SNA5000A Series
Vector Network
Analyzer
UserManual

UM09050-E01A

User Manual UM09050-E01D

SIGLENT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD

ICopyright◆

SIGLENT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD All Rights Reserved.

◆

SIGLENT is the registered trademark of SIGLENT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

◆

Information in this publication replaces all previously corresponding material.

◆

SIGLENT reserves the right to modify or change parts of or all the specifications or pricing
policies at the company’s sole decision.

◆

Any method of copying, extracting, or translating the contents of this manual is not allowed
without the permission of SIGLENT.

1

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualSafety requirement
This section contains information and warnings that must be observed to keep
the instrument operating under the corresponding safety conditions. In addition to
the safety precautions specified in this section, you also have to follow common
safe operating procedures.

Safety terms and symbols
When the following terms or symbols appear on the front panel, rear panel,or this manual, it indicates particular attention should be paid.
Indicates potential injuries or hazards that may happen.

Indicates electric shock that may happen.

Indicates measurement grounding

Indicates safety grounding.

This is a start/standby switch. Press the switch, the VNA will switch between the working state
and the standby state. The switch could not power off the device, to completely power off the
VNA, the power cord must be removed from the AC socket.

Indicates “AC”.

CAUTION

Indicates potential damages to the instrument or other property that may happen.

WARNING

Indicates potential injuries or hazards that may happen.

Operating environment
Use in a clean and dry indoor environment with an ambient temperature range
from 0°C to 40°C.
Note: Direct sunlight, electric heaters, and other direct heat sources, should
be considered when evaluating the ambient temperature.
WARNING: Do not operate the VNA in an explosive, dusty or humid environment.

This instrument meets the EN 61010-1 standard, and has the following
restrictions:
Installation (overvoltage) category: Class II (electric supply connector) andClass I (measure terminal)
Pollution level: Class II
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual2Protection level: Class I
Note:
Installation (overvoltage) category Class II indicates the local supply level issuitable for equipment connected to the AC power supply.
Installation (overvoltage) category Class I indicates the signal levels suitable
for terminals connected to the RF source.
Pollution level Class II indicates it only occurs in a dry and non-conductive
environment, sometimes we should consider the temporary conductivity causedby concentration.
Protection level Class I indicates grounding equipment, it prevents electric
shock by connecting the equipment to the ground wire.
CAUTION: Do not apply excessive pressure or strike the surface of the touch screen.

CAUTION: Do not exceed the maximum voltage marked on the front panel connectors.

Cooling requirement
This instrument is cooled through a built-in fan. To keep adequate ventilation,a gap of at least 15 cm should be left on both sides, as well as the front and rear
panels of the instrument.
CAUTION: Do not block the vents located along the side and real panel of the instrument.

CAUTION: Do not let any external objects enter the instrument through the vents.

AC power supply
The instrument accepts 100-240V, 50/60/400Hz AC power. The maximum
power consumption is 90W with complete options.
Note: The instrument can operate within the following input ranges:
Voltage range:

90 - 264 Vrms

90 - 132 Vrms

Frequency range:

47 - 63 Hz

380 - 420 Hz

Power supply and grounding
The instrument has a three-terminal plug and an IEC320 (Type C13)
standard connector for the input power and grounding connections. The
grounding terminal on the socket is directly connected to the instrument shell. To
prevent electric shock, the plug must be inserted into a well-grounded socket.
Please use the power cord provided to connect the instrument to the powersource.
3

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

WARNING: Danger of electric shock!
Disconnected or broken internal or external grounding wires will increase the risk of electric shock. It is
strictly forbidden to destroy the protective grounding wire or safety grounding terminals.

The location of the instrument should be convenient to access the power
supply. To completely power off the instrument, the power cord should be
removed from the power socket of the instrument. When the instrument is idle forlong durations, it is recommended to unplug the power cord from the AC socket.

CAUTION: The RF connector’s shell on the front panel is connected to the instrument’s shell, and thenconnected to the earth ground.

Calibration
The recommended calibration cycle is one year. Calibration should only be
performed by qualified personnel.

Cleaning
Only a soft damp cloth without any chemical/corrosive substances can beused to clean the instrument. Do not clean or use the product in wet
environments. To avoid electric shock, unplug the power cord from the AC socket
before cleaning.
WARNING: Danger of electric shock!
Do not disassemble the instrument. Maintenance must be carried out by qualified personnel only.

Exceptional conditions
Use the instrument only for the purpose specified by the manufacturer. Do
not use if the instrument has visible damage or has endured severetransportation vibration. If the device is suspected to be damaged, please
disconnect the power cord and contact your local SIGLENT office. To operate theinstrument correctly, all instructions and marks should be read carefully.
WARNING: Use of the instrument for purposes unspecified by the manufacturer may damage theinstrument.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual4Product introduction
General Description
The SIGLENT SNA5000A series of vector network analyzers have a frequency range of
9 kHz to 8.5 GHz, which support 2/4-port scattering, differential, and time-domain parametermeasurements. The SNA5000A series are ideal for determining the Q-factor, bandwidth, andinsertion loss of a filter. They feature impedance conversion, movement of measurement
plane, limit testing, ripple test, fixture simulation, and adapter removal/insertion adjustments.
The VNAs have five sweep types: Linear-Frequency mode, Log-Frequency mode, PowerSweep mode, CW-Time mode, and Segment-Sweep mode. They also support scatteringparameter correction of SOLT, SOLR, TRL, Response, and Enhanced Response forincreased flexibility in R&D and manufacturing applications.

Features◆

Frequency range: 9 kHz-8.5 GHz◆

Ports: 2/4◆

Frequency resolution: 1 Hz◆

Level resolution: 0.05 dB◆

Range of IFBW: 10 Hz-3 MHz◆

Setting range of output level: -55 dBm ~ +10 dBm◆

Dynamic range: 125 dB◆

Trace noise: 0.003 dBrms , 0.05 °rms◆

Types of calibration: Response calibration, Enhanced Response calibration, Fullone port calibration, Full-two port calibration, Full-three port
calibration, Full-four port calibration, TRL calibration◆

Types of measurement: Scattering-parameter measurement, differentialparameter measurement, receiver measurement, time-domain
parameter analysis, limit test, ripple test, impedance conversion,
fixture simulation, adapter removal/insertion◆

Optional Bias-Tees◆Interface: LAN, USB Device, USB Host (USB-GPIB)◆

Remote control: SCPI/Labview/IVI based on USB-TMC/VXI-11/Socket/Telnet/
Webserver◆

12.1-inch touch screen◆

Video output: HDMI

5

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualUser Manual overview
Main Contents
Chapter 1 QuickstartThis chapter introduces the appearance and size of the vector network analyzer, the basic
operation of the front and rear panels, user interface, buttons, and touch screen.
Chapter 2 Basic measurement
This chapter describes the measurement function, sweeping trigger setting, and otherfunctions of the vector network analyzer, and introduces the functions under each menu indetail.
Chapter 3 Measurement calibration
This chapter introduces the different calibration methods of S parameters, power calibration
methods, test fixture, and other functions of vector network analyzer in detail.
Chapter 4 Data analysis
This chapter introduces the mathematical analysis function, including time-domain analysis,
windows, coupling, markers, and other functions.
Chapter 5 Guide For TDR Option
This chapter introduces how to use the TDR option.
Chapter 6 Save and recall
This chapter introduces the data save and recall processes.
Chapter 7 System settingThis chapter provides information about the system settings.
Chapter 8 Service and support
This chapter provides information about service and support.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

6

Contents
Copyright.................................................................................................................................... 1
Safety requirement .................................................................................................................... 2
Product introduction ................................................................................................................... 5
User Manual overview ............................................................................................................... 6Contents..................................................................................................................................... 7
1

Quickstart.......................................................................................................................... 11
1.1
1.2
1.3

Dimensions ........................................................................................................ 11Power supply...................................................................................................... 11
Front panel ......................................................................................................... 12
1.3.1
Functional keyboard ................................................................................... 13
1.3.2
Digital keyboard .......................................................................................... 14
1.3.3
Power switch ............................................................................................... 14
1.3.4
RF connectors ............................................................................................ 15
1.4
Rear panel.......................................................................................................... 15
1.5
OCXO option installation guide.......................................................................... 17
1.6
User interface ..................................................................................................... 18
1.6.1
Active entry ................................................................................................. 18
1.6.2
Value of marker ........................................................................................... 19
1.6.3
Trace State ................................................................................................. 19
1.6.4
Channel State ............................................................................................. 19
1.6.5
Function Keys ............................................................................................. 19
1.6.6
Label Page .................................................................................................. 20
1.6.7
Window State .............................................................................................. 20
1.6.8
Stimulus Range .......................................................................................... 20
1.6.9
Status Bar ................................................................................................... 20
1.6.10 Message Bar ............................................................................................... 21
1.6.11 Graffiti Function .......................................................................................... 21
1.7
Touch Screen ..................................................................................................... 24
1.8
Help Information ................................................................................................. 24
2

Set Up a Measurement .................................................................................................... 24
2.1

Measurement parameters .................................................................................. 24
2.1.1
S parameters .............................................................................................. 24
2.1.2
Balanced Measurement.............................................................................. 25
2.1.3
Receiver Measurement .............................................................................. 31
2.1.4
Wave (Receivers notation) ......................................................................... 31
2.2
Frequency range ................................................................................................ 32
2.2.1
Set the frequency range ............................................................................. 32
2.2.2
CW time sweep or power sweep ................................................................ 33
2.2.3
Frequency resolution .................................................................................. 33
2.3Power level......................................................................................................... 33
7

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual2.4

Sweep ................................................................................................................ 36
2.4.1
Points .......................................................................................................... 36
2.4.2
Sweep type ................................................................................................. 36
2.5
Trigger ................................................................................................................ 38
2.5.1
Trigger Settings........................................................................................... 39
2.5.2
Trigger source ............................................................................................. 39
2.5.3
Trigger Range ............................................................................................. 39
2.5.4
Channel Settings ........................................................................................ 39
2.5.5
Trigger mode............................................................................................... 40
2.5.6
External and auxiliary triggers .................................................................... 41
2.6
Data format ........................................................................................................ 44
2.6.1
Display format ............................................................................................. 44
2.6.2
LF Cartesian coordinates display format .................................................... 44
2.6.3
Polar coordinates ........................................................................................ 46
2.6.4
Smith circle diagram ................................................................................... 46
2.7
Scale .................................................................................................................. 48
2.7.1
Scale/reference level and position ............................................................. 48
2.7.2
Scaling coupling.......................................................................................... 49
2.7.3
Electrical delay ............................................................................................ 50
2.7.4
Amplitude offset and amplitude slope ........................................................ 51
2.7.5
Phase deviation .......................................................................................... 51
2.8
Avg BW .............................................................................................................. 52
2.8.1
Overview ..................................................................................................... 52
2.8.2
Averaging .................................................................................................... 52
2.8.3
IF Bandwidth ............................................................................................... 53
2.8.4
Smoothing ................................................................................................... 54
2.9
Preset instructions ............................................................................................. 55
3

Measurement calibration .................................................................................................. 56
3.1
3.2
3.3

Overview ............................................................................................................ 56
Calibration type .................................................................................................. 57
S parameter calibration ...................................................................................... 60
3.3.1
S parameter calibration Kit management ................................................... 60
3.3.2
S Parameter calibration wizard................................................................... 69
3.3.3
Open Response Calibration ....................................................................... 71
3.3.4
Short circuit response calibration ............................................................... 72
3.3.5
Full 1 port OSL calibration .......................................................................... 73
3.3.6
Transmission response calibration (two ports) ........................................... 74
3.3.7
Enhanced response calibration (two ports) ................................................ 74
3.3.8
SOLT calibration (two ports) ....................................................................... 75
3.3.9
SOLR unknown through calibration (two ports) ......................................... 76
3.3.10 TRL Direct Reflection Transmission Line Calibration (Two Ports) ............. 77
3.4Internal source power calibration ....................................................................... 77
3.5
Receiver calibration ........................................................................................... 79
3.6
Port extension .................................................................................................... 80
3.7
Fixture measurement function ........................................................................... 83
3.8
Adapter removal / insertion function .................................................................. 88
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

8

3.9

4

Data analysis .................................................................................................................... 95
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9

5

Ecal .................................................................................................................... 90
3.9.1
ECal Overview ............................................................................................ 90
3.9.2
ECal Config ................................................................................................. 91
3.9.3
Confidence Check ...................................................................................... 92
3.9.4
Orientation .................................................................................................. 93
3.9.5
Characterization.......................................................................................... 94

Marker ................................................................................................................ 95
Mathematical operation.................................................................................... 102
Conversion ....................................................................................................... 103
Equation editor ................................................................................................. 104
Trace statistics ..................................................................................................111
Limit test ........................................................................................................... 112
Ripple limit test ................................................................................................. 114
Bandwidth limit test .......................................................................................... 115
Time domain .................................................................................................... 116
4.9.1
Transform .................................................................................................. 116
4.9.2
Gating ....................................................................................................... 118
4.9.3
Window ..................................................................................................... 119
4.9.4
Coupling .................................................................................................... 120
4.9.5
Marker ....................................................................................................... 122

Guide For The TDR Option ............................................................................................ 123
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

Overview .......................................................................................................... 123
Open/Close/Preset TDR Option ...................................................................... 124
TDR Setup Wizard ........................................................................................... 124
Calibration for TDR Option............................................................................... 125
5.4.1
Deskew ..................................................................................................... 125
5.4.2
Deskew & Loss Compensation ................................................................ 126
5.5
TDR Channel Setup ......................................................................................... 127
5.5.1
DUT Topology ........................................................................................... 128
5.5.2
DUT Length............................................................................................... 128
5.5.3
Stimulus Magnitude in Time Domain ........................................................ 129
5.5.4
Port Impedance ........................................................................................ 129
5.5.5
Velocity Factor & Dielectric Constant ....................................................... 129
5.5.6Power Level .............................................................................................. 129
5.5.7
Average..................................................................................................... 129
5.5.8
IF Bandwidth ............................................................................................. 130
5.5.9
Trigger Mode............................................................................................. 130
5.6
TDR Trace Setup ............................................................................................. 130
5.6.1
Select a Trace ........................................................................................... 130
5.6.2
Scale Management ................................................................................... 130
5.6.3
Memory Trace Management..................................................................... 131
5.6.4
Measure Parameter & Format .................................................................. 131
5.6.5
Stimulus in Time Domain .......................................................................... 132
5.6.6
Smoothing ................................................................................................. 133
9SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

5.6.7
Trace Allocation ........................................................................................ 133
5.6.8
Trace Setup Coupling ............................................................................... 133
5.6.9
Time Domain Gating ................................................................................. 133
5.7
TDR Data Analysis & Output ........................................................................... 134
5.7.1
Marker Setup ............................................................................................ 134
5.7.2
Rise Time Search ..................................................................................... 135
5.7.3
Delta Time Search .................................................................................... 135
5.7.4
Peeling ...................................................................................................... 135
5.7.5
File & Data Output .................................................................................... 136
5.8
Eye Diagram Simulation .................................................................................. 136
5.8.1
Overview ................................................................................................... 136
5.8.2
Stimulus Bit Pattern .................................................................................. 137
5.8.3
Stimulus Signal Setup .............................................................................. 138
5.8.4
Eye Diagram Analysis ............................................................................... 138
5.8.5
Eye Diagram Scale Management............................................................. 139
5.8.6
Mask Test for Eye Diagram ...................................................................... 139
5.8.7
Jitter & Statistical Eye Diagram ................................................................ 140
5.9
TDR Advanced Waveform Function ................................................................ 141
5.9.1
View point ................................................................................................. 141
5.9.2
Emphasis/De-emphasis............................................................................ 141
5.9.3
Equalization .............................................................................................. 142
6

Guide For The SA Option ............................................................................................... 143
6.1
6.2
6.3

Overview .......................................................................................................... 143
Create a Spectrum Analysis Channel .............................................................. 143
Spectrum Analyzer Settings ............................................................................. 144
6.3.1
SA Tab Setting .......................................................................................... 145
6.3.2
SA Tab Processing setup .......................................................................... 147
6.3.3
Source Tab ................................................................................................ 150
6.4
SA Marker Function ......................................................................................... 151
6.4.1
Marker→SA .............................................................................................. 151
6.4.2
Band Power Marker .................................................................................. 152
6.4.3
Band Noise Marker ................................................................................... 152
6.4.4
Occupied BW ............................................................................................ 153
7

Save and recall ............................................................................................................... 154

8

System setting ................................................................................................................ 156

9Service and support........................................................................................................ 161
9.1
9.2

Ordering and activating the options ................................................................. 161
Warranty overview ........................................................................................... 162

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual10

1 Quickstart
1.1 Dimensions

Figure 1-1 Front view and side view

Figure 1-2 Rear panel view

1.2 Power supply
The equipment accepts 100-240V, 50/60/400Hz AC power supplies. Please use the power
cord provided to connect the instrument to the power source as shown in the figure below.
11

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualPowerInterface

Figure 1-3 Power interface

1.3 Front panel
LCD Touchscreen

Response

Utility
Stimulus

Navigation
Knob
Numeric

USB Hub

Power Switch

Test Ports

Figure 1-4 Front panel
Table 1-1 Front panel area description:
Number

Items

Description

1

LCD
Touchscreen

12.1 inch TFT color capacitive LCD touchscreen.
Notes: Avoid touching the LCD touchscreen withsharp objects. The effective pixel ratio of the screen is morethan 99.998%, so it doesn't mean a fault when the screen
has some black/blue/green/red fixed points less than
0.002%. Screen savers are not recommended. The LCD
screen is unlikely to suffer from image burn-in.

2

Response

Includes the setting of measurement parameters, parameter
format, markers, calibration, and so on.

3

Utility

Includes the function keys of the system, help, display, andso on.

4

Stimulus

Includes the setting of measurement frequency, sweep time,

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual12

sweep points, trigger, and so on.
5

Navigation

Press the up, down, left, and right buttons to select thedesired operation.

6

Knob

Rotate the button left or right to move the cursor or change
the parameter value, the effect of pressing the button is thesame as ”Enter”.

7

Numeric

Includes the parameter numbers and units.

8

USB Hub

Includes four USB ports for data exchange and power
supply with peripherals. The total current of four USB ports
is less than 2A.

9

Test ports

Connect to the DUT for signal transmission and reception.

10Power Switch

Power on/off the equipment.

1.3.1 Functional keyboard
Table 1-1 Front panel functional keyboard description:
Keys

Description

Meas

Set the single-ended/ differential S parameter measurement, reference/measurement receivers power measurement, and so on.

Format

Set the measurement parameter’s display format, such as Log Mag, Lin Mag,
Smith Chart, Polar Chart, SWR, Phase, and so on.

Marker

Set markers to obtain the value of measurement parameters.

MathContains storing measurement data in memory, comparing current data withprevious data, time-domain analysis of measurement results, and so on.

Scale

Set the scale of parameter levels.

Cal

Include the setting of S parameter calibration and power calibration.

SearchPress this button to get the measurement parameter’s maximum/minimum
value, bandwidth, Q-factor, and so on.

Avg BW

Press this button to smooth/average measurement data, set the receiver’s IF
bandwidth, and so on.

Start

Set start frequency.

Stop

Set stop frequency.

Freq

Set start frequency, stop frequency, center frequency, frequency span,measurement point.

Power

Set the RF power level, turn on/off RF power, and so on.

Sweep

Set sweep mode, sweep point, sweep time, log/lin frequency sweep mode, andso on.

TriggerPress this button to choose the trigger source, set the trigger mode, and so on.

SystemSet IP address, system time, language, and so on.

PresetPress this button to revert to the default parameters.

Save
RecallSave and recall the measurement data, status, calibration data.

Help

Open the help file.

13

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualDisplay

Set measurement window, measurement channel, measurement trace, and so
on.

Touch

Press this button to turn on/off the screen’s touch function.

1.3.2 Digital keyboard
Table 1-3 Front panel digital keyboard description:
Keys

Description
When setting the frequency, press this key to set the unit as THz. if the input
is time-related, press this key to set the unit as ps.
When setting the frequency, press this key to set the unit as GHz. if the input
is time-related, press this key to set the unit as ns.
When setting the frequency, press this key to set the unit as MHz. if the input
is time-related, press this key to set the unit as us.
When setting the frequency, press this key to set the unit as kHz. if the input
is time-related, press this key to set the unit as ms.
During the parameter editing process, pressing this button will clear the inputof the active function area and exit the parameter input state. Press thisbutton to return to local control if previously controlling the instrument
remotely.
During the parameter editing process, pressing this button will clear the inputof the active function area from right to left.
Pressing this button will activate every sub-function area from top to bottom
in turn.
In the parameter input process, pressing this button will end the parameter
input process and add the currently set units for the parameter.

1.3.3 Power switch
Stand-by is indicated by a constant orange-colored power switch.
A single button press will cause the light to turn white which indicates the instrument is
operating.
Continuous white indicates the instrument is operating.
A short press of this button (one second) causes the light to turn orange which indicatesthe instrument is in the stand-by state after saving the settings.
A long press of this button (three seconds) will cause the light to turn orange whichindicates the instrument is in the stand-by state immediately without saving the settings.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual141.3.4 RF connectors

Figure 1-5 Front panel RF connectors (2-port VNA)◆◆◆

Figure 1-6 Front panel RF connectors (4-port VNA)
The number of RF connectors is two or four, depending on the instrument
configuration.
When an RF connector is transmitting an RF signal, the corresponding orange light
above the RF connector will be lit.
To avoid damage to the instrument, the RF connector input signal must meet thefollowing: The DC voltage and the maximum continuous RF power cannot exceed 35
V and 27 dBm respectively.

1.4 Rear panel
HandleFan
Bias-TeesPorts
AC PowerPort and Fuse
Trig In/Out
Lock
OCXO
HDMI
USB
Ground LAN
Ref In/Out
Terminal Port Port Port

Figure 1-7 Rear panel
Table 1-4 Rear panel area description:
Items
15

Description
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualHandlePortable handle to carry the instrument.

Fan

Used to cool down internal components of the instrument.

Lock

Used to fix the instrument on the fixed object such as a table to help
prevent theft.

Ground Terminal

Connect the instrument with earth ground. Electrically connects themetallic shell and connectors of the instrument to earth ground.

LAN Port

Used to connect the instrument to a LAN for data exchange with
peripherals such as PCs.

USB Port

Include one USB port for data exchange with peripherals.

HDMI Port

Connect the port to a compatible external monitor.

OCXO

Install the OCXO option to use the high-performance reference source.

10MHz Ref Signal
Input

The characteristic impedance of this port is 50 Ω. The detectable input
frequency and power range are 10 MHz ± 10 ppm, -3 dBm to +10
dBm respectively. When there is a 10 MHz external reference signal
on the port, the VNA’s transmitting signal will be locked into this 10
MHz external reference signal. Otherwise, the VNA’s transmitting
signal will be locked into the internal 10 MHz reference signal.

10MHz Ref Signal
OutputThis port can output a 10 MHz reference signal so that it can be usedby other equipment. The characteristic impedance, output frequency,
and power range are 50 Ω, 10 MHz ± 10 ppm,-3 dBm to +10 dBm
respectively.

Trigger In

When there is an external trigger signal at the port, the VNA will use
this external trigger signal instead of the internal trigger signal.
Input level:Low threshold voltage: 1.1 V
High threshold voltage: 2.5 V
Input level range: 0 to + 5 V
Pulse width:≥ 2μs
Polarity:
Positive or negative

Trigger Out

This port can output a trigger signal so that it can be used by otherequipment.
Max output current:
20 mA
Output level:
Low-level voltage: 0 V
High-level voltage: 3.3 V
Pulse width:
1μs
Polarity:
Positive or negative

Bias-Tees Ports

Connect an external DC voltage source to this port to provide DC power
for the DUT such as a power amplifier. The DC voltage and current
cannot exceed 35V. This is the rated current of the fuse.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual16

AC Power Port andFuse

The equipment accepts 100-240 V, 50/60/400 Hz AC power supply.
please connect the VNA to the AC power supply with the supplied power
cord. Make sure the current does not exceed the rated current of thefuse.

1.5 OCXO option installation guide◆Power off the instrument, use a screwdriver to remove the cover where the OCXO option
is located on the rear panel.

Cover

◆

◆

17

Figure 1-8 OCXO option installation guideInsert the fixed OCXO module into the instrument’s slot, then tighten the screws.

Figure 1-9 OCXO option installation guidePower on the instrument and install the OCXO option’s license activation code forpermanent installation.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

1.6 User interface

Figure 1-10 User interface
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.

Active Entry
Marker Readout
Trace Status
SoftKeys
Softtabs
Window number
Stimulus Range
Status Bar
Message Bar

1.6.1 Active entry
Table 1-5 Active entry description:
Functions

Functions Description
Recall the previous step.
Recovering the withdrawn operation.
Add a measurement trace.
Add a measurement window.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual18Add a marker.
Delete active window or trace.
Note: Keep at least one trace on the interface.
Screenshot (Ctrl+P)

1.6.2 Value of marker
Display the frequency and reading of the marker.

1.6.3 Trace State◆◆◆A trace is a series of measured data points. Up to 256 traces can be created. In addition,
one historical memory trace for each active trace can be stored and displayed.
Mathematical operations can be performed on the current trace data and the historicalmemory trace.
Press the Display button in the front panel, and the Trace Setup menu pops up on theright side of the screen to manage the operation Trace, such as adding a trace, deleting a
trace, maximizing the trace window, moving traces between Windows, keeping the trace
to the maximum or minimum value without displaying the current value, etc.
Select a trace line and press the Scale button to change the reference electric equalization
operation.

