everythingRF reports (http://snip.ly/nqw25b):
Pico Technology has released a new PicoVNA
Interface Wizard that adds significant functionality and value to the
company’s low-cost, high-performance vector network analyzer (VNA). The Wizard links the highly
affordable vector network analyzer to the NI AWR Design Environment. It supports the entire design cycle
with import of real-world components, system or subsystem measurements from the
PicoVNA in a single-click transfer.
Key features of the
PicoVNA Interface Wizard Include:
- Controlling and viewing of PicoVNA output from inside
your design environment
- One-click measurement transfer to electronic design
automation (EDA) software
- Fast, convenient comparison of ideal, modeled and
measured component through to subsystem data between test and simulation
environments
- Extension of measured data (300 kHz to 6 GHz) for
passive component simulation at DC
- Active device measurements and plotting of maximum
stable and available gain, K‑factor and B1
A Powerful Education
and Training Alliance
Unfortunately, for
educational purposes, the high costs of microwave network measurements has
compromised the experience in the classroom. However, the more affordable PicoVNA 106, 6 GHz, full-function, professional-grade vector
network analyzer with support for exporting EDA-ready measurement data could
change this.
Add to that mix the
newly available Pico Technology Network Metrology Test Kit - A
low-cost-per-student item. The kit includes active and passive circuit elements
and all the low-cost calibration standards and test leads that are needed to
use the PicoVNA 106 in the classroom for microwave network measurements.
This printed-circuit board (PCB)-hosted kit was designed using
NI AWR software, specifically the Microwave Office circuit simulator. Device under test
(DUT) elements can be modified by students and the kit is supplied with the
associated EDA project design file for immediate engagement with any of the
available circuit elements at any point in the design cycle.
Either coupled to EDA
software such as NI AWR software or used standalone with the PicoVNA 106, this
teaching accessory supports teaching objectives around reflection and
transmission measurements, S-parameters and standard linear network measurement
quantities. These can be presented and interpreted as log, linear, phase, real,
imaginary, polar and Smith charts, with derived quantities such as group delay
and time-domain transmission and reflection.
Additionally, by
including an active broadband amplifier element, nonlinear compression
measurements such as P1dB and AM to PM phase due to amplitude modulation can be
explored using the PicoVNA 106 built-in measurement utilities.
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