tuners
- TEST METHODS & COMPARISON: AN-1-89, AN-2-90, AN-6, AN-9A, AN-12, AN-14, AN-22, AN-23, AN-40, AN-45, TN5-2004, AN-71, AN-67, AN-61, AN-59, AN-58, FAQ: Measure Zin (DUT) using a passive Load Pull System| Power Added Efficiency
- TUNER TESTING: AN-46, AN-49, FAQ: How does a Slide Screw Tuner (Frequency>100MHz) work?| Tuner Power Handling Limitations | Tuner Repeatability is affected by VNA Jitter
- SPURIOUS: AN-54
- EXTERN PROBE STATIONS: AN-66
- DESIGN SOFTWARE: PN-3, PN-6, PN-18
- CALIBRATIONS: PN-4, PN-50, AN-13 , FAQ: Calibration Definitions| The TRL Calibration Method
- TEST FIXTURES: PN-7, PN-54, PN-70
- WAVEGUIDE TUNERS: PN-43, PN-66
- DESIGN APPLICATIONS: PN-56
- MEASUREMENT SOFTWARE: PN-8, PN-12A
- MEASUREMENT LIBRAIRIES: PN-15
- CONTROL DRIVERS, DIY TESTING: PN-16, PN-19, PN-25, PN-29, PN-49, PN-71, PN-83, PN-80, AN-26, AN-28A, AN-53
- SPECIAL APPLICATIONS: PN-20, PN-26, PN-82, FAQ: Tuner Repeatability is affected by VNA Jitter
- SPECIAL TEST SETUPS: PN-14, PN-23, PN-24, PN-31, PN-32, PN-34, PN-47, PN-53, PN-73, PN-75
- DATA PROCESSING SOFTWARE: PN-21, PN-35, PN-36, PN-77
- MANUAL TUNERS: PN-58, PN-68, PN-69
- VNA CALIBRATION KITS: PN-2, PN-60, PN-61, PN-62, PN-63, PN-64, PN-65 , FAQ: The TRL Calibration Method
- HARMONIC REJECTION TUNERS: PN-44, PN-46, PN-55, PN-67, PN-68, TN-1-98
- HIGH GAMMA & PREMATCHING TUNERS: PN-17, PN-37, PN-52, PN-72, PN-74, PN-81
- DELTA – ON WAFER TUNERS: PN-94, PN-93
- LOW FREQUENCY TUNERS: PN-85, AN-60
TUNERS (WIDEBAND)
V Band Programmable Tuner Model 7550
ID: PN-05 Date: 01/10/1993
V Band On-Wafer Measurements using CCMT Model 7550
ID: PN-05A Date: 01/03/1995
UHF to Ku Band Programmable Tuner Model 304-CK
ID: PN-09A Date: 01/06/1996
6 to 40 GHz Coaxial Programmable Tuner Model 4006
ID: PN-10 Date: 01/03/1994
4 to 26.5 GHz Coaxial Programmable Tuner Model 2604
ID: PN-11A Date: 01/03/1994
Ultra Wideband Tuner System UTS
ID: PN-30 Date: 01/04/1995
Computer Controlled Microwave Tuner - CCMT
ID: PN-41 Date: 01/01/1998
2 to 40 GHz Coaxial Programmable Tuner, Model 4002-2C
ID: PN-48 Date: 01/01/1998
High Power 0.2 - 6 GHz Tuner using 7/16 Connectors
ID: PN-59 Date: 01/08/1999
Kilo-Watt Range Tuners
ID: PN-90 Date: 01/07/2017
HARMONIC
MPT, A Universal Multi-Purpose Tuner
ID: PN-79 Date: 01/10/2004
Load Pull Measurements on Transistors with Harmonic Impedance Control
ID: AN-11 Date: 01/01/1994
Concept for Load Pull Measurements with Harmonic Impedance Control
ID: AN-24A Date: 01/06/1995
Pulse Measurements Using the CCMT Load Pull System
ID: AN-47 Date: 01/06/2001
Harmonic Effects in Load Pull using Wideband Tuners
ID: AN-56 Date: 01/08/2003
Real Hybrid Harmonic Load Pull
ID: AN-71 Date: 09/26/2024
Injection Power Savings in Hybrid Load Pull
ID: AN-70 Date: 09/12/2024
THE EVOLUTION OF HARMONIC LOAD PULL (1990-2014)
ID: AN-74 Date: 05/12/2025
DELTA TUNERS
PULSED IV