1.6.4 Channel State◆◆

Channels contain traces. Up to 256 channels can be created. The channel setting
determines how trace data is measured, and all traces assigned to a channel share thesame channel setting.
Press the Display button in the front panel, and the Channel Setup menu pops up on theright side of the screen. This can be used to manage operation channels, such as adding
channels, copying channels, and deleting channels.

1.6.5 Function Keys
Table 1-6 Function Keys Interface Description
Functions

Functions Description
Parameters are displayed in logarithmic amplitudemode.
The parameters are displayed in amplitude linear
fashion.
Displays the phase of the parameter.
Displays the delay of the parameter.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

The parameters are shown in the form of a Smith
chart.
The parameters are displayed in polar coordinates.
The parameters are shown in SWR.

1.6.6 Label Page
Displays all parameter display formats supported by the vector network analyzer.

1.6.7 Window State◆◆

Windows can be used to view trace data and up to 100 windows can be created.
Press the button of Display in the front panel and the Window Setup menu pops up on
the right side of the screen. It can be used to manage operation windows, such as
selecting a window, adding a window, deleting a window, maximizing a window, layout,
and so on.

1.6.8 Stimulus Range
Displays the excitation signal set in the current window, including starting frequency, ending
frequency, internal source output power, etc.

1.6.9 Status Bar
Table 1-7 Status Bar Interface Description
Functions

Functions Description
Displays the current trigger mode.
Continuous trigger, single trigger, and other trigger mode displays.
Display of the current IF bandwidth.
S parameter calibration data state loading display.
Display whether the internal source power calibration data state isloaded or not. A Gray dark shaded label represents an unavailable
selection/option.
Internal source output power ON and off, RF ON stands for ON.
A display that currently uses an internal or external reference
signal.
UI waveform update or not.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual201.6.10 Message Bar
Displays the current date information and error information during testing.

1.6.11 Graffiti Function
This product provides a basic graffiti function, which is used to draw graphics and markinformation on the main interface. This feature is great for annotating screenshots and adding
important details before saving.

⚫

Graffiti function menu bar

Figure 1-11 graffiti function menu bar
As shown in Figure 1-11, the graffiti menu contains functions of enable, edit, clear, save and
call.

⚫

21

Graffiti Editing Interface

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 1-12 graffiti editing interface
As shown in Figure 1-12, the toolbar at the bottom of the interface displays a series of tools forgraphic editing:
1. Selection tool: A series of editing can be carried out after the drawing is selected
2. Text tool: Add text notes in the interface
3. Line tool: Add a line in the interface
4. Rectangle tool: Add a rectangle to the interface
5. Ellipse tool: Add an ellipse to the interface
6. Curve tool: Draw a series of lines arbitrarily in the interface (double click the mouse / double
click the finger on the screen to finish drawing)
7. Delete tool: Delete the currently selected drawing
8. Text color tool: Set text color (support graphics: text)
9. Text size tool: Set text size (support graphics: text)
10. Background filling tool: Fill graphics background color (support graphics: text, rectangle,
ellipse)
11. Border color tool: Set the border color of graphics (support graphics: text, line, rectangle,
ellipse, curve)
12. Border line tool: Adjust the border line thickness of graphics (support graphics: text, line
segment, rectangle, ellipse, curve)
13. Exit editing tool: Exit the current editing state

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual22Figure 1-13 Color selection interface
As shown in Figure 1-13, after calling out this interface, you can adjust the corresponding colorsof the graphics:
1. Color shade selection tool: Mouse/finger click to select the appropriate brightness of thecolor
2. Color selection tool: Select a specific color
3. Color transparency tool: Adjust color transparency (the more right, the lower colortransparency)

Figure 1-14 Line thickness adjustment interface
As shown in Figure 1-14, you can adjust the line thickness at the edge of the graph by callingout this interface. The larger the value is, the thicker the line will be.

⚫

Save/Recall

Click the save menu button to save the current graffiti content as a file with *.GFT as the fileextension.

23

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

1.7 Touch Screen
The vector network analyzer is equipped with a 12.1-inch high-resolution color touch LCD
screen for trace, function keys, and other measurement-related information. With the help of
the touch screen, the LCD screen can be directly touched by a finger to select measurement
and parameter setting operations.
◆◆◆

When the Touch button display light is on, the touch screen function is on.
When the Touch button display light is off, the touch screen function is off.
Sliding the screen up and down to display the coordinates of the vertical axis cancontinuously change the parameters of the vertical axis.

1.8 Help Information
The Help system of the vector network analyzer can provide the Help information of thefunction keys and menu options on the front panel. Press the Help button on the front panel toenter the Utility menu, click Help to open the Help document, click into the corresponding
directory to view the information.

2 Set Up a Measurement
This chapter introduces in detail each function button on the front panel of SNA5000A
series vector network analyzers and the following menu functions.

2.1 Measurement parameters2.1.1 S parameters
S parameters are used to describe the degree of a transmitted or reflected signal throughan impedance discontinuity. S parameters are relative measurements, defined as the ratio of
two complex voltages. They contain the amplitude and phase information of the relevant
signals. For the 2-port vector network analyzer, there are 4 S parameters (S11, S21, S12, S22).
The specific meaning of each S parameter can be described by the following items:
Sxy x,y∈(1,2):x:

The response port is also known as the receiving port of the vector network
analyzer. The transmitted signal enters the port after passing through the DUT.

y:

The excitation port is also known as the transmitting port of the vector network
analyzer. The output signal of this port is provided to the DUT.

Here is a list of common Measurements with S-Parameters:
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

24

Reflection Measurements
•
•
•
•
•

Transmission Measurements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Return loss
SWR
Reflection coefficient
Input impedance
S11, S22

Insertion loss
Transmission coefficient
Gain/loss insertion
group delay
Linear phase shiftelectrical delay
S21, S122.1.2 Balanced Measurement
2.1.2.1 Balanced Devices
Standard Single-ended devices generally have one input port and one output port. Signals
on the input and output ports are referenced to ground.,As Fig 2.1.Balanced devices have two
pins on either the input, the output, or both. The signal of interest is the difference and averageof the two input or output lines, not referenced to ground,as Fig2.2.

Fig2-1 Single-ended devices

Fig2-2 Balanced devices

Differential and Common Modes Model
On balanced devices, the signal of interest is the difference and average of the two input or
output lines.In balanced device terminology, these signals are known as the Differential andCommon modes.

Signal A is fixed at 1V peak
Signal B is selectable
Differential is calculated as A minus BCommon is calculated as the average of A and B
Signal A and B

Differential

Common(Avg)(A-B)(A+B)/2

A=1V

B=In Phase 2V
25

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

A=1V

B=180°Out of Phase 2V

2.1.2.2 Measuring Mixed Mode(Balanced) S-Parameters
The mixed mode S parameter is an extension of the conventional S parameter for balancemeasurement. If the measuring device is a balanced device, its mixed mode parameters canbe measured by the VNA. Some balanced devices are designed to amplify the differential
component and reject the common component. This allows noise that is common to both inputs
to be virtually eliminated from the output. For example, a balanced device may amplify thedifferential signal by a factor of 5, and attenuate the common signal by a factor of 5. Using
traditional S-parameter notation, an S21 is a ratio measurement of the device Output /device Input. Mixing this with balanced terminology, we could view the amplifier's Differential
Output signal / Differential Input signal. To see this parameter on the analyzer, we would selectan Sdd21 measurement using the following balanced notation:

The general notation for the mixed S parameter is Sabxy,where:
1) a - Represents the output mode of the device2) b - Represents the intput mode of the devicechoose from the following for both a and bs – single ended (unbalanced port)d – differential (balanced port)
c – common (balanced port)3) x – device output "logical" port number
4) y - device input "logical" port number

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual26

2.1.2.3 Measuring Imbalance Parameters
Imbalanec is a measure of how well two physical ports that make up a balanced port arematched. With a perfectly balanced port, the same amount of energy flows to both ports andthe magnitude of the ratio of these ports is 1. The notation is similar to traditional Sparameters. In the following diagrams, the letters a, b, c, and d are used because any
analyzer port can be assigned to any logical port using the port mapping process.
For example, in the following single-ended - balanced formula, Sba indicates the device
output port is logical port b and the input port is logical port a.
(1) Imbalance parameter when measuring a single -balanced device. ImBal = −

𝑆𝑏𝑎
𝑆𝑐𝑎

(2) Imbalance parameter of ImBal1 and ImBal2 when measuring a balanced -balanced
device. ImBal1 = −𝑆𝑎𝑐 −𝑆𝑎𝑑
𝑆𝑏𝑐 −𝑆𝑏𝑑

ImBal2 = −𝑆𝑐𝑎 −𝑆𝑐𝑏
𝑆𝑑𝑎 −𝑆𝑑𝑏(3) Imbalance parameter of ImBal1 to ImBal4 when measuring a single- single -balanced
device.
ImBal1 = −27

𝑆𝑎𝑐 −𝑆𝑎𝑑
𝑆𝑏𝑐 −𝑆𝑏𝑑，ImBal2 = −𝑆𝑐𝑎 −𝑆𝑐𝑏
𝑆𝑑𝑎 −𝑆𝑑𝑏，ImBal3 = −

𝑆𝑐𝑎
𝑆𝑑𝑎

，ImBal4 = −

𝑆𝑐𝑏
𝑆𝑑𝑏

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

2.1.2.4 Measuring CMRR
CMRR is a ratio of the transmission characteristic in differential mode over thetransmission characteristic in the common mode of the balanced port as the measurement
parameter. A high value indicates more rejection of common mode, which is desirable in a
device that transmits information in the differential portion of the signal. On the measurementbalanced parameter TAB interface, click "Change" to set the DUT topology and port mapping
relationship. Different DUT topologies lead to different CMRR parameters.

The table below shows the CMRR parameters available when measuring
different balanced device.
balanced device.

CMRR parameters

Single- balanced device

Sds21/Scs21 ， Ssd12/Ssc12

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual28Balanced - balanced device

Sdd21/Scc21

Single- single- balanced device

Sds31/Scs31 ，Sds32/Scs32

2.1.2.5 DUT Topology Port Mapping
In the balanced measurement, the signal of interest is the difference or average of two
BALANCED input or BALANCED output lines. It is also possible to have single-ended ports
AND balanced ports on the same device.
Press the “Meas” button on the front panel→ Balanced→Topology... ,Create or edit DUT
Topology and Logical Port Mapping. The port Topology/Logical port Mapping setting dialog box
is as below:“ Logical Port “is used to describe a physical analyzer test port that has been remapped to a
new port number.
1. Map any two physical ports of the vector network analyzer to a balanced logical port.
2. Map any physical port of the vector network Analyzer to a single-ended logical port.
These selections apply to ALL measurements in the channel. If the device topology ischanged, any existing measurements in the channel that are incompatible with the new
topology will be automatically changed to one that is compatible.
The following are the topological relationships of several common differential devices. A
multi-port vector network analyzer can be used to measure the following topologicalrelationships for differential devices. When the vector network analyzer has only 2 test ports,then only the first balanced device under test can be tested. When the vector network analyzer
has four test ports, then all the devices under test with the following four topologicalrelationships can be tested.
1) Balanced
1 Logical port(Balance Port 1) - 2 physical ports(Port1, Port2)

29

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual2)

Balanced-Balanced
2 Logical port (Balance Port 1, Balance Port 2) - 4 physical ports(Port1, Port2, Port3, Port4)

3)

Single - Balanced
2 Logical port (Balance Port 1, Balance Port 2) - 3 physical ports(Port1, Port2, Port4)

4)Single-Single-Balanced
3 Logical port (Balance Port 1, Balance Port 2) - 4 physical ports(Port1, Port2, Port4)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual30

2.1.3 Receiver Measurement
Each port of the vector network analyzer contains 1 reference receiver and 1
measurement reference receiver. For the 4-port vector network analyzer, there are a total of 4
reference receivers and 4 measurement reference receivers. The power measured by thesereceivers can be compared to obtain all the S parameter indices.
R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the reference receivers used to measure the signal emitted fromthe vector network analyzer, It is equal to the transmitted power at the port after power
calibration.
••••

R1: Measures the output power of port 1
R2: Measures the output power of port 2
R3: Measures the output power of port 3
R4: Measures the output power of port 4A, B, C, and D are test receivers used to measure the reflected or transmitted signal power
after passing through the device under test.
••••

A: Measures the signal power entering port 1
B: Measures the signal power entering port 2
C: Measures the signal power entering port 3
D: Measures the signal power entering port 4

2.1.4 Wave (Receivers notation)
Receivers can be also selected using logical receiver notation
Press the “Meas” button on the front panel→Wave→Other... to enter the Wave TAB interface

Logical receivers are generally represented by aN,M and bN,M forms.
aN - Represents Reference receiver for logical port N
31

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualbN - Represents the test port receiver for logical port N
M – Represents the Physical port number of the output power

For example:(1) a1,1 Represents Physical port 1 outputs power when the reference receiver of logical port
1 is measured. When logical port 1 is mapped to physical port 1, it is equivalent to R1,1;(2) a2,1 Represents Physical port 1 outputs power when the reference receiver of logical port
2 is measured. When logical port 2 is mapped to physical port 2, it is equivalent to R1,2;(3) b1,1 Represents Physical port 1 outputs power when the test port receiver of logical port
1 is measured. When logical port 1 is mapped to physical port 1, it is equivalent to A,1;
(4) b2,3 Represents Physical port 3 outputs power when the test port receiver of logical port
2 is measured. When logical port 2 is mapped to physical port 2, it is equivalent to B,3;

2.2 Frequency range
Frequency range is the span of frequencies you specify for making a device measurement.

2.2.1 Set the frequency range
Set the range of RF frequencies.
Operating steps:
Press Freq on the front panel to open the frequency setting interface, parameter change
mode:
1. Use the numeric keypad to input the value of the frequency and press the unit button
to select the desired unit. The optional units are GHz, MHz, KHz, and Hz. Press
Enter to select the current unit by default.
2. Press ENTER or the multifunction knob to enter the state of parameter editing. Movethe cursor to the specified position by the left and right arrow keys. Modify the value
by pressing the up and down key, rotating the knob, or pressing the numeric keypad.
Press ENTER, the knob, or ESC to exit the editing mode.
Note:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Start: Specify the starting frequency of the swept measurement range
Stop: Specify the end frequency of the swept measurement range
Center: Specify a center frequency of the swept measurement range
Span: Specify the swept measurement frequency range
Step: Specifies the frequency step size between data points
Points: Specify the number of measurement points per sweep

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual322.2.2 CW time sweep or power sweep
Measurements using a CW time sweep or power sweep will be performed on a single
frequency rather than the entire frequency range
Operating steps:
Press Sweep, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Sweep→Sweep type.
Parameter change mode:
1. Press ENTER or the knob to enter the parameter editing state and then move thecursor to the specified position by up and down arrow keys or the knob to set the
Sweep type to CW Time or Power Sweep. Press ENTER or the knob to select thecurrent option.
2. Press Freq, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Freq→CW parameter entry.
Select the edit box to enter the edit mode and change the value by pressing the up
and down key, rotating the knob, or pressing the numeric keypad. Press ENTER, theknob, or ESC to exit editing mode.

2.2.3 Frequency resolution
Set the frequency resolution to 1Hz.

2.3 Power level
Power level refers to the output power at the port of the vector network analyzer.
Here are the keys to operation:
1. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Power→Power Level
parameter item. Input the required power level. Press ENTER to exit editing mode. The
default unit is dBm.
2. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Power→RF Power parameter
item. Turn on or off RF power.
3. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Port Power parameter item,
Configure start and stop power. Start and stop power are only available in power sweep
mode.
4. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Port Power→Selectparameter item, Press ENTER or the knob to select the corresponding power port.
5. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Port Power→Coupling
parameter item, Press ENTER or the knob to choose to turn coupling off or on.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

6. Press Power, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Leveling & Offsets→Slope
Enable parameter item, Press ENTER or the Knob to turn on the Slope switch, Press
Leveling & Offsets→Slope to set the Slope.
Coupled port power:•

Coupling (selected): The power level of each test port is the same. If the power of any test
port is set, the power of all test ports will change accordingly.

•

Decoupling (clearing): Set the power level for each test port separately and decouple thePower. For example, if you want to measure the gain and reverse
isolation of a high gain amplifier, the input port of the amplifier
requires much less power than the output port. Power sweep canalso be performed using uncoupled power.

Power Leveling&Offsets
Power Limits controls the source power at each test port for ALL channels. Use this feature
to protect DUTs that are sensitive to overpowering at the input. Source Power levels thatexceed the Limit at the specified port are clipped at the limit, and an error message isdisplayed on the screen.
Power Offset provides a method of compensating port power for added attenuation or
amplification in the source path. The result is that power at the specified port, all dialogs, andannotations reflect the added components. For amplification use a positive offset, and forattenuation use a negative offset.
Using the Softkey for setting: Press the ”Power” key, “Power” > Leveling & Offsets then enter
the menu.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual34

A. Select the Port.
B. Slope Enable. Helps compensate for cable and test fixture power losses at increased
frequency. With power slope enabled, the port output power increases (positive input) or
decreases (negative input) with the sweep frequency.
C. Set the slope value
D. Set the power offset value
E. Power Limit Enable
F. Set the power limit value
G. Power Offsets and limits
Power Offsets and Limits setting
Using the Softkey for setting: Press the ”Power” key, “Power” > Leveling & Offsets > Offsets
and Limits to enter the menu. You can change the cell value in one of the following two ways:
1.

On the UI interface, click the cell twice in succession and then enter the value in the popup virtual numeric keyboard.

2.

Press the Tab key on the front panel to make the focus fall on the cell you want to change,press the number key +Enter on the front panel to set the value, or turn the knob tochange the value.

A.

Global Power Limit. This sets a maximum source power level for individual test ports. Thisvalue limits port power for all channels and all applications. Power levels that attempt toexceed the power limit are clipped at the limit.
B. Power Limit Enable. Selects On indicate that power is limited to the adjacent value at the
specified source port and selects Off indicate that power is not limited to this value, but
the maximum power of the source.
C. Set the Source Power value.
D. Set the Power Offset value.
E. Set the Port Power value. The formula among Source Power, Power Offset, and Port35

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualPower is: Source Power + Power Offset = Port Power

2.4 Sweep
Sweeping refers to the measurement of a series of consecutive data points against a seriesof specified excitation values.

2.4.1 Points
Data points are the number of data samples representing the measured values at a single
excitation value. You can specify the number of data points that the vector network analyzer
measures in a sweep. The sweeping time of the vector network analyzer varies proportionallywith the number of points.
Operating steps:
Press Sweep, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Sweep→Number of Points
parameter item, Enter the number of points required, Press ENTER to exit editing mode.
The number of data points collected by the vector network analyzer during themeasurement sweep can be set to any number between 1 and 100001.
Note: Maximum point limits may differ for some measurement classes.
••

For maximum trace resolution, use the maximum data points.
For faster throughput, use a minimum number of data points to provide an acceptable
resolution.

•

To get the best number of points, look for values that do not differ significantly in themeasurement as you add points.

•

To ensure accurate measurement calibration, ensure that the user uses the same numberof points for calibration and measurement.

•

Points are the number of data items collected in one sweep. This number can be set
separately for each channel.

••

To obtain high trace resolution for excitation values, select a larger point value.
For high throughput, keep the smaller point value within the allowable trace resolution
range.

•For high measurement accuracy after calibration, use the same number of points as theactual measurement.

2.4.2 Sweep typeKey operation:
Press Sweep, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Sweep→Sweep Type parameter
item. Press ENTER or Knob to enter the editing state, then move the cursor to the specified
position by up and down direction keys or Knob, set the sweep type to the required
measurement type, press ENTER or Knob to select the current option.
Sweep type:••Linear Frequency
Log Frequency

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

36

•
•
•

Power Sweep
CW Time
Segment Sweep

Linear Frequency: Set the measured abscissa frequency scale as a linear scale, and keep
the full frequency scale at equal intervals.
Log Frequency: Set the measured abscissa frequency scale to log scale, To observe a wider
frequency range, the calibration interval in the full frequency band is not uniform and presents
periodic changes.
Power Sweep: The power sweep will increase or decrease the power of the source according
to the walk length. Power sweeping is used to characterize power-sensitive circuits throughmeasurements such as gain compression. In the Sweep Type dialog box, you can specify"Start Power", "Stop Power", "CW Frequency", "Points".
Segment Sweep: "Segment Sweep" activates a sweep consisting of frequency sub sweep(called segmentation). For each segment, you can define a separate power level, IF bandwidth,
IF bandwidth for each port, sweep time, delay, sweep mode. After the measurement calibration
has been performed on the entire sweep or all segments, the measurement values of one ormore segments can be calibrated.
In the Segment Sweep type, the vector network analyzer performs the following operations.
•••

Sort all defined segments in order of increasing frequency.
Measurements were made at each point.
Display a trace containing all retrieved data.

Limitations on segmented sweeping:•

The frequency range of one segment may not overlap with the frequency range of any
other segment.

•

The number of segments is limited only by the combined data points of all segments inthe sweep.

•

The frequency range of one segment may not overlap with the frequency range of any
other segment.

•

The number of segments is limited only by the combined data points of all segments inthe sweep.

Operating steps:
Press Sweep, Use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Sweep→Sweep Typeparameter item. Parameter change mode:

37

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

1. Press ENTER or Knob to enter the state of parameter editing, then move the cursor to
the specified position by up and down arrow keys or Knob, set the sweep type as
Segment Sweep, and press ENTER or Knob to select the current option.
2. Press Sweep, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Segment Table parameter item.
Move the cursor to the specified position by up and down arrow keys or knobs, set Add
Segment, Insert Segment, Delete Segment and Delete All Segments to perform segment
operation. Select the segment table for segment setting and tick the corresponding menu
to display the corresponding contents in the following segment.

Figure 2-1 Segment table
X-Axis Point Spacing: In segment sweep mode, this feature will affect how the segment trace
is drawn on the screen. This function is in the sub-sweep table menu.
•

When X-axis point spacing is not used, multi-segment sweeping traces may sometimes
result in many measurement points being squeezed into a narrower portion of the X-axis•

When X-axis point spacing is used, the X-axis position of each point needs to be selected
so that all measurement points are evenly distributed along the X-axis.

For example, suppose you have the following two sections:Figure 2-2-1 X-point spacing is not used

Figure 2-2-2 Use X-axis point spacing

2.5 Trigger
The trigger is the signal that causes the vector network analyzer to carry out themeasurement sweep. The vector network analyzer is flexible in the configuration of the trigger
function.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual38

2.5.1 Trigger Settings
Operating steps:
Press Trigger, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Trigger parameter item.

2.5.2 Trigger source
Operating steps:
Press Trigger, Use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Trigger Source
parameter item. Press ENTER or the Knob to enter the parameter editing
state, then move the cursor to the specified position by the up and down arrow
keys or the knob, and press ENTER or the knob to select the current option.
Trigger source: These Settings determine the source of the trigger signal for all existing
channels. A valid trigger is generated only if the vector network analyzer is not
sweeping.
•

Internal triggers: After the previous measurement is completed, the vector network
analyzer will immediately send a continuous trigger signal.

•

Bus trigger: The vector network analyzer waits for the SCPI trigger instructions issued by
an external controller (PC).

•

External trigger: Trigger signals generated by external devices received through the BNC
connector on the rear panel.

•

Manual trigger: Manually send a trigger signal to the vector network analyzer. Available
only when you select “Manual” to trigger.

2.5.3 Trigger Range
Operating steps:
Press Trigger, Use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Trigger Scopeparameter item. Press ENTER or the Knob to enter the parameter editing
state, then move the cursor to the specified position by the up and down arrow
keys or the knob, and press ENTER or the knob to select the current option.
•

All channels: Triggers are sent to all triggerable channels. A trigger will sweep all channels
that can be triggered. (Default setting)•Current channel: Triggers are sent to the current channel but after the current channel
completes, the channel increments to the next triggerable channel.

2.5.4 Channel Settings
Operating steps:

39

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualPress Trigger, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Trigger parameter
item. Press ENTER or the Knob to enter the parameter editing state, thenmove the cursor to the specified position by the up and down arrow keys or
the knob, and press ENTER or the knob to select the current option.
These settings determine the number of trigger signals that the channel will receive.
•

Hold trigger: The channel does not accept any trigger signals.

•

Single trigger: The channel receives a trigger signal and then enters the "hold" state.
Another way to trigger a single measurement: Set the trigger source to"manual" and send a manual trigger. At this point, however, all channels
are set to single trigger.

•

Continuous trigger: Channels accept an unlimited number of trigger signals.

•

Hold all channels: All channels enter the hold state and do not accept any trigger signals.

•

Restart: (Accessible only from the Trigger menu.) Channels that are in the Hold state are
set to be triggered once (The channel accepts a single trigger signal). All otherSettings are unaffected.

•

A single trigger: The channel receives a trigger signal and then enters the "hold" state.
Another way to trigger a single measurement is to set the trigger source
to "manual" and send a manual trigger. At this point, however, all channels
are single.

•

Restart: (Accessible only from the Trigger menu.) Channels that are in the “Hold“ state are
set to be a single trigger (This channel receives a single trigger signal). All othersettings are unaffected.

2.5.5 Trigger mode
Operating steps:
Press Trigger, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Trigger→Trigger Setup
parameter item. Press ENTER or the Knob to enter the parameter editing state. Then movethe cursor to the specified position by the up and down arrow keys or the knob, and press
ENTER or the knob to select the current option.
These settings determine the number of trigger signals that the channel will receive.
•

Sweep trigger: Each "manual" or "external" trigger causes all traces of the shared source
port to be swept in the order specified below. In the case of a "single"
trigger, the count decrements by 1 after sweeping all traces in all
directions.

