HackRF One as a Antenna Analyzer or Just a SWR meter?

[Fusion]

 Do you think it's possible to use the HackRF One to determine SWR of an antenna at a specific frequency?  I have a noise generator in a directional coupler.  I have read an article on this subject but the tools they provide seems not to be compatible with the HackRF One.

Tools at my disposal.

Tektronix 465 Scope : http://bit.ly/2XXgvnb
Multimeter : no link
LNA 0.05-4G NF=0.6dB With 19dB gain : https://ebay.to/2M9It8t
3 Watt Power Amplifier : http://bit.ly/2Z6w1cY
Directional coupler : http://bit.ly/2Z6w8VW
Noise generator : https://ebay.to/2Z0tcu2
100Mhz frequency counter : no link

OS = Windows 10
GNU Installed.


Thanks,
Brian

[bd139]

Yes you can do that. It's pretty much an old fashioned way of doing it though similar to a noise bridge.

Not sure what tools are present with the HackRF one but all you need is a reference power into the SDR front end from a 50 ohm termination instead of the antenna, then the peak return loss at the frequency of interest. You can convert that into a VSWR using the table here: https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/vswr-return-loss/vswr-return-loss-conversion-table.php ... it's easier to look for the power dip though in the SDR waterfall as that represents where the most power is being eaten by the antenna and lowest VSWR.

If you want absolutely measurement it's much better to skip the noise generator and use a signal generator and power sensor. I use an AWG and homebrew AD8307 power sensor for this.

[awallin]

For inspiration you might look at the block diagrams or schematics of rigexpert antenna analyzers
https://rigexpert.com/

(ofcourse if you have 3-500 $/eur to spare and don't need to go up to 6 GHz then a rigexpert will do the job well..)

[bd139]

Yeah I have an AA-55 Zoom. Nice bit of kit.