Melchor Varela SARK-110 User Manual

Vector impedance antenna analyzer

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SARK- - - - 110

SARK

Vector Impedance Antenna Analyzer

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110

User's Manual

Updated to Firmware Version 0.7.4

Revision 1.0

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Page 1 SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Vector Impedance Antenna Analyzer User’s Manual Revision 1.0 Updated to Firmware Version 0.7.4 This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2013...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Contents INTRODUCTION ..................... 4 FEATURES...................... 6 OPERATING THE SARK-110 ................. 7 ..................7 CREEN AYOUT ..................9 EANS OF NPUT ............10 HANGING THE ENTER REQUENCY ................11 HANGING THE ................
Page 3 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 CABLE TEST MODE ..................40 FIELD MODE....................43 SPECIFICATIONS..................45 PRECAUTIONS ..................50 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................51 REGULATORY WARNING................ 52 APPENDIX A: FUNDAMENTAL PARAMETERS .......... 53 APPENDIX B: UPDATING THE FIRMWARE ..........56 APPENDIX C: OSL CALIBRATION...............
Page 4: Introduction
The SARK-110 features a Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) generator with a range of 0.1 to 230 MHz and a frequency resolution of 1 Hz. The instrument has full vector measurement capability and accurately resolves the resistive, capacitive and inductive components of a load.
Page 5 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK In addition, the analyzer features a FDR (Frequency Domain Reflectometer) mode which is intended for the location of faults in coaxial cables. The analyzer features an internal 2MB flash disk for the storage and recall of the measured parameters, screenshots, analyzer configuration, and firmware updates.
Page 6: Features
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 2 Features • Pocket size and lightweight • Solid aluminum metal case • Intuitive and easy to use • Five operating modes: Rectangular Chart, Smith Chart, Single Frequency, Frequency Domain Reflectometer (cable test), and Field Mode •...
Page 7: Operating The Sark-110
The following figure shows the screen layout in Rectangular Mode operating mode. It shows diagram areas that are the same for all operating modes of the SARK-110. Screen layouts that show specifics for each operating mode are provided in the corresponding sections of this manual.
Page 8 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Diagram Currently selected submenu option Traces Markers information Markers Detailed measurements Vertical axis labelling Frequency and span settings Horizontal axis labelling Reference impedance setting Main menu Loaded impedance data file name Active menu option Calibration status Submenu...
Page 9: Means Of Input
(for Center, Span, Marker1, Marker2, LeftY and RightY) and to navigate in the pop-up submenus. Run/Hold [►||] The button Run/Hold is used to control the operation state of the SARK-110: Working or Pause. In the pause state the signal generator and measurement circuits are disabled.
Page 10: Changing The Center Frequency
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Note: when loading a stored data file the analyzer is placed in pause state automatically. Select [■] The button Select is used to activate the pop-up submenu associated to the active option and for selecting the desired option of the pop-up submenu.
Page 11: Changing The Span
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The screenshot below shows the frequency edit dialog showing the frequency multiplier position in digit 5 (frequency increments of 10 KHz). The second method for changing the frequency is simply by using the Navigator B when the Center option is active.
Page 12: Frequency Presets
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 according the current span frequency multiplier position which is shown in reverse video. The span frequency multiplier position can be changed using the Navigator A. The span is validated by pressing the button Select [■].The setting could be cancelled by pressing any other button.
Page 13: Using Markers
Select [■]. Pressing any other button will cancel the setting. 3.6 Using Markers The SARK-110 has two markers that can be either manually positioned by the user or operate in an automatic tracking mode. The markers indicate the horizontal and vertical position of the point they are positioned on.
Page 14 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The marker options are accessible in the markers list box which can be activated by pressing the button Select [■]. Available options are: «Enable» for activating or deactivating the marker, «Select» for selecting or deselecting the marker, and «Tracking»...
Page 15 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The automatic tracking feature makes the positioning of the markers easier so helping the user to speed-up the measurements. The following tracking modes are available: • Peak Min (p) • Peak Max (P) •...
Page 16 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The automatic positioning of markers is activated the «Tracking» sub-option. Then it should be selected the tracking mode from any of the modes above and after that the applicable parameter to track. In addition, for the Cross detection modes the detection value shall be specified.
Page 17: Changing Vertical Axis Parameter