•

Point trigger: Each "manual" or "external" trigger results in a measurement of a data point.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual40Subsequent triggers go to the same trace until it completes, The other tracesin the same channel are then swept in the order specified below. If it is a"single" trigger, the count decreases by 1 after measuring all data points on
all trace lines in the channel.
When multi-port calibration is on (requires multi-direction sweeping), the trace on thescreen will not be updated until all relevant directions have been swept. For example, when all
four 2-port S parameters are displayed:a)b)

If full 2-port calibration is on, triggering 1 will cause no trace to be updated.
When the calibration is off, triggering 1 will cause S11 and S21 updates. Trigger
2 will cause updates to S22 and S12.

Trace sweep order:
For all trigger modes, the trigger signal remains in the same channel until all traces in thischannel have been swept, and then continue to trigger the next channel that is not in the "hold"state.
The traces within each channel are always swept in the following order:
The trace on the screen will not be updated when the multi-port calibration is turned on(requiring multi-direction sweeping) until all relevant directions have been swept.
For example, when all four 2-port S parameters are displayed:a) If full 2-port calibration is on, triggering 1 will cause no trace to be updated; Triggering
2 causes all S parameters to be updated.
b) When the calibration is off, triggering 1 will cause S11 and S21 to be updated;
Triggering 2 will cause S22 and S12 to be updated.

2.5.6 External and auxiliary triggers
Both external and auxiliary triggers are used to synchronize the triggers of the vector
network analyzer with those of other devices.

Overview
Ready signal and trigger signal:
Ready signals are different from trigger signals. The ready signal is used to indicate thatthe transmitting instrument is ready for measurement. The instrument receiving the readysignal then sends a trigger signal indicating that the measurement will be made or that themeasurement has been completed. Usually, the slower instrument sends the trigger signal.
•

Measurement trigger input: This signal is easy to use, but has limited configuration
capabilities.

•

Auxiliary trigger outputs: Connectors and signals are highly configurable and can be used
to synchronize with any number of devices.

41

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualMeasurement trigger input
The trigger input connector is located on the back panel of the vector network analyzer.
These signals can be used when the vector network analyzer communicates with slower
instruments.
Operating Steps:•

The vector network analyzer sends a "ready" signal when it is ready for measurement•

The external device sends a trigger signal to the vector network analyzer when it is readyfor measurement•

Additional signals are provided on the vector network analyzer processor I/O to indicatethat the vector network analyzer sweep has been completed and the processor can be set
for the next measurement.

To make the vector network analyzer respond to measured trigger inputs or processor I/O
signals, select External on the “Trigger Settings“ tab on the “Source“ Settings. Also, on the
Trigger Settings tab, on the Range Settings, select whether an external trigger applies to allchannels (global) or one channel (local). The appropriate settings to apply are as follows:
Main trigger input:
Global/channel trigger delay - after receiving an external trigger, the start time of the sweep
will be delayed by the specified amount of time plus any inherent delay.
•

When the trigger scope is "channel", the delay value is applied to the specified channel.

•

When the Trigger Range is Global, the same delay value is applied to all channels.

The vector network analyzer receives the trigger input signal through the following connectors:••

Measure trigger input BNC connector: Trigger input on the rear panel.
Processor I/O Pin 18 (needs to be changed).

Polarity:High level: When the vector network analyzer is ready (trigger ready) and the TTL signal on
the selected input is "high", It triggers the vector network analyzer.
Low level: When the vector network analyzer is ready (trigger ready) and the TTL signal on theselected input is "low", it triggers the vector network analyzer.
Positive edge: When the vector network analyzer is ready, it will trigger on the next positiveedge. When set to accept a trigger before ready, if a positive edge has been
received since the last data acquisition, the vector network analyzer will trigger
immediately after ready
Negative edge: When the vector network analyzer is ready, it will trigger on the next negative
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual42edge. When set to accept the trigger before ready, if a negative edge has
been received since the last data acquisition, the vector network analyzer will
trigger immediately after ready.
After receiving the trigger selection before being ready, the vector network analyzer will
move to the ready state (trigger ready), if any triggers have been received since the last data
fetch, the vector network analyzer will trigger immediately and the vector network analyzer willremember only one trigger signal. All other signals will be ignored.
•

If this check box is cleared, any trigger signals received by the vector network analyzer
before it is ready will be ignored.

•

This feature is only available when a positive or negative edge trigger is selected.

Auxiliary trigger
The auxiliary trigger connector is located on the back panel of the vector network analyzer.
When the external source is configured as an external device, the vector network analyzer willautomatically control all trigger settings. Do not set other trigger settings. The vector network
analyzer will start measuring when it receives a valid trigger signal from the specified trigger
source:•Inside: Measurements begin immediately.

•

Manual: Press the vector network analyzer "Trigger" button to start the measurement.

•

External: The measurement starts when the measurement trigger input signal is received
from the external device. This must be configured separately.

The "Auxiliary Trigger Output" signal can be configured to be sent just before themeasurement is performed or just after the measurement is completed. Whencommunicating with an external source, the "Auxiliary Trigger Output" signal should be sent
after the measurement is completed to indicate that the external source can be set for the
next measurement.
Enable: When checked, the signal can be output to external devices using auxiliary connectors.
••

Channel: This setting is controlled by the vector network analyzer “Preferences“ setting.
Global: All secondary trigger settings apply to all channels. On the Trigger Settings tab,
set the "Each Point" setting, which also applies to all channels.

Channels: All secondary trigger settings will be applied to the specified channel and eachchannel can be configured individually.
Auxiliary channel output (to device):
The following settings control the properties of the signal emitted from the “Auxiliary Trigger
Output“ connector on the back panel:

43

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualPolarity:
Positive pulse: the output pulse is positive.
Negative pulse: The output pulse is negative.
Location:
Before acquisition: Send pulses just before data collection begins.
After the acquisition: Pulses are sent immediately after data collection is completed.
Each point: When checked, trigger output can be sent for each data point, and when cleared,
trigger output can be sent for each sweep.
Select "Auxiliary Trigger" - "Global" vector network analyzer preferences, On the "Trigger
Settings " tab, the "Dot " Settings are set. After that, this setting applies to all channels. Whenmultiple channels exist, the channel settings set last are used.
Pulse Duration: Specify the duration of a positive or negative output trigger pulse.

2.6 Data format
The data format is the method by which the vector network analyzer displays themeasured data graphically. Select the data format that corresponds to the information you wantto know about the test device.

2.6.1 Display format
Operating steps:
Press Format, Use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Format parameter item. Press
ENTER or the Knob to enter the parameter editing state, then move the cursor to the specified
position by the up and down arrow keys or the knob, and press ENTER or the knob to selectthe current option.

2.6.2 LF Cartesian coordinates display format
Nine of the twelve available data formats use rectangular displays to present
measurement data. This display is also known as Cartesian, XY, or linear coordinates. The
Cartesian coordinate display is especially suitable for clearly displaying the frequency
response information of the device-under-test (DUT).
•

The excitation data (frequency, power, or time) is linearly scaled and displayed on the Xaxis•

The measured response data is displayed on the Y-axis

Log amplitude scheme:
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

44

•
•
•
•

Display amplitude (no phase)
Y: dB
Typical measurements: Return loss, insertion loss, or gain

Display phase (no amplitude)

Phase format:
The phase of the signal is measured relative to the calibration reference plane, withina range of ±180 degrees.
•••

Y: Phase (degrees)
Each 180-degree trace is "wrapped" for easy scaling
Typical measurement: Linear phase shift.

A phase:•Same phase, but no 180-degree entanglement.

Note: Phase unwrapping is accomplished by comparing the phases of two adjacent data
points. If the phase difference between the two points is greater than 180 degrees, orthe DC offset phase of the first data point is greater than 180 degrees, then the phasemeasurement may not be accurate.
Group delay format:•••

Displays the transmission (propagation) time of signal in the device
Y: Time (s)Typical measurement: Group delay

Linear amplitude scheme:••

Only positive values are displayed
Y: No Unit (U, suitable for proportional measurements)
Watts (W, suitable for disproportionate measurements)•

Typical measurements: Reflection and transmission coefficients (amplitude), time domaintransformation
SWR format:•

Displays the reflection measurements calculated from the formula (1+ R)/(1-R), where R
is the reflection coefficient•••

Valid for reflection measurements only
Y: No units
Typical measurements: SWR

Real number format:
•
•
•
•

45

Show only the real part of the measured complex data
Can display both positive and negative values
Y: No units
Typical measurements: Time domain, auxiliary input voltage signals for maintenancepurposes
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualImaginary number format:•••

Only imaginary parts of the measured data are displayed
Y: No units
Typical measurement: Network impedance matching

2.6.3 Polar coordinates
The polar coordinate format is used to view the amplitude and phase of the reflection
coefficients in S11 or S22 measurements.
You can use a cursor to display the following items:••

Linear or log amplitude (in dB)
Phase (in degrees)
90°

1.0
0.8

The magnitude of Γ（reflection coefficient）

0.6
0.4
0.2

The phase Angle of thereflected signal

0°

±180°

∞Ω

0Ω

-90°

Figure 2-5 Polar diagram•

The dotted circle indicates the reflection coefficient. The outermost circle represents thereflection coefficient with a value of 1. The center of the circle represents the reflection
coefficient with a value of 0.

•

The radial line shows the phase angle of the reflected signal. The right-most position
corresponds to the zero-phase angle (that is, the reflected signal has the same phase as
the incident signal). The phase differences of 90°, ±180°, and -90° correspond to the top,leftmost, and bottom of the polar display, respectively.

2.6.4 Smith circle diagram
Smith diagrams are a tool for mapping complex reflectance coefficients to test the
impedance of equipment. In the Smith chart, the linear impedance plane is reshaped to forma cyclic grid from which the resistance and reactance (R+ Jx) can be read.
You can use a cursor to display the following items:••

Resistance (in Ohms)
Reactance as equivalent capacitance (in Ephraeras) or inductance (in Henrys)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual46Figure 2-6 Schematic diagram of Smith circle
There is also a Reverse Smith circle diagram (also called an Admittance Smith Chart):
Same as the standard Smith circle, with the following exceptions:•
The polar grid is reversed from right to left.
•
Admittance (in Siemens) instead of resistance.
Smith diagram interpretation:

47

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 2-7 Schematic diagram of the Admittance Smith chart•

Each point on the Smith chart represents a complex impedance (r±jx) consisting of a real
resistance (r) and an imaginary reactance (x).

•The horizontal axis (solid line) shows the real part of the difference between impedance
and resistance. The horizontal axis always represents the system impedance. The
rightmost value is infinite ohms (open path). The leftmost value is zero ohms (short circuit).

•

The dotted circle intersecting the horizontal axis represents a constant reactance.

•

A dashed arc tangent to the horizontal axis represents a constant impedance.

•

The top half of Smith's circle is the region where the reactance component is positive andhence inductance is generated.

•

The lower half is the region where the reactance component is negative and therefore
generates capacitance.

2.7 Scale
2.7.1 Scale/reference level and position
The "Scale", "Reference Level", and "Reference Position" Settings (as well as the format)
determine how the data trace will appear on the vector network analyzer screen.
Operating steps:

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual48

Press Scale, Use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the reference level and reference
position parameter items under the Scale menu bar. Press ENTER or the knob to enter theparameter editing state, then move the cursor to the specified position by the up and downarrow keys or the knob, and press ENTER or the knob to select the current option.
Scale: Sets the vertical indexing value of the rectangular coordinate display format. In polar
coordinates and Smith chart formats, the scale sets the value of the outer perimeter.
Range: 0.001 dB/div to 1000 dB/div.
Automatic scaling: Automatically sets the vertical indexing value and reference value to fit
the working data trace in the screen grid area. The excitation value andreference position are not affected. The vector network analyzer
determines the minimum possible scaling factor that will allow all display
data to appear on the 80% vertical grid. The selected reference values
center the trace on the screen.
All autoscaling: Automatically scales all data traces in the working window to fit vertically into
the grid area of the screen.
Reference level: Sets the value of the guide in rectangular format. Range: -1000 dB to 1000
dB. In polar coordinates and Smith's circle chart formats, the reference level
does not apply.
Reference position: Sets the position of the guide in Rectangular coordinate format. Zero is
the bottom line and 10 is the top line. The default position is 5 (middle ofthe screen). Reference positions do not apply in polar coordinates andSmith chart formats.

2.7.2 Scaling coupling
When “Scale Coupling“ is enabled, tracks of the same format will have the same “Scale“,“Reference Level“, and “Reference Position“. You can choose to couple the scales for tracesin the same window, for all traces in all Windows, or uncouple them.
Operating steps:
Press Scale, use the knob or arrow keys to focus on the Scale→Scale Coupling
parameter item. Press ENTER or Knob to enter the editing state, select Off/Window/All, thenmove the cursor to the specified position by up and down arrow keys or Knob, press ENTER
or Knob to select the current option
Note: Traces of the same format have the same scale, reference level, and reference position.
Coupling Method:
Close: No coupling. Each trace is scaled individually. This is the default setting.
Window: All traces of the same format in each selected window share the same scale settings
All: Coupled between all selected windows, all traces of the same format in all selected49

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualwindows share the same scale settings.
•

When window or full coupling is enabled, the scale settings for the working trace will be
adopted by other coupling traces of the same format•

If traces of a different format exist, all traces of that format will be set as the least numbered
trace in that format•

Once enabled, the scale settings for all coupling traces of the same format can be changed
with any coupling trace in the working state

Selected Windows:
Available when selecting a window or all methods. The selected window participates inscaling coupling. By default, all windows are selected. Cancel the check box to disable zoom
coupling for this window.
About "Auto Scaling" and "Scaling Coupling":
Automatic scaling using the coupling method affects the work trace in the work window.
All traces coupled to this trace will be set with the new scale of the working trace. This willcause some traces to not appear on the screen.
Full automatic scaling using the coupled method•

Close: All traces in the working window are automatically scaled separately.

•

Window: All traces in each selected window are automatically scaled to conform to acommon set of scaling factors.

•

All: All traces in all selected Windows are automatically scaled to conform to a common
set of scaling factors.

2.7.3 Electrical delay
Electrical delay is a mathematical function that simulates the variable length of a losslesstransmission line. Linear phase shifts through the device can be compensated using theelectrical delay function. Use this feature to determine only the linear phase deviation of thedevice. Electrical delay can be set separately for each measuring trace.
Operating steps:
Press Scale, use the knob or arrow key to bring focus to the Electrical Delay parameter
item. Press ENTER or Knob to enter the editing state. After the editing is completed, move thecursor to the specified position by up and down direction keys or Knob. Press ENTER or Knobto select the current option.
Delay time: Specifies the value of the delay added or removed, expressed in time or distance.
This compensates for the linear phase shift through the device. Electrical delay
can be set separately for each measuring trace.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual50

Speed coefficient: Specify the velocity factor applied to the device media inserted after
measurement calibration. The value is 0.66 for polyethylene insulated
cables and 0.7 for PTFE insulators.1 corresponds to the speed of light ina vacuum.
Distance unit: Select meters, inches, or feet. When you change this value, the step size does
not change automatically.

2.7.4 Amplitude offset and amplitude slope
The "amplitude offset" allows the amplitude (rather than phase) data to be offset by a fixed
or slope value in Db. The amplitude offset setting affects only the work trace. If the display
format is "Linear Amplitude" or "Real Number" (unitless), the dB is converted and the correct
offset is implemented.
Operating steps:
Press Scale, use the knob or arrow keys to bring focus to the Constants→Mag Offset/
Mag Slope parameter item.
Press ENTER or Knob to enter the editing state. After the editing is completed, move thecursor to the specified position by up and down direction keys or Knob. Press ENTER or Knobto select the current option.
Amplitude deviation: Offset the entire data trace at the specified value.
Margin slope: Offset the data trace by some value that changes with frequency. The offset
slope starts at 0 Hz.

2.7.5 Phase deviation
Phase offset mathematically adjusts the phase measurement to a specified degree (up to360°). This feature can be used in the following ways:•

Improved display of phase measurements. This is the same way as changing thereference level in the amplitude measurement. Change the phase response to the centeror align the response on the screen.

•

Simulate Projection phase shift in measurements. For example, if you know that you needto add a cable and that the length of the cable will add a certain phase shift to themeasurement, you can use a phase shift to increase the length and simulate the entire
device measurement.

Key operation:
Press Scale, use the knob or arrow keys to bring focus to the Constants→Phase Offset
parameter item. Press ENTER or Knob to enter the editing state. After the editing is completed,move the cursor to the specified position by up and down direction keys or Knob. Press ENTER
or Knob to select the current option.

51

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

2.8 Avg BW
2.8.1 Overview
The dynamic range is the finite difference between the maximum input power level andthe minimum measurement power level (noise floor) of the analyzer. In evaluating acharacteristic accompanied by a large change in the amplitude (the start and stop band of afilter for example), it is important to increase the dynamic range. The noise floor can be reducedby narrowing the IF bandwidth or turning on Sweep Averaging.
For minimizing very low noise, Averaging is more effective than reducing IF bandwidth.
Generally, Averaging takes slightly longer than IF bandwidth reduction to lower noise,
especially if many averages are required. Also, changing the IF bandwidth after calibration
results in uncertain accuracy.

2.8.2 Averaging
Averaging is a feature that the VNA averaging on each data point before stepping to thenext data point. You determine the number of measurements by setting the averaging factor.
The higher the averaging factor, the greater the amount of noise reduction.
Averaging setting:Press the ”Avg BW” key, then enter the Averaging and Bandwidth menu.

Figure 2-8 Avg BW menu
A.

Averaging Enable.

B.

Sweep Averaging factor. (an integer between 1 and 999)

C. Averaging Restart. Restart the Sweep Averaging from 1.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual52

2.8.3 IF Bandwidth
The received signal of VNA is converted from its source frequency to a lower intermediate
frequency (IF). Reducing the IF receiver bandwidth reduces the effect of random noise on ameasurement. Each tenfold reduction in IF bandwidth lowers the noise floor by 10 dB. However,narrower IF bandwidths cause longer sweep times.
IF Bandwidth setting:
1.

Using the Softkey for setting: Press the ”Avg BW” key, Press “Avg BW” > Averaging > IF
Bandwidth > Enter the IF Bandwidth value.

Figure 2-9 Set the IF from the menu bar
2.

Using a mouse for setting: Click the "BW=xx" icon on the menu bar and select IF
Bandwidth.

Figure 2-10 Set the IF from the status bar

53

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

2.8.4 Smoothing
Trace smoothing averages several adjacent data points to smooth the displayed trace.
The number of adjacent data points that get averaged together is also known as the smoothing
aperture. You can specify the aperture as either the number of data points or the percentageof the x-axis span.
Trace Smoothing reduces the peak-to-peak noise values on broadband measured data. Itsmooths trace noise and does not increase measurement time significantly.
Smoothing setting:
Using the Softkey for setting: Press the ”Avg BW” key, “Avg BW” > Smoothing then enter
the Smoothing menu.

Figure 2-11 Smoothing menu
A.

Smooth On|Off When is On, applies smoothing to the displayed trace.

B.

Percent of Smooth: Specify the percent of the swept stimulus span to smooth. For
example, for a trace that contains 100 data points, and a smoothing percent of span =11%, then the number of data points that are averaged is 11.

C. Smooth Points: Specify the number of adjacent data points to average.
Tips:• Start with a high number of display points and reduce until you are confident that the trace
is not giving misleading results.
• Do not use smoothing for high-resonance devices, or devices with wide trace variations.
It may introduce misleading information.
•

Smoothing is set independently for each trace.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual542.9 Preset instructions
Invokes preset Settings to restore system Settings to the specified just started state.
Operating instructions:◆ Preset types are available through Preset→Preset Option, Select “Default”, “Last”, or“User“.
◆Press the Preset key, and the device invokes either default Settings or user Settings.

Table2-1 Some default setting values

Parameter nameParameter value
RF Power

RF stateON

RF level

0 dBm

Signal output port

Port 1

Port couplingON
Frequency

Frequency range

100 kHz-8.5 GHz

Frequency step size

42.4995 MHz

Frequency points

201
Sweeping

Sweeping points

201

Sweeping typeLinear frequency

Sweeping time delay

0s

Sweeping mode

automatic
Trigger

Trigger mode

continuous

Trigger source

internal
Measurement

S parameter

S11
Display format

Data display format

Log Mag
Scale

Scale

10 dB

Reference level

0 dB

reference position

5

Scale coupling

OFF

Delay time

0s

Delay distance0m

Distance unit

meter

Speed coefficient

1

System impedance

50 Ω

Phase deviation

0°

Amplitude deviation

0 dB
Average55

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualAverage stateOFF

Smooth stateOFF
Calibration

Calibration state

unloaded calibration data

3 Measurement calibration
3.1 Overview
Usually, DUTs can't be measured directly and accurately due to cabling, adapters,probes, and more. Calibration, compensation, and fixture simulation are introduced to help
achieve higher accuracy. These functions meet different measurement requirements, butthey all can be expressed as a matrix multiplication of the scattering parameter matrix and a
specific compensation matrix. The order of the matrix multiplication has a large influence on
the result. So it's important to understand the order of applying these functions and to design
a suitable physical connection to the DUT and expected measurement network.
Internal source power calibration and receiver calibration are applied before thescattering parameter calculation, and the S parameter calibration is applied to the calculation
results. This provides the highest measurement accuracy at the calibration reference plane.
From the reference plane, the order of applying functions is as follow:

Figure 3-1 The order of applying functions
At first, adapter removal/insertion, port extension, 2-port de-embedding are applied toremove the needless networks in the physical connections of the DUT and move themeasurement plane to the DUT. Then, Port match, N-port embedding/de-embedding, port
impedance conversion are used to embed or de-embed expected virtual networks. If balancescattering parameters are measured, balance conversion, differential port match, differential
port impedance conversion, common port impedance conversion can be helpful if needed.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual56

3.2 Calibration typeThe following table is a comparison of some common S-parameter calibration types:
Table 3-1 S-parameter calibration types
Calibration typeprecision

Allow pass-through methods

TRL

Very high

SOLT

high

All

Enhanced ResponsehighDefined through or flush through (zerolength through)Port 1 (reflection)

high

Not ApplicableOpen Circuit Response/
Short Circuit Response

low

Not Applicable

Direct Responselow

Known through or flush through (zerolength through)All, except the unknown direct

The following are the actual S-parameter calibration types used by this vector network analyzer.
Table 3-2 The vector network analyzer S parameter calibration types
Port number
Port 1

Port 2

Calibration type

Calibration item

Response (Open)

Open, Load (optional)

Response (Short)

Short, Load (optional)

OSL

Open, Short, Load

Response (Thru) 1→2

Thru, Isolation (optional)

Response (Thru) 2→1

Thru, Isolation (optional)

Enhanced Response (Thru) 1→2

Port1:Open, Short, Load
Thru, Isolation (optional)

Enhanced Response (Thru) 2→1

Port2:Open, Short, Load
Thru, Isolation (optional)

SOLT

Port1: Open, Short, Load
Port2: Open, Short, Load
Thru, Isolation (optional)

SOLR

Port1: Open, Short, Load
Port2: Open, Short, Load
Unknown Thru, Isolation (optional)

TRL

Port1: Reflect (Open or Short)
Port2: Reflect (Open or Short)
Thru, LineTRL:
Application: Used to precisely calibrate any pair of ports when no calibration kits are readily
Available.

57

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualNote: Difference matching calibration may be required (Delta Match Cal)
Overall accuracy: Very highCalibration kits required: Straight, reflection, line, or similar combination
Corrected system error:•••

Directivity
Isolation
Frequency responsetransmission tracking•••

Source match
Load match
Frequency response reflection
tracking

SOLT:
Application: Used to accurately calibrate any number of ports
Overall accuracy: High
Required calibration kits: short circuit, open circuit, load, through) or ECAL electroniccalibration parts module•••

Directivity
Isolation
Frequency responsetransmission tracking•••

Source match
Load match
Frequency response reflection
tracking

Enhanced Response:
Application: Calibrate two ports when only one direction (forward or reverse) is needed formeasurement. Because no secondary sweep is required, the measurement isfaster.
•

The reflection calibration element (open, short circuit, or load) is connected tothe source port to be calibrated.

•

The defined through-through or flush through-through calibrator kits areconnected between port pairs.

•

The mechanical calibration kit is much faster than the SOLT. You can also use
ECAL.

To select an enhanced response, do the following:
Keys operation:
Press Cal, using the knob or arrow keys, to focus on the Cal→Basic Cal parameter
item. Select port1 & port2 from the interface menu, Select Enhanced Response
1→2 or Enhanced Response 2→1 in the Cal Type, Press ENTER or the knob toselect the current option.
Overall accuracy: High
Required calibration kits: Short circuit, open circuit, load, defined through or flush through

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual58Corrected system error:•••

Directivity (Source port)
Isolation
Frequency responsetransmission tracking (receiver
port)

•
•

Source match (source port)
Load matching (receiver port) isused only to generatetransmission trace items•

Frequency response reflection
tracking (source port)

One port (reflection):
Application: Used to accurately calibrate any test port suitable for reflection measurement only
Overall accuracy: High
Required calibration kits: Short circuit, open circuit, and load or ECAL module
Corrected system error:••

Directivity
Frequency response reflection
tracking•

Source match

Open circuit response/short circuit response:
Application: Quick calibration of any test port suitable for reflection measurement only
Overall accuracy: Low
Calibration kits required: Open circuit or short circuit.
Corrected system error:•

Frequency response reflection tracking

Direct/Transport Tracking (isolation optional):
Application: Quick calibration of any pair of test ports suitable for transmission measurements
only. Isolation calibration is generally not recommended.
Overall accuracy: Low
Required calibration kit: Through
Isolation: Each load corresponds to a vector network analyzer test port.
Corrected system error:••

59

Isolation
Frequency response

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualtransmission tracking
Power calibration types: Transmitter calibration (internal source power calibration) andreceiver calibration.

