PC Based oscilloscopes
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RF products
Pico Vector Network Analyzers
PicoVNA® Vector Network Analyzers
The incredible PicoVNA: Low cost, high performance
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.
PicoVNA 5 software
The new PicoVNA 5 software makes measurements easy. The intuitive controls allow you to fully customize your viewports to your needs. Add a mix of frequency and time domain measurements, group markers across traces and configure readouts exactly how you need them.
Because PicoVNA is USB controlled, it is simple to save data to your drive — in a number of different formats including .csv and .s2p — to use with other software or share with your team.
For those who want to control their PicoVNA remotely, or perhaps want to run automated tests, the PicoSDK is also available with PicoVNAs. Control can be by either API calls or standard SCPI commands, and you can control multiple instruments at once.
The SDK works with Labview, MATLAB, Python and C/C++/C#. As you would expect, there are many examples to get you started on the Pico GitHub.
Simple, fast calibration
Calibrating your VNA can be a time-consuming and error-prone process, particularly for those new to microwave measurements. Using the automated Pico E-Cal can reduce errors and uncertainties, as well as increasing productivity by speeding up the calibration process, even while improving the quality of the resulting calibration.
Manual SOLT calibration kits are also available, with both male and female models and either standard (SMA) or premium (3.5 mm) connectors, and the Pico VNA 5 software will guide you through the whole process to minimize errors.
All Pico cal kits and check standards, whether automated or manual, are individually characterized using the more accurate TRL (through, line, reflect) calibration type. The kits are supplied with S-parameter data, allowing you to transfer the high quality characterization to your instrument as you calibrate it. This characterization process reduces the manufacturing cost of the cal kits without compromising on calibration quality; in fact, the correct port match is an excellent 46 dB typical on both source and load ports.
PicoVNAs support many calibration methods, including 8- and 12-term calibration, unknown through and also TRL and TRM (Through, Reflect, Line/Match). TRL and TRM calibrations are used when measuring a DUT mounted on a substrate, so are perfect for your network that’s already mounted to a PCB.
Customizable, board-only option for OEM
Many OEMs choose to integrate Pico hardware into their products. The board-only version of the PicoVNA 108 has a footprint of just 29 × 17 cm and all the same excellent specifications as the complete product.
Pico is the ideal choice for OEM applications and not just because of the excellent performance in a small footprint. Free technical support is available throughout the design process. The API provides complete control of the hardware, with code examples available on GitHub. Board- and FPGA-level modifications are also possible, making it possible to produce exactly the solution you need without compromises.
For more information and contact details, see our system integration hub.
Great for education
PicoVNAs have been designed with the professional user in mind, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be suitable for inexperienced hobbyists or students.
For educators, the Network Metrology Training Kit provides an ideal platform for covering all the basics of RF measurements. Included in the full kit is a PCB with a number of different circuits to test, plus a basic cal kit, N to SMA adaptors, SMA m-m and f-f adaptors, SMA test leads, a Pico wrench and a memory stick containing PicoVNA software (also available for download) and recommended software setups for use with the Kit.
Also included on the memory stick is comprehensive instructions demonstrating a huge variety of possible measurements, providing a great starting point for any RF training course or for self study.
The PCB itself has over ten different circuits. At one end of the board is a feed line based SOLT (short, open, load, through), for a different method of calibration. There is also a 25 Ω mismatched Beatty line, low pass and band pass Butterworth filters, an attenuator, a 6 dB power divider and space for adding your own 0603 component for testing. The final item on the board is a 6 GHz broadband amplifier (requires external +5 V DC supply, not supplied).
Paired with a PicoVNA, it provides an introduction to VNA measurements and high frequency design. Once the basics have been grasped, it also allows demonstration of more complex topics such as P1dB and AM to PM conversion.
To take it one step further, Pico has partnered with Cadence AWR Microwave Office. The PCB files for the Network Metrology Training Kit are available to import to Microwave Office so you can compare simulations and real-world measurements. Even better, Pico’s Cadence AWR DE Interface wizard allows you to import VNA measurements to enhance your simulation.
