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PICO PicoVNA 106 User Manual

Vector network analyzer
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PicoVNA™ 106
Vector Network Analyzer
User's Guide
Distribution in the UK & Ireland
Lambda Photometrics Limited
Lambda House Batford Mill
Harpenden Herts AL5 5BZ
Distribution in the UK & Ireland
United Kingdom
Lambda Photometrics Limited
Harpenden Herts AL5 5BZ
E:
Lambda House Batford Mill
info@lambdaphoto.co.uk
W: www.lambdaphoto.co.uk
T:
F:
+44 (0)1582 712084
+44 (0)1582 764334
United Kingdom
E:
info@lambdaphoto.co.uk
W: www.lambdaphoto.co.uk
T:
+44 (0)1582 764334
F:
+44 (0)1582 712084

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Summary of Contents for PICO PicoVNA 106

  • Page 1 PicoVNA™ 106 Vector Network Analyzer User's Guide Distribution in the UK & Ireland Lambda Photometrics Limited Lambda House Batford Mill Harpenden Herts AL5 5BZ Distribution in the UK & Ireland Lambda Photometrics Limited Lambda House Batford Mill Harpenden Herts AL5 5BZ United Kingdom info@lambdaphoto.co.uk W: www.lambdaphoto.co.uk...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    3 Switching on the VNA .......................... 23 4 Calibration kit parameters ........................23 1 Insertable DUT ......................... 24 2 Non-insertable DUT ........................24 3 Open circuit model ........................24 4 Short circuit model ........................24 pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 3 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer 5 Short and open without models ....................24 6 Calibration kit editor ........................ 24 7 Using a matched termination with poor return loss or unmodeled short and open .... 25 6 Operation ........................... 27 1 The PicoVNA 2 main window ......................
  • Page 4 Contents 2 Routine maintenance ........................... 63 8 Performance specification ....................64 9 Troubleshooting guide ..................... 68 10 Warranty .......................... 70 Index ............................. 71 pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 5: Safety

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Safety To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the product, carefully read this safety information before attempting to install or use the product. In addition, follow all generally accepted safety practices and procedures for working with and near electricity.

  • Page 6: Grounding

    Applying a voltage to the ground input is likely to cause permanent damage to the instrument, the attached computer, and other equipment. CAUTION To prevent measurement degradation caused by poor grounding, always use the high-quality USB cable supplied with the instrument. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 7: External Connections

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer External connections WARNING To prevent injury or death, only use the adaptor supplied with the product. This is approved for the voltage and plug configuration in your country. Power supply options and ratings...

  • Page 8: Care Of The Product

    The product and accessories contain no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and calibration require specialized test equipment and must only be performed by Pico Technology or an approved service provider. There may be a charge for these services unless covered by the Pico warranty.

  • Page 9: Quick Start Guide

    Obtain the PicoVNA 2 software installer from the disk supplied or from www.picotech.com/downloads. Run the installer (right-click and Run as administrator) and ensure that the installation was successful. Connect the PicoVNA 106 unit to the computer and wait while Windows automatically installs the driver. In case of difficulties, refer to Software installation for more details.

  • Page 10: Setting Up Calibration Parameters

    Click Calibration to open the Calibration window: Setting up display parameters Click Display in the main window to open the Display Set Up window: When finished, click Start in the main window to begin measurements pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 11: Calibration Tips

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Calibration tips The bandwidth setting used during calibration largely determines the available dynamic range during the measurement. The table below shows suggested bandwidth and power settings to use during calibration for different types of measurement.

  • Page 12: Description

    Description Description The PicoVNA 106 is a PC-driven vector network analyzer capable of operation over the range of 300 kHz to 6 GHz. It can perform direct measurements of forward and reverse parameters with up to 118 dB of dynamic range.
  • Page 13 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Front panel of the PicoVNA 106 Back panel of the PicoVNA 106 © 2017 Pico Technology pv106ug r1...