3.3 S parameter calibration
3.3.1 S parameter calibration Kit management
3.3.1.1Overview
For most applications, the default calibration kit models provide sufficient accuracy for yourcalibration. However, several situations may exist that would require you to create a custom
calibration kit:•

Using a connector interface different from those used in the predefined calibration kit
models.

•Using standards (or combinations of standards) that are different from the predefinedcalibration kits. For example, using three offset SHORTs instead of an OPEN, SHORT,
and LOAD to perform a 1-port calibration.

•

Improving the accuracy of the models for predefined kits. When the model describes theactual performance of the standard, the calibration is more accurate. For example, A 7
mm LOAD is determined to be 50.4 Ω instead of 50.0 Ω.

•

Modifying the THRU definition when performing a calibration for a non-insertable device.

•

Performing a TRL calibration.

Operation instructions:
Press “Cal” on the front panel, Cal > Cal >Cal Kit to enter the Manage Cal Kits page. You canedit, import, and create or delete calibration kits.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual60Figure 3-2 Manage Cal Kits
A. Edit the Existing Cal Kit.
B. Import the customized Cal Kit.
C. Save the existing Cal kits and change the file name.
D. Create a new custom Cal Kit.
E. Select the Cal Kit.
F. Save the current Cal kits (both factory and custom).
G. Recall the Cal Kits.
H. Restore the default factory Cal Kits.

3.3.1.2Connector Tab
At the bottom of each Tab, 'OK' is used to save the edited file, and 'Cancel' is used to close thecalibration suite edit session and the file will not be saved. “Help” is used to view the Help
documents.

Figure 3-3 The Connectors Tab interface
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

A.
B.

Connector Family: Click the down arrow to select the connector family associated with
the Cal Kit.
Add: Starts the Add Connector dialog box which allows you to add a new connector typeto the calibration kit.

C. Select: The selected connector family.
D. Frequency Range: Define the lowest and the highest frequency at which the standard isused for calibration.
E.

Gender: Gendered or Genderless.

F.

Impedance: Specify the impedance of the standard.

G. Transmission Media: The medium of the connector, COAX or WAVEGUIDE

3.3.1.3Standards Tab
Allows you to Add, Edit, or Delete cal standards in a cal kit.
1) In the "Standard" tab, click "Add" to add the Standard sample.

Figure 3-4 add standard interface
2)Standards dialog box help, the following fields apply to ALL standard types.

Figure 3-5 The help dialog of the Standard
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual62

A. Identification
Standard ID: Number in list of standards
Label: Type of standard. This usually appears in prompts for standards.
Description: Description of standard.
B. Connector
Indicates the type and gender (Male, Female, None) of the standard.
Thru and Isolation standards have two connectors.
C.Frequency Range
Min: Defines the lowest frequency at which the standard is used for calibration.
Max: Defines the highest frequency at which the standard is used for calibration.
D. Delay Characteristics
Delay: Defines the one-way travel time from the calibration plane to the standard in seconds.
Z0: Defines the impedance of the standard.
Loss: Defines energy loss in Gohms, due to skin effect, along a one-way length of coaxial cable.
Open Standard
C0, C1, C2, C3: Specify the fringing capacitance.

Figure 3-6 Open Characteristics
Short Standard
L0, L1, L2, L3: Specify the residual inductance.

Figure 3-7 Short Characteristics
Load Standard

Figure 3-8 load Characteristics
THRU Standard

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-9 THRU Characteristics

3.3.1.4SOLT Tab
Allows you to assign single or multiple standards to SOLT Calibration Classes.
1) For each Cal Kit Class, select Available Standards from the left list, then click >> to copy
the standard to the Cal Kit
2)

Use Move Up and Move Down to change the ORDER of the standards.

Figure 3-10 SOLT Tab dialog box

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual643.3.1.5TRL Tab
Allows you to assign single or multiple standards to Calibration Classes.
1) For each Cal Kit Class, select Available Standards from the left list, then click >> to copy
the standard to the Cal Kit.
2)

Use Move Up and Move Down to change the ORDER of the standards.

Figure 3-11 TRL dialog box
A. TRL THRU
All THRU calibration methods are supported in a TRL Cal EXCEPT Unknown Thru.
• The THRU standard can be either a zero-length or non-zero length. However, a zerolength THRU is more accurate because it has zero loss and no reflections, by definition.
• The THRU standard cannot be the same electrical length as the LINE standard.
• If the insertion phase and electrical length are well-defined, the THRU standard may be
used to set the reference plane.
• The THRU standard and LINE standard have the same characteristic impedance and are
perfectly matched. They define the reference impedance of the calibration.
• If a THRU standard with the correct connectors is NOT available, an adapter removal cal
can be performed.
B. TRL REFLECT• The REFLECT standard can be anything with a high reflection, as long as it is the same
when connected to one or more VNA ports.
• The REFLECT standard on each port is identical.
• The actual magnitude of the reflection need not be known.
• The phase of the reflection standard must be known within 1/4 wavelength.
• If the magnitude and phase of the reflection standard are well-defined, the standard may
65

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualbe used to set the reference plane
C. TRL LINEThe LINE and THRU standards establish the reference impedance for the measurement after
the calibration is completed. TRL calibration is limited by the following restrictions of the LINE
standard•

Must be of the same impedance and propagation constant as the THRU standard.

•

The electrical length need only be specified within 1/4 wavelength.

•

Cannot be the same length as the THRU standard.

•

A TRL cal with broad frequency coverage requires multiple LINE standards. For example,
a span from 2 GHz to 26 GHz requires two line standards.

•

Must be an appropriate electrical length for the frequency range

D. TRL MATCH
If the LINE standard of appropriate length or loss cannot be fabricated, a MATCH standard
may be used instead of the LINE.
•

The MATCH standard is a low-reflection termination connected to both Port 1 and Port 2.

•

The MATCH standard may be defined as an infinite length transmission line OR as a 1port low reflect termination, such as a load.
When defined as an infinite length transmission line, both test ports must be terminatedby a MATCH standard at the same time. When defined as a 1-port load standard, theloads are measured separately. The loads are assumed to have the same characteristics.
The impedance of the MATCH standard becomes the reference impedance for themeasurement. For best results, use the same load on both ports. The load may be definedusing the data-based definition, the arbitrary impedance definition, or the fixed load
definition.

•

•

E.
•

•

F.
•
•

Calibration Reference Z0
System Z0: The system impedance is used as the reference impedance. Choose when
the desired test port impedance differs from the impedance of the LINE standard. Also,choose when skin effect impedance correction is desired for coax lines.
Line Z0: The impedance of the line standard is used as the reference impedance or centerof the Smith Chart. Any reflection from the line standard is assumed to be part of thedirectivity error.
Test Port Reference Plane
Thru Standard: The THRU standard definition is used to establish the measurement
reference plane. Select if the THRU standard is zero-length or very short.
Reflect Standard: The REFLECT standard definition is used to establish the position of
the measurement reference plane. Select if the THRU standard is not appropriate AND
the delay of the REFLECT standard is well defined.

3.3.1.6Greate a custom Cal Kit
There are two methods to create a custom Cal Kit:
Method 1：Create custom Cal Kit based on existing Cal kits
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual66

1. Press “Cal” > Cal > Cal Kit > F503ME > Save . Select the existing F503ME Cal Kit thensave it to a local file named ”F503ME123.xkt”.

Figure 3-12 Creating a Custom Cal Kit dialog box

Figure 3-13 Save the ECal Kit
2. In the Manage Cal Kits dialog box, click "Import" to Import the new calibration"F503ME123.xkt".

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-14 Import the new ECal Kit
3. Select the newly imported calibration, click "Edit" to enter the calibration editing interface,and modify the calibration name as "F530ME-ABC".

Figure 3-15 Edit the new import ECal Kit

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual684. Click the Connectors, Standards, SOLT, and TRL Tabs to modify the corresponding
parameters as you need.
5. Click “OK” for the changed Cal Kit to take effect.
Method 2：Create a custom Cal Kit directly for new connector types.
1. Press” Cal” > Cal > Cal Kit > Insert...
2. Enter the name and description of the custom Cal Kit.
3. Refer to Method 1, click the Connectors, Standards, SOLT, TRL tab to modify thecorresponding parameters.
4. Click "OK" to make the created calibration effective.

Figure 3-16 View the newly created Cal Kit

3.3.2 S Parameter calibration wizard
S parameter user calibration can be started after selecting the required S parameter
calibration type in the calibration wizard and setting the corresponding parameters.
Operating instructions:69

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualPress the Cal key, use the knob or the arrow key to make the focus fall on Basic Cal, andpress Enter to enter the setting interface of the calibration kit:

Figure 3-17 Calibration wizard interface
Select the number of ports to be calibrated from the port menu in the calibration wizard
interface, and select the corresponding calibration kit model in the Cal Kit pull-down option.
Select the gender properties of the calibration connector from the DUT Connector drop-down
option, and select the corresponding calibration method from the Cal Type drop-down option,
as shown in the figure below:

Figure 3-18 Calibration wizard interface
After the calibration is set, a specific calibration item interface will appear as shown in the
figure below. Here, taking the two-port SOLT calibration method as an example, it includes
several calibration items: OPEN, SHORT, LOAD, THRU, ISOLATION, among which the
ISOLATION calibration item may not be calibrated. There is no sequence relation between
these calibration terms. Simply select the corresponding calibration kit and click thecorresponding calibration item menu on the interface.
After completion of the corresponding calibration item, the percentage of calibration
progress will be displayed in the lower-left corner of the interface. When all the calibration
steps are completed, the calibration progress bar will show 100%. Click Finish to exit thecalibration interface, calibration results are automatically loaded in the current screen.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual70Figure 3-19 Calibration wizard interface
To Save the current calibration data for future use, press the Save Recall button and use
the knob or arrow keys to bring the focus to the Save State menu bar. Select State+Cal Data
from the Save Type drop-down option, click Save State As and enter the file name, and click
OK to Save the current calibration Data and the current setting State.

Figure 3-20 Calibration wizard interface

3.3.3 Open Response Calibration
When a single port is used for open-circuit response calibration, the reflection tracking error
in the error model of the test device can be calculated by only connecting the OPEN calibration
element to the test port. If the LOAD calibration element is used for isolation calibration at thesame time, the directional error can be calculated.

71

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-21 Schematic diagram
Operating steps:
1. Preset vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band and otherparameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the Settings screen.
4. Select only Port1 or Port2, select the required calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select the Typeof calibration element connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, selectResponse(Open) in the Cal Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.
5. Connect the OPEN calibration element to the test port according to the interface prompts,
click Open for calibration, and click Finish to exit the calibration interface after calibration,complete the calibration, and save the calibration data.

3.3.4 Short circuit response calibration
Like the open-circuit response calibration, the single-port short-circuit response isconnected to the port with the SHORT calibration element, and the reflection tracking error canbe calculated. If the LOAD calibration element is used for isolation calibration at the same time,the directional error can also be calculated.
Operating steps:
1. Preset Vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band and otherparameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the setting interface.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual72

4. Select only Port1 or Port2, select the required calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select the Typeof connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, select Response(Short) in the Cal
Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.
5. Connect the Short calibration element to the test port according to the interface prompts,
click Short for calibration, and click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete thecalibration, and save the calibration data.

3.3.5 Full 1 port OSL calibration
All 1-port OSL calibration connects the OPEN, SHORT, and LOAD calibration elements tothe test ports in turn to calculate the reflection tracking error, directional error, and source
matching error in the error model of the test device.

Figure 3-22 Schematic diagram
Operating steps:
1. Preset Vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andotherparameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the setting interface.
4. Select only Port1 or Port2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select the Typeof calibration connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, selectOSL (Open, Short, Load) in the Cal Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.
•Connect the OPEN calibration element to the test port according to the interface
prompts:••

Click Open for calibration
Then connect the SHORT calibration element to the test port, click Short for
Calibration.

•

Finally, connect the LOAD calibration element to the test port, click the Load for
Calibration.

• After the calibration, click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete thecalibration, and save the calibration data.

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3.3.6 Transmission response calibration (two ports)
Two-port transmission response calibration is to connect the THRU calibration kit between
two ports to calculate the transmission tracking error in the test device error model. If the LOAD
calibration kit is used for isolation calibration at the same time, isolation error (crosstalk error)
can also be calculated.

Figure 3-23 Schematic diagram
Operating steps:
1. Preset Vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth,sweep points, test frequency band, and otherparameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the setting interface.
4. Select both Port1 and Port2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select the Typeof calibration connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, Select Response (Thru)
1→2 or Response(Thru) 2→1 in the Cal Type (the difference is to test S21 or S12), andclick Next to proceed to the next step.
5. Connect the Thru calibration element between the test ports according to the interface
prompts, click Thru for calibration, and click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete
the calibration, and save the calibration data.

3.3.7 Enhanced response calibration (two ports)
Two-port enhanced response calibration connects the Thru calibration element between two
ports, and only connects the Open, Short, and Load on one port for calibration, or connects
the LOAD element to both ports for isolation calibration.
Operating steps:
1. Preset Vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andother parameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the setting interface.
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual74

4. Select both Port 1 and Port 2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select the typeof calibration connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, Select Enhanced
Response 1→2 or Enhanced Response(Thru) 2→1 in the Cal Type (the difference is that
S21 or S12 is tested during THRU calibration), and click Next to proceed to the next step.
5. According to the interface prompts, connect Open, Short, and Load on a test port to complete
the calibration successively, and then connect the THRU calibration kit between the two
ports to perform the Thru calibration. After the calibration is completed, click Finish to exit
the calibration interface, complete the calibration and save the calibration data.

3.3.8 SOLT calibration (two ports)
Two-port SOLT calibration connects the Open, Short, and Load calibration elements to eachtest port in turn and the THRU calibration kit between the two test ports. All 12 error parametersof the two ports can be calculated, including 6 forward and 6 reverse errors, including
directional, source matching, reflection tracking, transmission tracking, isolation (crosstalk),
and load matching errors. It is also possible to connect the LOAD element to both ports for
isolation calibration.

Figure 3-24 Error model diagram
Operating steps:
1. Preset vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andotherparameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the Settings screen.
4. Select both Port 1 and Port 2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select thetype of calibration connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, select SOLT in the
Cal Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

4. According to the interface prompts, connect the Open, Short, and Load calibration
elements to Port 1 successively, and click the corresponding Open, Short, and Loaditems successively to complete the Port 1 calibration.
6. According to the interface prompts, connect the Open, Short, and Load calibration elements
to Port2 successively, and click the corresponding Open, Short, and Load items
successively to complete the Port 2 calibration.
7. According to the interface prompts, connect the THRU calibration kit between the two ports
to perform the Thru calibration.
8. After the calibration, click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete the calibration,and save the calibration data.

3.3.9 SOLR unknown through calibration (two ports)
In contrast to the two-port SOLT calibration, the error term in the test unit can be calculated
without knowing the S-parameter of the THRU straight-through calibration. The calibration
method is similar to that of SOLT in that it is possible to connect the LOAD to both ports for
isolated calibration.
Operating steps:
1. Preset vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andother parameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the Settings screen.
4. Select both Port 1 and Port 2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select theType of calibration Connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, select SOLR in
the Cal Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.
5. According to the interface prompts, connect the Open, Short, and Load calibration
elements to Port 1 successively, and click the corresponding Open, Short, and Loaditems successively to complete the Port 1 calibration.
6. According to the interface prompts, connect the Open, Short, and Load calibration
elements to Port 2 successively, and click the corresponding Open, Short, and Loaditems successively to complete the Port 2 calibration.
7. Connect the THRU calibration kit between the two ports according to the interface prompts.
The parameters of the THRU do not have to be known. Carry out unknown through Thru
calibration.
8. After the calibration, click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete the calibration,and save the calibration data.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual763.3.10 TRL Direct Reflection Transmission Line Calibration (TwoPorts)The two-port TRL calibration method does not need to know the index parameters of thecalibration kit, and all the error items in the error model of the test device can be figured out
through three simple connection methods. TRL calibration scheme will use the THRU straight
through calibration element, reflection calibration kit (Open or Short), and a small section oftransmission line.
Operating steps:
1. Preset vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andother parameters.
3. Select Cal→Basic Cal to enter the Settings screen.
4. Select both Port 1 and Port 2, select the desired calibration kit in the Cal Kit, select theType of calibration kit Connector, Female or Male, in the DUT Connector, select TRL in
the Cal Type, and click Next to proceed to the next step.
5. According to the interface prompts, connect the THRU calibration kit, Reflect (Open or
Short) calibration element, and Line on a Port 1 in turn, and click the corresponding Thru,
Reflect, and Line items in turn to complete the Port 1 calibration.
6. According to the interface prompts, connect the THRU calibration element, Reflect (Openor Short) calibration element, and transmission line on a Port 2 in turn, and click thecorresponding Thru, Reflect, and Line items to complete the Port 2 calibration.
7. After the calibration, click Finish to exit the calibration interface, complete the calibration,and save the calibration data.

3.4 Internal source power calibration
The vector network analyzer has been calibrated for the output power of the transmitter
before it leaves the factory, but the factory calibration may not guarantee sufficient accuracy inall cases. To improve the accuracy, the user can conduct an internal source power calibration
before performing any tests.

77

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-25 Transmitter power calibration
Before attempting power calibration, power loss compensation at different frequency points
can be set as shown in the figure below. Click "+" successively to add corresponding frequency
and loss values. After setting, click OK to save the data.

Figure 3-26 Set the interface
Power calibration operation steps:
1. Connect the port-under-test to a compatible power meter (Keysight U2000 series, R&S
NRP series, etc..) and probe to ensure normal communication between the vector

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual78

network analyzer and the power meter.
2. Preset vector network analyzer.
3. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band andother parameters.
4. Select Cal→Power Cal to enter the Settings screen.
5. Select the test channel and select the power output port.
6. Set parameters such as power offset, capacity limit, reading times, maximum iteration
times, etc.
7. Click Take Cal Sweep to start the power output measurement.
8. Click OK to complete the calibration and exit the power calibration interface after themeasurement is completed.

3.5 Receiver calibration
The vector network analyzer receiver power has been factory calibrated, but the factory
calibration may not guarantee sufficient accuracy in every situation. The user can conduct a
receiver power calibration before the test to improve the test accuracy. To ensure thecalibration accuracy of the receiver, it is better to calibrate the power of the internal source
before the calibration of the receiver.

Figure 3-27 Receiver calibration setting interface
Operating steps:
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

1. Preset vector network analyzer.
2. Set internal source output power, IF bandwidth, sweep points, test frequency band, andother parameters.
3. Select Cal→Receiver Cal to enter the Settings screen.
4. Select the test channel, select the internal source output port, select the receiver port
5. Connect the two ports using an appropriate specification RF cable.
6. Set parameters such as power offset.
7. Calibrate R or Calibrate T or Calibrate Both can be clicked to begin receiver calibration.
8. Click OK to complete the calibration and exit the receiver calibration interface.

3.6 Port extension
Eliminating the errors of test fixturing can be a difficult task. The port extension function ofa vector network analyzer is a good method to eliminate the error of test fixtures. The
calibration of S parameters is usually carried out by the user at the plane where the RF cable
is connected to the test fixture, typically a connector (SMA, N-type, etc..). The actual device
to be tested is located in the test fixture. The device to be tested and the test fixture are
generally connected by a microstrip line. As a result, the actual measurement plane of thedevice to be tested does not coincide with the calibration reference plane (the connector, as
mentioned previously) which will introduce calibration errors.
After the S parameter calibration is performed, the reference plane can be extended tothe specified measurement plane by simply adding the added microstrip line length, speed
factor, loss, and other parameters in the setting interface, to carry out more accurate testing.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual80Figure 3-28 Port extension setting interface
Manual port extension operation steps:
1. Perform the appropriate calibration type (SOLT, etc..) on the associated cabling before
entering Port Extensions.
2. Select Cal→Port Extension→Port Extension to enter the Settings screen.
3. Select the port that needs to be extended, the unit of length, and input the velocity
coefficient.
The velocity coefficient is different, and the propagation time of electromagnetic waves on
the transmission line is different. Input the length of the extended transmission line andthe time will be calculated automatically.
If the transmission line has loss, the loss of the transmission line can be added, including
DC and AC loss.
The AC loss can be selected as LOSS1 at the single-frequency point or LOSS1 andLOSS2 at the dual-frequency point.
Among them, the fitting algorithm for two forms of AC loss are:Single-frequency point loss Loss1:
Loss(f) = Loss1 * (f/Freq1) ^ 0.5
Dual-frequency point loss Loss1,Loss2:
Set the low frequency point to LOSS1 and the high frequency point to LOSS2,
Loss(f) = Loss1 * (f/Freq1) ^ n, n = lg [abs(Loss1/Loss2)] / lg (Freq1/Freq2).

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

4. Select whether to coupling to the system speed factor. If unchecked, the speed factor is set
only for the specified port, and when checked, for all ports.
5. Check the Port Extensions ON button and the Port extension will take effect.
Manual port extensions require the user to manually enter the parameters of the extended
transmission line, while automatic port extension does not require prior knowledge of thetransmission line parameters. The calibration plane can be automatically extended to theactual reference plane by simply performing an open or short circuit calibration on the actualreference plane of the DUT. The automatic port extension function is not available in thefollowing cases:
1. The sweep type is set to power sweep.
2. The frequency offset is set to on.
3. Waveguide transmission line port extension.

Figure 3-29 Automatic port extension setting interface
Automatic port extension operation steps:
1. Perform the appropriate calibration type (SOLT, etc..) on the associated cabling before
entering Port Extensions.
2. Select Cal→Port Extension→Auto Port Extension to enter the Settings screen.
3. Select the port you want to extend. Refer to practical application scenarios, select Port 1
or Port 2, or both ports.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual82

4. Select the frequency span of the test.
There are three frequency spans to choose:
Current Span: The frequency span of the current interface setting.
Active Marker: The frequency point currently marked, In this case, Loss2 can be ignored
when +setting loss, only Loss1 can be set.
User Span: Use the start and end frequencies set by the user.
5. Set whether the loss should be included or not. Select this box to automatically measure theloss in the transmission line and apply it to the calibration.
6. The mismatch adjustment option is only available when the inclusion loss item is selected.
The mismatch increases the ripple on the trace lines of S11 and S22. If the ripple is large,
the trace display of S11 and S22 will be greater than 0 dB, resulting in unstable values when
S parameters are used. Selecting the adjustment mismatch item can increase the loss of the
fixture so that the peak value of the ripple is below 0 dB. Although this will increase the error,
it can prevent the numerical instability of S parameters from appearing when it is used.
7. Click Next to enter the measurement interface. Before the measurement, make sure thatthe device has been removed from the test fixture. In this way, the open-circuit
measurement can be performed. Of course, the test fixture can also refer to the plane Shortcircuit to conduct the Short measurement. It can carry out one of the Open or Shortmeasurements or simultaneously carry out the Open and Short measurements. When two
measurements are used, the result will be the average of the two measurements, and theaccuracy will be improved.

Figure 3-30 Automatic port extension calibration interface

3.7 Fixture measurement function
In addition to the port extension function, the vector network analyzer also provides several
other functions for test fixtures:
1. Port match (2-port embedding)
2. Port impedance conversion
3. 2-port de-embedding
4. N port embed/de-embed (port 4/6/8)
5. Differential port match
6. Differential port impedance conversion
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

7. Common port impedance conversion
Port match operation steps:
1. Ensure that the user has completed the S parameter calibration and obtained the S
parameters of the DUT.
2. Select Cal→Fixtures→Fixture Setup→Port Match to enter the Settings screen.
3. By selecting the port and the parameter representation form of the matching module, theS2P file (AKA Touchstone file) of the matching module can be directly exported or thecircuit model of the matching module can be used. It supports 9 topologies which are
combined by L, R, G, and C. It is necessary to manually set the parameter values of L, R,
G, and C components. Checking the Enable Port Matching On All Ports tab means thatall ports are matched. When the frequency range in the S2P file of the imported matchingmodule is less than the frequency range set by the current interface, such as the Enable
Extrapolation item is not checked, the system will extrapolate the S2P file by default. In
other words, all the uncovered low-frequency parameters are replaced by the first point in
the S2P file and all the uncovered high-frequency parameters are replaced by the lastpoint in S2P file making the frequency range of the S2P file the same as the frequency
range of the current interface. If you check the Enable Extrapolation tab, the system willinterpolate the frequency points not covered by S2P so that the frequency range of the
S2P file is the same as that of the current interface.
4. Click Close to complete the setting and click Apply Fixtures to ON to take effect.

Figure 3-31 Port match

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual84Port impedance conversion operation steps:
1. Ensure that the user has completed the S parameter calibration and obtained the S
parameters of the DUT.
2. Select Cal→Fixtures→Fixture Setup→Port Z to enter the Settings screen.
3. Choose the port, the default system port characteristic impedance is 50 Ω, you can fill in therequired resistance values in the R and JX columns, Then the S parameter displayed will be
automatically converted to the S parameter corresponding to the new characteristic
impedance. Checking the Enable Port Z Conversion On All Ports tab means port
matching is performed on all ports.
4. Click Close to complete the setting and click Apply Fixtures to ON to take effect.

Figure 3-32-port impedance conversion
2-port de-embed operation steps:
1. Ensure that the user has completed the S parameter calibration and obtained the S
parameters of the DUT.
2. Select Cal→Fixtures→Fixture Setup→2-Port DeEmbed to enter the Settings screen.
3. Select the port and select the form of de-embedding to import an S2P File. Click User S2PFile to import the S parameter of the fixture part that needs to be removed.
Checking the Enable De-Embedding On All Ports tab means that all ports are deembeddable.
When the frequency range in the S2P file of the imported matching module is smaller than
the frequency range set by the current interface, if the Enable Extrapolation item is notchecked, the system will extrapolate the S2P file by default. All the low-frequency
parameters not covered are replaced by the first point in the S2P file, and all the highfrequency parameters not covered are replaced by the last point in the S2P file, making thefrequency range of the S2P file the same as that of the current interface.
If you check the Enable Extrapolation tab, the system will interpolate the frequency points
85

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualnot covered by the S2P so that the frequency range of the S2P file is the same as that of
the current interface.
4. Checking the Reverse Adapter Ports entry represents the part of the reverse connectionthat will need to be de-embedding. By default, the system reverses the imported S2P file.
5. Click Close to complete the setting and click Apply Fixtures to ON to take effect.