Network metrology training kit
Get connected
Your PicoVNA comes bundled with everything to get the unit up and running: USB 2 cable, a power supply (12 V 3.5 A universal supply), two RF combination spanners and a sturdy carry case to keep it all in, plus a USB drive with the PicoVNA software and digital copies of the user guide. Measurement cables are available separately – see the accessories page for details.
PicoVNA 5 software for Pico VNAs
Download PicoVNA 5 here: PicoVNA 5
PicoVNA 5 is designed from the ground up to work with the PicoVNA hardware, available on Windows, Mac, Linux and Raspberry Pi.
It has a number of features and functions to make a variety of measurements simple and quick. Of course, you don’t need a licence to use any of the extra features – they are all included in the free download.
Multiple viewports and traces
PicoVNA 5 allows you to display multiple traces on multiple graphs at once. Taking advantage of the high resolution of modern computers, you can clearly see every measurement. You can display memory traces across all plots at once if you need. You can zoom on portions of your waveform (including in Smith charts) so you can focus right in on the detail, or expand one plot to fill the screen. The layout is highly customizable to meet your requirements. And if you regularly switch between different types of tasks, the workspace can be saved and recalled later.
Save-on-trigger
Save-on-trigger allows you to record measurements after a specific trigger then display them all on one screen for easier inspection. Perhaps you want to see the S21 as you change the attenuation setting on a 16-step digital attenuator? Now you can trigger each capture with a keypress and display all the results on one graph. Normalize the measurements against one sweep and see how the result changes relative to the through path. Or, see how the attenuation varies through the DUT at a single frequency of interest.
You can capture up to 1024 measurements in this way. Then, save them group by measurement (S11, S21 etc.) in any of a number of different formats to analyze later. You can also view up to 64 of them at once in the PicoVNA software.
The trigger on which the data is saved can be an external trigger input, a remote software trigger or even a keypress. Using a hardware external trigger and the maximum resolution bandwidth, 16 four port measurement can be captured in just one second – ideal for automated testing and verification of digitally controlled RF ICs.
P1dB measurements
Make calculating the 1 dB compression point of an amplifier simpler. Using the P1dB utility, the VNA determines the small signal gain of the device under test, then calculates the 1 dB compression point for you.
AM to PM conversion utility
Changes in the amplitude of an AM signal can result in changes to the phase of the signal too. In digital modulation schemes, when both amplitude and phase must be accurate, this can have a serious impact on signal quality. The AM to PM conversion utility helps you quickly calculate the amount of AM to PM distortion in your system.
Phase meter utility (PicoVNA 108 only)
Want to compare the phase of two signals from your DUT? Specify a frequency (anywhere in the 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz range of the PicoVNA 108) and the two ports will auto-lock to it and track it, within up to ±70 kHz. The phase meter utility can then measure and compare the amplitude and phase of the two input signals.
Calibration and normalization mean you could determine the differential phase and amplitude stability of a system, or precisely align the quadrature-phase relationship of an SDR, for example.
Mixer measurements
Combine your VNA with a signal source (either a PicoSource AS108 or one of a number of third-party sources) and you can measure a wide range of mixer performance and port isolation parameters. Add one of the compatible third-party power sensors and you can also characterize port power.
| Supported USB-controlled signal sources | Supported USB-controlled power sensors |
|---|---|
| PicoSource AS108 | Agilent/Keysight U8480, U2000 |
| MiniCircuits SSG-15G, SSG-6000, SSG-6001 | Rohde & Schwarz NRP8S, NRP8SN, NRP18S |
| TTi TGR 6000 |
If you have a USB signal source or power sensor and would like us to consider supporting it, contact us at support@picotech.com.
Easily determine how the conversion loss changes with the RF input level. You can reference it to either the port on the PicoVNA, or use a USB power sensor to characterize the VNA port for even better accuracy. Simply carry out a sweep and it will calculate the 1 dB and 0.1 dB compression points for you.
If the port match of a mixer is poor it can be difficult to get accurate measurements. The PicoVNA has fantastic corrected port match — typically 46 dB — but to improve it further, use the VSWR error correction option during calibration to reduce measurement uncertainty even further.