NOISE
Noise Measurements using the Computer Controlled Microwave Tuner System
D: AN-1-90
On-Wafer Noise Parameter Measurements using Cold-Noise Source and Automatic Receiver Calibration
D: AN-19 Date: 12/05/1994
Accurate Noise Parameter Measurements Using a Spectrum Analyzer as Noise Receiver
D: AN-31 Date: 10/05/1998
STATISTICAL NOISE PARAMETER ANALYSIS
D: AN-72 Date: 04/05/2025
ACTIVE/HYBRID
Hybrid Active and Harmonic Tuning
D: AN-62 Date: 12/12/2011
Injection Power Savings in Hybrid Load Pull
D: AN-70 Date: 09/09/2024
Hybrid Harmonic Load Pull Made Real
D: AN-71 Date: 09/09/2024
ALPS-308, Active Load Pull System for PCN Applications
D: PN-33 Date: 04/04/1994
Active Harmonic Load Pull ALPS and Passive L/P with Active Modules HLP-AM An overview
D: PN-40 Date: 06/06/1997
Active Modules for Harmonic Load Pull Measurements
D: PN-42 Date: 04/04/1997
Hybrid Tuners
D: PN-92 Date: 06/06/2025
Active Harmonic 5G Tuners
D: PN-91 Date: 07/07/2017
DESIGN APP
DRIVERS
User Defined GPIB Instrument Drivers for the CCMT System
D: AN-5 Date: 12/12/1993
Harmonic Load Pull System Upgrade for Maury Microwave ATS Load Pull Systems
D: TN-2-98
Upgrade the ATS Load Pull System Using FOCUS WinPower Software
D: TN-3-98 Date: 10/10/1998
Upgrade ATS1 Load Pull Systems Using Focus ULPS2 Soft- and Hardware
D: AN-50 Date: 03/03/2002
Tuner Control and Load Pull Using GPIB and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
D: AN-52 Date: 06/06/2002
iTuners for Production Testing
D: AN-57 Date: 01/01/2004
POWER LOAD PULL
GENERAL & THEORY
Basics on Load Pull and Noise Measurements
D: AN-8 Date: 06/06/1994
Nonlinear Transistor Testing using Highly Accurate Harmonic Load Pull Tuners
D: AN-44 Date: 03/03/2001
Programmable “Combo” Load Pull Tuners For Fundamental and Harmonic Tuning
D: PN-46 Date: 05/05/1998
Load Pull Characterization
D: PN-64 Date: 03/03/2019
ON WAFER TESTING
MEASUREMENT ERRORS
USING SPECIAL TUNERS
POWER LOAD PULL
GENERAL & THEORY
Basics on Load Pull and Noise Measurements
D: AN-8 Date: 06/06/1994
Nonlinear Transistor Testing using Highly Accurate Harmonic Load Pull Tuners+
D: AN-44 Date: 03/03/2001
Programmable “Combo” Load Pull Tuners for Fundamental and Harmonic Tuning
D: PN-46 Date: 05/05/1998
Load Pull Characterization
D: AN-64 Date: 03/03/2019
ON WAFER TESTING
MEASUREMENT ERRORS
USING SPECIAL TUNERS
TEST METHODS & COMPARISON
Two Tone Intermod Measurements using the Computer Controlled Microwave Tuner
D: AN-1-89
Microwave Oscillator Testing using the CCMT
D: AN-2-90
Load Pull Measurements on Very Low Impedance Transistors
D: AN-06 Date: 11/11/1993
Power Efficiency Measurements using the CCMT
D: AN-09A Date: 06/06/1996
On Wafer Load Pull and Noise Measurements using Computer Controlled Microwave Tuners
D: AN-14 Date: 06/06/1994
Selective Load Pull using Pattern and Section Tuning
D: AN-23 Date: 05/05/1995