Z at 50-ohm: 3.7 Changing Vertical Axis Parameter The SARK-110 in the Rectangular Mode mode is able to display two traces from any of the available parameters for the vertical axis. There are two methods to change the parameter, either by pressing the button Select [■] to activate the pop-...
Page 18: Saving And Recalling Measurements
The options will be selected in sequence. 3.8 Saving and Recalling Measurements The SARK-110 has the capability to store the measurements to the internal disk and recall them either to review the data later in the analyzer screen or to be recovered from the USB disk to be further analyzed by the ZPLOTS Excel application available at http://www.ac6la.com/zplots.html.
Page 19 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 After selecting the «Save File» list box option, the user is prompted for the file name. By default the file name has the format “sark_xxx.csv”, where xxx is an automatically assigned number. The user can change the file name by using the Navigator B to change the character value and the Navigator A to change the character position.
Page 20 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 To retrieve the stored data it is necessary to select the «Load data file» list box option. A second pop-up list box will be displayed with the list of the available files. Once the file is selected the data will be loaded and plotted.
Page 21 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Files can be deleted by selecting either the «Delete file» or the «Delete All» options. When selecting the «Delete File» option a pop-up list box will be displayed with the list of available files. The Navigator B will be used to navigate the files and the button Select [■] to delete the file.
Page 22: Taking Screenshots
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 3.9 Taking Screenshots The current screen can be captured by pressing the button Save Screen [●]. After pressing the button, the user is prompted for the file name. By default the file name has the format “sark_xxx.bmp”, where xxx is an automatically assigned number.
Page 23: Changing The Operating Mode
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The captured screenshots can be reviewed by selecting the option «Review bitmap file» from the «Store» menu. Besides they can be reviewed on the PC because they are available in Windows bitmap compatible format. Note: the bitmap files use a significant amount of disk (188KB per image) 3.10 Changing the Operating Mode...
Page 24: Changing The Settings
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Navigator B is used to navigate the mode option. The selection is validated by pressing the button Select [■]. Pressing any other button will cancel the selection. 3.11 Changing the Settings The configuration menu provides access to several setup options of the SARK- 110.
Page 25 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Navigator B is used to navigate the setup option. The selection is validated by pressing the button Select [■]. Pressing any other button will cancel the selection. Setup –Calibration The calibration features are accessible through the Calibration submenu: Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013...
Page 26 Setup – Detector Calibration See Appendix D: Setup –Computer Control The SARK-110 can be remotely controlled from a PC via an USB HID interface, for example, from the SARK Plots client software for Windows. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 26 - ©...
Page 27 SARK- - - - 110 Setup - Scale The SARK-110 provides three pre-defined scale values: Normal, High, and Low. This setting defines the maximum and minimum values for each parameter on the Y axis, see Appendix E: This configuration affects only to the Rectangular Chart mode.
Page 28 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Setup - Z0 This setting allows changing the reference characteristic impedance. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 28 - © EA4FRB 2011-2013...
Page 29 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Setup - Automatic Power Off This setting allows programming the automatic power off feature according a set of predefined values. After power-off the analyzer operation can be resumed by either pressing the button Select [■] or powering-off and powering-on using the Power Switch.
Page 30 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Setup – Average Filter This setup allows the enabling of a smoothing filter for the Rectangular Chart, Smith Chart, and Field modes. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 30 - ©...
Page 31 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Setup – SWR Circle This setup allows changing the constant impedance circle in the Smith Chart. The circle is defined by the VSWR value. In the screenshot below the circle has been changed for a VSWR of 5.0 Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 31 -...
Page 32 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Setup – Reset Factory Defaults The Reset Factory Defaults options allow resetting the analyzer to the default settings. Setup - About The about screen displays copyright information, the release information of the analyzer firmware and the disk space information.
Page 34: Rectangular Chart Mode
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 4 Rectangular Chart Mode Diagram Markers information Traces Detailed measurements Markers Frequency and span settings Vertical axis labelling Reference impedance setting Horizontal axis labelling Calibration status Main menu Run/Hold status Active menu option USB/Battery status Rev 1.0 March 15...
Page 35 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Rectangular Mode mode provides the required functionality for the impedance measurements of antennas, transmission lines, and RF circuits. The analyzer performs the reflection measurements in a user specified frequency range, defined by the center frequency and the span, and two user selectable fundamental parameters are displayed in a cartesian diagram.