Have your say on the development of PicoVNA 5
Not every feature listed here is available in PicoVNA 5 yet (all are available in PicoVNA 3, which remains fully supported). However, you can tell us what features matter to you most, and they will be prioritized for development.
Upgrade your existing PicoVNA instrument
The PicoVNA 5 software unlocks and will continue to unlock new instrument communications and capabilities. Existing instruments require an embedded software upgrade. If this is required it will be detected by the PicoVNA 5 software during the instrument boot process.
A payment of $999, €969, £799 to cover the cost of developing the software is required, via an in-application purchase. PicoVNA 5 and its instrument communication are developed in the UK by A.A.I. Robotics Ltd of Cambridge. This is a direct payment to A.A.I.Robotics Ltd., made via Stripe (www.stripe.com) global card or e-payments system.
GDPR: No payment-related information is provided to, or gathered at download by, A.A.I or Pico Technology Ltd. Given names and addresses of purchasers can be viewed but these are not stored outside the Stripe payment system.
PicoVNA features
Quad-RX architecture
Many low-cost VNAs use a two-receiver architecture. One receiver measures the reference signal, which is coupled from the source port. The other receiver measures the test signal that has passed through the DUT. To measure all four S-parameters, two sweeps are needed and transfer switches need to change the source and receiver ports between each sweep.
PicoVNAs use a four-receiver architecture. This has a number of benefits. Measurements are faster because both sweeps can happen simultaneously. There aren’t as many transfer switches between the input and receiver, meaning previously uncorrectable errors — typically leakage and crosstalk — are significantly reduced. Another benefit appears during the calibration stage. Typical calibrations are 12-term, but the quad-RX architecture reduces some errors so much that the much simpler 8-term calibration can be used, reducing calibration time. The quad-RX architecture also allows for unknown thru calibration, meaning you need fewer calibration standards.
The quad-RX architecture also increases the reliability of the equipment. The transfer switches having to swap between receivers twice per measurement sweep will cause wear and reduce the lifetime of the instrument, but the reduction in switches and in switch operations in a quad-RX architecture reduces this wear.
Bias-Ts
Bias-Ts are used in VNA measurements to provide a DC bias or test stimulus to active devices without needing external DC blocks.
Often, VNAs won’t include any bias-Ts and will only offer them as an extra (that you have to pay for, of course). PicoVNAs have built in bias-Ts, powered by the external power supply and routed to the SMB connectors on the front panel of the VNA.
Time Domain Reflectometry and Transmission measurements
Time Domain Reflectometry/Transmission are useful measurements to not only determine the quality of a match, but also the location of any problems that could be making the match worse. It is also used when there is a fault in a cable: input a pulse, and the time of flight and appearance of the reflection can tell you where the fault is and the nature of it.
To carry out TDR measurements, the PicoVNA calculates the time domain response to a step input based on its frequency domain measurements. First it carries out a sweep of harmonically related frequencies. It then performs an inverse Fast Fourier Transform on the S11 (reflected) data to calculate the time domain impulse response. Integrating the impulse response gives the step response. Based on the shape of the step response you can calculate how far the discontinuity is from the reference plane and if it is short, open, capacitive, inductive or some combination.
The method is the same for TDT but the calculations are carried out on the S21 data. In this way, you can measure the pulse response and transition time of amplifiers, filters and other networks without needing other specialist equipment.
Reference plane extensions and port de-embedding
After calibrating, the VNA assumes that the reference plane is at the end of the cable where the cal kit was connected. Often you will want to remove additional excess path length from connectors, cables and microstrip lines that you are assuming are ideal. With a PicoVNA you can extend the reference plane independently for each measurement parameter (S11, S21, S12 and S22).
If you can’t assume the cables, connectors and PCB traces are ideal, or if you want to achieve better accuracy, you can de-embed the connections on each port. Simply create or import a full Touchstone (.s2p) file for the interface network on each port.
