Network Analyzer Basics

Mohd Shahril Nidza

Application Engineer
24 March 2014

Basics of Network
Analyzer

What is a Network?

A network, in the context of electronics, is a

collection of interconnected components.

What is Network Analysis?

A measure of the network parameters of

electrical networks
Characterizing components and circuits

Why do we test components?

Components are building blocks of

networks/systems
Component manufacturers need to provide
specs for designers

What is a Network Analyzer?

Mostly used at high frequencies, RF and

microwave
Todays NA commonly measure S-parameters
because reflection and transmission of electrical
networks are easy to measure at high frequencies
Other parameters include y-parameters, zparameters, h-parameters
New: X-Parameters
Often used to characterize 2-port networks such
as amplifiers and filters

What types of devices can NA test?

Lightwave Analogy of RF Energy

Transmission Line Basics

Low frequencies
Wavelengths are much larger than wire lengths
A simple wire is adequate for efficient power
transfer
Voltage and current do not vary along the wire
High frequencies
Wavelengths are smaller than conductor lengths
Voltage and current vary with position (power is
easy to measure)
Matching load to characteristic impedance (Z0) for
maximum power transfer

High Frequency Device Characterization

R = Reference channel
Measurements in the A or B channel relative
to the R channel are called ratioed
measurements

High Frequency Device Characterization (2)

Can be expressed as
Scalar quantities: Magnitude-only or Phase-only
Vector quantities

Reflection Parameters

==

0
=

+0

= ( = ||)

Return loss (RL) = -20 log (dB)

VSWR =

1+
1

Transmission Parameters

Transmission coefficient = =
Insertion loss (dB) = -20 log
Gain (dB) = 20 log

Lineare vs Nonlinear Behaviour

Characterizing Unknown Devices

Use parameters to characterize linear devices

Measure voltage and current versus frequency
under various source and load conditions
Compute measurements from measurement data

Parameters allow prediction of circuit behaviour

under any source and load conditions

Characterizing Unknown Devices (2)

H-, Y- and Z- parameters are not useful at high

frequencies
Difficult to measure total voltage and current at
ports
Active devices may self-destruct with SHORTs and
OPENs

S-Parameters

At high frequencies, use S-Parameters

Advantages of S-Parameters
Defined in terms of easy-to-measure voltage
travelling waves
Relate to familiar measurements such as gain, loss
and reflection coefficient
No need to connect undesirable loads to the DUT
Can be cascaded for multiple devices
Easily imported and used for EDA circuit
simulations

S-Parameters Conventions

Measuring S-Parameters

Measuring S-Parameters (2)

S-parameters are complex, linear quantities

But they relate directly to standard
measurements made on log magnitude
displays:

|S11| = forward reflection coefficient (input match)

|S22| = reverse reflection coefficient (output match)
|S21| = forward transmission coefficient (gain or loss)
|S12| = reverse transmission coefficient (isolation)

Key Performance of NA

3 Key Performances of a Network Analyzer

Trace Noise
Measurement Speed
Dynamic Range

Trace Noise

Step 1: Thru
Step 2: Measure S21
Step 3: Normalization

Trace Noise (2)

Low trace noise means you can see small

signals
Useful for measuring low loss devices such as
connectors, cables or passband of filters

Measurement Speed

Increases throughput

Dynamic Range

Dynamic range is the ratio between the largest

and smallest possible value of a signal

Dynamic Range (2)

Dynamic range is important especially when

measuring filters that needs simultaneous
characterisation of the passband at high
powered level and the stopband at very low
level

Precaution

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Damage

Static electricity can build up on your body
Damage sensitive internal circuits when
discharged

Prevention:
- Ground yourself before handling equipment test
port
- Ground the center conductor of the test cable

Precaution (2)

Electrical Overstress (EOS) Damage

Caused by excessive RF input power or voltage
Damage internal circuits
Prevention:
- Do not exceed the damage levels on the port
warning labels
- Use power limiters for high power devices

Connector Care

Operating System (OS)

Questions?