  • Page 14: Vector Network Analyzer Basics

    In reverse mode, the test signal is applied to the output of the DUT, and the Port2 receiver is used to measure the reflection from the output port of the DUT while the Port1 receiver measures the reverse transmission through the DUT. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 15: Measurement

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Measurement Vector network analyzers have the capability to measure phase as well as magnitude. This is important for fully characterizing a device or network either for verifying performance or for generating models for design and simulation.
  • Page 16 If a full 2-port measurement is made, there will be nine columns of data. Column 1 contains frequency information, columns 2 and 3 S data, 4 and 5 S data, 6 and 7 S data, and 8 and 9 S data. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 17 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer The PicoVNA 106 can generate full set of 2-port parameters but you can choose to export either 1-port .s1p or full 2-port .s2p S-parameter files to suit most RF and microwave circuit simulators.

  • Page 18: Displaying Measurements

    These standards are usually contained in a calibration kit and their characteristics are stored on the controlling PC in a Cal Kit definition file. Analyzers such as the PicoVNA 106 that have a full S- parameter test set can measure and correct all 12 systematic error terms.

  • Page 19: Other Measurements

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Six key sources of errors in forward measurement. Another six sources exist in the reverse measurement (not shown). Other measurements S-parameters are the fundamental measurement performed by the network analyzer, but many other parameters may be derived from these including H, Y and Z parameters.

  • Page 20: Phase

    When measuring group delay the aperture must be specified. Aperture is the frequency step size used in the differentiation. A small aperture will give more resolution but the displayed trace will be noisy. A larger aperture effectively averages the noise but reduces the resolution. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 21: Gain Compression

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer 4.7.5 Gain compression The 1 dB gain compression point of amplifiers and other active devices can be measured using the power sweep. The small signal gain of the amplifier is determined at low input power, then the power is increased and the point at which the gain has fallen by 1 dB is noted.
  • Page 22 Traditional TDR setup 4.7.7.1.1 Example: shorted 50 ohm transmission line Simplified representation of the response of a shorted line. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 23 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer For a transmission line with a short circuit (figure above) the incident signal sees the characteristic impedance of the line so the scope measures Ei. The incident signal travels along the line to the short circuit where it is reflected back 180°...
  • Page 24 However, it requires that the circuit is DC-coupled. This is the method supported by the PicoVNA 106. The lowpass method uses an Inverse Fourier Transform to determine the impulse response in the time domain from the reflection coefficient measured in the frequency domain.
  • Page 25 (N) and the total frequency span. It is given by the expression: So, the available ranges on the PicoVNA 106 are approximately 100 ns, 171 ns, 341 ns and 683 ns. The transform returns twice the number of points of the calibration in the time domain. Therefore the above ranges provide time resolutions of approximately 98 ps to 84 ps.

  • Page 26: Getting Started

    Folder with data files to support the software 5.2.1 Typical error messages On Windows 7 machines it is common to see the following error message: It is safe to click Ignore to continue the installation. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 27: Switching On The Vna

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Switching on the VNA When the VNA is powered on, the front-panel channel activity indicators will flash to indicate that the controller has started correctly. Calibration kit parameters The minimum requirements to carry out a 12-term calibration (full error correction) depend on the device to be tested.

  • Page 28: Insertable Dut

    5.4.5 Short and open without models The PicoVNA 106 supports short and open standards defined by data only. In this case the data is supplied in the form of a 201-frequency-points table. Each frequency point has three comma-separated entries: frequency (in MHz), real part of the reflection coefficient and the imaginary part of the reflection coefficient.

  • Page 29: Using A Matched Termination With Poor Return Loss Or Unmodeled Short And Open

    Calibration Kit Editor The calibration kits optionally supplied with the PicoVNA 106 provide an economical solution while retaining good measurement accuracy. They are supplied with SMA or precision PC3.5 (SMA-compatible) connectors.
  • Page 30 Note: When a kit is loaded, any available matched load or through adaptor data that is associated with the kit will be automatically loaded. The calibration kits available for the PicoVNA 106 come complete with matched load, short and open, and through adaptor data. Copy these files to your computer for easy access.