Figure 3-33 de-embedding interface
N-port embedding/de-embedding operation steps:
1. Ensure that the user has completed the S parameter calibration and obtained the S
parameters of the DUT.
2. Select Cal→Fixtures→Fixture Setup→N-Port DeEmbed to enter the Settings screen.
3. Select the topology type.
There are 3 topology types:
A (using network 1)
B (using network 1 and 3)
C (using network 1, 2 and 4)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual86Select the port of the vector network analyzer in the VNA item, select the Network port
configuration that needs to be embedded or de-embedded in the Network, and select theEmbed operation or De-embed operation under each Network. Finally, load the S2P filecorresponding to the operating network. Checking the Enable 4/6/8-Port Embed/Deembed On All Ports tab means that all ports are matched.
When the frequency range in the S2P file of the imported matching module is lessthan the frequency range set by the current interface, such as when the Enable
Extrapolation item is not checked, the system will extrapolate the S2P file by default.
In other words, all the uncovered low-frequency parameters are replaced by the first pointin the S2P file, and all the uncovered high-frequency parameters are replaced by the lastpoint in the S2P file, making the frequency range of the S2P file the same as thefrequency range of the current interface.
If you check the Enable Extrapolation tab, the system will interpolate the frequency
points not covered by S2P so that the frequency range of the S2P file is the same as thatof the current interface.
4. Click Close to complete the setting and click Apply Fixtures to ON to take effect.

Figure 3-34 De-embedding interface
Differential port match operation steps:
1. Ensure that the user has completed the S parameter calibration and obtained the balance
S parameters of the DUT.
87

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

2. Select Cal→Fixtures→Fixture Setup→Differential Port Match to enter the Settings
screen.
3. By selecting the port and the parameter representation form of the matching module, theS2P file of the matching module can be directly imported or the circuit model of thematching module can be used.
It is necessary to manually set the parameter values of L, R, G, and C components if thecircuit model is used.
Checking the Enable Differential Port Matching tab means that all ports are matched.
When the frequency range in the S2P file of the imported matching module is less than
the frequency range set by the current interface, the system will extrapolate the S2P fileby default. In other words, all the uncovered low-frequency parameters are replaced by
the first point in the S2P file and all the uncovered high-frequency parameters are
replaced by the last point in the S2P file making the frequency range of the S2P file thesame as the frequency range of the current interface.
4. Click Close to complete the setting and click Apply Fixtures to ON to take effect.

Figure 3-35 Differential port match
Differential and common port impedance conversion operation steps:
The operation of differential port impedance conversion and common port impedance
conversion is similiar to that of port impedance conversion, please refer to the instructions of
the latter.

3.8 Adapter removal / insertion function
Adapters are often used when the network analyzer is used to test the DUT. The vector
network analyzer provides the function of removing and inserting adapters. Before the functionof removing and inserting adapters is enabled, the vector network analyzer needs to carry out
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual88full 2-port calibration.

Figure 3-36 Adapter removal and insertion functions
Adapter removal operation steps:
1. Connect the test cable of the vector network analyzer to the adapter, and configure theparameters of the network analyzer. First, perform the full 2-port calibration.
2. Select Cal→Adapter Removal to go to the Settings screen and select Remove in the
Adapter tab.
3. Remove the adaptor from the test cable, Select Cal→Adapter Removal→Calibration toenter the Adapter Removal configuration screen. Select the port connected to the adaptor
to be removed, select the calibration kit type, and select the polarity of the calibration kit.
Click Next to connect the Open, Short and Load calibration elements in turn for full 1 port
calibration.
4. Click Finish to complete the calibration and click Adapter Removal to ON to complete theAdapter Removal operation.

89

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-37 Adapter removal and insertion function calibration interface
Adapter insertion operation Steps:
1. Remove any test cables from the ports of the analyzer and perform a full 2-port calibration.
2. Select Cal→Adapter Removal to go to the Settings screen and select Insert in the
Adapter tab.
3. Connect the adapter on the test cable, select Cal→Adapter Removal→Calibration toenter the Adapter Removal configuration screen. Select the port connected with theadaptor to be inserted, select the calibration kit model, select the polarity of the calibration
kit, and click Next to connect the Open, Short, and Load calibration elements in turn for
full 1 port calibration.
4. Click Finish to complete the calibration and click Adapter Removal to ON to complete theAdapter insertion operation.
“Adapter Rotate” is also known as the "equal exchange adapter and equal length adapter"
calibration method. Before the unknown pass-through method was introduced, theswitching adapter method was often used as a faster alternative to the more tedious
adapter removal method.

3.9 Ecal
3.9.1 ECal Overview
ECal is a new automatic calibration technology for vector network analyzers. Every ECal
module contains electronic standards that are automatically switched into position during ameasurement calibration. These electronic standards have been measured at the factory andthe data stored within the memory of the ECal module. The analyzer uses this stored data,
along with the measured data, to calculate the error terms for a measurement calibration. ECal
offers the following advantages:⚫

⚫

The calibration process is simple. The electronic calibrator only needs to be connected to
the VNA once to complete the test items required by the dual-port calibration, without theneed for multiple calibration connections.
A shorter time is required for calibration.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual90⚫

There are fewer uncertain factors in the calibration process, and the probability ofelectronic calibration being affected by misoperation is reduced because there is no needfor multiple connection processes.

Use ECal to perform calibration
1. Connect the USB port on the ECal module with the USB port on the front panel of VNA
via a USB cable. the module indicates “READY”. When you connect the module, the typeof module, frequency range, and connector type are automatically recognized.
2.

Connect a port on the ECal module to the test port to be calibrated.

3.

Press Cal > ECal on the front panel to enter the ECal menu interface.

Figure 3-38 ECal menu
ECal Config. Select the number of ports to calibrate. Then select the port number
configuration.
B. Confidence Check. Check the validity of Ecal calibration.
C. Orientation. Select ”Auto”(the default setting) the VNA automatically senses the modeland direction in which an ECal module port is connected to the VNA ports. Select“Manual” to manually set the specified port.
D. Characterization. View the characterization information stored in the ECal moduleA.

3.9.2 ECal Config
Press “Cal “on the front panel , Press Cal > ECal > ECal to enter the menu interface of ECal
setting.

91

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-39 ECal config menu
A． Select the number of ports to calibrate and configure the port number. Using ECal, you
can perform 1-Port Reflection calibration, Full 2-Port calibration, Full 3-Port calibration,
and Full 4-Port calibration.
B． Select the Cal Type.
C． When "Orientation" is Auto, click "Next" to enter the automatic alignment directly. When
"Orientation" is Manual, click "Next" to specify the calibration port and go to autocalibration.

3.9.3 Confidence Check1.

Press “Cal“ on the front panel, press Cal > ECal > Confidence Check to enter the menu
interface of Confidence Check.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual92Figure 3-40 Confidence Check
2.

Compare the data-trace with the memory trace and verify that the measurement is correct.

3.

The steps to compare when both data and memory traces are displayed are as below:a) Press “Math” on the front panel,Press “Math” > Memory > Math > Data + Memory.
b) Press “Scale” on the front panel,Press”Scale” > Scale > Auto Scale.
c) Determine if the differences between trace lines are acceptable.

3.9.4 Orientation
The ECal module automatically detects the connection between SNA's test ports and ECal
module's ports. You can turn off this function to set ports manually.
Manual port setting procedure for Full 2-Port calibrationa) Press “Cal” on the front panel, Press “Cal” > ECal > Orientation > Manual.
b) Specify a test port of the VNA.
c) Specify an ECal port for the port of the VNA you specified.

93

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 3-41 Manual port setting

3.9.5 Characterization
Press “Cal” on the front panel, press “Cal” >Cal >Characterization >Factory to view all theparameters of the stored Characterization in the ECal module.

Figure 3-42 The factory information of Cal Kit
A. The date when the characteristics were measured
B. The stimulus conditions when the characteristics were measured
C. The information of the Connector type

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual94

4 Data analysis
4.1 Marker
The marker can display defined measurement data of traces. Each trace can set nineordinary markers and one reference marker.

Ordinary marker:
Press the Marker button on the front panel, click Add Marker in the Marker submenu tocreate a marker, then set the required test frequency. if there are many markers on the trace,
click Select to select the desired marker. After the marker is created, the measurement valueof the marker will be displayed at the top right of the window, and the value format is the sameas the format of the trace. We can click the Delete Marker command under the marker
submenu to delete the marker and select the marker to delete from the pop-up menu. Whena trace is deleted, all markers on the trace will be deleted. Click the All Off command under
the Marker submenu or the Marker Setup submenu to delete all markers on the current trace.

Reference marker:
Press the Marker button on the front panel, click Reference Marker in the Marker submenu,
make the On option selected then the Reference Marker will be created. By default, theReference Marker is created at the location of the current ordinary Marker. If there is no
ordinary Marker on the current trace, the Reference Marker will be created at the center of
the trace. Reference Markers are denoted by an R. After creating a Reference Marker, set
the Reference Marker as value discretization, fixed marker, and coupling, we can set the data
format of Reference Marker’s display value and view the Reference Marker’s value in themarker table, but the Reference Marker cannot be set as a difference (delta) marker. Click
Reference Marker in the Marker submenu, select the Off option to delete the ReferenceMarker.

Marker setting:Press the Marker button on the front panel, set the current marker in the Marker Setup
submenu, we can make the following settings for the currently selected marker:
1. Difference (delta) display: The difference display mode is closed by default, to open the
difference display mode, click the Delta to select the On option,then the marker’s value will display the difference between theordinary marker and the reference marker, and the marker’s
value is marked with "Δ". If a reference marker has not been
added to the trace, the reference marker will be automaticallyset on the trace. To display the absolute value of the marker,
click the Delta again to select the Off option.
2. Value discretization: The value discretization mode is closed by default. Due to thelimited number of sampling points set on the trace, the data ofother points except the sampling points are based on theinterpolation value of the sampling point data, which is approximate
95

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualto the actual data, not the real measured data. By setting the value
discretization of the marker, the value of the marker can only betaken at the sampling point, which ensures that the marker’s value
is from the measurement data and not interpolated data. To open
the value discretization mode, click the Discrete to select the On
option, at this time, the data of the marker is only selected from thesampling points, when the coordinate value of the marker is not in
the sampling point, the marker is automatically moved to the nearest
sampling point. To turn off the value discretization, click the Discrete
to select the Off option.
3. Fixed marker: The fixed marker mode is closed by default. Fixed markers havea fixed excitation position (x-axis coordinate), its response value (Y-axis
coordinate) will change according to the trace data update. To keep thefixed value of the marker unchanged, click the Type command to selectthe Fixed option, then the marker’s value will keep the current value
unchanged, and the marker does not move up or down with the trace
update. To restore the marker real-time update, click the Type commandagain to select the Normal option.
4. Data format: The newly created marker uses the current trace’s data format by default.
To change the data format of the marker, click the Format and select thecorresponding data format in the pop-up menu. The following data formats areavailable:
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫
⚫

Trace Default
Log/Phase
Lin/Phase
Re/Im
R+jx
G+jB
Log Magnitude
Lin Magnitude
Phase
SWR
Delay
Real
Imaginary

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual96Figure 4-1 Data format interface
5. Marker coupling: The newly created marker turns off coupling by default. At this time,the marker is only set on a single trace, and the markers on different
traces do not affect each other. If we need multiple markers on different
traces to share settings, we can use the marker coupling function. Click
the Coupled command, and select the range of the marker coupling in
the pop-up menu for coupling operation. When the marker coupling
mode is on, the markers of the same number and X-axis (such as
frequency or time) on all traces in the coupling range share the settings,
and the marker’s setting on the current trace will be used by default. If
the current marker is not in the coupling range, the marker with the same
number on the trace with the smallest trace number is used.
Note: when the marker coupling mode is on, the marker on the trace
within the coupling range will automatically move to the same X-axis
coordinate.
6. Marker table: The newly created marker closes the marker table by default. If we need todisplay all marker data in the form of a table, we can use the marker table

97

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualfunction. Click the Marker Table to select the On state, a table will appear
at the bottom left to display all marker’s values, click the Marker Table again
to select the Off option to close the marker table.

Marker function:
Press the Marker button on the front panel, use the current marker to set the excitation in
the Marker Function submenu. Use the currently selected marker to achieve the following
functions:
⚫
⚫
⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

Marker → Start:
Set the current marker position (X coordinate) as the sweeping starting point.
Marker → Stop:
Set the current marker position (X coordinate) as the sweeping ending point.
Marker → Center:Set the current marker position (X coordinate) as the sweeping center point. Note:
When using this command, the sweeping boundary value far from the current marker
will be changed to reduce the sweeping range, so that the marker position becomesthe new sweeping center point.
Marker → Span:
This function is only available when the current marker is a difference (delta) marker.
Set the sweeping range between the current marker position and the reference
marker position (x coordinate).
Marker → Ref Level:
Set the response value (Y coordinate) of the current marker to the reference level ofthe current trace.
Marker → Delay:
Referring to the phase slope of the current marker position, the line length is adjusted
to the receiver input, this function helps to smooth the phase trace around the current
marker. For the equipment without constant group delay in the measurement
frequency span, another electrical delay adjustment is needed. This function can beused to measure electrical length or deviation from a linear phase. This function
requires the measured phase difference, so it is only suitable for proportional
measurements.
Marker → CW Freq:
Set the current marker position (frequency) to continuous wave (CW) frequency. Thisfunction requires the x-axis field of the current marker, otherwise, it is invalid. Afterchanging CW frequency with this command, enable power or CW sweeping to apply
the changed CW frequency setting.
Marker → SA:
If the current mode is SA, the center frequency is set to the current marker value; If it
is not SA mode, then switch to SA mode, set the center frequency to the current
marker value, and set span to 10 times of the previous step freq.

Marker search function:

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual98The marker can be used to search the maximum value, minimum value, peak value, andtarget value of the trace in the specified search domain. It can also search for multi-peak value,
multi-target, bandwidth filtering, and band-stop filtering.
1. Search domain:
The search domain is the frequency span included in a marker search operation. Eachmarker has an independent search domain, and the default is full span, which is the same as
the current sweep range. The X coordinate movement range of the marker is limited in its
search domain. The user can set up up to 16 custom search domains. The search domains
are independent of each other and allowed to overlap. The search field can be set for eachmarker, and multiple markers are allowed to share one search domain.
To set a custom search domain, press the Search button on the front panel, click theDomain command in the Search submenu, and click the Add command in the pop-up menu.
Then click the Domain command again, click and select the newly created custom searchdomain in the pop-up menu, and enter the required values in the Start and Stop text boxes
below the domain command. When the search domain of the current marker is not full span,
the indicator "Δ" will appear on the x-axis to identify the search domain of the current marker.
To delete a user-defined search domain, click the Domain command, select the search domain
to be deleted in the pop-up menu, then click the Domain command again, and then click Delete
in the pop-up menu. If the search domain of the marker is deleted, its search domain is
automatically set to full span.
2. Max and min search:
Press the Search button on the front panel and click the Max Search command in the
Search submenu to move the current marker to the maximum response value in the searchdomain. Press the Search button on the front panel and click the Max Search command in
the Search submenu to move the current marker to the maximum response value in the searchdomain. Click the Min Search command to move the current marker to the minimum response
value in the search domain.
3. Peak search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search the peak in the Peak submenu.
Before searching for the peak value, the effective peak value to be searched should be defined
first. The validity of the peak value is determined by the search domain, peak polarity, threshold,and deviation:
Peak polarity: According to the polarity, the peaks are divided into two categories:
Positive and negative. The positive peak value refers to situations where
the measured value is greater than the measured value at both ends of aspan, and the negative peak value refers to the peak value that themeasured value is less than the measured value at both ends of a span.
Click the Peak Polarity command in the Peak submenu to select thepeak polarity. The Both option means that both positive and negative
peaks are regarded as valid peaks for the search.

99

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualThreshold: For the positive peak, only the peak whose measured value is greaterthan the threshold is considered valid; for the negative peak, only the peak
whose measured value is less than the threshold is considered valid; when
the polarity of the peak is set to Both, the threshold is not used as the basis
for judging the validity of the peak. To set the threshold, click the Thresholdcommand in the Peak submenu to enter the required value.
Deviation: The deviation value of peak value refers to the smaller difference between themeasured value of peak value and the measured value of an adjacent peakwith the opposite polarity. Only the peak value with a deviation greater than
the rated value is considered valid. To set the deviation value, click the
Excursion command in the Peak submenu to enter the required value.
After determining the effective peak range and search domain, the peaksearch can be started. There are several peak searching modes available:⚫

Using the Peak Search command in the Peak submenu, the peak with the largest
measured value among the effective positive peaks or the peak with the smallest
measured value among the effective negative peaks will be included in the searchaccording to the peak polarity setting. If the current peak polarity is set to Both, thepeak with the largest measured value among the effective positive peaks is searched.

⚫

Use the Peak Right → Search command in the Peak submenu to search the nearest
effective peak from the current marker position to the right.

⚫

Use the Peak Left ← Search command in the Peak submenu to search the nearest
effective peak from the current marker position to the left.

⚫

Use the Next Peak Search command in the Peak submenu to search for theeffective positive peak value next lower than the current marker measurement valueor the effective negative peak value next higher than the current marker
measurement value according to the peak polarity setting. If the current peak polarity
is set to Both, the effective peak next lower than the current vernier measurement
value is searched.

4. Target search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search the target in the Target submenu.
Before searching the target, set the target value and transition type:
Target value: The target value refers to the response value to search (Y coordinate). If
the response value of a point on the trace is equal to the target value, thenthe point is the target point to search. To set the target value, click theTarget Value command in the Target submenu to enter the required value.
Transition type: The target points are divided into two types, positive and negative. The
positive target conversion type means that the measured value on the

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual100right side of the target point is greater than that on the left side, while
the negative target conversion type means that the measured value on
the right side of the target point is less than that on the left side. Clickthe Transition command in the Target submenu to select theconversion type to search for. The Both option means that both
positive and negative target conversion types are regarded as valid
targets.
After the target value, transition type and search domain aredetermined, the target search can be started. The vector network
analyzer has the following target search modes:⚫

Use the Target Search command in the Target submenu to search for the nearest
effective target from the current marker position to the right. When no effective target
can be found from the right, search from the starting point of the search domain to
the right.

⚫

Use the Target Right → Search command in the target submenu to search thenearest valid target from the current marker position to the right.

⚫

Use the Target Left ← Search command in the Target submenu to search thenearest valid target from the current marker position to the left.

5. Multi-peak search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search for multiple peaks in the Multi
Peak & Target submenu. Before searching for multiple peaks, you need to set the threshold,deviation, and peak polarity in the Peak Threshold, Peak Excursion and Peak Polarity
commands in the submenu to define the peak validity. After setting the above parameters,
click the Multi Peak Search command to search all effective peaks from the starting point of
the search domain to the right, and mark the peaks with a marker. Since there can only be 9
common markers on a single trace, only the first 9 effective peaks can be found when there
are many effective peaks.
6. Multi-target search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search for multiple targets in the Multi
Peak & Target submenu. Before multi-target search, you need to set the target value andconversion type in the Target Value and Transition submenu to define the target validity.
After setting the above parameters, click the Multi-Target Search command to search all
valid targets from the starting point of the search domain to the right, and mark the searchedtargets with a marker. Since there can only be 9 common markers on a single trace, only the
first 9 valid targets can be found when there are many valid targets.
7. Tracking search:
When using the above search function, the marker position is only based on the current
sweeping result, and will not be dynamically updated with the trace update after the search.
Tracking mode can be used to update search results with trace data. Press the Search
101

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualbutton on the front panel, click the Tracking command, and select the search type in the
pop-up menu; the search in the tracking mode uses the search parameter settings in theabove search.
8. Bandwidth search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search the bandwidth in the Bandwidthsubmenu. Click BW Search Enable and select the On option to search the bandwidth. Afterthe bandwidth search is completed, a small triangle will be used to mark the cut-off frequencyof the trace, and the bandwidth, center frequency, cut-off frequency, quality factor, andinsertion loss will be displayed in the upper right corner of the window. To turn off the
bandwidth search, click BW Search Enable again and select the Off option. You can set
whether to alarm when the bandwidth search fails in the Sound On Fail command.

Figure 4-2 Bandwidth search example
9. Notch search:
Press the Search button on the front panel to search the band stop in the Notch submenu.
Click the Notch Search Enable command and select the On option to perform the band stop
search. After the band stop search is completed, a small triangle will be used to mark the cutoff frequency of the trace, and the bandwidth, center frequency, cut-off frequency, quality factor,
and insertion loss will be displayed in the upper right corner of the window. To turn off the bandstop search, click the Notch Search Enable command again and select the Off option. You
can set whether to alarm when the band stop search fails in the Sound On Fail command.

4.2 Mathematical operation
The vector network analyzer supports saving the current data-trace in memory. It can
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual102perform four kinds of mathematical operations on the current data-trace and memory trace. In
addition, it can calculate and display statistical data (mean, standard deviation, and peak-peak)on the data-trace. In addition, through the built-in formula editor, you can use multiple types oftraces from the same or different channels to build custom formulas. When the mathematicaloperation with memory trace needs to be carried out, the current data needs to be stored inmemory first. Click Data→Memory to complete the storage operation. In the Display menubar, you can select three display modes: Display data-trace only, display memory trace anddisplay data-trace and memory trace at the same time. The four mathematical operations ofdata-trace and memory trace are as follows, in which the values on data-trace and memory
trace are linear:⚫ Data/Memory: Divide the measured data by the data in the stored trace. Thisfunction can be used to calculate the ratio of two traces (such as
calculating gain or attenuation), which can also be regarded as thenormalization operation of test data.
⚫ Data*Memory: The current measurement data is multiplied by the data inmemory.
⚫ Data+Memory: Current measurement data plus data in memory.
⚫ Data–Memory: Current measurement data minus data in memory. For example,
you can use this function to store measured data, The error is thensubtracted from the DUT measurement.

4.3 Conversion
The vector network analyzer supports parameter conversion, which can convert the S
parameter of the current trace to the required parameter mode. The vector network analyzer
supports the following 8 conversion types.
⚫

Z-Reflect: Impedance in reflection measurement Zr.
1 + 𝑆𝑎𝑎Z𝑟 = 𝑍𝑜𝑎 ×
1 − 𝑆𝑎𝑎⚫

Z-Transmit: Impedance in transmission measurement Zt.

⚫

2 × √𝑍0𝑎 × 𝑍0𝑏− (𝑍0𝑎 + 𝑍0𝑏 )𝑆𝑎𝑏
Z-Trans-Shunt: Impedance in parallel transmission Zt.
1
𝑍𝑡 =
𝑌𝑡
𝑍𝑡 =

103

⚫

Y-Reflect: Reflection measurement admittance Yr.
1
𝑌𝑟 =
𝑍𝑟

⚫

Y -Transmit: Admittance in transmission measurement Yt.
1
𝑌𝑡 =
𝑍𝑡

⚫

Y -Trans-Shunt: Admittance in parallel transmission Yt.
1
𝑌01 =
𝑍01

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual𝑌02 =

1
𝑍02

2 × √𝑌01 × 𝑌02− (𝑌01 + 𝑌02 )𝑆𝑎𝑏
1/S: Reciprocal of S parameter.
Conjugation: Convert the measured value to a complex conjugate number.
𝑌𝑡 =

⚫
⚫

Figure 4-3 Parameter conversion type
When both the fixture simulation measurement function and the port impedance function
are in the "on" state, the system will use the value set in the port impedance conversion. In
other cases, the system Z0 (preset value: 50 Ω) will be used. The operation steps for selecting
the conversion type are as follows:
1. Click Math→Analysis→Conversion enter the selection interface.
2. Select the corresponding conversion type, effective immediately.

4.4 Equation editor
In the equation editor, we can input the algebraic formulas of standard mathematicaloperators and functions, and reference the data available in the vector network analyzer. Aftera valid formula is entered and enabled, the working trace will be displayed as the result of theset formula and updated in real-time.
For example, enter the formula S21/(1 - S11). The trace is calculated by dividing each S21
data point by 1 and subtracting the value of the corresponding S11 data point. For a 201 point
sweep, the calculation is repeated 201 times, once per point. In addition, suppose that thevector network analyzer is required to measure the directivity of a 3-port device to be tested,
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual104and the directivity is not the measurement parameter of the vector network analyzer, then theformula editor can be used to complete the measurement, and the result is the sum anddifference of the traces in logarithmic amplitude format, that is S12 + S23 - S13. Because theformula editor operates on linear complex data, the actual required formula is S12 * S23 / S13.
Finally, the vertical axis format is set to logarithmic amplitude for display. The operation
steps of the equation editor are as follows:
1. Click Math→Analysis→Equation Editor enter the equation editor interface.