PicoVNA Calibration Kits
Calibrating your VNA
Unlike oscilloscopes, calibrated once in the factory and rarely adjusted again, VNAs undergo software calibration every time they are used, often several times a day. The calibration is there to correct for errors intrinsic to the measurement setup, rather than the system as a whole.
Often, calibration kits are made with very high-precision components so that all kits from the same manufacturer have very similar characteristics. This increases manufacturing costs because every piece must be adjusted by hand to meet the narrow tolerances.
Pico has taken a different approach. Pico cal kits are made with lower-cost components, but are fully characterized. The characterization information is then imported into the software as a look-up table before calibration. In other words, while the calibration standards may not be perfect, but every single aspect is known and quantified. A higher-quality kit will also have imperfections, but those imperfections will be less well-measured and recorded.
As a result, Pico’s calibration kits cost significantly less than those from other brands but can provide a calibration that is as good as, or better than, many other brands. A freshly calibrated PicoVNA using a Pico manual kit typically achieves a corrected port match (both source and load) of 46 dB.
The high-accuracy calibration is provided to you, the customer, as a .s2p file. This has an advantage over providing polynomial coefficients because no rounding errors are present in the converted data.
There are several different calibration kits available from Pico Technology. Alternatively, third-party calibration kits—such as the Keysight 85032F—can be used, provided they are characterized with polynomial coefficient models.
PicoVNA E-Cal automated calibration kits
VNAs require calibration multiple times per day due to changes in room temperature, test setups or measurement types. This recalibration process can be time consuming.
Every calibration requires multiple changes of connectors. Each change places wear on the connectors and carries a risk of error, perhaps through incorrect torquing of connectors.
The Pico E-Cal automated calibration kits help minimize these issues. Available with male, female or combined connector kits, they support frequencies up to 8.5 GHz and are compatible with both PicoVNA 106 and PicoVNA 108 models. They are USB-controlled, which eliminates the need for manual adjustments—simply plug in the kit and run the calibration via the PicoVNA software.
E-Cals contain internal switches which will compromise performance to an extent, meaning the short, open and loads will be non-ideal.To counteract this inherent inaccuracy the E-Cal kits are fully characterized against traceable PC3.5 standards, with the calibration being stored internally to the E-Cal module. The E-Cals are also oven-controlled, with an internal heater maintaining a consistent device temperature for improved accuracy.
Each E-Cal comes in a convenient carry case. It stores not only the E-Cal module but also a fully characterized, polarized port adaptor. using the port adaptor allows you to calibrate for insertable DUTs. Alternatively, both E-Cals (male and female) are available in a kit together: E-Cal kits.
NPL evaluates the Pico E-Cal
The National Physical Laboratory in Middlesex, England, has a system that forms the national reference for all S-parameter measurements. In this white paper, the accuracy of the Pico E-Cal module is compared to a Pico mechanical calibration kit and also an HP 85052C calibration kit. The results demonstrate that the E-Cal produces very impressive results that are comparable to even the highest-quality mechanical kits. The paper also compares the E-Cal module to NPL’s internationally recognized PIMMS setup, which offers S-parameter measurements traceable to fundamental SI units. For every test the E-Cal module performs stronly and demonstrates that there is no visible loss of measurement accuracy.
Read the white paper by the National Physical Laboratory, LA Techniques Ltd, and Pico Technology on Benchmarking electronic calibration of USB-enabled Network Analysers.
Pico manual calibration kits
While E-Cal modules provide the easiest, fastest calibration, the accuracy can be lower than a manual calibration standard. A manual kit also costs less and may be a better option for those with budget constraints or who require the highest precision. Pico manual SOLT (Short, Open, Load, Through) calibration kits come in four versions: standard and premium versions, with male or female connectors. Standard kits use SMA connectors while the premium kits use higher quality PC3.5 connectors.
Each calibration kit has short, open, load and through connections to allow for full 12-term calibrations. The manual kits are also repairable, making them extremely cost-effective. All versions are characterized up to 8.5 GHz, are fully traceable, and are supplied with a carry case and calibration data linked to the kit’s serial number.