  • Page 31: Operation

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Operation The PicoVNA 2 software allows you to program the measurement parameters and plots the measurement results in real time. The main window includes a status panel that displays information including calibration status, frequency sweep step size and sweep status. The Help menu includes a copy of this manual.
  • Page 32 Repeat the above steps for each display needed Note: The Active Channel must be one of the displayed channels. The Display Set Up window is used to set up the measurements display Display graph parameters pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 33: Data Markers

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer The colors of the main graphics display can be changed to suit individual preferences. This can be done by selecting the Color Scheme item from the Tools menu. To set a color, click the color preview box next to the item name.
  • Page 34 The markers set up form provides a Peak / Minimum Search facility. This places marker 1 at either the peak or minimum value on the displayed trace on the active channel when the corresponding Find button is pressed. The Markers Set Up dialog is used to display measurement markers pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 35: Measurement Enhancement

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Change the marker type by right-clicking on any marker on the active channel. Note that only the reference marker can be fixed. The peak / minimum search facility provides a means of placing additional markers to indicate the 3 or 6 dB bandwidth.
  • Page 36 Reference plane extension and de-embedding for more details. Note: The reference plane must be at 0 mm for the Auto Ref function to work correctly. Also, Enhancement window changes only take place when the instrument is sweeping. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 37 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer The Effective Dielectric of the device under test can be entered so that the displayed Reference Plane extension values (shown on the Enhancement Window) are corrected accordingly when the Auto Ref button is clicked. The default value is 1.0 and the maximum value allowed is 50.0.

  • Page 38: Memory Facility

    Once the data is stored, it can be displayed by clicking Display Data and Memory in the main window. There are three vector math functions available: sum, subtraction and division. The selected function is used when you select the Display Memory Math function on the main window. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 39: Limit Lines Facility

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer The trace hold is used to store the maximum or minimum values on the memory trace. Trace hold is not available when group delay is displayed. 6.1.5 Limit lines facility The limit lines facility allows six segments to be defined for each displayed graph. By taking advantage of the overlapping capability (see below) a maximum of 11 segments can be created The set up window, shown below, is displayed by clicking Limit Lines in the main window.

  • Page 40: Status Panel

    Sweep status. Indicates whether instrument is sweeping Frequency step. Step size of sweep Sweep points. Number of points in programmed sweep. Limit Lines alarm if any measurement exceed the set limits (temporarily replaces Calibration status) pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 41: Triggered Sweep

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer 6.1.7 Triggered sweep It is possible to synchronize each measurement sweep to an external trigger. Simply click the appropriate radio button in the main window and ensure that a trigger signal is connected to the instrument’s rear panel Trigger terminal.

  • Page 42: Calibration

    Open connection Open Open ( x 2) Open ( x 1) standards Short Termination (see Short Short (x 2) Short (x 1) required text) Through connection Through cable Through adaptor (x Through cable pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 43 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer 12 terms (insertable 12 terms or 8 terms* DUT) (non-insertable DUT) Measurement using 3- Frequency using using using 3-term capability response with term error 12-term error 12-term error error correction isolation correction correction...

  • Page 44: Changing The Frequency Sweep Settings Without Recalibrating

    In order to obtain accurate measurement data, the effect of the adaptor needs to be removed from the measurements. Some of the possible ways of doing this with the PicoVNA 106 are as follows: Calibration used...

  • Page 45: Calibration Steps For S11 Measurements

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer 6.2.2 Calibration steps for S11 measurements The calibration for S measurements performs a three term error correction calibration. Note that if the device to be tested has a female connector, then a female calibration kit should be used for best results. The typical steps are as follows: 1.

  • Page 46: Calibration Steps For All S-Parameters Measurements (Insertable Dut)

    7. Connect ends of test cables together using the characterized through included in the calibration kit and click Through 8. Click Apply (in Calibration window) 9. If desired, for later use, save calibration (File > Save Cal and Status) 10. Connect device to be tested and click Start pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 47: Calibration For Best Dynamic Range - Minimizing The Effect Of Crosstalk

    Enhanced isolation calibration The PicoVNA 106 provides an enhanced isolation calibration option. This method makes crosstalk measurements at the short, open and load calibration steps. In this way it attempts to more closely model the effect of port termination on the internal crosstalk components of the instrument.

