Author Topic: PicoVNA (Read 20091 times)

Omicron · « **on:** June 06, 2017, 12:02:05 pm »

For a while now I've been wanting to add a VNA to my lab. It seems though that in the range below about 6000 euro's there is very little choice. You either have the USB ones targeted for HAM usage like the pocketVNA or the miniVNA or you have the professional ones that are typically >10000 euro's. I considered buying a used HP but they are big and heavy. The one product I found that was in the price range I was looking for was the MegiQ which seemed very promising however it only goes down to 400MHz which I found to be a bit limiting. Then there is the new Tektronix TTR500 series USB VNAs, they look really nice but unfortunately priced well beyond my budget. Last weekend I noticed this new product from PicoTech however:

https://www.picotech.com/vector-network-analyzer/picovna-106/picovna-series?hp1

It seems to tick all the boxes with a price that I can afford (for business use). I decided to bite the bullet and order one. I got an email from PicoTech that they don't have stock yet, so this is a brand new product (hope that won't come back to bite me).

Anyway I'm excited to see a product like this from a mainstream T&M company.

metrologist · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2017, 03:05:29 pm »

You might have also considered Anritsu MS46122B. I don't know where that sits performance or price-wise, however.

loxodes · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2017, 03:53:25 pm »

Quote from: metrologist on June 06, 2017, 03:05:29 pm

You might have also considered Anritsu MS46122B. I don't know where that sits performance or price-wise, however.

According to Pico, the 8 GHz Anritsu MS46122B costs $17,490 and offers similar performance (from the "Industry comparison chart" at https://www.picotech.com/vector-network-analyzer/picovna-106/picovna-106-reviews). The same chart also specifies dynamic range on PicoVNA out to 8 GHz, so maybe their marketing material isn't a reliable source

Omicron · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2017, 04:07:56 pm »

Yes, the Anritsu is way beyond my budget, much like the new Tektronix one.

The website and documentation for the PicoVNA seems to be somewhat in flux still.

metrologist · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2017, 04:44:41 pm »

You should call Anritsu and ask for a quote, and be sure to point out this PicoVNA. Maybe they won't match that price, but you never know what could happen.

ADT123 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2017, 05:43:02 pm »

Hi Omicron,

I spoke to the team most of whom are in Honolulu for the IMS show - tough job but someone has to do it... The 8GHz in the comparison IS a typo so hopefully will be fixed by the time you read this.

I will also make sure someone updates you on the leadtime for your order.

Regards
Alan

Omicron · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2017, 06:50:13 pm »

Hi Alan,

Thanks! I'm not fussed about the 8GHz typo, I understood from the website that it was a 6GHz unit before I placed my order. It seems I might actually be one of their first customers for this product. Fingers crossed I don't get bitten by early adopter issues :-)

Cheers,
Kurt

metrologist · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2017, 07:23:13 pm »

Sorry Omicron. I somehow missed that your order went through. Hope you are able to come back and give a good report and some insight to this product. While all of this is still way out of my budget, I'd like to learn more about VNA and VNA technology.

I agree with your sentiment about solid T&M companies offering more budget oriented products.

Omicron · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2017, 07:51:48 pm »

No worries!

I'll try and share my experiences here once I receive my unit.

ADT123 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2017, 08:12:37 pm »

Hi Kurt,

You are one of the first customers as the VNA has literally just been launched (thank you).

Do not worry about being an early adopter however - our company culture is simple - we treat our customers like our friends. OK we don't get it right 100% of the time but at least unlike some companies it is our genuine wish to look after customers.

If you have any issues I will make sure you are looked after.

Regards
Alan

D3f1ant · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2017, 05:07:04 am »

This is good timing, was about to order an Anritsu but will look at this a bit closer before deciding

Omicron · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2017, 11:29:35 am »

If your budget stretches to Anritsu territory, have you looked at the new Tek one:

http://www.tek.com/vna/ttr500

I get the impression that with these new product releases the Anritsu is no longer good value. Price wise it's comparable to the higher performance Tek unit but performance wise it's comparable to the much lower priced PicoTech.

Or am I missing something?

loxodes · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2017, 05:10:58 pm »

Quote from: Omicron on June 08, 2017, 11:29:35 am

I get the impression that with these new product releases the Anritsu is no longer good value. Price wise it's comparable to the higher performance Tek unit but performance wise it's comparable to the much lower priced PicoTech.

Or am I missing something?

The Anritsu also comes in 20 GHz and 43.5 GHz, perhaps those models have more competitive pricing.

Hugoneus · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2017, 08:48:07 pm »

I was just at their booth.

Omicron · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2017, 09:01:40 pm »

Quote from: Hugoneus on June 08, 2017, 08:48:07 pm

I was just at their booth.

I do hope they gave you a review unit! :-)

D3f1ant · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2017, 02:30:31 am »

The Pico seems to be the value winner here, I can probably wait until somebody reviews it and takes it apart

How long until yours arrives Omicron? Did you order a cal kit with it?

Omicron · « **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2017, 10:01:15 am »

They haven't gotten back to me yet with a delivery date. I suspect it may take a while.

I did order one of the "standard" cal kits with it for starters.

D3f1ant · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2017, 07:38:55 am »

Let us know know when you find out the lead time. I'm trying to hold off making a decision and hope the lead time isn't weeks so months. I expected they would have had some stock for launch.

Omicron · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2017, 12:15:27 pm »

In regards to lead time and availability I recommend you contact Alan (ADT123) privatly. He works for picotech and has been very helpful regarding my order.

simone.pignatti · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2017, 10:27:58 am »

Yesterday we were at a local customer showing the unit, we were all very impressed

1design · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2017, 12:07:30 pm »

Does the unit offer offset frequency measurements?

BR

simone.pignatti · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2017, 12:09:23 pm »

from the data sheet:
Reference plane extension (offset) allows you to shift the measurement reference plane away from the point established during calibration. This is useful in removing the path length of assumed ideal interconnecting , connectors cables or microstrip lines from measurements. PicoVNA 1 software allows independent reference plane extensions
on each of the measurement parameters (S11, S22, S12 or S21), either as an automatic re-reference or by manual entry. Independent extensions allow, for example, different extensions on the two ports for S11 and S22 and then thru-line normalization for S21 and S12 transmission comparison with equivalent length thru-line.

is this what you are looking for?
Thanks

1design · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2017, 02:23:03 pm »

I was not referring to reference plane extension but to frequency offset measurements of frequency converters(mixers etc.):
http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/help/latest/FreqOffset/Frequency_Offset_Mode.htm

simone.pignatti · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2017, 02:32:25 pm »

let us check and come back to you asap, thanks

D3f1ant · « **Reply #24 on:** August 09, 2017, 06:09:36 am »

Anybody got one of these yet?


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Author Topic: PicoVNA (Read 20091 times)

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