pico Technology PicoVNA 106 Programmer's Manual
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pico Technology PicoVNA 106 Programmer's Manual

Vector network analyzer
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Vector Network Analyzer
Programmer's Guide
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Summary of Contents for pico Technology PicoVNA 106

  • Page 1 PicoVNA ® Vector Network Analyzer Programmer's Guide pvpg-4...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    1 SetEnhance() - set enhancement parameters ..................35 2 SetRef() - set reference plane ........................37 3 SaveToMem() - save measurement to memory ..................38 4 AppMemMath() - apply memory math ....................... 39 pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 3 10 SOT_SaveData() - save sweep to data array ..................62 11 DLLVer() - get DLL program version ......................63 11 Diagnostics .................................. 64 1 InsDiag() - run diagnostics tests [dialog] ....................64 4 Glossary ..........................65 Index ............................66 pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 4: Welcome

    PicoVNA product web page >> Software license conditions The material contained in this release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology Limited grants a license to the person who installs this software, subject to the conditions listed below. Access. The licensee agrees to allow access to this software only to persons who have been informed of these conditions and agree to abide by them.

  • Page 5: Trademarks

    PicoVNA Programmer's Guide Welcome Trademarks Pico Technology is an internationally registered trademark of Pico Technology Ltd. PicoVNA and PicoSDK are registered trademarks of Pico Technology Ltd. Windows, Excel and Visual Basic for Applications are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the USA and other countries.

  • Page 6: System Requirements

      sales@picotech.com sales@picotech.com UK office hours: North America office hours: 09:00 to 17:00 (UK time) 09:00 to 17:00 (Central time) Monday to Friday Monday to Friday pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 7: Programming With Picovna

    Installing the software 1. Download the latest PicoVNA software installer from www.picotech.com/downloads: Use the PicoVNA 2 software for the PicoVNA 106 6 GHz VNA Use the PicoVNA 3 software for the PicoVNA 108 8.5 GHz VNA 2. Run the installer.
  • Page 8 If you wish to carry out mixer measurements with a GPIB-connected external instrument it is very likely you will need to install the Keysight ® IO Libraries Suite. Please see www.keysight.com for details. No additional software is required for communicating with USB-connected instruments. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 9: Api Functions

    String: “OK” or “Error” data only saved if kit is on port 1] SaveToMem() Save measured data to Para String: “OK” or “Error” memory SelectAMPM() Measure AM to PM None None (displays window) pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 10 S21r, S21i, S12r, S12i, S22r, “Error” impedance to another S22i SetSysZo() Set the system impedance SysZo, ExMatch String: “OK” or “Error” to a value other than 50 Ω pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 11: Communications

    Serial number of the instrument detected or 0 if no instrument is found. Return values Type Executed correctly Error <0 to 9999> Integer <1 to 9999> <0> Alternatively, you can find a specific instrument by its hardware serial number using FNDSN(). pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 12: Fndsn() - Discover Instrument By Hardware Serial Number

    A string such as "A3VIAUAH”. Returns Serial number of the instrument detected or 0 if no instrument is found. Return values Type Executed correctly Error <0 to 9999> Integer <1 to 9999> <0> pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 13: Closevna() - Close Instrument

    “OK” if currently open USB port is successfully closed. If no USB port currently open the value returned is “Error”. Return values Type Executed correctly Error String “OK”, “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 14: Reseterr() - Reset Serial Communications Error Flag

    This routine is used to reset the error flag. Action Resets the serial communications error flag. No parameters are passed in the call. Parameter passed Description Value None Returns Nothing pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 15: Calibration

    In the above, the Short and Open offset refer to the Open and Short reference plane distances. The offset times are the equivalent transit time in free space for this plane distance. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 16: Setkit() - Create Kit

    ByVal port As Integer, ByVal MData As String, ByVal FileName1 As String, ByVal Tdata As String, ByVal FileName2 As String ) As String Typical usage variable = SetKit(name,Ksex,Koff,Koff2,CF0,CF1,CF2,CF3,SIND,OffLoss1,OffLoss2,port,MDa ta,FileName1,Tdata, FileName2) pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 17 A kit with Thru data may be loaded to Port 2 but the Thru data will be ignored, therefore, if the kit is subsequently resaved, the Thru data will be lost. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 18: Setfreqplan() - Set Frequency Plan

    (interpolated) error terms to be generated so that a new calibration need not be carried out. Note that this process will delete any measurements saved to memory. Note further that in order to obtain the best instrument capability a new calibration should be performed. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 19: Setcwmode() - Set Cw Sweep Plan

    3 GHz to 6 GHz: 20 Hz (PicoVNA 106) 3 GHz to 8.5 GHz: 10 Hz (PicoVNA 108) Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Error String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 20: Selectcal() - Calibrate And Set Frequency Plan [Dialog]

    Note that this process will delete any measurements saved to memory. Note further that in order to obtain the best instrument capability a new calibration should be performed whenever the sweep parameters change. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 21: Meascal() - Measure Calibration Standard