Figure 4-4 Formula editor interface
2. In the formula edit box, enter functions, operators, and data to form the formula.
3. After setting the formula, click OK to exit the formula editing interface and click
the Equation status to On to take effect.
Introduction to formula editor interface:⚫ Enable: Select the box to enable the currently entered formula, and clear the box todisable the currently edited formula. If the data traces used are from otherchannels instead of formula traces, these channels must have the same
number of data points to be valid channels.
⚫ Functions and Constants: It stores some commonly used functions and constants,
as well as other functions set by the system.
⚫ Parameter: Select the items that need to be measured only from the working
channel.
⚫ History Equation: Used to save previously-stored formulas.
⚫ Store Equation: Store the current input formula to facilitate subsequent use.
105

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual⚫ : Move the cursor to the left without clearing the characters.
⚫ →: Move the cursor to the right without clearing the character.
⚫ Backspace: Clear the character while moving the marker to the left.
⚫ Clear: Clear the currently entered formula.
⚫ Numbers, operators, and constants: Numbers, common operators, and constants.
Description of functions and constants in formula editor:
Common functions
DescriptionAbs (complex a)
Acos (scalar a)
Asin (scalar a)
Atan (scalar a)atan2 (complex a)atan2 (scalar a, scalar b)
Conj (complex a)Cos (complex a)
Cpx (scalar a, scalar b)
Exp (complex a)Im (complex a)Ln (complex a)log10 (complex a)
Mag (complex a)
Phase (complex a)
Pow (complex a,complex b)
Re (complex a)Sin (complex a)
Sqrt (complex a)Tan (complex a)

Returns the sqrt(a.re*a.re+a.im*a.im)
Returns the arc cosine of a in radians
Returns the arc sine of a in radians
Returns the arc tangent of a in radians
Returns the phase of a = (re, im) in radians
Returns the phase of (a, b) in radians
Returns the conjugate of a
Takes a in radians and returns the cosine
Returns a complex value (a+ib) from two
scalar values
Returns the exponential of a
Returns the imaginary part of a as the scalarpart of the result (zeroes the imaginary part)Returns the natural logarithm of a
Returns the base 10 logarithm of a
Returns sqrt(a.re*a.re+a.im*a.im)
Returns atan2(a) in degrees
Returns a to the power b
Returns the scalar part of a (zeroes theimaginary part)Takes a in radians and returns the sine
Returns the square root of a, with phaseangle in the half-open interval (-pi/2, pi/2]
Takes a in radians and returns the tangent

ConstantePI

2.71828182845904523536
3.14159265358979323846

Advanced function

Description

A (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

F11 conversion = ((1+a)*(1-d) + b*c)/(2*b)

A (scalar i, scalar j)

returns A(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

B (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

F12 conversion = Z0*((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)/(2*b)

B (scalar i, scalar j)

returns B(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual106C (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

F21 conversion = (1/Z0)*((1-a)*(1-d) - b*c)/(2*b)

C (scalar i, scalar j)

returns C(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

D (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

F22 conversion = ((1-a)*(1+d) + b*c)/(2*b)

D (scalar i, scalar j)

returns D(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

H11 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

H11 conversion = Z0*((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)/((1-a)*(1+d)+ b*c)

H11 (scalar i, scalar j)

returns H11(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

H12 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

H12 conversion = 2*c/((1-a)*(1+d) + b*c)

H12 (scalar i, scalar j)

returns H12(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

H21 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

H21 conversion = -2*b/((1-a)*(1+d) + b*c)

H21 (scalar i, scalar j)

returns H21(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

H22 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

H22 conversion = (1/Z0)*((1-a)*(1-d) - b*c)/((1a)*(1+d) + b*c)

H22 (scalar i, scalar j)

returns H22(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Kfac (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

k-factor = (1 - abs(a)^2 - abs(d)^2 + (abs(a*d b*c)^2)/(2*abs(b*c))

Kfac (scalar i, scalar j)

returns kfac(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

MAPG (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex

maximumd)abs(b/c)*(kfac(a,b,c,d) - sqrt(kfac(a,b,c,d)^2 - 1))

MAPG (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns MAPG(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

MSG (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

maximum stable power gain = abs(b)/abs(c)MSG (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns MSG(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

mu1 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

μ-factor = (1 - abs(a)^2) / (abs(d - conj(a) * (a*d-b*c))

available

power

gain

=

+ abs(b*c))
mu1 (scalar i, scalar j)

107

Returns mu1(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualmu2 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

μ-factor = (1 - abs(d)^2) / (abs(a - conj(d) * (a*d-b*c))+ abs(b*c))

mu2 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns mu2(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

T11 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

T11 conversion = -(a*d - b*c)/b

T11 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns T11(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

T12 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

T12 conversion = a/b

T12 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns T12(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

T21 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

T21 conversion = -d/b

T21 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns T21(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

T22 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

T22 conversion = 1/b

T22 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns T22(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Y11 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Y11conversion=(1/Z0)*((1-a)*(1+d)+b*c)/((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)
Y11 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Y11(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Y12 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Y12 conversion = (1/Z0)*(-2*c)/((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)

Y12 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Y12(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Y21 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Y21 conversion = (1/Z0)*(-2*b)/((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)

Y21 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Y21(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Y22 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Y22conversion=(1/Z0)*((1+a)*(1-d)+b*c)/((1+a)*(1+d) - b*c)
Y22 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Y22(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Z11 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Z11 conversion = Z0*((1+a)*(1-d) + b*c)/((1-a)*(1-d)- b*c)

Z11 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Z11(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Z12 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Z12 conversion = Z0*(2*c)/((1-a)*(1-d) - b*c)

Z12 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Z12(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual108

Z21 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Z21 conversion = Z0*(2*b)/((1-a)*(1-d) - b*c)

Z21 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Z21(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Z22 (complex a, complex b, complex c, complex d)

Z22 conversion = Z0*((1-a)*(1+d) + b*c)/((1-a)*(1-d)- b*c)

Z22 (scalar i, scalar j)

Returns Z22(Sii, Sji, Sij, Sjj)

Channel parameter datadata
data(scalar i)memmem(scalar i)
xAxis
xAxis(scalar i)
S11 - S44

Corrected data
Corrected data of trace i (trace number)
Memory data
Memory data of trace i (trace number)
X-axis data
X-axis data of trace i (trace number)
S-parameter data

Common H parameter, Y parameter, Z parameter, F parameter, and T parameter
definition(2-port network):
1) Mixing Parameter(H)
𝑉1
𝐼
𝐻
𝐻12
( ) = (𝐻) ( 1 ) (𝐻) = ( 11)𝑉2
𝐻21 𝐻22𝐼2
2)

Admittance parameter(Y)𝐼1𝑉( ) = (𝑌) ( 1 )
𝑉2
𝐼2

3)

𝑍
(𝑍) = ( 11
𝑍21

𝑍12
)
𝑍22

(𝐹) = (𝐴𝐶

𝐵)
𝐷

Basic parameter(F)𝑉1𝑉( ) = (𝐹) ( 2 )
−𝐼2
𝐼2
𝑎1 =

𝑏1 =
5)

𝑌12
)
𝑌22

Impedance parameter(Z)𝑉1𝐼( ) = (𝑍) ( 1 )
𝐼
𝑉2
2

4)

𝑌
(𝑌) = ( 11𝑌21

𝑉1 + 𝐼1 𝑍0
2 ∙ √𝑍0
𝑉1 − 𝐼1 𝑍0
2 ∙ √𝑍0

Scattering transmission parameter(T)𝑎1𝑏(𝑏 ) = (𝑇) ( 2 )
𝑎2
1

𝑎2 =

𝑏2 =

𝑉2 + 𝐼2 𝑍0
2 ∙ √𝑍0
𝑉2 − 𝐼2 𝑍0
2 ∙ √𝑍0

𝑇(𝑇) = ( 11
𝑇21

𝑇12
)
𝑇22

S parameter convert to H parameter, Y parameter, Z parameter, F parameter and T
parameter (2-port network):

109

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

1)

S parameter convert to H parameter(1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21
𝐻11 = 𝑍0 ∙(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝐻12 =2 ∙ 𝑆12(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝐻21 =−2 ∙ 𝑆21(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝐻22 =
2)

3)

4)

1 (1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21∙
𝑍0 (1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21

S parameter convert to Y parameter
1 (1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21
𝑌11 =∙𝑍0 (1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑌12 =

1
−2 ∙ 𝑆12∙𝑍0 (1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑌21 =

1
−2 ∙ 𝑆21∙
𝑍0 (1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑌22 =

1 (1 + 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21∙
𝑍0 (1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

S parameter convert to Z parameter(1 + 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21
𝑍11 = 𝑍0 ∙(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑍12 = 𝑍0 ∙2 ∙ 𝑆12(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑍21 = 𝑍0 ∙2 ∙ 𝑆21(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

𝑍22 = 𝑍0 ∙(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21

S parameter convert to basic parameterA=(1 + 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21
2 ∙ 𝑆21B = 𝑍0 ∙C=(1 + 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21
2 ∙ 𝑆21

1 (1 − 𝑆11 )(1 − 𝑆22 ) − 𝑆12 𝑆21∙
𝑍0
2 ∙ 𝑆21

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

110

D=
5)

(1 − 𝑆11 )(1 + 𝑆22 ) + 𝑆12 𝑆21
2 ∙ 𝑆21

S parameter convert to T parameter
𝑇11 =

−𝐷𝑠
𝑆21

𝑇12 =

𝑆11
𝑆21

𝑇21 =

−𝑆22
𝑆21

𝑇22 =

1
𝑆21

𝐷𝑠 = 𝑆11 𝑆22 − 𝑆12 𝑆21
Description of formula editor’s operator:
Operator

Description

+
*
/
^
(
]
,
=
E

plus
minus
multiply
dividepower
opening parenthesis
closing parenthesis
comma, parameter separator
equal
exponent

Note: operator priority:
1. ^2. *, /
3. +, -

4.5 Trace statistics
Click Math→Analysis→Statistics, set the status to On to open the statistics function. The
upper right corner of the interface will display the mean value, standard deviation, and peak topeak value of the current working trace.

111

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 4-5 Statistical data interface

4.6 Limit test
Limit Line is a test form that can visualize test data and results. The limit test compares
the measured data with the defined limit and provides the qualified or unqualified judgment
information of each measured data point. Limit line and limit test are not suitable for smith
chart and polar coordinate display formats, and limit line and limit test functions areautomatically disabled for these display types.

Limit table setting
Click Math→Analysis→Limit and the pop-up dialog box is shown in the figure below.
Limit test, sound type, limit table, global pass/fail can be set in this interface.

Figure 4-6 Limit test interface
Limit test:⚫ Limit test on: Check this box to compare the data with the limit and display "pass"or "Fail" judgment result.
⚫ Limit line on: Check this box to display the limit on the screen.
⚫ Sound on fail: When this box is selected, when the point on the trace fails in the limit
test, a beep will sound.
Sound type:⚫ Sound on fail: When this box is checked, the equipment will beep when the test fails.
⚫ Sound on pass: When this box is checked, the equipment will beep when the test
passes.
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual112Limit table:⚫ Show table: Check this box to open a table at the bottom of the screen to create andedit limits.
⚫ Load table: Call the saved limit table, The saved format of the limit table is CSV by default.
Global pass/fail:Pass/fail indicator is a convenient way to monitor all measurement status.
Global pass/fail on - Check this box to display the global pass / fail status.
Policy - Select which of the following requirements must be met for the global pass/failstatus to display "pass":⚫ All tests must pass - This setting will read the results from the limit test. If all tests(limit test is on) pass, the global pass/fail status will be "pass".
⚫

All measurements must pass - Unless all measured data points are within theestablished test limits and the limit test is "on", theglobal pass/fail status will be "fail".

Note: In this mode, if there is a test that does not set the limit test to the on state, the global
pass/fail will display "fail".

Limit line setting
Click Math→Analysis→Limit Table→Limit to open the limit line setting interface, we
can also click Math→Analysis→Limit→Show Table to open the limit line setting interface,
as shown in the figure below.

Figure 4-7 Limit line setting interface
Limit line type:⚫ Unused: Invalid limit line.
⚫ Max: Above this limit line, the measurement fails.
⚫ Min: Below this limit line, the measurement fails.
⚫ Delete: Delete limit line.
Begin stimulus: Frequency of the limit line’s starting point.
End stimulus: Frequency of the limit line’s ending point.
Begin response: Response of the limit line’s starting point.
113

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualEnd response: Response of the limit line’s ending point.

4.7 Ripple limit test
The ripple limit test function can be performed independently of the limit test function,and the ripple limit can be set to evaluate whether the measurement result is qualified or
unqualified. Ripple is defined as the difference between the maximum value and theminimum value within the specified excitation range. The ripple limit function is only
applicable to the measured point value, not to the interpolation.

Ripple table setting
Click Math→Analysis→Limit→Ripple to open the ripple test setting interface, we canset ripple test, sound type, and ripple table in this interface.

Figure 4-8 Ripple test setting interface
Ripple test:⚫ Ripple test on: Check this box to set the ripple test to "on" state and display "pass"or "Fail".
⚫ Ripple line on: Check this box to display the ripple limit line on the screen.
⚫ Sound on fail: When this box is checked, the VNA will beep when the test fails.
Sound type:⚫ Sound on fail: When this box is checked, the equipment will beep when the test fails.
⚫ Sound on pass: When this box is checked, the equipment will beep when the test
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual114

passes.
Ripple table:⚫ Show table: Check this box to display a table at the bottom of the screen for creatingand editing limits.
⚫ Load table: Call the saved ripple limit table.
⚫ Save table: Save the ripple limit table, the saved format of the ripple table is CSV bydefault.

Ripple limit line setting
Click Math→Analysis→Limit Table→Ripple to open the ripple limit setting interface, we
can also click Math→Analysis→Limit→Ripple→Show Table to open the ripple limit settinginterface, as shown in the figure below.

Figure 4-9 Ripple limit setting interface
Type:⚫ Unused: Invalid ripple test line.
⚫ On: Open ripple test limit line.
⚫ Delete: Delete ripple test limit line.
Begin stimulus: Frequency of ripple limit line’s starting point.
End stimulus: Frequency of ripple limit line’s ending point.
Max ripple: Maximum value of ripple test.
Absolute: The difference between the maximum and minimum in the frequency band.
Margin: The difference between the absolute value of ripple and the limit value.

4.8 Bandwidth limit test
The bandwidth limit test function can be used to test the bandwidth of a bandpass filter.
The bandwidth limit test can find the peak value in the bandwidth, and find the frequency points
lower than the specified value of the peak value on the left and right sides of the peak point,
and the frequency between these two points is the filter bandwidth, and then compare theobtained bandwidth with the minimum and maximum allowable bandwidth specified in advance.

Bandwidth test setting
Click Math→Analysis→Limit→Bandwidth to open the broadband test setting interface,
we can set bandwidth test, sound type, and target bandwidth in this interface.
115

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 4-10 Bandwidth test setting interface
Bandwidth test:⚫ Bandwidth test on: Check this box to set the bandwidth limit test state to on.
⚫ Bandwidth marker on: Check this box to display the bandwidth on the screen.
⚫ Sound on fail: When this box is selected, an alarm will sound when the bandwidth
limit test fails.
Target bandwidth:⚫ N dB points: Specifies the bandwidth threshold in dB.
⚫ Min bandwidth: Enter the lower limit of bandwidth in Hz.
⚫ Max bandwidth: Enter the upper limit of bandwidth in Hz.
Note: If the data format is Smith chart or polar coordinate format, the bandwidth test is skipped.

4.9 Time domain
A vector network analyzer is usually used to measure the frequency domaincharacteristics of the DUT. For the time domain characteristics of the DUT, the frequency
domain parameters can be obtained by inverse Fourier transform. The time-domaincharacteristics use time as the horizontal axis to display the measurement results. Then thecharacteristics of the DUT can be observed from two different visual angles of frequency
domain and time domain by the vector network analyzer.

4.9.1 Transform
Click Math→Time Domain→Time Domain Setup→Transform to open the time domaintransform setting interface, we can set the start time, stop time, center time, span, transformmode in this interface.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual116Figure 4-11 Time domain setting interface
Transform switch: Check the transform switch to switch to time-domain mode.
Start time: Set the start time of transformation displayed.
Stop time: Set the stop time of transformation displayed.
Center time: Set the center time of transformation displayed.
Time span: Set the time span of the transformation displayed on the screen of VNA.
Transform mode:⚫ Low pass impulse: High resolution, suitable for viewing the small response of thedevice propagating low-frequency signal. In this low pass impulse
mode, the frequency expands to DC and negative frequency.
Therefore, when we click Set Low Pass Frequencies, the starting
frequency will be automatically adjusted, which will affect thecalibration accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to calibrate after
setting the time domain measurement parameters.
⚫

Low pass step: The simplest way to determine the discontinuities caused byinductors and capacitors in equipment that propagate low
frequency signals.

⚫

Bandpass: The simplest method, which can be used with any frequency sweep,
it is most useful when measuring devices with limited bandwidth.
Capacitance and inductance reactance will not be shown. For the same
frequency range and number of points, the bandwidth of bandpass mode istwice that of impulse mode, which will hide the closely spaced response andreduce the response resolution. The measurement range is inversely
proportional to the frequency step.

Set low pass frequencies: It can only be used in low pass mode. After clicking Set Low
Pass Frequencies, the measurement range is inversely
117

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualproportional to the starting frequency. Recalculate the startfrequency and step frequency as the harmonics of the starting
frequency. Calculate the starting frequency according to theformula of low pass start frequency = stop frequency/points. The
calculated value must not be less than the minimum frequency ofthe vector network analyzer. The number of points or stopfrequency may change.

4.9.2 Gating
The gating function of a vector network analyzer is the most useful feature in time domaintransform. When the time domain characteristics of the equipment need to be viewed, thegating function can only choose the required time-domain response, eliminate unnecessary
time domain response, and then view the frequency domain characteristic curve of the required
response through Fourier transform. The gating function enables the DUT to be characterized
without connectors or adapters.
Click Math→Time Gating→Gating Setup→Gating to open the gating setting interface,then we could set the start time, stop time, center time, span, gate type, and gate shape in thisinterface.

Figure 4-12 Gating setting interface
Gating on: Open or close the gating function.
Start time: Set the start time of gating.
Stop time: Set the stop time of the gate.
Center time: Set the center time of the gatie.
Time span: Set the time span of the gate.
Gate type: Sets the type of filtering performed by the gating function.
⚫

Bandpass: Keep the response in the gating span.

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118

⚫

Notch: Remove response using the gating span.

Gate shape: Set the filter characteristics of the gating function. There are four options:minimum, normal, wide, and maximum.
The parameter definition of the gating function is shown in the figure below:
Gat e shape
B andwidt h ripple
Gat e marker-6dB

S idelobe level

T1
Gat e start ti me

Gat e stop tim e

Figure 4-13 Diagram of gating
Parameter description of gating function:
Gate shape

Bandwidth ripple

Sidelobe level

Minimum±0.1 dB-25dB

Normal±0.1 dB

-45dB

Wide

±0.1 dB-52dB

Maximum±0.01 dB

-80dB

4.9.3 Window
There will be sudden changes in the start and stop of frequency domain parametermeasurement, which will lead to overshoot and ringing in the time domain. The window functionis helpful to reduce the overshoot and ringing in the process of frequency domain and time
domain conversion.
Click Math→Time Gating→Gating Setup→Window to open the window setting interface,
we can set the window size, The size of the window should be balanced between response
resolution and dynamic range. Setting the minimum window can get the best response
resolution, and setting the maximum window can get the maximum dynamic range.

119

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 4-14 Window setting interface
Three methods of setting window size:
Minimum-maximum: Use the mouse or touch screen to move the slider tochange the window size.
⚫ Kaiser Beta: Use the value of Kaiser Beta to change the window size.
⚫ Impulse width: Use the value of impulse width to change the window size.
⚫

Figure 4-15 Diagram of maximum and minimum window

4.9.4 Coupling
Trace coupling allows to change the measured time-domain parameters and make all othermeasured parameters in the channel change the same. For example, to view the frequency-

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual120domain and time-domain measurement parameters at the same time, first turn on the couplingswitch and select all the gating parameters in the coupling setting interface, at the same time,
the parameters of gate span are changed in time domain measurement, the frequency-domain
measurement parameters will be changed automatically to reflect the effect the time domain
gate span parameters are modified. The trace coupling is only applicable to Y-axis
scale/reference settings. The results of trace coupling do not change the measured data.
Click Math→Time Gating→Gating Setup→Coupling to open the coupling settinginterface, we can set transmission parameters and gating parameters in this interface.

Figure 4-16 Coupling setting interface
Coupling on: Click to enable coupling. At this time, all measurements in the channel arecoupled. The following conversion parameters and gating parameters can beused for coupling.
Transform parameters:⚫ Stimulus: Setting of the start time, stop time, center time, and span.
⚫ State(On/Off): State of the transform.
⚫ Window: Kaiser Beta and pulse width parameter.
⚫ Mode: Low pass pulse, low pass step, bandpass.
⚫ Distance marker unit: When selected, all measured distance marker units arecoupled.
Gating parameters:⚫ Stimulus: Setting of the start time, stop time, center time, and span.
⚫ State(On/Off): Switch of gating function.
⚫ Shape: "Minimum", "normal", "wide" and "maximum".
⚫ Type: Bandpass and notch filtering.

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4.9.5 Marker
When a marker is added to a time-domain parameter, the distance parameter is
automatically displayed in the marker reading. These settings only affect the display of all
markers of the active measurement (Unless the distance marker unit is coupled in the trace
coupling box).
Click Math→Time Gating→Gating Setup→Marker to open marker setting interface. Set
the marker mode, units, and velocity factor in this interface.

Figure 4-17 Marker setting interface
Marker mode: Specify the marker mode to determine the correct marking distancedisplayed. Generally, Auto can be selected when measuring S parameter,
and Reflection or Transmission can be selected when measuring any
ratio parameter.
⚫

⚫
⚫

Auto: If the measurement parameter is S parameter, Reflection or Transmission will
be selected automatically. If the measurement parameter is a non-S
parameter, Reflection will be selected automatically.
Reflection: Displays the distance from the source to the receiver and the return path,then divides by 2 (compensated return path).
Transmission: Displays the distance from the source to the receiver.

Units: Specifies the unit for the displayed marker distance value, there are three options:meter, feet, inches.
Velocity factor: Set the velocity factor of the transmission line, where the value of PE is 0.66,
PTFE is 0.7 and the corresponding value of vacuum is 1.
SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual1225 Guide For The TDR Option
5.1 Overview
Measured frequency responses can be transformed to the time domain to analyze thetime-domain characteristics of the DUT. The TDR option provides the time domainreflection/transmission analysis functions and eye diagram simulation function, which canhelp users save time and money by minimizing the need for other test equipment Timedomain analysis also has some irreplaceable advantages:
1. Time-domain analysis shows the positions and properties of the impedance
discontinuities on DUT. It can be easy to acquire the impedance value at any point on
the transmission line by analyzing the time domain reflection characteristics. It's
helpful to locate the faults on transmission lines.
2. Using the time domain gating function to remove the influences of the impedance
discontinuities, it becomes possible to simulate the frequency domain characteristics
of DUT after the faults are removed.
3. The eye diagram simulation function doesn't need any external waveform generators.
The VNA uses a built-in virtual bit pattern generator to provide the input signal. It's avery important tool for signal integrality analysis.
4. If you want to design a compensation network for high-speed digital signaltransmission by emphasis/de-emphasis or equalization, the advanced waveformfunction in TDR waveform will be of vital use for you. You don't need to change the
DUT connection or any extra devices, it's easy to simulate the eye diagrams with thedifferent compensation methods.
5. You can directly inject jitter into the input signal for eye diagram simulations. A
statistical eye diagram is introduced to simulate the probability density of the output
signals.
When using the TDR option, there are some notes:
1. When opening the TDR option or switching the DUT topology, calibration and deskew
data will be cleared. Please finish the calibration wizard before measuring to get thecorrect results. Save the calibration data and recall it when required, which can avoid
unnecessary calibration operations.
2. Please operate in the bottom toolbar of the TDR menu as far as possible. The
function in the TDR option desends on the time domain transform, so changing
settings in the right toolbars can lead to incorrect transform results.
3. Don't close the eye diagram module while the eye diagram is drawing, or an
unexpected error might occur. Unless necessary, don't switch between the TDR/TDT
module and the eye diagram module, for the last eye diagram will be drawn when it's
switched to the eye diagram module, which might take a long time.
4. It's NOT recommended to add too many traces, or the trace data update will be slow.

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5. If there are too many windows or too much information in a window to observe theinformation or traces, it will be useful to maximize the window or trace.

5.2 Open/Close/Preset TDR Option
To switch on the TDR option, use the order Math->TDR->TDR, then the button "On" will
be selected. The TDR toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen, and the TDR optionfunction will be open to the user. If you have the trial license for the TDR option, an information
dialog will appear to notify you that the trial times will decrease. If the trial times expire, apermanent license is needed to switch on the TDR option.

Figure 5-1 TDR Option interface
To close the TDR option, use the order Math->TDR->TDR again, then the button "Off" will
be selected, VNA will restore the state before the option opened. Click the

button at the

top right corner of the TDR toolbar will close the TDR option too.
Click the Preset button in the Basic bar of the Setup tab in the TDR toolbar and the VNA
will preset the TDR option: Clear the calibration data, allocate the traces and windows
automatically, and reset the settings in the option. After the TDR option is started, thecalibration wizard will need to be run again.

5.3 TDR Setup Wizard
The TDR setup wizard pops up when the TDR option is switched on for the first time. Clickthe checkbox "Show this wizard next start-up" to decide whether the wizard pops up when
opening the option or not. The wizard can be opened by clicking the Setup Wizard button in
the Basic bar of the Setup tab in the TDR toolbar.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual124Figure 5-2 TDR Setup Wizard
The wizard will guide you to finish the DUT topology selection, port extension setup, DUT
length measurement, and stimulus rise time setting. The calibration type can be selected in theError Correct bar on the first page of the wizard, and the wizard will also guide you to finish
the calibration you select. The calibration operation will be illustrated in detail in the section"TDR calibration".
If you don't need to finish the setup in the wizard immediately, you can close the wizard.
But the calibration is necessary before accurate measurement or analysis.

