PicoVNA 106 and 108 Vector Network Analyzer Series up to 8.5 GHz

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Series PicoVNA companies Pico Technology refers to low-cost vector network analyzers (VNA, VNA), which are connected to a computer using a USB interface. Despite the low cost, these analyzers have good accuracy and an impressive set of professional features. The devices of this series are very reliable as they are designed and manufactured in the UK.

The PicoVNA series includes two models: PicoVNA 106 (300 kHz to 6 GHz) and PicoVNA 108 (300 kHz to 8.5 GHz). In addition to the extended frequency range, the PicoVNA 108 has the ability to measure frequency mixers and other similar devices (using an optional external signal generator).

The PicoVNA series network analyzers come with everything you need to get the job done. accessories, including low-cost calibration components and test standards, as well as a unique training set. You can download a full description of all the characteristics of the Pico Technology PicoVNA series below on this page in the section Documentation.

Main characteristics:
Frequency: 300 kHz - 6 GHz (PicoVNA 106 model).
Frequency: 300 kHz - 8.5 GHz (PicoVNA 108 model).
Number of ports: 2.
Measured parameters (all models): S11, S21, S22, S12 and P1dB.
Measured mixer parameters (PicoVNA 108 only): conversion loss, return loss, isolation and compression.
Measurement speed: 182 µs per point. Resolution: up to 10,001 dots.
Dynamic range: more than 110 dB. Source power: -20 dBm to +10 dBm.
Number of receivers: 4. Linearity of receivers: compression point +10 dBm.
Directionality, source and load matching: up to 46 dB.
USB control from a computer with Windows 7, 8 or 10.
Weight: 1.9 kg. Dimensions: 286 x 174 x 61 mm. Working temperature: from +5°С to +40°С.
Leader in price / performance ratio up to 8.5 GHz

Need portable analyzer with screen? Watch the series Anritsu MS20xxC VNA Master.
Need a vector analyzer with four ports? Watch the series Anritsu MS46524B.
Need analyzer with maximum capabilities? Watch the series Anritsu MS4640B VectorStar.
Want to see the full list? Go to vector analysis homepage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

PicoVNA vector network analyzers are a new range of professional instrumentation from Pico Technology, which designs and manufactures all of its instruments in the UK. A distinctive feature of PicoVNA analyzers is a large set of professional functions at a very low cost for this level.

Among the strengths of the series, which included as standard PicoVNA, it is worth noting: the presence of four independent receivers (Four receiver), the ability to supply a constant voltage (Bias tee) to the central contacts of the measuring ports, measurements in the time domain (Time domain), shift of the reference plane (Reference plane offsetting), exclusion from the measurement results adapters added after calibration (De-embedding) and measuring the compression point of active devices (P1dB). In addition, the PicoVNA 108 can be used to measure frequency mixers.

PicoVNA vector analyzers take up very little bench space and provide excellent visualization of signals on large computer monitors up to 4K resolution (3840 by 2160 pixels). And since all the results go directly to the computer, you do not have to manually transfer them for documentation and storage. As an example, this photo shows the Pico Technology PicoVNA vector analyzer in real working conditions.

Calibration, verification and connection to the measurement object

As already mentioned, PicoVNA compact electrical network analyzers provide high performance at a low cost. The same applies to the accessories they can be equipped with. Pico Technology makes everything you need at a great price.

To carry out measurements, you will need: at least two phase-stable cables, a calibration kit (one or more), plus adapters for connecting to various types of connectors.

This photo shows the main accessories for the PicoVNA series analyzers. See the full list below on this page in the section Options and accessories. You can find additional information about the selection of accessories for the VNA here, and about the calibration of network analyzers, see special article, which also contains the video.

It is also desirable to equip the network analyzer with a test standard with known parameters, which you will periodically connect to the instrument during operation to verify its accuracy. An example of such a TA430 standard with 25 ohm impedance and SMA(m)-SMA(f) connectors is shown in this photo.

PicoVNA 2 Software

The PicoVNA series vector network analyzers are controlled by the PicoVNA 2 software supplied with the instrument. Compatible operating systems are Windows 7, 8 or 10, and data communication can be via USB2 or USB3 interface.

The software features are standardized in the field of vector analysis and allow you to measure the values of S11, S21, S22, S12, as well as several additional parameters. Measurement results can be displayed on one, two or four separate graphs. Markers, limit lines, and other common features are supported. In separate windows, you work with measurements in the time domain (Time domain), measure the 1 dB compression point, calibrate, and so on.

Please note that the program supports various color schemes, such as light-colored graphs on a dark background, which are more common in network analyzers with a built-in screen. And for documentation and subsequent printing on paper, a color scheme with dark graphs on a white background is better suited. An example of the main window of the PicoVNA 2 control program with such a color scheme is shown in this screenshot.

Before carrying out a series of measurements, it is necessary, using a special reference set, to perform network analyzer calibration. To do this, the PicoVNA 2 program has a separate window, shown in the screenshot below, which contains everything you need for this procedure. It supports both loading a ready-made file with the calibration coefficients of the set used, and manually entering the necessary parameters.

PicoVNA series analyzers standard features include measurement of the 1 dB gain compression point (1 dB gain compression point or P1dB for short) of amplifiers and other active devices. The measurement can be carried out at a single frequency or in a given frequency range.

During the measurement, the PicoVNA network analyzer determines the gain at low input power and then gradually increases the power to find the point where the gain decreases by 1 dB. Below is a screenshot of the corresponding PicoVNA 2 window.