RF probes for in-situ Optimizing Output Power Stages of Mobile Phones
D: AN-40 Date: 03/03/1998
Algorithm for Automatic High Precision Residual Tuning to 50Ω using Programmable Tuners
D: AN-45 Date: 05/05/2001
Important Points to consider when selecting a harmonic Load pull Method
D: TN5-2004
Hybrid Harmonic Load Pull Made Real
D: AN-71
Vectorial Harmonic Load Pull for mmWave Frequency Power Device Characterization and Compact Model Verification
D: AN-67
Mobile Phone Testing Using an iTuner
D: AN-61
The Effects of Harmonic Tuning on EVM
D: AN-59
Comparing Harmonic Load Pull Techniques With Regards to Power-Added Efficiency (PAE)
D: AN-58
TUNER TESTING
EXTERN PROBE STATIONS
DESIGN SOFTWARE
CALIBRATIONS
TEST FIXTURES
WAVEGUIDE TUNERS
DESIGN APPLICATIONS
MEASUREMENT SOFTWARE
MEASUREMENT LIBRAIRIES
CONTROL DRIVERS, DIY TESTING
GPIB Tuner Controller - GPTC
D: PN-16
GPIB Instrument Support CCMT, MTS
D: PN-19
Tuner Operation using HP-VEE®
D: PN-25
"MATLAB-TUNE", "VEE-TUNE" and "GPTC" A Comparison
D: PN-29
ETC, a GPIB External Tuner Controller
D: PN-49
PCI Controller Interface for Focus Programmable Tuners
D: PN-71
WLAN and WiMAX Integrated Solutions
D: PN-83
iConverter
D: PN-80
Tuner and GPIB Operation using MATLAB®
D: PN-26
Macro File Operation of CCMT System
D: PN-28A
3 axis Wafer Micro-Positioner for CCMT Tuners
D: PN-53
SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
DATA PROCESSING SOFTWARE
MANUAL TUNERS
VNA CALIBRATION KITS
Coaxial TRL Calibration Kits for Network Analyzers up to 40 GHz
D: PN-02
0.04 to 7GHz TRL VNA Calibration Kit with 7/16 Connectors
D: PN-60
0. 5 to 50GHz TRL VNA Calibration Kit with 2.4mm Connectors
D: PN-61
Precision N-Connector 0. 04 to 12GHz TRL VNA Calibration Kit
D: PN-62
0.05 to 18GHz TRL VNA Calibration Kit with Precision 7mm (APC-7) Connectors
D: PN-63
TRL VNA Calibration Kit, 0.3 to 40GHz with 2.92mm (K) Connectors
D: PN-64
TRL VNA Calibration Kit, 0.3 to 27GHz with Precision 3.5mm Connectors
D: PN-65
HARMONIC REJECTION TUNERS
Programmable Harmonic Tuner PHT
D: PN-44
Programmable “Combo” Load Pull Tuners for Fundamental and Harmonic Tuning
D: PN-46
Programmable Millimeterwave Tuner CCMT-5010-H (10-50 GHz) with Harmonic Tuning to 60 GHz
D: PN-55
Millimeterwave Manual and Harmonic Tuners With Prematching Capability
D: PN-67
High Isolation Manual Harmonic Tuner Model MHMT-308-2H3H
D: PN-68
Harmonic Load Pull System Upgrade for Focus Microwaves Load Pull Systems
D: TN-1-98
HIGH GAMMA & PREMATCHING TUNERS
RF Tuner with Very High VSWR, model MTS-308-HR
D: PN-17
0.8 to 18 GHz Tuner with very High VSWR
D: PN-37
Prematching Tuners for Very High VSWR and Power Load Pull Measurements
D: PN-52
CCMT-SP: High VSWR and Accuracy ‘Synchronized Prematching’ Tuners*
D: PN-72
10 to 50 GHz programmable Tuners with Prematching Module for on-wafer measurements
D: PN-74
iCCMT 18100-IBL
D: PN-81