5.4 Calibration for TDR Option
There are two calibration types in the TDR option: Deskew or Deskew & Loss
Compensation. The former only moves the reference plane to the end of the cables
connected to the ports of VNA, ignoring the signal loss in the cables. And the latter tries tocompensate the loss in the cables.

Figure 5-3 TDR Calibration Tab

5.4.1 Deskew
Click the Deskew button in the Basic bar of the Setup tab in the TDR toolbar to open
the Deskew dialog. Connect all cables and fixtures to the VNA, and connect the other endsof the fixtures to nothing or the OPEN calibration kit. Then click the Deskew button in the125

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualdialog, and click the Finish button after amark appears at the Deskew button to finish

the Deskew calibration.
Click the Option button to open the Deskew Option dialog, in which you can select thecalibration type or operate the calibration one-by-one for each port. The calibration type canbe selected by the Standard Type pull-down menu. It's set to Open by default. If you choose
the Short option, you should connect the SHORT calibration kit to the port to finish thecalibration. You can calibrate only one port at a click on the corresponding Port button, but
you should finish the calibration of all ports to finish the task in the dialog.

Figure 5-4 TDR Deskew Wizard

5.4.2 Deskew & Loss Compensation
Click the Deskew&Loss button in the Basic bar of the Setup tab in the TDR toolbar toopen the Deskew & Loss Compensation wizard. The wizard can be divided into 3 steps,
which guide you to finish the Deskew and Loss Compensation calibration.
At the first step, a Deskew calibration is required. The method is the same as theoperation introduced in the section "Deskew".
At the second step, the calibration operation depends on the correct DUT topology.
Under the topology Single-Ended 1 Port, you need to connect the cables and fixtures to the
VNA, connect the other ends of the fixtures to nothing or an OPEN calibration element. Clickthe Measure button in the wizard, wait for themark to appear at the Measure button tofinish the second step of calibration. Under other DUT topologies, you need to connect two
cables and fixtures, which are connected to the ports as the wizard instructs, to both ends ofa THRU calibration kit. Click the Measure button in the wizard, wait for themark toappear at the Measure button, then execute the next operation. If under Single-Ended 4-Portor Differential 2-Port, you will need to execute the operation as stated above once for eachpage of the wizard respectively to finish the second step.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual126

At the third step, you can connect the LOAD calibration element to every port, and click
the corresponding Port button to execute the calibration step. The step is optional, so it's notnecessary to finish the calibration wizard.
If you finish all necessary calibration operations, click the Apply button to save and apply
new calibration data, and click the Finish button to close the wizard.

Figure 5-5 TDR Deskew&Loss Wizard
At any step of the wizard, it's allowed to execute a calibration operation repeatedly, newmeasured data will replace original data. You can click the Close button to close the wizard,
which will give up all data measured in the wizard unless you have clicked Apply button tosave them.

5.5 TDR Channel Setup
When the TDR function is activated, the current state is saved, and all existing traces
and channels are deleted, and a new channel is added for the option. When the option isclosed, all traces and the channel being used are deleted, and the instrument is returned tothe state before TDR was opened.
The current channel settings can be changed in the TDR toolbar at the bottom of thescreen, usually in the Setup tab.

Figure 5-6TDR Setup Tab

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5.5.1 DUT Topology
In addition to the Setup wizard, the DUT topology can be changed in the DUT topology
pull-down menu in the Basic bar of the Setup tab. The traces and windows are allocatedautomatically according to the DUT topology.
If the DUT topology is changed, the calibration and deskew data will be cleared.
Recalibration becomes necessary before an accurate measurement or analysis. If thecalibration data is hoped to be held, save the state in time and recall it when required.

5.5.2 DUT Length
The DUT length means the time that the signal takes to transmit through the DUT or
reflect the incident plane and is required to show the time-domain responses of DUT in full.
The sweep frequency span and points of the channel are set according to the DUT length,
and the span of the transformation is automatically calculated by the DUT length when thetime domain traces are set in the time axes. It's not recommended to change the sweep
settings by other methods.

Figure 5-7 DUT Length measure wizard
In addition to the Setup wizard, the DUT length can be set in the DUT Length textbox in
the Basic bar of the Setup tab. It's a convenient way to set the suitable value by measuring
the DUT length in the DUT Length dialog. Click the Auto button on the left of the textbox toopen the dialog, connect the DUT according to the picture and instructions in the dialog, click
the Measure button and wait for themark to appear, click the Finish button to close thedialog, and finish the DUT length setting. If the measurement result is out of the default
range, an information dialog will pop up to notify the users that the DUT length will be set tothe maximum or minimum.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual1285.5.3 Stimulus Magnitude in Time Domain
The stimulus magnitude in the time domain can be set in the Stim. Ampl. textbox in the
Basic bar of the Setup tab, which defines the magnitude of the impulse or step stimulus
signal for the time-domain responses of the traces under the format Volt.

5.5.4 Port Impedance
The port impedance can be set in the Ref. Z textbox in the More Function bar of the
Setup tab, which defines the reference impedance to calculate the impedance values of the
traces under the format Impedance.

5.5.5 Velocity Factor & Dielectric Constant
The velocity factor is the ratio of the velocity of the electric signal in the DUT to that in
the vacuum. VNAs calculate the distances by the transmission or reflection time based on
this factor, which provides the accurate positions of the impedance discontinuities. There is afunctional relationship between the velocity factor and the dielectric constant of the materials.
When either is changed, the other will be calculated by the equation below:

The velocity factor and dielectric constant can be set in the Velocity Factor andDielectric Const. textboxes in the More Function bar of the Setup tab.

5.5.6 Power Level
The power level is the power of the test signal transmitted to the DUT, which can be set
in the Source Power spinbox in the More Function bar of the Setup tab.

5.5.7 Average
The average function means that the final measure results are equal to the average ofthe measure results in the several sweeps in the same setting, and the number of sweeps
needed depends on the averaging factor. The average function can decrease the random
errors to some degree, but slow down the update of trace data. It's necessary to keep thecharacteristics and connection of the DUT unchanged during an average sweep.
To enable or disable the average function, click the Averaging checkbox in the Averagetar of the Setup tab. The average factor can be set in the textbox to the right of thecheckbox.

Figure 5-8 Avg/BW setting
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5.5.8 IF Bandwidth
The IF bandwidth is the bandwidth of the intermediate-frequency filters in the receivers.
A narrow IF bandwidth leads to lower trace noise levels and longer sweep times.
The IF bandwidth can be set in the IF Bandwidth textbox in the Average tar of the
Setup tab.

5.5.9 Trigger Mode
The trigger mode gates the channel sweep state change when the trigger signal isdetected. The trigger mode Hold/Stop means that sweep can't be started even if the trigger
signal is detected. Single means that only one sweep is triggered by the trigger signal. Upon
sweep completion, the trigger mode is set to Hold/Stop. Continuous/Run means that thetrigger signal starts and continuously sweeps.
To switch the trigger mode to Continuous/Run, click the Run button at the top of the
TDR toolbar. To switch the trigger mode to Single, click the Stop/Single button at the top of
the TDR toolbar.

5.6 TDR Trace Setup
Without taking the set coupling into account, the settings as follows are applied to asingle trace. Usually, the traces in the TDR option are in a time-domain coupling and marker
coupling, meaning that the correlated settings are applied to all the traces. In addition, Thereis a set of default trace configurations for every DUT topology.

5.6.1 Select a Trace
In addition to clicking the trace or trace information bar on the screen, the Trace pulldown menu at the top of the TDR toolbar has the same function.

5.6.2 Scale Management
In the TDR option, there are several automatic scale settings to use, and it is allowed tochange the scale or reference value manually.

5.6.2.1Auto Scale
To apply the automatic scale settings, click the Auto Scale button at the top of the TDR
option and click the suitable option in the pull-down menu. Every option in the menu
represents a set of automatic scale settings.
Option X means that the horizontal axis of the current trace is set automatically. For the
traces in the time domain, the scale and reference value are calculated by the DUT length.
For the traces in the frequency domain, the horizontal axis is set to the frequency sweep
setting of the channel.
Option Y means that the vertical axis of the current trace is set automatically. The scaleand reference value are calculated by the maximum and minimum of the trace data.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

130Option X&Y means that the horizontal and vertical axes of the current traces are set
automatically. The method is the same as introduced above.
All Trace means that the horizontal and vertical axes of all the traces are set
automatically. The method is the same as introduced above.

5.6.2.2Manual Scale Setup
Manual calibration Settings are implemented through the Scale setting option in the TDR
menu. Horizontal is used to set the Horizontal coordinate and the reference point position,
Vertical is used to set the Vertical coordinate and the reference value. Users click thecorresponding edit box to enter the value through the number button on the front panel.

Figure 5-9 Scale Setup by manual
The vertical axis of the traces in the frequency domain has no concern with the sweep
setting of the channel, only to set the displayed span of the trace data.

5.6.3 Memory Trace Management
Memory trace management is in the Data/Mem pull-down menu at the top of the TDR
toolbar. Click the Data->Mem order in the menu, and the current trace data is saved to thememory trace. Other orders in the menu are display modes of the data trace and the memory
trace for the current trace: The option Off means the data trace and the memory trace areinvisible. The option Memory means only the memory trace shows in the window. The option
Data means only the data trace shows. The option Data&Mem means both of them arevisible.

5.6.4 Measure Parameter & Format
The measurement parameters and formats of the traces can be set in the Parameter tarof the TDR/TDT tab.
The physical significance of measurement parameters and formats in the frequency
domain is the same as the general parameters of the VNA. In the time domain, T parameters
are used as measurement parameters, meaning that the ratio of the magnitudes of the
response signals received to the stimulus signals when a unit step/impulse stimulus signal istransmitted to DUT at time zero, in a span. For a specified DUT, S parameters are functionsof the signal frequency, while T parameters are functions of the time under a specified
stimulus type. T parameters show the unit step/impulse response of the DUT, which is of vital
importance in the time domain system analysis.

131

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 5-10 measure parameter setting
The formats of T parameters include Log Mag, Lin Mag, and Real, which are the sameas S parameters; moreover, Impedance and Volt are added. T parameters show the time
domain responses, so the values are always real numbers. In the other words, the imaginaryparts are always zero. Therefore, Imaginary or phase formats aren't provided for T
parameters in the TDR option. The magnitude of Log Mag and Lin Mag formats is
intrinsically the absolute values of the real parts of T parameters.
Impedance format is usually used for the reflection T parameters under a unit step
stimulus. It calculates the impedance value of each point in the signal transmitting path by
the reflection T parameters (reflection coefficients) under the unit step stimulus, which is on
the base of the port impedance. The distances are calculated by the delay of transmission
and the velocity factor. In the Impedance format, the positions and properties of impedance
discontinuities in the DUT are shown on the traces visually, which provides a piece ofimportant information for fault detection and removal. In the Impedance format, the TDR
option regards the T parameters as the reflection coefficients ρ, and calculates the
impedance by the equation as follow:

Volt format means the trace shows the time domain waveform of the response signal
received under the specified stimulus. The magnitude of the stimulus signal is defined by thevalue in the Stim. Ampl. textbox in the Basic bar of the Setup tab. Intrinsically, the Volt format
means the trace data is a product of the T parameters and the magnitude of the stimulus signal.
Click the measure parameter button in the grids on the left of the Parameter bar, themeasurement parameter of the current trace switches to the corresponding parameter. To
switch on or off the time domain transform of the current trace, click the pull-down menu in theleft of the Measure line. To switch to balance or unbalance parameters, click the pull-downmenu in the right of the Measure line. To change the format, click the Format pull-down menu.

5.6.5 Stimulus in Time Domain
The stimulus type can be set in the Stimulus pull-down menu in the Parameter bar of
the TDR/TDT tab. There are two stimulus types to choose: The option Lowpass Step means
T parameters show the unit step responses and the option Lowpass Impulse means Tparameters show the unit impulse responses.
The rise time or impulse width of the stimulus signal can be set in the Rise Time or
Impulse Width textbox. Intrinsically, it controls the beta value of the Kaiser window function
applied in the time domain transformation to weaken the sidelobes. Because thetransformation is based on the finite frequency domain data, the data truncation at the end of

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual132frequency domain data leads to some problems, such as the extension of the rise time or
impulse width of the responses signal and the appearance of sidelobes, which is called"truncation effect". Applying the Kaiser window lowers the sidelobe levels, but aggravates theextension of the rise time or impulse width and brings down the resolution ratio oftransformation. The longer the rise time or impulse width of the stimulus signal, the larger thebeta value of the Kaiser window function, the stronger effects explained above are introduced
into the transformation.

5.6.6 Smoothing
The smoothing function makes the trace data smooth by replacing the original trace datawith the average of the data nearby. If the local change ratios of trace data are relatively
large, the smoothing leads to large data errors. Therefore, the smoothing function is available
for the traces whose measure parameters are reflection S parameters.
To switch on or off the smoothing function, click the Smoothing checkbox in the
Parameter bar of the TDR/TDT tab.

5.6.7 Trace Allocation
The TDR option will delete all existing traces and windows, allocate all the traces andwindows automatically for the DUT topology, and set the traces to default settings if the trace
allocation function is activated. The operation deletes all original traces and their settings, but
the channel settings remain. There are three allocation methods to choose from: The option
Mixed means that the traces in the time and frequency domain are allocated. The option All
T means that only traces in the time domain are allocated. The option All S means only
traces in the frequency domain. Note that in Single-ended 1 Port topology, only the option
Mixed is available.
To use the trace allocation function, click the button of the corresponding method in the
Allocation box in the Trace Control bar of the TDR/TDT tab.

Figure 5-11 Trace Control Tab

5.6.8 Trace Setup CouplingTo switch on or off the time domain or marker coupling, click the Time domain orMarker checkbox in the Coupling box in the Trace Control bar of the TDR/TDT tab.

5.6.9 Time Domain Gating
The time-domain gating function transforms the time domain response into thefrequency domain after removing a part of the response. Usually, the function is used tosimulate the expected frequency domain response after removing some faults by removing
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualthe abnormal responses resulting from the impedance discontinuities. The operation
procedure includes enabling the time domain transformation, setting the parameter toremove partial time-domain responses, observing the other traces in the frequency domain
whose gating settings are coupled with the trace, or close the time domain transformation toobserve the frequency responses.
The time-domain gating settings in the TDR option can be changed in the Gating bar of
the TDR/TDT tab.

Figure 5-12 TDR Gating Tab
To switch on or off the time domain gating function, click the Gating checkbox.
To change the function type of the gating range, click the ratio button in the Type box.
The option Notch means that the responses in the gating range will be ignored, while theoption Bandpass means that the responses beyond the gating range will be ignored.
The scroll-wheel and textbox can be used to change the start and stop position of thetime domain gating range.

5.7 TDR Data Analysis & Output
The general marker search function is available in the TDR option for data analysis, andthere are some shortcuts provided at the top of TDR toolbar for marker management andsearch for maximum/minimum with tracking. In addition, the functions of the rise time searchand delta time search are introduced as the time domain trace data analysis tools in the TDR
option.
To correct the errors of impedance calculation resulting from the complicated distributionof mismatches in the DUT, a peeling algorithm is introduced to reveal the actual impedancevalue of every point on the passive DUTs.
The shortcuts to save/recall the state files, output the trace data to the files, and save thescreenshot are provided in the File pull-down menu at the top of the TDR toolbar.

5.7.1 Marker Setup
In addition to the general ways to manage the markers in the VNA, the Marker pull-downmenu at the top of the TDR toolbar is a way to add or delete markers.
The order in the first group of the Marker Search pull-down menu is shortcuts tomanage the common marker tracking marker. The option Off closes the search function of
the current marker, while the Max or Min starts the tracking search for maximum or
minimum.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual1345.7.2 Rise Time Search
Rise time search is only available for the trace in the time domain, which searches forthe rising or falling edge, sets a label to the start and stop, and displays the transition type
and time at the top left corner of the window if successful. It's a tracking search, the results
update if the trace data changes.
To switch on or off the rise time search, click the Rise Time(10-90%) or Rise Time(2080%) option in the Marker Search pull-down menu. Selecting the suitable search type
depends on the requirements.

5.7.3 Delta Time Search
Delta time search is only available for the trace in the time domain, which searches forthe difference between the time where two traces rise or fall to a specified relative level inrespective transition edge. If successful, a label will be set to the relative level on both traces,
and the results will be displayed at the top left corner of the window that contains the start
trace of the search. It's a tracking search, the results update if the trace data changes.
Click the △Time... order in the Marker Search pull-down menu to open the △Time
dialog, and the settings of delta time search can be changed here.
Click the Trace(Start) pull-out menu to change the start trace of the search, click theTrace(Stop) pull-out menu to change the stop trace. A trace in the time domain can start one
search at most as a start trace, while it's allowed that more than one searches set the same
trace as the stop trace.
The target relative level of the search can be set in the Position(%) textbox in the
dialog.
To switch on or off the search, click the △Time Enable checkbox.

5.7.4 PeelingIf there are two or more impedance mismatches on the DUT, a part of the incident wave
is reflected at the first mismatch, the incident energy arriving at the next mismatch reduces,
so the reflection at the next mismatch might seem weaker than that in reality. Calculating
impedance using reflection coefficients might lead to obvious errors after the first mismatch.
To avoid the effect of the masking phenomena explained above, a new approach to calculate
impedance, called the peeling algorithm, is introduced in the TDR option. The algorithm
divides the DUT into many sections, calculates the impedance of the next section by the
impedance of the last section as the reference value, and the incident and reflected energy inreality.
The algorithm presupposes that the energy sum of input equals that of output at any
points on the path the signal transmits through, which means that the signal transmits
through the DUT without loss. This is an imperfection of the algorithm, and transmission loss
always decreases the accuracy. Because of the recurrence method in the algorithm, theaccuracy also decreases with the distance increases.
If the peeling function is enabled, the TDR option calculates impedance in the way
explained above, instead of the traditional way. The function is available only if the format of135

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualthe trace is Impedance of the reflection T parameters. To switch on or off the function, click
the Peeling checkbox in the Parameter bar of the TDR/TDT tab.

5.7.5 File & Data Output
In the File pull-down menu at the top of the TDR toolbar, there are some shortcuts for file
operation and data output.
The order Save State... is used to save the current state and calibration data as a ..CSA
file, and Recall State... is used to restore them from the files.
The order Save Trc Data... is used to save the current trace data to .CSV file, and Save
SnP... saves all available S parameters data as an .SNP file whose format depends on the
DUT topology.
Screenshot... is used to save the screenshot as a .PNG file.

5.8 Eye Diagram Simulation
5.8.1 Overview
Eye diagrams are used to analyze the influence of the intersymbol interference andnoise on transmission performance, which is an important tool for signal integrity analysis.
The eye diagram simulation function, included with the TDR option, is built on a virtual digital
signal generator and the frequency characteristics of the DUT. It simulates that a virtual input
digital signal transmits through the DUT, and analyzes the output signal to get an eye
diagram. This is different from the traditional way of using an oscilloscope to draw eye
diagrams. There is no need to provide an external digital signal to the input port of the DUT.
To simulate different input signals, change the stimulus settings in the eye diagram module.

Figure 5-13 Eye/Mask Tab
The data analysis of eye diagrams in the option will try to get the numericalcharacteristics of the diagram and mark them on the diagram if required, which is designed tohelp the users obtain the key information quickly.
The jitter injection and statistical eye diagram function are provided to analyze theinfluence of the jitter in the input signal on the transmission performance.
The mask test on the eye diagram and preinstalled mask patterns are a convenientmethod of estimating whether the eye diagram meets the design requirements.
To start an eye diagram simulation after completing the simulation settings, click theDraw Eye button in the Trigger box of the Eye/Mask tab.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual1365.8.2 Stimulus Bit Pattern
There are 3 bit pattern types to choose in the option: Pseudo-Random Binary Sequence(PRBS), K28.5 comma code, and the user's bit pattern.
For more information about PRBS, refer to the section Bit Pattern Length. K28.5 comma
code is defined in an industry-standard developed by IBM which includes comma (control)characters. The user's bit pattern is imported from the user-defined files. The introduces of the
bit pattern types in the table as follow:
Type

Bit Pattern Length

Generator

PRBS

Depends on the users,
limited in 2n-1, n = 3,5,7,9,11,13,15

Generated by a virtual PRBS generator

K28.5

20

"00111110101100000101" (20 bits)

User

limited between 2 and 8192

Imported from a user-defined file

5.8.2.1Bit Pattern TypeTo change the input bit pattern types, click the Type pull-down menu in the Stimulus boxof the Eye/Mask tab.
The option Statistical in the menu is used to switch on the statistical eye diagram mode,
which cannot change the bit pattern types for the normal eye diagram simulation.

5.8.2.2Bit Pattern Length
The bit pattern length of K28.5 code is 20 bits, and that of the user pattern depends on
the text in the file. Only the length of PRBS can be changed in the eye diagram simulation
module by clicking the Length pull-down menu in the Stimulus box.
A set of Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) is simulated to generate virtual PRBS,
whose maximum period is selected to equal the bit pattern length. The maximum of the periodof PRBS, generated in a set of LFSR of n level, is 2n-1. In the other words, in ideal conditions,the sequence will iterate all possible binary numbers of n bits. The initial condition of the LFSR
is random, PRBS generated becomes random to find the worst bit pattern of n bits fortransmission performance. Eye diagram simulation always includes all n-bit input patterns toshow the worst transmission performance of DUT, if PRBS is set as the input signals. So it's
recommended to use PRBS as a bit pattern to draw eye diagrams.
The bit pattern length of PRBS is limited in 2n-1, and n = 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. That means
the bit pattern will be generated by LFSR of n level, to include the worst condition as far as
possible. The larger length is selected, the degree of the simulation perfection for intersymbolinterference becomes better, but running time becomes longer.

5.8.2.3User Pattern
If the eye diagram is required to simulate the specific bit pattern as the input signal, selectthe option USER in the Type pull-down menu, and click the User Pattern button to open the
Bit pattern Editor dialog to set the user-defined pattern. In the dialog, you can load .txt files
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to import the text as the bit pattern and edit the bit pattern in the textbox. Close the dialog after
loading or saving the bit pattern file, the pattern will be used for the next eye diagram simulation.
The text file to load must contain 0 and 1, but any other characters; and the length of text
must be between 2 and 8192.

5.8.3 Stimulus Signal Setup
5.8.3.1Logic Level
To change the logic level of the input signal, set the value in the One Lv. or Zero Lv.
textbox in the Stimulus box.

5.8.3.2Data Rate
The data rate of the signal is the number of bits transmitted per second, which reflects thebase frequency of the signal. Considering the lowpass characteristics of transmission systems
in reality, the transmission becomes bad with a large data rate, and the signal integrity analysis
becomes important.
To change the data rate of the input signal, set the value in the Data Rate textbox in the
Stimulus box.

5.8.3.3Rise TimeThe rise time of the signal reflects the steepness of the transition edge. The smaller risetime means the higher degree of steepness, the larger proportion of high-frequency parts, andthe more serious high-frequency losses can be during transmission. It's effective to widen theeye by reducing the rise time properly. But too small a rise time leads to ringing phenomena at
the logic level of the output signal, resulting in the decrease of the eye height.
To change the rise time type or value of the input signal, operate the Rise Time pull-downmenu or textbox in the Stimulus box.

5.8.4 Eye Diagram Analysis
During the eye diagram simulation, the option analyzes the eye diagram automaticallyand try to get the numerical characteristics as follow: Rise Time, Fall Time, Jitter, Crossing
Percent, Opening Factor, The Ratio of Signal to Noise, Duty Cycle Distortion, Level
One, Level Zero, Level Mean, Amplitude, Height, Width. And Rise Time, Fall Time, Jitter(peak-peak value), Amplitude, Height, Width are allowed to be marked on the eye diagram
to conveniently obtain the characteristics of the eye diagram.

5.8.4.1Analysis Result Overlay
To switch on or off the data analysis markers on the diagram, click the Overlay checkbox
in the Result bar.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual1385.8.4.2Rise Time in Data Analysis
To change the rise time type for data analysis of eye diagrams, click the Rise Time Def.
pull-down menu in the Result bar.

5.8.5 Eye Diagram Scale Management
By default, the eye diagram is displayed in the automatic scale settings, which show thedetails as clearly as possible. They can also be manually changed.
The scale settings in the vertical axis can be changed manually. But those in thehorizontal axis depend on the data rate of the input signal, which can't be changed after thesimulation starts.
To switch to a scale setting mode, click the Auto Scale or Manual radio button in the
Scale/Mask bar.
To change the scale or offset values in Manual scale mode, set the value in the
Scale/Div or Offset textbox. The Offset value here is the value that the center vertical scaleline refers to.

Figure 5-14 Eye/Mask setting

5.8.6 Mask Test for Eye Diagram
Mask patterns are some areas where the eye diagram is forbidden to pass, whichtransfer the design requirements of the transmission systems into the numericalcharacteristics of eye diagrams. They usually rule the tolerance of logic 0,1 level and rise or
fall time. If the eye diagram passes through the areas, the TDR option judges that the eye
diagram can't meet the requirement, leading to the failure of the mask test. According todifferent communication standards, or at the different nodes in a communication system,
different mask patterns should be applied. The first step to mask test is to select or design a
suitable mask pattern based on the requirements.
To select or change the mask pattern applied, click the Mask Pattern button in the
Scale/Mask bar to open the Mask Pattern dialog.
In the File tab of the dialog, preinstalled standard patterns or user-defined mask files(.MSK format) can be loaded. In the Scale tab, the Margin of the mask, start Position of abit, Delta time of a bit, and Logic Level can be set in textboxes. In the Edit tab, the positionsof vertices in the mask pattern can be changed by set values in the textboxes. Dragging thevertices in the left window also makes sense, but it's recommended to drag with a mouseconnected to the VNA, because the points may be too close together for easy entry using
touch operation.
Close the dialog after saving the modifications to a mask file, the new pattern will beapplied to the next mask test.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualTo switch on or off the mask test, click the Mask Test checkbox in the Scale/Mask bar.

