Vector Network analyzers

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Introduction
What are they? What do they tell you?

How do they work?

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First What is a Network

A network is simply any combination of components through which you pass a signal. It can be a simple as a resistive voltage divider, Or as complex as an filter or amplifier. DC circuit can be analyzed with nothing more than a High impedance voltmeter. K7RXV k7rxv@comcast.net

 Circuits with AC signals are more complex to analyze.

The phase between the current and voltage must be taken into account. We are interested in the bandpass, amplitude of both the current and voltage, the phase angle between the current and voltage, and the change in any of these caused by passing the signal through the network.
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 The simplest form of analyzer just gives relative amplitude results with no phase information. (scalar network analyzer) This can be done with a dedicated instrument or with other equipment such as a signal source and a signal level detector (ie RF voltmeter).
The advantage of a dedicated instrument is graphic output which is easier to interpret. K7RXV You can manually graph the output k7rxv@comcast.net however this takes time and effort.

 A vector network analyzer measures scalar values and phase information. A vector analyzer displays its output in easy to understand form. Smith Chart output is provided as well as phase and amplitude information. This enables the instrument to also calculate and display impedance information.
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 S parameters are also a very useful way to present this information (Scattering parameters) S21= Insertion Loss (IL) in the Forward direction
S11= Return Loss (RL) in the Forward direction S12= IL in the Reverse direction

S22= RL in the reverse direction

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The picture on this Slide is in a separate file in the same folder as these slides.

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Return Loss
What is Return Loss? Hams are used to VSWR to represent how good the impedance match is. See the ARRl 2010 handbook for a discussion of the relationship between RL and VSWR. Return loss is easier to manipulate mathematically and is directly measured by K7RXV k7rxv@comcast.net most instruments

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What can we measure with this instrument

Single port measurements such as antenna or feedline input impedance. Multi port measurements such as LCR filter passband or amplifier gain passband etc, crystal filter pasband, group delay, or phase change across the passband. Crystal or other component characteristics
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With the software enhancements the VNWA can also be used as a spectrum analyzer. The secret to the power of this simple implementation of a network analyzer is in very good software implementation.

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If you recognize the accuracy limitations of simplified approach makes these measurements within the reach of the hobbiest

During the brakes between talks we can demo some of these measurements.

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