Page 36: Smith Chart Mode
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 5 Smith Chart Mode Diagram Markers information Trace Detailed measurements Markers Frequency and span settings Constant impedance circle Reference impedance setting Frequency start and end Calibration status Main menu Run/Hold status Active menu option USB/Battery status Rev 1.0 March 15...
Page 37 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Smith Chart mode is equivalent to the Rectangular Mode mode but in this case the complex reflection measurements for the user specified frequency range are displayed in a Smith Chart diagram. As in the Rectangular Mode mode, the measurements are performed continuously unless it is stopped by pressing the button Run/Hold [►||].
Page 38: Single Frequency Mode
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 6 Single Frequency Mode SWR bar Main menu Series impedance complex form Active menu option Circuit equivalent series Detailed measurements Series resistance and equivalent Detailed measurements extended capacitance Parallel impedance complex form Reference impedance setting Circuit equivalent parallel Calibration status...
Page 39 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Single Frequency mode provides impedance measurements at a single frequency. All the measured fundamental parameters at the selected frequency are shown in the display. In addition a SWR graph is available for a quick visualization of this parameter.
Page 40: Cable Test Mode
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 7 Cable Test Mode Diagram Detailed measurements Traces Markers information Markers Reference impedance setting Vertical axis labelling Calibration status Distance start and end Run/Hold status Main menu USB/Battery status Active menu option Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 40 -...
Page 41 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Cable Test mode is intended to determine potential coaxial cable faults that could disrupt the signal transmission. The method of measurement is based on the theory of Frequency Domain Reflectrometry, or FDR. The analyzer makes swept reflection measurements for the full frequency range and mathematically transforms this data to the time domain using the inverse Fourier transform.
Page 42 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Element Step Response Impulse Response Open Unity reflection Unity reflection Short Unity reflection, -180º Unity reflection, -180º Resistor R > Z Positive level shift Positive peak Resistor R < Z Negative level shift Negative peak Inductor...
Page 43: Field Mode
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 8 Field Mode Diagram Frequency and span settings Trace Reference impedance setting Vertical axis labelling Calibration status Start and stop frequency Run/Hold status Main menu USB/Battery status Active menu option Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 43 -...
Page 44 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The Field Mode is equivalent to the Rectangular Chart mode but with a more visible presentation aimed for the operation on the field. In this mode only one trace is ploted and the markers feature is not available. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 44 -...
Page 45: Specifications
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 9 Specifications • Direct Digital Synthesis with 1Hz resolution Synthesizer • Frequency range from 0.1 to 230Mhz Measured SWR, |Z|, impedance angle, reflection coefficient, series and parallel resistance, series and parallel reactance, Parameters return loss, phase, % reflection power, quality factor, equivalent capacitance, equivalent inductance...
Page 46 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 • Plots complex reflection coefficient in Smith Chart form Smith Chart Mode • Adjustable center frequency and frequency span • Display detailed parameters for center frequency or any of the two marker positions •...
Page 47 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Peak Min Peak Max Absolute Min Absolute Max Value Cross Any Value Cross Up Value Cross Down • Full color 3” TFT LCD 400 * 240 Interface • 4 dedicated buttons •...
Page 48 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 • Frequency calibration • Single conversion superheterodine Measurement Architecture • Two independent measurement channels for simultaneous voltage and current measurement for precise phase measurement • Two synchronized 12-bit analog to digital converters •...
Page 49 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 300g Weight • SARK-110 x 1 Pack List • Battery x 1 • MCX to BNC adapter pigtail x 1 • Screwdriver x 1 Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 49 - ©...
Page 50: Precautions
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 10 Precautions 1. Never connect the unit to an antenna during a lighting storm. Lightning strikes as well as static discharges may kill the operator. 2. Never apply a RF signal or any other external voltages to the antenna port of this unit.
Page 51: Acknowledgments
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 11 Acknowledgments • I would like to give a special thanks to Seeed Studio to let this product being a reality. • The analyzer schematics and layout have been developed using the DesignSpark tool.
Page 52: Regulatory Warning
