SA6 Spectrum Analyzer/VNA vs. LiteVNA 64 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: fireworks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 07:45:05 pm
content: SA6 Spectrum Analyzer/VNA vs. LiteVNA 64Quick question for the more knowledgeable people on this forum: is this device:"SA6 6GHz Vector Network Analyzer VNA Spectrum Analyzer":https://www.ebay.com/itm/284851004256a resonably good VNA ?For example is it an equal or better VNA than this one:"LiteVNA-64 VNA Analyzer 50KHz-6.3GHz":https://www.ebay.com/itm/125281116113The specifications for the above are:SA6:- Display frequency range: 35-6200 MHz- Measuring frequency range: 35-4500 MHz- Dynamic range of 35-3000 MHz: 75 dB- Dynamic range of 3000-4500 MHz: 70 dB- Maximum span: 6165 MHz- Bandwidth: 200 kHz, fixed- View the scanning speed of the frequency band above 100MHz: 700MHz/sec- Sweep 100 MHz: < 0.25 seconds- Noise floor up to 3000 MHz: < -90dBm- Noise floor 3000-4500 MHz: < -85dBm- Noise floor 4500-6200 MHz: < -80dBm- Wave impedance: 50 ohms- Standing wave ratio in the working frequency range: < 1.5- Internal attenuator: 0-30 dB- Error at attenuation up to 10 dB: 2 dB- 10 to 20 dB attenuation error: 5 dB- 20 to 30 dB attenuation error: 8 dB- Tracking generator output power: -15 to -25 dBm- Accuracy in dynamic range: 2.0 dB- The maximum input power of the attenuator at 0 dB: 10 dBm- Maximum input power when attenuation is greater than 20dB: +20dBm- Maximum input measurement signal: +10 dBmLiteVNA64:For my next project I need a VNA, not an SA. However if the SA6 can do the job of a VNA that I would rather buy that, since I might need an SA in the future.There is a lot of online info on the LiteVNA but very little on the SA6.Any help is appreciated.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 11:36:03 pm
content: The SA6 doesn't appear to be a VNA as you suggest. SA + tracking generator != VNA.

author: fireworks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2022, 06:30:56 pm
content: Thanks Joe, that's what I thought.To be fair I only need to test the gain flatness of an amplifier up to several GHz, which the SA6 should be able to do.But playing with a "real" (almost) VNA is definitely fun.

author: Kahooli
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 02:17:16 am
content: LibreVNA might be closer to what you want. though the price has gone way up in the last few months since I got one.

author: ozkarah
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 10:06:51 pm
content: I have a LiteVNA64 and also ordered an SA6. SA6 will come in 10 days.If you need any special test please write. I can do and share the results

author: fireworks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 06:04:58 pm
content: Quote from: ozkarah on October 10, 2022, 10:06:51 pmHi ozkarah,It would be interesting to see a few tests done with the SA6. There is very little info on the SA6 on the Internet.So a mini review will be useful.Also, if you can open it up and post a few pictures of the board, we could find out what ICs it's using.

author: ozkarah
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 07:22:30 pm
content: Hi good news is yes I can make a mini review and some teardown of SA6 in comparison to LiteVNA64 (based on limited functionality since one is VNA, other is an SA).However, the bad news is I still didn't get it yet. Delayed another 2.5 weeks.