R&S Rohde-Schwarz ZVL3 or ZVL6 or ZVL13 Vector Network Analyzers - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: GonzoTheGreat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 10:48:16 pm
content: Are there any users here of Rohde-Schwarz ZVL-3 or ZVL-6 or ZVL-13 Vector Network Analyzers ?

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 05:12:01 am
content: Quote from: GonzoTheGreat on August 04, 2015, 10:48:16 pmI've worked with ZVL13's in the past as some of the labs I worked in had them. They're nice compact portable VNAs with decent performance for their size. We used them for portable applications together with the optional battery pack.

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 06, 2015, 04:09:02 am
content: I am using the ZVA and ZNB.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2015, 08:26:42 am
content: I grew up using HP VNAs.Whenever I've had to use the R&S ones, I've found that the interface user graphical, backwards was.They work well enough, seem reliable and once you get used to the different interface and straightforwards enough. Having said that, I know some very very good designers who would avoid them like the plague rather than deal with the interface.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2015, 01:27:49 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on August 06, 2015, 08:26:42 amWiltron in my case, although I've used HPs as well.QuoteThat's not just with their VNAs, their spectrum analyzers (aside from the FSW, which has a great UI) are the same. It's not the worst UI I've seen but the amount of menu switching to enter the most basic settings (i.e. span, ref lvl) is ridiculous. Although I've seen a lot worse in UX design, there's obviously some room for improvement.On the upside, R&S's VNAs and SAs are often underrated and really very good (their kit can easily keep up or even outperform comparable gear from HP/Agilent/Keysight kit), and once you get used to the somewhat onerous interface you it's not any more cumbersome to use than any other modern analyzer.

author: GonzoTheGreat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2015, 08:00:07 pm
content: Does anyone have access to the ZVL with the Spectrum Analysis option enabled ?

author: MartinX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2015, 08:41:54 pm
content: Yes I have a ZVL-3 at work, it is used not only as a network analyzer but as a EMC pre compliance receiver also, so it has the spectrum analysis option and preamplifier option.

author: GonzoTheGreat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 02:37:25 pm
content: Could you let me know how that Spectrum Analyzer option becomes activated ?

author: MartinX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 06:14:29 pm
content: You just press the mode button and select spectrum analyzer, buy you have to have the spectrum analyzer option installed of course.

author: GonzoTheGreat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 07:55:19 pm
content: Quote from: MartinX on September 14, 2015, 06:14:29 pm..but how does that option installation work? Different firmware?

author: MartinX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 09:20:57 pm
content: We bought the analyzer with this option already installed so I don´t know really, but I think you just get a long code based on your serial number like Agilent/Keysight does it, if you ask R&S they will tell you. If you are hoping for a hack I think these instruments are too looked after by R&S, when I talked to their support on the phone they knew which options our instrument had based on the serial number.

author: GonzoTheGreat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2015, 05:20:30 am
content: The ZVL keeps its serial number in a small EEPROM.Rewriting it opens up possibilities.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2015, 11:11:50 am
content: Quote from: GonzoTheGreat on September 17, 2015, 05:20:30 amNot really, as the enabled options depend on the option keys that are installed, and unless you change the serial to another one for which you have the necessary option keys it won't make your options miraculously work.Hypothetical speaking, if someone were to look for a way to enable options on R&S equipment then I'd focus on the R&S application software (Windows software on the ZVL) which also handles option key management, to find out how the keys are calculated to build some kind of keygen. As option keys can also be removed, this way the device could still be sent in for repair/calibration if required, which wouldn't be possible if the serial number was changed. Plus this keygen should also work for other R&S gear as I believe the key system works pretty much similar across their newer (i.e. 2000 and later) devices.But all of this is just theoretical thinking.