Vector Network Analyzer

The Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is the narrowband receiver system used to perform vectorial measurements (S-Parameters, 1-tone and 2-tones characterization) measuring the a- and the b- power waves in real-time at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies.

When clicking on the “Vector Network Analyzer” picture, the following menu appears on the right side of the schematic editor:

Instrument

Driver: set the appropriate driver corresponding to the instrument (refer to Supported Vector Network Analyzers list)
Address: set the communication address. Note the icon can be use to open the Instrument Scanner
Options: set the specific driver options clicking on icon (refer to Supported Instruments section)
VISA Library: set the VISA Library (*.dll) used to communicate with the instrument (see help on this page: Getting Started : "Configure the VISA Library on the control PC")
Command Time Out (ms): elapsed time before returning an error message if no response from the instrument
Command Delay (ms): delay before sending a command to the instrument

General

Mode: choose the measurement mode (CW or Pulsed)
Input Port: select the input port channel
Output Port: select the output port channel
Number of receivers: set the number of VNA's receivers. When it sets to four (4) it allows to use a bidirectional coupler on the output port in order to measure A2 wave or S22 parameter
Use internal couplers: draw the "Schematic" with or without external couplers.
Note: Using internal couplers with Keysight Generic VNA [CW, Pulsed*, Spectrum** modes Supported]can lead to inconsistent measurement results due to internal source attenuator switching. In this case, " Set Mathematical offset for Source attenuation" driver option has to be enabled. To learn more see Keysight Generic VNA [CW, Pulsed*, Spectrum** modes Supported].
IF Bandwidth: set the IF Bandwidth
Averaging: set the averaging

Timings (available only in Pulsed mode)

Filter Mode: select 'NBF' (Narrow-Band filter), 'NBF gated' or 'WBF' (Wideband filter) (refer to Getting Started : "Overview on the Pulsed Measurement Techniques")
Delay: set the measurement window delay (available only if the NBF gated or WBF mode is selected).
Width: set the measurement window width (available only if the NBF gated or WBF mode is selected).
Period: set the measurement window period (available only if the NBF gated or WBF mode is selected).

Note: These timings can be re-adjusted in the 'Chronograms' tab.

Trigger (available only in Pulsed mode)

Select the Internal or External Positive/Negative Edge Trigger. The internal trigger signal comes from the VNA, whereas an external comes from another instrument such the RF Source.

Use an internal RF Source ?

Allow to enable the internal RF source of the VNA . Select the same driver used in the VNA settings and configure it as a conventional RF Source.