Pico Vector Network Analyzer(VNA) Pico Vector Network Analyzer(VNA)
Pico Vector Network Analyzer(VNA) Pico Vector Network Analyzer(VNA)

Pico Vector Network Analyzer(VNA)

The PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 are low cost, small footprint, USB controlled Vector Network Analyzers that offer up to 8.5 GHz of bandwidth with performance that punches well above their weight.


The PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 are low cost, small footprint, USB controlled Vector Network Analyzers that offer up to 8.5 GHz of bandwidth with performance that punches well above their weight.

Accurate: With up to 124 dB of dynamic range and RMS trace noise of just 0.005 dB at maximum resolution bandwidth, you know that what you are recording is a true reflection of the device you are measuring. 

Fast: Capable of up to 5500 dual-port S-parameter measurements per second; that is, creating a 201-point two-port .s2p file takes less than 38 ms.

Affordable: Not only is the unit itself excellent value, calibration kits are highly affordable and easily repairable, keeping total cost of ownership low.

Reliable: The quad-RX architecture minimizes uncorrectable errors and delays.

Simple: Automated calibration with the E-Cal kit makes it easier and faster to get up and running.


Standard conditions: 10 Hz resolution bandwidth, at 13 dBm (PicoVNA 106) or 0 dBm (PicoVNA 108) test power, at an ambient temperature of between 20 °C and 30 °C but within 1 °C of the calibration temperature and 60 minutes after power-up.

 

Receiver characteristics
Measurement bandwidth

Value (PicoVNA 106)

Value (PicoVNA 108)

Conditions

TMeasurement bandwidth

140 kHz, 70 kHz, 35 kHz, 15 kHz, 10 kHz, 5 kHz, 1 kHz, 500 Hz, 100 Hz, 50 Hz, 10 Hz

 

Average displayed noise floor

Band         Typical        Max.
(MHz)         (dB)           (dB)
0.3 to 10     -110          -100     
10 to 4000  -118          -108
> 4000        -110          -100

Band         Typical        Max.
(MHz)         (dB)           (dB)
0.3 to 1      -110          -90     
1 to 6000  -124          -110
> 6000       -120         -100

Relative to the test signal level set to maximum power after an S21 calibration.
Ports terminated as during the isolation calibration step.

Dynamic range (click for graphs)

0.3 MHz to 10 MHz
10 MHz to 6 GHz

0.3 MHz to 10 MHz
0.3 MHz to 8.5 GHz

10 Hz bandwidth
Maximum test power:
PicoVNA 106: +6 dBm
PicoVNA 108: 0 dBm
No averaging

Temperature stability, typical

0.02 dB/°C for F < 4 GHz
0.04 dB/°C for F ≥ 4 GHz

Measured after an S21 calibration

Trace noise, dB RMS

Bandwidth           Typical                  Max.
10 kHz              0.0008 dB              0.002 dB
70 kHz              0.003 dB                0.005 dB
140 kHz            0.005 dB [106]       0.01 dB
                         0.006 dB [108]

201-point sweep covering 1 MHz to 6 GHz or 8.5 GHz.
Test power set to 0 dBm.

Spurious responses

–76 dBc typical, –70 dBc max.

 

The main spurious response occurs at close to (2 x RF + 1.3) or (3 x RF + 2.6) MHz, where RF is the test frequency in MHz. For example, when testing a bandpass filter with a centre frequency of, say 1900 MHz, an unwanted response will occur around 632.47 or 949.35 MHz. In all known cases the levels will be as stated.