PicoVNA 108 8.5GHz vector network analyser

24th August 2020

Alex Lynn

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The market and range of applications for the vector network analyser has continued to rise. Growth is not simply driven by the proliferation of microwave, gigabit and wireless signals in our lives, but also in penetrating and short-range radar imaging and proximity detection in secure spaces, and in dielectric materials, tissues and composites. The vector network analyser sits behind data flow, communications, food, healthcare, defence, civil infrastructure, robotics and automation.

The newly announced PicoVNA 108 is a low-cost, small-footprint and portable format. The PicoVNA 108 can see out further to 8.5GHz, and it can see down deeper to –124 dB. It provides new ‘save on trigger’ synchronisation for multiple measurements, for example with changing conditions or multiplexed measurement routings.

This, added to the convenience of integrated bias-Ts, speeds batch test and device characterisations. Pico has also added offset frequency capability to the Quad RX four-receiver architecture, and synchronisation and control of the PicoSource AS108 8GHz agile synthesiser from within the PicoVNA 3 software. This instrument partnership allows RF mixer and RF/IF system characterisations using the PicoVNA 108.

For £5,795 the PicoVNA 108 can deliver all four s-parameters in as little as 190µs, with high dynamic range and accuracy. (PicoVNA 106 £4,205). At these prices the PicoVNAs achieve substantial cost saving for the professional user and are affordable to small and start-up businesses, volume users in the classroom and even some amateur users. Price is comparable with traditionally lower-cost single-port reflectometers and even scalar network analysers of similar bandwidth.

Calibration standards and interconnects can both dominate measurement errors in network analysis, so Pico supports both PicoVNA models with low-cost but equally impressive SMA and PC3.5 calibration standards and test leads, all with precision-machined stainless steel connectors. PicoVNA software supports 8- or 12-term calibration, including the ‘unknown thru’ method.

Unwanted measurement contributions from feedlines or test jigs can be eliminated using manual or auto-sensed reference plane shift, normalisation or de-embedded Touchstone, taken from either measurement or EM simulation.

Fast Fourier time-domain transformation and impedance transformation are both included as standard. TDT / TDR plots have a system rise time down to 58 ps and these support resistance and distance to fault readout out to over 100 meters.