ECE Invited Seminar: Mastering Signal Integrity: Fundamentals, Fixture Compensation, and VNA Techniques for Cross-Talk, Differential S-Parameters, and TDR Measurements

This seminar introduces key signal integrity concepts and their importance in modern RF and high-speed electronic systems, including next-generation communication platforms. The session explains differential measurements, how they are implemented using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), and their role in analyzing cross-talk and differential S-parameters. The talk will also highlight the importance of time-domain analysis and compare TDR measurements performed with oscilloscopes versus those obtained using a VNA, including how accurate TDR measurements can be configured and performed on a VNA. In addition, practical fixturing techniques used in VNA measurements will be discussed, along with methods for compensating fixture effects.

Special focus will be given to the Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR) technique and how it can be used to isolate the true behavior of the device under test. The session will conclude with a live demonstration illustrating practical signal integrity and de-embedding measurement techniques.