    This calibration method uses the various isolation measurements in order to attempt to model the termination- dependent isolation term of the instrument. This approach is similar to that described in the User's Guide as the "enhanced isolation calibration". pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 22 This approach is described in the User's Guide as the "enhanced isolation calibration". Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 23: Appcal() - Apply Calibration

    “S11”, “S21”, “S11+S21”, “All”, “Alln” Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” Note! Only use with the MeasCal() commands. Not after using SelectCal() or LoadCal(). pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 24: Selectp1Db() - Calibration And Measurement [Dialog]

    Typically implemented as follows: Call SelectP1dB SelectP1dB Action A dialog is displayed that allows the user to carry out P1dB measurements interactively. No parameters are passed. Parameter passed Description Value None Returns Nothing pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 25: Selectampm() - Am-Pm Calibration And Measurement [Dialog]

    Call SelectAMPM SelectAMPM Action A dialog is displayed that allows the user to carry out AM to PM measurements interactively. No parameters are passed. Parameter passed Description Value None Returns Nothing pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 26: Dop1Dbcal() - P1Db Calibration

    0.3 to 8500 (PicoVNA 108) * setting Ftest to 0 will cause calibration using sweep plan stored Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 27: Doampmcal() - Am-Pm Calibration

    Frequency at which the Cal 0.3 to 6080 (PicoVNA 106) Ftest is done 0.3 to 8500 (PicoVNA 108) Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 28: Selectmixerfrm() - Select Mixer [Dialog]

    Call SelectMixerFrm SelectMixerFrm Action A dialog is displayed that allows the user to carry out mixer measurements interactively. No parameters are passed. Parameter passed Description Value None Returns Nothing pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 29: Setrxq() - Set Quiescent Point Of Receiver

    If used, it must be called immediately before performing a measurement sweep. No parameters are passed. Parameter passed Description Value None Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 30: Measurements

    Sweep is synchronized to the falling edge of the external trigger signal External trigger signal specification Parameter Units Low level –0.5 High level Input resistance kΩ Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 31: Pulsetrigout() - Pulse The Trigger Output

    1 μs before pulsing high. No parameters are passed with the call. Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 32: Measure() - Measure One Sweep (S11, S21, S11+S21, Or "All" Using Current Calibration)

    PicoVNA 108 only. If “Raw” is passed, the instrument will perform a sweep and collect only the raw receiver data. Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 33: Dop1Dbmeas() - Measure P1Db

    0, the frequency sweep plan will be used. In this case, the string returned will have the following format: <1st frequency pt in MHz>, <P1dB in dBm>, ……, <last frequency pt in MHz>, <P1dB in dBm> pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 34: Doampmmeas() - Measure Am-Pm

    Returns Return values Type Unit Executed correctly Not executed correctly String deg/dB <AM to PM value> AM to PM value, “No “Error” or “No cal” cal” or “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 35: Signal Processing

    “res”. value>, <window "res" value only needed if termination type is type>, <window "res". order> Window types: “rect”, “kaiserb”, “raisedcos”. "window order" value only needed if window type is "kaiserb". pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 36 PicoVNA Programmer's Guide API functions Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 37: Setref() - Set Reference Plane

    “Error” “Error” Note! The reference plane is reset to zero after calibration. Therefore, if a value other than zero is required, ensure that it is set after calibration pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 38: Savetomem() - Save Measurement To Memory

    This function is used to store measured values to memory. A single parameter is passed as shown in the table below. Para Description Forward parameters “S11” or “S21” Reverse parameters “S22” or “S12” Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 39: Appmemmath() - Apply Memory Math

    Note! If this function needs to be called a second time before carrying out another measurement, use the "Restore" facility to restore the measurement data. Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 40: Setsyszo() - Set System Impedance

    75 Ω. Please refer to the User's Guide for further information. When applied, data stored in memory is unaffected. Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 41: Zconversion() - Impedance Conversion Utility

    Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly <string value> or “Error” String “S11real, S11imag, “Error” S21real, S21imag, S12real, S12imag, S22real, S22imag” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 42: Get Processed Data

    “Error” <parameter value>" “Error” CW (time sweep) <string value> or String "<time (s)>, “Error” <parameter value>" “Error” TD (time domain) <string value> or String "<time (s)>, “Error” <parameter value>" “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 43: Getmem() - Get Memory

    Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly <string value> or “Error” String “<frequency (Hz)>, “Error” <parameter value>” Note! Smoothing is not applied to returned memory data. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 44: Fndpt() - Find Data Point

    Not executed correctly <string value> or “Error” String “<frequency (Hz)>, < (pk, “Error” min, etc) value>, <bandwidth value>, <frequency index>” Note! Frequency index is an integer representing the point in the sweep. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 45: Setlimits() - Set Pass/Fail Limits

    Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly <string value> or String “OK” or if query, “<start “Error” “Error” freq (Hz)>, < stop freq (Hz) >, <min value>, <max value>” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 46: Testlimits() - Pass/Fail Measurement