User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 12 Regulatory Warning This equipment is intended for use in a laboratory test environment only. The product generates radiate radio frequency energy and has not been tested for compliance with the limits of computing devices pursuant to subpart J of part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio frequency interference.
Page 53: Appendix A: Fundamental Parameters
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Appendix A: Fundamental Parameters Abreviation Parameter Description Series Resistive value of the series impedance resistance Series Reactance value of the series impedance reactance Parallel Resistive value of the parallel impedance resistance Parallel Reactance value of the parallel impedance...
Page 54 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Abreviation Parameter Description Return Losses Return loss is the negative of the magnitude of the reflection coefficient in dB. × |Rho| Magnitude of It is the measure of the absolute magnitude of the Reflection the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected wave Coefficient...
Page 55 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Abreviation Parameter Description Series Equivalent series capacitance at the Capacitance measurement frequency Series Equivalent series inductance at the Inductance measurement frequency Parallel Equivalent parallel capacitance at the Capacitance measurement frequency Parallel Equivalent parallel inductance at the Inductance...
Page 56: Appendix B: Updating The Firmware
SARK- - - - 110 Appendix B: Updating the firmware The firmware of the SARK-110 is upgradeable via USB as described in the following steps: 1. Connect the SARK-110 to the PC with an USB cable 2. Copy the firmware file, e.g. SARK110-VAA-APP.dfu to the USB disk 3.
Page 57: Appendix C: Osl Calibration
SARK- - - - 110 Appendix C: OSL Calibration The SARK-110 provides a calibration procedure to compensate the stray capacitance and impedance of the external test fixture, e.g. the extension cable. This should be performed every time the external test fixture is changed and periodically.
Page 58 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The calibration procedure is as follow: Connect the open load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 58 - © EA4FRB 2011-2013...
Page 59 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 The calibration progress will be shown in the display bar. Connect short-circuit load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. The calibration progress will be shown in the display bar. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 59 -...
Page 60 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Connect the reference load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. The calibration progress will be shown in the display bar. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 60 - ©...
Page 61 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Press the button [■] to apply the calibration settings, or the button [▲] to cancel. Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 61 - © EA4FRB 2011-2013...
Page 62: Appendix D: Detector Calibration
SARK- - - - 110 Appendix D: Detector Calibration This procedure performs the aligment of the SARK-110 internal measurement circuits. This operation is done once at the factory and it is not necessary that the user do this operation but this is provided anyhow.
Page 63 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Connect the short load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. The calibration progress will be shown in the display bar. Connect the 50-ohm load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel.
Page 64 User’s Manual SARK SARK SARK SARK- - - - 110 Connect the 100-ohm load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. Connect the 200-ohm load. Press button [■] continue, or the button [▲] to cancel. The calibration is completed. The calibration coefficients are shown in the bottom part of the screen for information.
Page 66: Appendix E: Scale Presets
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Appendix E: Scale Presets Normal Scale 1000 -500 Linear 1000 -500 Linear |Zs| 1000 <Zs Linear 1.00 25.00 |Rho| Linear <Rho -180 Linear Linear Linear -10000 10000 Linear -10000 10000 Linear -10000 10000...
Page 67 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK High Scale 5000 -2500 2500 Linear 5000 -2500 2500 Linear |Zs| 5000 <Zs Linear 1.00 100.00 |Rho| Linear <Rho -180 Linear Linear Linear -100000 100000 Linear -100000 100000 Linear -100000 100000 Linear -100000...
Page 68 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Scale Linear -125 Linear Linear -125 Linear |Zs| Linear <Zs Linear 1.00 10.00 |Rho| Linear <Rho -180 Linear Linear Linear -1000 1000 Linear -1000 1000 Linear -1000 1000 Linear -1000 1000 Linear Rev 1.0 March 15...
Page 69: Appendix F: Calibration Loads Manufacturing
User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Appendix F: Calibration Loads Manufacturing The calibration loads can be manufactured out from BNC plugs such as shown in the image below: Following are the parts list required to build the different loads: Short: Part Part...
Page 70 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK 50-ohm: Part Part Source Description number BNC Connector 171-9311 Mouser BNC Plug Solderless W/Strain Relief R 49.9-Ohm 989-1152-1- DigiKey RES PREC 49.9 OHM 250MW .1% 0805 100-ohm: Part Part Source Description number BNC Connector...
Page 71 User’s Manual SARK- - - - 110 SARK SARK SARK Open: Part Part Source Description number BNC Connector 171-9311 Mouser BNC Plug Solderless W/Strain Relief Not required N.R. Just leave the connector as it is Rev 1.0 March 15 , 2013 - 71 - ©...

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Summary of Contents for Melchor Varela SARK-110

Table of Contents