High frequency

High-frequency measurements support the technological use and development of fast electromagnetic signals in communication, navigation and sensor technology. To that end, METAS offers high-quality calibrations and measurement services.

© METAS

High-frequency technology in everyday life

High-frequency technology deals with the generation, transmission and processing of electromagnetic waves in the megahertz (MHz) to gigahertz (GHz) range. This frequency range is used for various applications in communications as well as radar and measurement technology. For example, a phone call, assistance systems in the automotive sector and ensuring flight safety all have one thing in common: they rely on the fast and reliable processing of high-frequency electromagnetic signals.

The design, development and operation of such systems require metrological support at a high level. METAS develops the metrological principles for these and related technologies.

Typical applications of high-frequency technology

• Communication technology: Basis for mobile communication standards such as 5G/6G, WLAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth as well as radio and TV broadcasts
• Navigation, radar and sensor technology: Enables worldwide satellite communications, broadcasting and GPS operations. Used in aviation and shipping as well as in state-of-the-art assistance systems for distance measurement, collision avoidance and speed control
• Medical technology: Use in imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in radiosurgery for tissue cutting and tissue ablation
• Industrial warming: Use in industrial microwaves and plasma generators for fast and targeted heating or drying of materials

Our services in the field of radio frequency and microwaves

We carry out calibrations, metrology courses (VNA tools and RF/microwave measurement technology), assessments and consulting in the field of RF/microwave measurement technology.

Calibrations

We calibrate the following measuring instruments:

• RF and microwave power meters and power sensors
• Signal generators
• Spectrum analysers
• Noise sources
• Pulse generators
• Oscilloscopes
• Vector network analysers

A detailed overview of our calibration services can be found in our Services catalogue:

• Services catalogue: RF and Microwave Laboratory

  PDF173.42 kB27 August 2026

Is the service you are looking for not listed on the website? Please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can work together to find a customised solution to your problem.

Measuring methods and technologies

• Vector network analysis (S-parameters)
• RF and microwave power
• RF and microwave noise
• Pulse parameters
• Scanning microwave microscopy
• Rydberg sensors

Quality and expertise

We are a leader in the traceability and measurement of coaxial scattering parameters (S-parameters). We also offer high-quality calibrations of RF and microwave power and RF and microwave noise. We are the only NMI in Europe that has measuring stations for noise calibration. We maintain contact with leading manufacturers of measuring instruments in the field of RF and microwave measurement technology as part of development projects and participate in the further development of RF and microwave metrology through research projects in the fields of scanning microwave microscopy and Rydberg sensors, among others.

You can find more information on the quality of our services on the “Integrated Management System” page.

Enquiry and contact

Laboratory RF and Microwave
Federal Institute of Metrology METAS
Lindenweg 50
3003 Bern-Wabern

T [phone]
[e-mail]

More information

One of our specialities is the development of metrology software:

• VNA metrology software METAS VNA Tools for the seamless integration of our S-parameter calibration services by customers.
• Generic uncertainty calculator METAS UncLib for general problems concerning the measurement uncertainty calculation.