Automated Antenna Testing
Antenna pattern measurement is a critical step in the design process of antennas and wireless devices. Compact antenna measurement systems combined with a high performance VNA are necessary to characterize parameters such as pattern, gain, VSWR, and efficiency. By using an in-house measurement system, multiple design revisions can be tested and pre-certified without the high cost of using an accredited or certified measurement facility for each test. Portability and low cost are particularly important to engineers in various environments like defense and education, respectively. See how these challenges are addressed with the DAMS Antenna Measurement System and the Planar 804/1 VNA.
Conducting Calibration with the SOLR (Unknown Thru) Method
This article describes the advantages of VNA calibration by the Unknown Thru (SOLR) method, compared to traditional SOLT calibration for measurement of 2-port non-insertable devices. Errors which surface during SOLT calibration are demonstrated, and recommendations are given for assessing the quality of the conducted SOLR calibration
Spectral Analysis with a Vector Network Analyzer
Vector network analyzers (VNAs) are widely used in research, manufacturing, and service environments. In some cases, a VNA receiver can be used for simplified spectrum analysis, which might include detection of self-excitation, determination of signal power and harmonic level, or spectrum deviation from an expected reference spectrum, among other parameters.
Wireless Infrastructure Maintenance with a PC-driven VNA
A large wireless provider chose the Planar 304/1 VNA to test antenna feeders and RF duplexers in the field quickly and accurately because it delivered the performance they needed at a price they could afford. The PC-driven VNA fit into a space where no other bench instrument could, communicated test data via USB, and was easily automated for future tests, resulting in higher efficiency and less potential failure of the tower's elements.
Measuring PDN on a Budget (By Steve Sandler for EDN)
Over at EDN, Steve Sandler profiles the application of an S5048 VNA in measuring PDN. Useful features include log frequency sweep and 1-port and 2-port time domain functions (TDR/TDT). It is suggested to use the combination of the OMICRON Lab Bode 100 and the S5048 to provide a cost-effective solution for measurements of PDN up to 4.8 GHz.
Measurements in 75 Ohm Coaxial Transmission Lines Using a 50 Ohm VNA
VNAs can be used to measure 75 Ohm coaxial transmission lines. In this article, we will discuss making these measurements using a VNA with 50 Ohm test ports, in conjunction with 50 to 75 Ohm Minimum Loss Pads (MLP), i.e. impedance matching attenuators with insertion loss of 5.7 dB. The use of an MLP affects the accuracy of measurements by changing the calibration error and, depending on the location of the attenuator in the measurement circuit, impacts stability of measurements related to test cable bending. To assess the impact of MLP on the accuracy of the measurements, we will compare this calibration method with typical errors of VNAs with 75 Ohm coaxial lines after performing SOLT calibration.
Voltage and Current Measurements with a VNA and DMM
VNAs may be useful in performing voltage or current measurements of active DUTs, with the VNA generator sweeping over frequency or power. This application note shows how to make highly accurate and quick synchronous voltage or current measurements by adding a simple program and an affordable, general purpose DMM.
Optimizing VNA Measurement Speed
VNA users often need to estimate, and strive to optimize, their instrument’s measurement speed. Many RF Engineers are interested in the trade offs between speed, accuracy and resolution, especially those striving to achieve optimal automation of the instrument in the context of a integrated in a larger measurement system or production environment. This application note details the determining factors for measurement cycle time in a Copper Mountain Technologies VNA.