5.8.7 Jitter & Statistical Eye Diagram
Jitter is the transient deviation from the corresponding ideal position of a signal oversuccessive trigger events. High jitter worsens the transmission performance. It's divided into
the Deterministic Jitter (DJ) and the Random Jitter (RJ). RJ is generated by some
unpredictable factors and is independent of the input bit patterns. The models for RJ usually
have a Gaussian distribution, and the magnitudes are represented in root mean square(RMS) values. DJ is generated by some repeatable and predictable factors and usually has afinite magnitude value. The jitter related to the input bit patterns in DJ is called the Data
Dependent Jitter (DDJ), while the other jitter in DJ is called the Periodic Jitter (PJ).
To change the settings of the jitter injection, click the Advanced Waveform button in the
Stimulus box of the Eye/Mask tab, or click the buttons in the Adv Waveform bar of the
Setup tab, to open the Advanced Waveform dialog. Click the Jitter button at the top of the
dialog to switch to enter the jitter setting interface.

Figure 5-15 Eye jitter setting
To change the jitter type injected into the input signal, click the Random or Periodic
ratio button in the Type box. To set the jitter parameters, set the values in the corresponding
textboxes.
To select the jitter magnitude units, click the Jitter Unit pull-down menu. The unit UImeans that the time difference value between the zero time of two adjacent transition edges
in the signal, which is the default jitter magnitude unit.
To set the probability limit to display in the statistical eye diagram, click the Display
Limit pull-down menu. If the probability of the signal appearing is lower than the display limit,
it will be ignored and set to zero in the statistical eye diagrams.
To switch on the jitter injection for the next simulation after completing the jitter settings,
click the Enable checkbox in the jitter setting interface. When the jitter injection function is

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switched on, the statistical eye diagram mode is enabled at the same time, the input bit
pattern type is switched to Statistical.
To switch to the statistical eye diagram mode in manual, select the option Statistical in
the Type pull-down menu in the Stimulus box. In the statistical mode, the input bit pattern is
set to PRBS with a fixed length, so the statistical eye diagrams might be slightly different inseveral simulations of the same settings. The probabilities are represented by colors in thestatistical eye diagrams: Warm colors indicate a large probability, red represents the largest
ones; cold colors indicate a small probability, with deep blue representing the smallest
values.

5.9 TDR Advanced Waveform Function
The Advanced waveform function is applied in both modules of the TDR option,
TDR/TDT analysis, and eye diagram simulation, which includes viewpoint setting,emphasis/de-emphasis, de-embedding, and Continuous Time Linear Equalization (CTLE).
The corresponding settings in the Advanced Waveform dialog, which can be opened byclicking the buttons in the Adv Waveform bar of the Setup tab or the Advanced Waveform
button in the Stimulus box of the Eye/Mask tab.
To switch the dialog to the interface for setting the specified function, click thecorresponding button at the top of the dialog.

5.9.1 View point
To switch the viewpoint of the waveform to stimulus or responses, click thecorresponding View ratio button at the top of the dialog.
Click the ratio button before the DUT icon, switch the viewpoint to stimulus, and thetrigger mode is set to Hold/Stop, the transmission parameters show the stimulus signal only
processed by emphasis/de-emphasis, which is the signal transmitted to the DUT. Setting thetrigger mode to Continuous/Run, the viewpoint will be set to responses automatically.
Click the ratio button after the DUT icon, switch the viewpoint to responses, and set thetrigger mode to Continuous/Run. The transmission parameters show the responses
processed by emphasis/de-emphasis, DUT, and equalization.

5.9.2 Emphasis/De-emphasis
Because of the lowpass characteristics of transmission systems, the high-frequency
components in the signal have higher losses than those at lower frequencies and thephenomenon becomes more serious as the transmission distance increases. The
phenomenon is the main contributor to signal distortion during transmission. To control this
distortion, the emphasis/de-emphasis technology is introduced to compensate for these
additional losses by increasing the relative levels before the transmission. Transition edges inthe time domain represent high-frequency components in the frequency domain.
Emphasis/De-emphasis technology is designed to increase the level variation of the edges
by adjusting the levels of the bits close to the edges. The parameters to adjust the levels of
the first bit before or after the edges, and those for the two bits after the edges, are provided
in the TDR option and are defined as Pre Cursor, Post 1 Cursor, Post 2 Cursor. By changing
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualthese parameters, it's easy to simulate the influence of the different emphasis/de-emphasis
strategies on the transmission performance in eye diagram simulations.

Figure 5-16 Emphasis setting
To change the parameters, set the value in the textbox in the Emphasis interface, andclick the Enable checkbox to enable the function. The function is available in transmission
parameters measurement and eye diagram simulations.

5.9.3 Equalization
To control the signal distortion resulting from the additional loss of high-frequency signal
components, equalization technology is introduced to amplify the high-frequency parts
properly after receiving the signal to balance the loss over variousfrequency spans. A
highpass filter and a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) can be implemented. The CTLE
simulation function in the TDR option allows the user to adjust the system function of theequalizer, to simulate the inflence of the equalization on the transmission performance in eye
diagram simulations.

Figure 5-17 Equalization setting
To change the system function, set the value in the textbox in the Equalization interface,and click the Enable checkbox to enable the function. The function is available intransmission parameters measurement and eye diagram simulations.

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6 Guide For The SA Option
6.1 Overview
Spectrum Analysis function is based on the VNA hardware, by adjusting the local oscillator
signal and mirror suppression algorithm processing to obtain the signal spectrum, so as toachieve spectrum analysis function.

6.2 Create a Spectrum Analysis Channel
Press [Meas] > S-Params > Other… > Measurement Class > Spectrum Analyzer. theneither click Active Channel (delete the existing measurement ) or New Channel then click OK.
A Spectrum Analysis measurement is displayed in a new channel and New Window.

Figure 6-1 Measurement Class dialog box
In the interface of the Measurement Class dialog box, The”show setup dialog” check box isselected by default.when user clicks “OK”,a SA Setup dialog box will be displayed that can set
related parameters. As figure shown below:

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 6-2 SA Setup dialog box
If the show Setup Dialog check box is deselected, the SA Setup dialog box will not be
displayed when the SA function is enabled. If the user wants to modify the SA parameters,
there are two ways to enter the SA Setup dialog box.
Press [Sweep] >SA >SA Setup… to recall the SA Setup dialog box.
Press [Power] > Power > SA Setup… to recall the SA Setup dialog box.
After Spectrum Analysis window is displayed, press [Meas] > SA > Other… to enter themeasure dialog box and select the receiver used for spectrum analysis.

Figure 6-3 Select a port receiver for spectrum analysis

6.3 Spectrum Analyzer Settings
The SA Setup dialog box has two tabs: the SA Tab and the Source Tab.
The SA Tab configures the SA frequency range, sweep points, Image Reject type, RBW,
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VBW, detector type, average type and so on.
The Source Tab is the configuration of signal parameters when uses the internal source
for spectrum analysis.

Figure 6-4 The SA Tab setting interface

6.3.1 SA Tab Setting
SA Tab Setting is mainly related to Spectrum analysis frequency setting.which can be set
through the SA Setup dialog box or by pressing the [Freq] key on the front panel to enter thefrequency setting menu, as the figure shown below. If the frequency is changed, the frequency
sweep will restart.

Figure 6-5 Press [Freq] key to set SA frequency parameters
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The frequency range of a channel can be expressed by three parameters: Start Frequency,
Center Frequency and Stop Frequency. If any of the parameters change, the others will be
adjusted automatically in order to ensure the coupling relationship among them:𝑓𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 = (𝑓𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 + 𝑓𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 )/2, 𝑓𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 = 𝑓𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 − 𝑓𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡

6.3.1.1 Start Frequency
Set the start frequency of the Spectrum Analyzer. The start frequency and the stopfrequency will display at the bottom of the grid respectively.
● The span and center frequency vary with the start frequency when the Span does notreach the minimum.
● In Zero Span, the start frequency, stop frequency and center frequency are the same value.

6.3.1.2 Stop Frequency
Set the stop frequency of the Spectrum Analyzer.The start frequency and the stopfrequency will display at the bottom of the grid respectively..
● The span and center frequency vary with the stop frequency.
● In Zero Span, the start frequency, stop frequency and center frequency are always thesame value.

6.3.1.3 Center Frequency●●

Set the center frequency of the Spectrum Analyzer.
Modifying the center frequency will modify both the start frequency and stop frequency
when the span is constant (except when the start frequency or stop frequency reaches theboundary).
In Zero Span, the start frequency, stop frequency and center frequency are always thesame value.

6.3.1.4 Span

●

●
●
●

Set the span of the Spectrum Analyzer. Any changes of the span will restart the sweep.
Pay attention to the following points when set the span:
The start and stop frequency vary with the span when the center frequency is constant.
The span can be set down to 100 Hz and up to the maximum bandwidth.
Modifying the span may cause an automatic change in both CF Step Size and RBW if they
are in Auto mode. Besides, the change of RBW may influence VBW (in Auto VBW mode).
Variation in the Span, RBW or VBW would cause a change in the sweep time.

6.3.1.5 CF Step Size
When Auto mode is selected,the Center frequency step Size is 5% of the current span.thatis , 𝑓𝐶𝐹 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 = 𝑓𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑛 ∗ 5%. Each press of the ▲|▼ arrows on the front panel or click the up
and down sign of the SA Setup’s center box. The center frequency 𝑓𝐶𝐹 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 increases ordecreases by the CF step size.
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When Manual mode is selected,Users can customize the size of CF Step. Each press ofthe ▲|▼ arrows on the front panel or click the up and down sign of the SA Setup’s center box.
The center frequency 𝑓𝐶𝐹 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 increases or decreases by the CF step size.

6.3.1.6 Sweep Points
Selects the number of trace point on the display.
The more sweep points,the longer the sweep time,but the more accurate measurement
results.The less sweep points, the shorter the sweep time, but get the measurement results
faster.

6.3.2 SA Tab Processing setup
The SA processing setup is to config the signal’s parameters. User can set the parameters
via the SA Setup dialog, or by pressing [AvgBW] > SA to enter the spectrum analysis signal
processing parameters setting menu, as the shown figure below.

Figure 6-5 Spectrum analysis signal processing setup menu

6.3.2.1 RBW
Set the RBW (resolution bandwidth) in order to distinguish between signals which havefrequency components that are near one another.
●
Reducing the RBW will increase the frequency resolution. but lead to a longer sweep time
(influenced by both RBW and VBW when the sweep time is in automatic mode).
●147

RBW varies with the Span/RBW setting in Auto RBW mode.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual

6.3.2.2 VBW●●

Set the video bandwidth in order to filter out the noise outside the video band.
Reducing the VBW will smooth the trace and helps to highlight small signals from noise,but it will also increase the sweep time (Sweep Time is affected by a combination of RBW
and VBW when it is in Auto mode).
VBW varies with RBW when it is in Auto mode. While in Manual mode, VBW is not affectedby RBW.

6.3.2.3 RBW/VBW
Sets the ratio of Resolution Bandwidth to Video Bandwidth when the Video Bandwidth isin Auto mode.

6.3.2.4 Span/RBW
Sets the ratio of Span to Resolution Bandwidth when the Resolution Bandwidth is in Automode.

6.3.2.5 Detector TypeThe analyzer displays the sweep signal on the screen in the form of a trace. For eachtrace point, the analyzer always captures all the data within a specific time interval andprocesses (Peak, Average, etc.) the data using the detector currently selected, then it displays
the processed data (a single data point) on the screen.
Select an appropriate detector type according to the actual application in order to ensure
the accuracy of the measurement.
The available types are Positive Peak, Negative Peak, Sample and Average. The default
is Positive peak.
1. Positive PeakFor each trace point, Positive Peak detector displays the maximum value of data
sampled within the corresponding time interval.
2. Negative PeakFor each trace point, Negative Peak detector displays the minimum value of data
sampled within the corresponding time interval.
3. Sample
For each trace point, Sample detector displays the transient level corresponding to
the central time point of the corresponding time interval. This detector type is applicable
to noise or noise-like signal.
4. Normal
Normal detector (also known as normal detection or Rosenfell Detector) displays the
maximum value and the minimum value of the sample data segment in turn: Oddnumbered data points display the maximum value and even-numbered data points display
the minimum value. In this way, the amplitude variation range of the signal is clearly shown.
5. Average
For each trace point, Average detector displays the average value of data sampled

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within the corresponding time interval.

6.3.2.6 Averaging Type
Average type refers to the processing mode of intermediate frequency data in datadetection and display detection, which affects the effect of trace average and detection
average.

Power
（V^2）
RBW

Voltage

Detect

VBW

Trace

LogPower
Avg Type

Figure 6-6 Flow chart of Average type
1.

2.

3.

Log Power
Select the logarithmic (decibel) scale for all filtering and averaging processes. This
scale is "Video" because it is the most common display and analysis scale for the video
signal within analyzer. This scale is excellent for finding Sine/CW signals near noise.
Power Average
In this average type, all filtering and averaging processes work on the power (thesquare of the magnitude) of the signal, instead of its log or envelope voltage. This scale isbest for real-time power measurement of complex signals.
Voltage Average
In this Average type, all filtering and averaging processes work on the voltage of theenvelope of the signal. This scale is suitable for observing rise and fall behavior of AM or
pulse-modulated signals such as radar and TDMA transmitters.

6.3.2.7 Image Reject TypeThe signal is mixed with the local oscillator to get an intermediate frequency signal, andthe mixer may produce a mirrored frequency signal. Therefore, it is necessary to change thelocal oscillator or intermediate frequency to collect multiple groups of spectral data, and filter
out the image through the image suppression algorithm.
None: Selects 1 acquisitions, and mirror suppression is not performed.
Min: Selects 3 acquisitions.
Normal: Selects 4 acquisitions.
Better: Selects 5 acquisitions.
Max: Selects 6 acquisitions.
Note: Only 3 sets of data can be acquisitions at most when the frequency point is below 40MHz.

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6.3.3 Source Tab
The Soucre Tab of SA Setup is the configuration for internal sources as signal sources.

Figure 6-7 Source Tab
Port Powers Coupled (checked) the power levels are the same at each test port. Set power
at any test port and all test ports change to the same power level.
SA Source Setup

Figure 6-8 SA Source Setup⚫

State: If the “On” parameter is selected,the port source power is enable.

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150

⚫

Type(Sweep):➢

CW: The source is set to a CW frequency.

➢Linear Freq: The source is set to a power sweep.

➢

Power: The source is set to a power sweep.

➢

LinFreq+Power: The source is set to sweep from the Start to Stop frequency andpower sweep.

⚫

Frequency: Set the sweep Frequency of the source.

⚫

Power: Set the power level of the source.
When the internal source is used for the Spectrum analysis signal sources,the sweep

type,source frequency and the port power level of the source can also be set by pressing the[Power] key on the front panel to enter the port power setting menu.As the figure shown below:

Figure 6-9 Press the [Power] key to enter the source’s setting menu

6.4 SA Marker Function
6.4.1 Marker→SA
During S parameter measurement, If the user wants to have a quick view of the specificfrequency point’s spectrum, spectrum analysis can be opened by means of Marker→SA. That
is to create a new SA channel in full frequency span based on the S parameters, and a marker
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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manualis created on the trace at the same frequency as the S parameter channel marker.
The same receiver that is used for the S parameter channel is used for the SA channel.For
example,if a marker is opened in the S11 channel , a SA measurement is created using thereceiver “A” of port 1 after “Marker →SA”.
How to open Marker→SA:
1.

Make an S parameter measurement,such as S44,set the center frequency as 1GHz andSpan as 50MHz. and mark the S44 trace by pressing the [Marker] key on the front panel;

2.

Press [Marker] > Marker Function > Marker→SA to enable the SA function.You can viewthe frequency spectrum of 1GHz point of the S44, as figure shown below:

Figure 6-10 Marker →SA
Press [Sweep] > SA >SA Setup can recall the SA Setup dialog box If the user needs tomodify the SA parameter settings.

6.4.2 Band Power Marker
The total power of a specified frequency span.Before enable the Band Power function
a marker point position and the frequency span should have be set.
The vertical dotted lines on either side of the marker indicate the span. The marker’s
Y-axis value is set to the measured power value, and displays on the upper right corner.

6.4.3 Band Noise Marker
The normalization of the total power of a Specifies frequency span(the power density).
Before enable the Band Noise function a marker point position and the frequency span
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should have be set.
The vertical dotted lines on either side of the marker indicate the span. The marker’s
Y-axis value is set to the measured power density value, and displays on the upper rightcorner.
The Band power and Band Noise functions can be enabled at the same time.
BandPower and BandNoise are automatically turned off when Occupied BW is enabled.
How to select Band Power and the Band Noise:
1. Press [Search] > Band Power > Band Power On >Band Noise On.
2. Set a frequency span value (Band Span),and the values displayed by themarkers are the measurements of band power and band noise in this frequency
span.

Figure 6-11 Enable Band Power and Band Noise

6.4.4 Occupied BW
Integrates the power within the whole span and calculates the bandwidth occupied bythis power according to the specified power ratio. Before enable the Occupied BW function
the Occ BW Percent should have be set.
The span is marked by vertical dotted lines that appear on either side of the marker
indicating the power percentage of occupied span. The marker’s Y-axis value is set to themeasured power value.The bandwidth and power of the span will be displayed on theupper right corner.
How to select Occupied BW:
Press [Search] > Band Power > Occupied BW.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFigure 6-12 Enable Occuiped BW

7 Save and recall
The vector network analyzer supports save and recall functions for files of various formats.
Press the Save/Recall button on the front panel and select file, data, calibration data, andimages to save or recall. in the menu bar on the right side of the screen.

Figure 7-1 Operating interface

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual154Description of supported file formats:⚫ STA file: The state file contains the configuration parameters (setup) of the
instrument.
⚫ CSA file: The calibration data and state file.
⚫ CSV file: Trace data.
⚫ SnP file: Also known as a Touchstone file. It contains the S parameter
information.
⚫ PNG/JPG/BMP file: Screenshot/exact copy of the display.
Save file:⚫ Save the status of equipment:
Use the Save State As command in the Save State submenu to save theequipment state.
⚫

Save the status and calibration data of equipment:
Select State+Cal Data command in the Save Type submenu to save theequipment state and calibration data at the same time.

⚫

Save trace data:
Use the Save Trc Data command in the Save Other submenu to save the trace
data in CSV format; or use the Save SnP command to save the trace data in
SnP format. When saving the trace data in SnP format, you can select thefollowing formats: LinMag/Angle, LogMag/Angle and Real/Imaginary in the
SnP Format drop-down item.

⚫

Save screenshot:
Use the Screenshot command in the Save Other submenu to save thescreenshot. We can set the default path in the pop-up dialog box. The screenshot
file type can be saved as PNG/JPG/BMP file formats.

⚫

Save register data:
Use the Save Register command in the Save State submenu to save the datain the register.

Recall file:⚫ Recall status of equipment:
Use the Recall State command in the Recall submenu to select the required
equipment state in the .sta file format.

155⚫

Recall the status and calibration data of equipment:
Use the Recall State + Cal command in the Recall submenu to select therequired equipment state and calibration data in .csa file format.

⚫

Recall register data:
Use the Recall Register command in Recall submenu to select the register data
to be recalled.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualFile management:
Click File Browser command to open the file browser, File management can be carriedout in the file browser.

Figure 7-2 File management interface

8 System setting
Press the System button on the front panel. We can set the IP address, set the date,
restore the factory settings, consult the help document, set the buzzer, self-detection, language
setting, obtain the software and hardware information of the device, and license managementin the menu on the right side of the screen.

Figure 8-1 System setting interface

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Communication interface setting:• LAN setting:
We can select static or dynamic allocation of LAN-related parameters. Use LAN
Status command in System submenu to set LAN parameters.
• Set GPIB port number:
Use the GPIB command in the System submenu to set the GPIB port number.

Firmware upgrade:
Store the.ADS file in the firmware upgrade package downloaded from the official website
in the U disk root directory, insert the U disk into the USB port of the vector network analyzer,
click the Upgrade command in the System submenu, select the required file in the pop-up
file browser, and click OK to upgrade the firmware. The firmware upgrade process may lastfor several minutes. When the upgrade is completed, the device will automatically restart.
Any operation that interrupts the upgrade process may cause the upgrade to fail or even thedevice cannot start normally. Please keep the U disk stable and the power supply of theequipment normal during the firmware upgrade process.

Date/Time setting:
Use the Date & Time command in the System submenu to set the date/time. You can set
whether to display the date/time and display the format at the bottom right of the screen andmodify the date/time value.

Figure 8-2 Date/Time setting interface

Screenshot setting:
Use the Screenshot Settings command in the System submenu to set the screen
capture parameters.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualHardkeys:
The Hardkeys command in the System submenu can be used to open the function of
hardkeys on the right side of the screen so that the vector network analyzer can be operated
without operating the function keys on the front panel.

Figure 8-3 Hardkeys

Preset:Preset operation and related settings can be performed in Preset submenu.
• Preset:
Use the Preset command to reset immediately according to the setting reset
options.
• Preset Option:
Use the Preset Option command to set the reset options, and to determine thepreset source:

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1. Default: Load default parameters.
2. Last: When the equipment is shut down, the current state will be saved
automatically. Use this option to restore to the last shutdown state.
3. User: Restore the equipment to the user-specified state.
• User Preset:
Use the User Preset command to specify the user preset status information file.
• Confirm Preset:
Use the Confirm Preset command to set whether to confirm before reset.
• Power On Option:
Use the Power On Option command to set the default source of equipment reset
when the equipment starts.
• Power On-Line:
Use the Power On-Line command to set whether the device starts automaticallywhen it is powered on.
• Factory Reset:
Configuration files(Selected by default)
Indicates that the equipment is restored to the factory default state, but the files savedby the user to local will not be deleted.
User data(Optional), user can selectively delete the files saved to local.

Figure 8-4 Select the saved file
Configuration files and User data
If user select both, the equipment is restored to the factory default state and deletes
the files saved to local by users.

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SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User ManualHelp information:
In the Help submenu, we can open the help document (Help command) or view theequipment information (About command).
Buzzer:We can set the sound in the Buzzer submenu.
•

Buzzer: Use the Buzzer command to turn the device sound on or off.

•

Complete Test: Use the Complete Test command to test the completion tone.

•

Complete Buzzer: Use the Complete Buzzer command to turn thecompletion tone on or off.Warning Test: Use the Warning Test
command to test the alarm tone.

••

Warning Buzzer: Use the Warning Buzzer command to turn on or off the alarm tone.
Touch Buzzer: Use the Touch Buzzer command to turn on or off the touchscreen
keystone.

Self-Test:
In the Self Test submenu, we can perform keyboard self-test (Key Test command), touch
screen self-test (Touch Test command), screen self-test (Screen Test command) and LED
self test (LED Test command).
System language:
The Language command in the Language submenu can be used to change the languageof the equipment. Simplified Chinese and English are supported.

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9 Service and support
9.1 Ordering and activating the options
There are two ways for you:
1. Pre-activate the options by Siglent factory.
If you order a instrument and options, Siglent factory will activate the options for you before
delivery.

2. Post-activate the options by yourself.
If you want to activate options on a instrument that you are using.

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9.2 Warranty overview
SIGLENT guarantees that the products produced and sold will not have defects inmaterials and technology within three years from the date of delivery by authorized distributors.
If the product is defective within the warranty period, SIGLENT will provide repair or
replacement service according to the detailed provisions of the warranty.
For service or a complete copy of the warranty, please contact your nearest SIGLENT
sales and service office. SIGLENT makes no other warranty, express or implied, except asprovided in this summary or the applicable warranty, including but not limited to the implied
warranty of merchantability and special applicability. SIGLENT shall not be liable for any
indirect, special or consequential damages.

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual162

Tel: +49(0)-821-666 0 111 0
Fax: +49(0)-821-666 0 111 22
Email: info-eu@siglent.com
Website: www.siglenteu.com

About SIGLENTSIGLENT is an international high-tech company, concentrating on R&D, sales,
production and services of electronic test & measurement instruments.

SIGLENT first began developing digital oscilloscopes independently in 2002.
After more than a decade of continuous development, SIGLENT has extended
its product line to include digital oscilloscopes, isolated handheld
oscilloscopes,

function/arbitrary

waveform

generators,

RF/MWsignalgenerators, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, digital multimeters,
DC power supplies, electronic loads and other general purpose test
instrumentation. Since its first oscilloscope was launched in 2005, SIGLENT
has become the fastest growing manufacturer of digital oscilloscopes. We
firmly believe that today SIGLENT is the best value in electronic test &Headquarters:

measurement.

SIGLENT Technologies Co., Ltd
Add: Bldg No.4 & No.5, Antongda Industrial
Zone, 3rd Liuxian Road, Bao'an District,
Shenzhen, 518101, China
Tel: + 86 755 3688 7876
Fax: + 86 755 3359 1582
Email: sales@siglent.com
Website: int.siglent.com

North America:
SIGLENT Technologies America, Inc
6557 Cochran Rd Solon, Ohio 44139
Tel: 440-398-5800
Toll Free: 877-515-5551
Fax: 440-399-1211
Email: info@siglent.com
Website: www.siglentna.com

Follow us on
Facebook: SiglentTech

Europe:SIGLENT Technologies Germany GmbH
Add: Staetzlinger Str. 70
86165 Augsburg, Germany
Tel: +49(0)-821-666 0 111 0

163

Fax: +49(0)-821-666 0 111 22
Email: info-eu@siglent.com

SNA5000A Vector Network Analyzer User Manual