It is known that in various non-linear devices, a change in the amplitude of the radio signal can cause a change in its phase. This type of distortion has a particular effect on the quality of complex digital modulations, in which the amplitude is constantly changing, and the accuracy of maintaining the phase is very important. These types of modulation include, for example, QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) modulation.

The PicoVNA series vector analyzer software contains a special mode that allows you to measure the effect of the signal amplitude applied to the device under test on changes in its phase. A screenshot of the corresponding PicoVNA 2 window is shown below.

Measuring mixers with the PicoVNA 108 analyzer

The PicoVNA 108 network analyzer model can measure frequency mixers as standard. To do this, in addition to the analyzer itself, you must use an external signal generator, such as Pico Technology AS108 (300 kHz - 8 GHz). It is possible to measure such parameters of mixers: conversion loss (Mixer conversion loss), return loss (Return loss), isolation (Isolation) and compression (Compression).

As an example, this screenshot shows the PicoVNA 2 program window, in which the compression of the studied mixer is measured.

Electrical Circuit Analysis Skills Training Kit

Pico Technology offers a unique yet affordable training set PQ186, which can be used to teach students in technical universities, as well as in industrial laboratories who have bought their first vector analyzer and are just starting to master this type of measurement. The appearance of the set is shown in this photo.

The PQ186 set includes PCB PQ189 with SMA(f) connectors, which contains the following RF components: attenuator, externally powered wideband amplifier, 25 ohm mismatch, resistive power divider, low-pass filter, band pass filter, and space for soldering in custom components. Also, a variety of calibration components of the SOLT type (Short, Open, Load and Through) is implemented right on the board.

In addition to the PQ189 printed circuit board, the PQ186 kit includes an educational version of discrete calibration components type SOLT, two 60 cm cables with SMA(m) connectors and two N(m)-SMA(f) adapters.

Entire projects for the AWR Design Environment design system, as well as code for MATLAB, LabVIEW, C, C++, C#, and Python, have already been developed and available for download for this training set. Using these ready-made developments, you can significantly speed up the process of training engineers and improve its quality.

Design of PicoVNA 106 and 108 2-port vector network analyzers

Structurally, Pico Technology network analyzers of the PicoVNA series are designed as a compact desktop instrument with dimensions of 286 x 174 x 61 mm and a weight of 1.9 kg. The control of their work, as well as the visualization of the results, is carried out using the PicoVNA 2 computer software, which is included in the standard delivery package. The USB interface is used to connect to a computer.

This photo shows the appearance of the front panel of these devices. Along the edges of the front panel are two high-frequency measurement ports with N(f) type connectors. Next to them are two miniature SMB(m) connectors for supplying constant voltage to the central pins of the corresponding measurement ports. DC voltage capability is standard on the PicoVNA series.

The rear panel of the Pico Technology PicoVNA network analyzers contains a power button, a DC power supply connector from an external power supply (12-15 V, 25 W), a USB 2.0 (Type B) connector for connecting to a computer, and a cooling fan.

On the left side of the rear panel there are two BNC connectors for connecting an external 10 MHz reference frequency source (10 MHz In) and access to an internal 10 MHz reference frequency source (10 MHz Out). On the right side there are two BNC connectors for triggering on an external source signal (Trigger In) and for signaling the start of an internal measurement (Trigger Out).

Specifications for Pico Technology PicoVNA 106 and 108 Network Analyzers

Here is a list of the main specifications of the PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 vector network analyzers. For detailed specifications, see the section below on this page. Documentation.

Pico Technology PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 Network Analyzer Package

The standard scope of delivery of the Pico Technology PicoVNA 106 and 108 compact vector network analyzers is shown in this photo. For a list of additional accessories that these analyzers can be equipped with, see below on this page in the section Options and accessories.

Options and accessories for PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 analyzers

Various accessories are available for PicoVNA vector analyzers, such as calibration components, phase-stable cables, RF adapters, training kits, etc. This table lists the most popular accessories.

See the full list below on this page. Documentation. A general guide to selecting accessories for network analyzers is located here. In addition, you can choose additional equipment from the following sections of our website: Measuring antennas and microwave accessories.

Accessory photo	Name and short description
	Pico Technology TA344 - calibration component type SOLT, up to 8.5 GHz, SMA(m) connectors
	Pico Technology TA345 - calibration component type SOLT, up to 8.5 GHz, SMA(f) connectors
	Pico Technology TA336 - phase-stable cable, 0.6 meters, up to 8.5 GHz, N(m) - SMA(m)
	Pico Technology TA337 - phase-stable cable, 0.6 meters, up to 8.5 GHz, N(m) - SMA(f)
	Pico Technology TA342 - adapter, up to 18 GHz, SMA(m) - SMA(m) Pico Technology TA343 - adapter, up to 18 GHz, SMA(f) - SMA(f) Pico Technology TA357 - adapter, up to 18 GHz, SMA(f) - SMA(m)
	Pico Technology TA430 - test standard with 25 ohm impedance, up to 8.5 GHz, SMA(m) - SMA(f) Pico Technology TA431 - test standard with 25 ohm impedance, up to 8.5 GHz, SMA(f) - SMA(f)
	Pico Technology PQ186 - a training set containing the following RF components: attenuator, broadband amplifier, 25 ohm mismatch, resistive power divider, low pass filter, bandpass filter, calibration elements type SOLT, a place for soldering in custom components, etc. SMA connectors.
	Pico Technology TA356 - torque wrench for safe handling of SMA, K and PC3.5 connectors Pico Technology TA358 - torque wrench for safe handling of N connectors

If you need technical advice on the selection of the optimal range of options and accessories for Pico Technology PicoVNA 2-port network analyzers or information on pricing, just Contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.