    Not executed correctly <string value> or “Error” String “Pass” or if test fail, “<fail “Error” freq (Hz)>, < “Max (or Min) limit =” ValMin (or ValMax)>, <”Actual =”>, <Measured value>” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 47: Get Info

    Queries if calibration being used “Interpol” Returns “Yes” or “No” is interpolated from another Port 1 or port 2 cal kit sex ”KitSex1” or “KitSex2” “Male” or “Female” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 48 Instrument temperature String. <Temp deg C> or “0” if an error is "Temp" (PicoVNA 108 only) encountered. Returns According to the table above or “Error” if an error has been encountered. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 49: Data Storage

    A kit with Thru data may be loaded to Port 2 but the Thru data will be ignored, therefore, if the kit is subsequently resaved the Thru data will be lost. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 50: Selectsavemeas() - Save Measurement

    This routine is called to save measured data. When called, a dialog is displayed that allows the user to select the data and format to be saved as well as the destination file. No parameters are passed or returned. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 51: Savecal() - Save Status And Calibration

    Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error writing “OK” “Error writing file” file” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 52: Data Retrieval

    Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error reading “OK” “Error reading file” file” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 53: Miscellaneous

    Public Function InitVar() as String Typical usage This function is called to initialize all internal variables. variable = InitVar Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String Not applicable “OK” “OK” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 54: Selectsiggen() - Set To Signal Generator Mode [Dialog]

    This routine is called to display a dialog that allows the user to set the instrument up as synthesized signal generator. Call SelectSigGen SelectSigGen Returns No parameters are passed or returned. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 55: Setsiggen() - Set To Signal Generator Mode

    “OK” “Error” Note: Setting P2 (power in dBm) to –100 will have the effect of switching off the signal generator output. The maximum output above 6 GHz is +6 dBm. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 56: Selectphasemeter() - Measure Phase Difference Interactively

    A dialog is displayed that allows you to carry out phase measurements interactively. No parameters are passed. Parameter passed Description Value None Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 57: Initialisephasemeter() - Set Frequency And Bandwidth

    Frequency for phase measurement 0.3 to 8500 (MHz) Receiver bandwidth (Hz) 10 to 140000 in available sequence Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 58: Measurephase() - Run The Phase Meter

    Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed correctly List of results Comma-separated string "<phase>, <Port 1 “Error” level>, <Port 2 level>, <dB ratio of Port 2 to Port 1 level>" pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 59: Selectsot() - Save On Trigger [Dialog]

    PicoVNA 108 only. This function is used to launch the Save on Trigger form. It is used mainly to examine and / or manipulate captured sweep data. <variable> = SelectSOT() Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Error String “OK” or “Error” “OK” “Error” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 60: Sotmeasure() - Do Save On Trigger Measurement

    Note: The time out value parameter determines when the command is aborted in cases when no external trigger is received. This value is in addition to the built-in default time out which is dependent on parameters such as the bandwidth setting. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 61: Sot_Copysweep() - Copy To Trace

    Trace array to receive data <”Live” or “Memory”> Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Error String “OK” or error description “OK” “Error” or “Invalid trace name”, etc. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 62: Sot_Savedata() - Save Sweep To Data Array

    Frequency value Applies only when saving Freq <frequency value> data for a single frequency. Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Error String “OK” or error description “OK” “Error” or “Invalid file” pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 63: Dllver() - Get Dll Program Version

    This function is used to query the program version. No parameters are passed. variable = DLLVer Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Comments <version> String <version> Example: "V1.0 Jan 2014" pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 64: Diagnostics

    This function is used to display a dialog that allows the user to carry out instrument diagnostics tests. No parameters are passed. variable = InsDiag Returns Return values Type Executed correctly Not executed (aborted) <string> String "Tests completed" "Tests not performed" pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 65: Glossary

    It can be adjusted by the software to account for the effect of adding through adaptors. Through. An adaptor that does not intentionally modify the signal passing through it but functions only to adapt the connector on one device to fit another device. pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Page 66: Index

    Mixer DLL 65 selecting 28 DLL version, requesting 63 DLLVer() 63 DoAMPMCal() 27 Operating system 6 DoAMPMMeas() 34 DoP1dBCal() 26 DoP1dBMeas() 33 DUT 65 P1dB 65 Dynamic link library 65 pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 67 SelectPhaseMeter() 56 SelectSaveMeas() 50 SelectSigGen() 54 SelectSOT() 59 Serial communications error flag, resetting 14 SetCWmode() 19 SetEnhance() 35 SetFreqPlan() 18 SetKit() 16 SetLimits() 45 SetRef() 37 SetRXQ() 29 SetSigGen() 55 pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Page 68 United States Shanghai 200070 PE19 8YP PR China United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1480 396 395 Tel: +1 800 591 2796 Tel: +86 21 2226-5152 sales@picotech.com sales@picotech.com pico.asia-pacific@picotech.com support@picotech.com support@picotech.com www.picotech.com pvpg-4 Copyright © 2017–2021 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Picovna 108

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