  • Page 48: Measurements

    VNA as indicated in the figure below. If the DUT can only be connected to the VNA using a cable, then the VNA should be calibrated at the end of the cable for best results. Connect device under test to Port 1 to carry out S11 measurements. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 49: Insertion Loss / Gain

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Displaying the results The measurement result can be displayed by selecting the S parameter and an appropriate display graph as described in Display setup. Note that the measured phase is relative to the calibration reference plane as...

  • Page 50: Group Delay

    The PicoVNA 106 calculates the group delay by dividing the phase change between adjacent sweep points and dividing by the size of the sweep step. It is usual to apply some degree of trace smoothing to remove very rapidly changing perturbations from the trace.
  • Page 51 Note that carrying out time domain measurements requires a lot of mathematical processing and therefore each sweep will be noticeably slower when displaying time domain. Examples of TDR measurements using the PicoVNA 106 The trace below shows the time domain response of a 50 cm, 50 Ω coaxial cable with an open circuit termination.
  • Page 52 Measured response of 50 cm shorted cable using Kaiser-Bessel fifth-order window The trace below shows the effect of increasing the order of the Kaiser–Bessel window to 10. The ripple has been completely removed but the slope of the edge has been further reduced. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 53 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Measured response of 50 cm shorted cable using tenth-order Kaiser-Bessel window. A more complicated example: The trace below shows the response of a 30 cm, 50 Ω line followed by 30 cm of 25 Ω line terminated in a short circuit.

  • Page 54: Reverse Measurements On Two Port Devices

    (select ‘insertable’ or ‘non-insertable’ DUT on calibration window as shown in Display setup). The other calibration options measure only forward parameters. After the 12-term calibration is completed, simply select the reverse parameter(s) to be required on any displayed channel and start the measurement. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 55: Powering Active Devices Using The Built-In Bias-Ts

    Powering active devices using the built-in bias-Ts The PicoVNA 106 includes two bias-Ts, which can be used to provide DC bias to the measurement ports 1 and 2. The bias-Ts are rated at 250 mA and can support DC voltages up to 15 V. The DC injection terminals are type SMB, male, and are located on the back panel.
  • Page 56 With careful design of the jig these can be kept acceptably small but further accuracy can be achieved by making use of the de-embedding facility described below. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 57 De-embedding allows the effects of the test jig’s input and output networks to be removed. The PicoVNA 106 allows you to specify S-parameter files (must be full 2-port data) for the input and output networks as shown in the figure above so that the de-embedding takes place automatically as the instrument measures the test jig.

  • Page 58: Saving Data

    , so only the S and S data from the data file read will be copied to the memory traces of the displayed channels. Note: system impedance conversion will apply if turned on in the Measurement enhancement window. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 59: Plotting Graphics

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Loading data is done with the File > Load Measurement menu command Plotting graphics You can plot the graphics displayed on the main window using the File menu. A printer set-up window will appear from you can choose the desired printer and set its properties.

  • Page 60: Signal Generator Utility

    (DUT) – A + 5 < 10 dBm 1dB(DUT) where: = output power of DUT at the 1 dB gain compression point 1dB(DUT) = linear gain of DUT (DUT) = input and output attenuators pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 61 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Basic connection guide for P1dB measurements. Calibration connection is shown on the left. The instrument makes the measurement by setting the signal source (Port 1) frequency to the chosen value and then stepping its power from –20 to 0 dBm in 1 dB steps. The gain at each power setting is recorded.

  • Page 62: Am To Pm Conversion Utility

    This utility allows the measurement of the AM to PM conversion factor of a DUT. Generally it is used for evaluating the linearity of active devices such as amplifiers. The utility is started from the main Utilities menu, shown below: Figure: The AM to PM measurement utility control window pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 63: Compare Data Utility

    Typically this facility can be used to measure a verification (reference) DUT and compare the measurement values produced by the PicoVNA 106 VNA with those supplied with the verification DUT. This is a simple and quick way of determining the adequacy of the calibration and calibration kit to be used.
  • Page 64 Launch the compare data utility Load the PicoVNA 106 VNA uncertainty file (usually in the file DefUnc.dat) Load the reference measurement uncertainty file (this may be ignored in most cases where reference measurements are believed to be highly accurate) Click on the ‘Compare’...