TRL and TRM calibration
In addition to the more common SOLT calibration, PicoVNAs also support TRL and TRM (Through, Reflect, Line/Match) calibration. TRL/TRM calibration can achieve a very high precision calibration because a machined air transmission line can be made with much higher precision than a good match could be measured, particularly at higher frequencies.
These types of calibration are best suited for when you want to measure a DUT that is mounted on a substrate, such as an IC or passive network mounted on a PCB. The line, match and reflections (short/open) are easily fabricated on the PCB substrate itself and you can control the reference planes. i.e., Make your calibration traces the same length as the lines to the DUT and you can very precisely remove those traces from your measurement.
The PicoVNA Series supports one or two TRL bands, open or short reflection bands and can account for line impedance offset if required.
Check standards
A check standard is a DUT that can be used to validate your test setup and calibration. It is useful for checking that the calibration is accurate, or that the system has not deviated significantly since its last calibration. Typically a check standard is a short length of mismatched line. The mismatch is very predictable, stable and smooth.
Each check standard is precisely measured and the S-parameters stored in a Touchstone (.s2p) file. After calibrating your instrument, you can import this Touchstone file as a memory trace and compare it to live measurements, giving you a quick and accurate indication of if your unit is well calibrated.
The check standard data is traceable to national standards. The industry-standard .s2p files mean Pico’s check standards are compatible with VNAs from many manufacturers. Check standards are available in F-F and insertable (M-F) variants.
Pico check standards are available to buy individually. Alternatively, the non-insertable F-F standard comes in a demonstrator kit with either a standard or premium SOLT kit, plus N to SMA test leads and a carry case.
Phase- and amplitude-stable test leads
Pico premium test leads (TA338/TA339)
Pico offers two grades of test lead. Both come in sets of two with robust stainless steel connectors, but the phase and amplitude stability of the premium leads are markedly higher. Phase (and amplitude) stability is a measure of how much the phase changes as the cable is flexed. The phase shift through a higher quality cable will change less compared to through a lower cost cable. In a setup where cables are moved between calibration and measurement stages, highly stable cables are more important than if your test setup has cables fixed in place. A higher quality cable will also have lower loss overall, although unless the level is significant it can be effectively removed during the calibration stage.
Phase and amplitude stability are measured with a standard test where the cable is wrapped once around a cylinder with a 10 cm diameter, and the phase is compared between then and when the cable is straight.
Pico’s premium cables (TA338/TA339), which have PC3.5 connectors, have a phase shift of just 1.1° at 8.5 GHz. The standard quality cables (TA336/TA337) use stainless steel SMA connectors and have a phase shift of 2.8° at 8.5 GHz.
Data Sheets:
User’s Guides:
- PicoVNA Vector Network Analyzer PicoVNA 3 User’s Guide
- PicoVNA Vector Network Analyzer PicoVNA 5 User’s Guide
- PicoVNA Interface Wizard for AWRDE User’s Guide
Programmer’s Guides:
Quick Start Guides:
Application Notes:
- TRL calibration for SMT devices using the PicoVNA 108
- Benchmarking electronic calibration of USB-enabled Network Analysers
PicoVNA specifications
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.
10 Hz bandwidth
Maximum test power:
PicoVNA 106: +6 dBm
PicoVNA 108: 0 dBm
No averaging
| Receiver characteristics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Value (PicoVNA 106) | Value (PicoVNA 108) | Conditions | ||||||
| Measurement 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 |
|
| 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 |
| 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. | |||||||
| Measurement uncertainty – value |
|---|
- Test level of -3 dBm.
- No averaging.
- Bandwidth 10 Hz.
- Ambient temperature equal to the calibration temperature.
