An Introduction to the VNA and Vector Network Analysis
November 10, 2023What you’ll learn:
- What does a VNA measure?
- What can one do with the measured data?
- What devices are measured with a VNA?
Most design engineers are familiar with tools of the trade such as voltmeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers. Some may not have had the opportunity to use a vector network analyzer (VNA). It’s the intent of this article to introduce VNA measurement and present a few typical applications.
Read more of this article from Senior RF Design Engineer, SME Brian Walker on the Microwaves & RF website.
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Engineers regularly face difficult deadlines. In a rush to complete a series of measurements, it is tempting to take a piece of test gear off the shelf, plug it in, and begin the process. Resist the urge! Here, we’ll look at how a typical Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) measurement can change from initial power-up to thermal equilibrium. Note, we are only examining warm-up characteristics, not ambient temperature changes, which can not only affect the VNA but the coaxial test cables as well.
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If the VNA isn’t calibrated before measurement, then the reference plane will be at the VNA connectors, and any phase or delay will include the excess delay and phase shift of the test cables. Additionally, there may be ripple in the transmission measurements (s12 and s21) due to error term constructive and destructive interference.
Getting Started with the CMT VNA: Top 10 Tips and Tricks
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The examples created in this document are based on the S5048, but apply to most of the Copper Mountain Technologies VNAs in a similar way. These tips will help you use your VNA with ease and help you get more intuitive results.
Why USB VNAs?
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USB VNAs separate the measurement module from the processing module, bringing the measurement results to any external PC using the VNA software. The user can take advantage of the latest OS processing power, bigger display, and more reliable performance of an external PC while simplifying maintenance of the analyzer. USB VNAs are flexible. They can be easily adapted to multiple users and are well-suited for lab, production, field, and secure testing environments.