  • Page 65: Closing Down The Software

    The same approach can be used to defining the phase uncertainty. That is, add the keyword [POLY] after the [PHASE] keyword. The data compare utility resolves the total combined uncertainty as follows: In the above, U is the uncertainty associated with the PicoVNA 106 VNA and U is that provided with the reference DUT. 6.13...

  • Page 66: Performance Verification And Maintenance

    0.2. Similarly, the figures for S and S assume the DUT has a value of S or S of less than 0.2. Other external factors such as connector and cables effects are excluded. pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...

  • Page 67: Routine Maintenance

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Power Frequency Magnitude Phase –15 dB to 0 dB Freq < 2 MHz 8º Freq > 2 MHz 4º –25 dB to –15 dB Freq < 2 MHz 10º Freq > 2MHz 6º...

  • Page 68: Performance Specification

    Output power accuracy ±2.0 dB Reference input frequency 10 MHz ±6 ppm Reference input level 0 ±3 dBm Reference output level 0 ±3 dBm Sweep functions Sweep type Linear sweep, CW sweep (timed sweep) pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 69 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Sweep functions Power sweep (P utility) Trigger modes Free run Positive trigger Negative trigger Manual trigger Sweep time (full 2-port calibration, 20 kHz bandwidth, 201 points: 37 ms no averaging) Number of points...
  • Page 70 200 MB hard disk storage on C: partition Windows 7, 8 or 10 Display resolution of 1280 x 720 External dimensions (L x W x H) 286 x 174 x 61 mm Weight 1.85 kg pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 71 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Miscellaneous Temperature range (operating) 15 °C to 35 °C Temperature range (storage) –20 °C to 50 °C Humidity 80% max. (non-condensing) Power source DC, 12 to 15 V, 1.85 A max. Dynamic range 10 MHz to 6 GHz Dynamic range 0.3 to 10 MHz...

  • Page 72: Troubleshooting Guide

    Troubleshooting guide Troubleshooting guide CAUTION The product and accessories contain no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and calibration require specialized test equipment and must only be performed by Pico Technology or an approved service provider. Symptom Possible Cause Solution Instrument does not power up...
  • Page 73 PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Figure: The Diagnostics Tests perform internal checks on key components If any of the tests returns an error, check connectors and linking cable. If this does not resolve it, restart the instrument and the software. After pressing reset, wait until the front-panel channel activity indicators have stopped flashing to continue with the tests.

  • Page 74: Warranty

    Goods will be free from defects in material and workmanship. Pico Technology shall not be liable for a breach of the warranty if the defect has been caused by fair wear and tear, willful damage, negligence, abnormal working conditions or failure to follow Pico Technology's spoken or written advice on the storage, installation, commissioning, use or maintenance of the Goods or (if no advice has been given) good trade practice;...

  • Page 75: Index

    PicoVNA 106 6 GHz Vector Network Analyzer Index Humidity 3 2-port measurement, complete 45 Insertion loss/gain measurement 45 Installing the software 22 Introduction 10 Altitude 3 AM to PM conversion measurement 58 Limit lines facility 35 Loading data 54 Bias-tees 51...
  • Page 76 Structure of the VNA 10 Sweep trigger output 37 Switching on the VNA 23 bandpass method 20 lowpass method 20 Temperature 3 Time domain measurements 46 Triggered sweep 37 Troubleshooting guide 68 USB connection 3 Warranty 70 pv106ug r1 © 2017 Pico Technology...
  • Page 77 Fax: +44 (0) 1480 396 296 Fax: +1 620 272 0981 Harpenden Herts AL5 5BZ United Kingdom Characterisation, info@lambdaphoto.co.uk sales@picotech.com pico.china@picotech.com Measurement & W: www.lambdaphoto.co.uk support@picotech.com +44 (0)1582 764334 Analysis +44 (0)1582 712084 www.picotech.com pv106ug r1 2017-07-21 © 2017 Pico Technology...

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