A 12 error term calibration is assumed carried out with a good quality SMA or PC3.5 mm calibration kit capable of achieving the performance specified.
| PC3.5 test port interfaces | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection measurements | Transmission measurements | ||||
| Freq. range | Magnitude | Phase | Freq. range | Magnitude | Phase |
| –15 dB to 0 dB | 0 dBm to +6 dBm | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 0.7 dB | 8° | < 2 MHz | 0.4 dB | 6° |
| > 2 MHz | 0.5 dB | 4° | > 2 MHz | 0.2 dB | 2° |
| –25 dB to –15 dB | –40 dB to 0 dB | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 0.8 dB | 6° | < 2 MHz | 0.2 dB | 2° |
| > 2 MHz | 1.0 dB | 10° | > 2 MHz | 0.1 dB | 1° |
| –30 dB to –25 dB | –60 dB to –40 dB | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 3.0 dB | 20° | < 2 MHz | 0.5 dB | 8° |
| > 2 MHz | 2.5 dB [106] 3.0 dB [108] | 15° 20° | > 2 MHz | 0.3 dB [106] | 4° |
| –80 dB to –60 dB | |||||
| < 2 MHz | 2.0 dB | 15° | |||
| > 2 MHz | 1.5 dB | 12° | |||
| SMA test port interfaces | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection measurements | Transmission measurements | ||||
| Freq. range | Magnitude | Phase | Freq. range | Magnitude | Phase |
| –15 dB to 0 dB | +0 dBm to +6 dBm | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 0.99 dB | 11.3° | < 2 MHz | 0.57 dB | 8.5° |
| > 2 MHz | 0.71 dB | 5.7° | > 2 MHz | 0.28 dB | 2.8° |
| –25 dB to –15 dB | –40 dB to 0 dB | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 1.13 dB | 8.5° | < 2 MHz | 0.42 dB | 2.8° |
| > 2 MHz | 1.41 dB | 14.1° | > 2 MHz | 0.14 dB | 1.4° |
| –30 dB to –25 dB | –60 dB to –40 dB | ||||
| < 2 MHz | 4.24 dB | 28.3° | < 2 MHz | 0.71 dB | 11.3° |
| > 2 MHz | 3.54 dB | 21.2° | > 2 MHz | 0.42 dB | 5.7° |
| –80 dB to –60 dB | |||||
| < 2 MHz | 2.83 dB | 21.2° | |||
| > 2 MHz | 2.12 dB | 17.0° | |||
These values are supplied with our Check Standard on USB memory stick as uncertainty data file:
PC3.5 mm:- “Instrument Uncertainty with Premium PC3.5 leads 106.dat“, or
- “Instrument Uncertainty with Premium PC3.5 leads 108.dat“
- “Instrument Uncertainty with Pico Standard SMA leads 106.dat“, or:
- “Instrument Uncertainty with Pico Standard SMA leads 108.dat“
PicoVNA 3: Uncertainty files are installed with software.
| Test port characteristics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | PicoVNA 106 | PicoVNA 108 | Conditions | ||||||
| Load match |
| ||||||||
| Source match |
| ||||||||
| Directivity |
| ||||||||
| Crosstalk |
|
| Corrected. Both calibrated ports terminated in short circuits. After isolation calibration. | ||||||
| Maximum input level | +10 dBm, typical | 0.1 dB compression | |||||||
| Maximum input level | +20 dBm | +23 dBm | No damage | ||||||
| Impedance | 50 Ω | ||||||||
| Connectors | Type N(f) | ||||||||
| Bias-T input characteristics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | PicoVNA 106 | PicoVNA 108 | Conditions |
| Maximum current | 250 mA | ||
| Maximum DC voltage | ±15 V | ||
| Current protection | Built-in resettable fuse | ||
| DC port connectors | SMB(m) | ||
| Sweep I/O characteristics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweep trigger output voltage | Low: 0 V to 0.8 V High: 2.2 V to 3.6 V | ||
| Sweep trigger input voltage | Low: –0.1 V to 1 V High: 2.0 V to 4 V | ||
| Sweep trigger input voltage | ±6 V | No damage | |
| Sweep trigger in/out connectors | BNC(f) on back panel | ||
| Measuring functions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring parameters | S11, S21, S22, S12 P1dB (1 dB gain compression) AM-PM conversion factor (PM due to AM) Mixer conversion loss, return loss, isolation and compression (PicoVNA 108 only) | ||
| Error correction | 12 error term full S-parameter correction (insertable DUT) 12 error term full S-parameter correction (non-insertable DUT) 8 error term full S-parameter unknown thru correction (non-insertable DUT) S11 (1-port correction) De-embed (2 embedding networks may be specified), impedance conversion S21 (normalize, normalize + isolation) S21 (source match correction + normalize + isolation) Averaging, smoothing Hanning and Kaiser–Bessel filtering on time-domain measurements Electrical length compensation (manual) Electrical length compensation (auto) Effective dielectric constant correction | ||
| Display channels | 4 channels | ||
| Traces | 2 traces per display channel | ||
| Display formats | Amplitude (logarithmic and linear) Phase, Group Delay, VSWR, Real, Imaginary, Smith Chart, Polar, Time Domain | ||
| Memory trace | One per display channel | ||
| Limit lines | 6 segments per channel (overlap allowed) | ||
| Markers | 8 markers | ||
| Marker functions | Normal, Δ marker, fixed marker, peak / min. hold, 3 dB and 6 dB bandwidth | ||
| Sweep functions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | PicoVNA 106 | PicoVNA 108 | Conditions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sweep type | Linear sweep CW sweep (timed sweep) Power sweep (P1dB utility) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sweep times |
| 10 MHz to 6 GHz or 8.5 GHz, 201-point trace length. For other lengths and bandwidths, sweep time is approximately: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of sweep points, VNA mode | 51, 101, 201, 401, 801, 1001, 2001, 4001, 5001, 6001, 7001, 8001, 9001, 10001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of sweep points, TDR mode | 512, 1024, 2048, 4096 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signal source characteristics | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | PicoVNA 106 | PicoVNA 108 | Conditions | ||||||||||
| Frequency range | 300 kHz to 6.0 GHz | 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz | |||||||||||
| Frequency setting resolution | 10 Hz | ||||||||||||
| Frequency accuracy | 10 ppm max | With ambient of 23 ±3 °C | |||||||||||
| Frequency temperature stability | ±0.5 ppm/ºC max | Over the range +15 °C to +35 °C | |||||||||||
| Harmonics | –20 dBc max | With test power set to < –3 dBm | |||||||||||
| Non-harmonic spurious | –40 dBc typical | ||||||||||||
| Phase noise (10 kHz offset) | 0.3 MHz to 1 GHz: –90 dBc/Hz 1 GHz to 4 GHz: –80 dBc/Hz > 4 GHz: –76 dBc/Hz | ||||||||||||
| Test signal power |
|
| |||||||||||
| Power setting resolution | 0.1 dB | ||||||||||||
| Power setting accuracy | ±1.5 dB | ||||||||||||
| Reference input frequency | 10 MHz ±6 ppm | ||||||||||||
| Reference input level | 0 ±3 dBm | ||||||||||||
| Reference output level | 0 ±3 dBm | ||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Controlling PC data interface | USB 2.0 |
| Support for third party test software | DLL included in user interface software |
| External dimensions (mm) | 286 x 174 x 61 (L x W x H) Excluding connectors |
| Weight | 1.9 kg |
| Temperature range (operating) | +5 °C to +40 °C |
| Temperature range (storage) | –20 °C to +50 °C |
| Humidity | 80% max, non-condensing |
| Vibration (storage) | 0.5 g, 5 Hz to 300 Hz |
| Power source and current | +12 to +15 V DC, 22 W (PicoVNA 106) / 25 W (PicoVNA 108) |
| Power source connector | 5.5 mm diameter hole, 2.1 mm diameter centre contact pin. Centre pin is positive. |
| Safety | Conforms to EN61010-1 and EN61010-2-030 |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Host PC requirements (2 GB RAM or more) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System, Platform and Display | PicoVNA 3 | PicoVNA 5 Current release | |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows 7+ Only | Linux, Windows 7+, macOS 11 (Big Sur)+ (Linux test distributions Debian 8 “Jessie” , Ubuntu 18.04 (LTS), Mint Cinnamon “Vera”, openSUSE Leap 15.0, Fedora 28, Arch Linux. No problems anticipated on other distributions) | |
| Supported Controllers | PC Only | PC, Mac (Intel/Arm), Linux AArchh64 onwards, Pi 3 onwards 64 bit | |
