NanoVNA Custom Software

[nali]

What don't you like about the included software?

I've just bought one to have a bit of a tinker. The s/w I have is OKish, probably the only gripe I have is the Smith chart is a bit fuzzy. It's just a grey-on-white bitmap and the resolution's not that great.

Yours is looking pretty neat Joe 

[joeqsmith]

Nali,   I am curious now that you have yours working, when you look at the Smith chart, as you have it shown, do the cursor readouts work?  Do they go blank, flash?  Can you even use them?   

If they work correctly,  what OS are you using?  Version?  Service packs?  Video card?   

If that one feature worked, I wouldn't have gone down this path. 

[nali]

Yes they do work, they come up as a floating "hint box". They do flash, it looks like if the cursor moves just by a pixel then the whole box is redrawn. E.g. the screen shot snippet is from a 10MHz sweep centered on 433MHz, with a rubber duckie whip directly on port 0.

This is on W10 x64 build 1903 with AMD Radeon HD-7700 & I7-4770K CPU. If it helps, the exe file is timestamped 26/4/2019 (sorry 04/26/2019 to you!) 04:14 AM and 154624 BYTES

EDIT: I think this is the link to the software download as far as I remember (I normally download things like this in incognito to avoid cookies so it's not in my browser history)

http://myosuploads3.banggood.com/products/20190527/20190527043616NanoVNA.rar


HTH 

[joeqsmith]

I looked at the date but I think it's when it was download and unpacked.  There isn't a version in the About page as you would normally find in a released program. 

With mine, I can't get the box to stop flashing.  Sometimes the thing will just go blank.   It's impossible to read the values being displayed.   I plan to show it as part of my demo. 

[joeqsmith]

I downloaded the one from your link and unpacked it.  It has a different size than the one I tried to use.  Your's does appear to be older, but may actually work.  I'll give it a try and let you know.

Thanks for checking.

****

Upper left corner, v1.01 vs 1.03.   The new one has an about page, where yours doesn't.    I didn't spend much time looking at it.  As soon as I saw the cursors did not work, I set it aside and started working on my own.   

[0xdeadbeef]

I don't want to pretend to have more than a minimum knowledge about high frequency design but in some group about the EU1KY analyzer (aka Mini600/Mini1300), it was discussed that the resistive bridge of the nanoVNA would limit its ability to measure Z > 1000Ohm and result in unstable measurements around 50Ohm while the bridge with a Balun in the EU1KY would allow much better accuracy in the 0..2000Ohm range.
So while I appreciate the effort put into an optimized PC program, I wonder if this is really worth it if the measurements are not very precise anyway`

[joeqsmith]

I don't want to pretend to have more than a minimum knowledge about high frequency design but in some group about the EU1KY analyzer (aka Mini600/Mini1300), it was discussed that the resistive bridge of the nanoVNA would limit its ability to measure Z > 1000Ohm and result in unstable measurements around 50Ohm while the bridge with a Balun in the EU1KY would allow much better accuracy in the 0..2000Ohm range.
So while I appreciate the effort put into an optimized PC program, I wonder if this is really worth it if the measurements are not very precise anyway`

You don't need to be too concerned with how I spend my personal time.   That said, I am very sensitive to how much time I am willing to put into this project as I have no plan of actually using it.   As you can see, I have not been working on it for months.  It's only been a few days.   This is the main reason I use LabView.   

[Theboel]

Just curious can the graph show one by one.

What do you mean by showing one by one?  Are you asking about my software, or what's included with the VNA?

yes its about Your software.
can we choose to show one big graph like only the smith chart alone ?

I am still not sure what you are asking.   If you watched the above video, you can see how it cycles through the different retangular, Smith and polar plots.  If you want to know if I support displaying retangular and Smith chart on a single graph, then the answer is I do not.   I just don't have a need for it.    If you are asking if I can make the Smith chart take up the full screen with nothing else displayed,  currently the graphs size and location are fixed.   The three plots on the right will be moved to a separate page or I may remove them all together.   

Sorry if my Java-English made You confuse, The Nali screenshot is exactly what I mean
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/?action=dlattach;attach=800451)   
some times only display one graph a time can help if You using a small screen like in laptop but if You dont need or like, its no problem I can live with it.
btw the real designer of nanoVNA made some update in the github I know nothing about what its done maybe You can take a look
https://github.com/flyoob/NanoVNA-F

[joeqsmith]

Just curious can the graph show one by one.

What do you mean by showing one by one?  Are you asking about my software, or what's included with the VNA?

yes its about Your software.
can we choose to show one big graph like only the smith chart alone ?

I am still not sure what you are asking.   If you watched the above video, you can see how it cycles through the different retangular, Smith and polar plots.  If you want to know if I support displaying retangular and Smith chart on a single graph, then the answer is I do not.   I just don't have a need for it.    If you are asking if I can make the Smith chart take up the full screen with nothing else displayed,  currently the graphs size and location are fixed.   The three plots on the right will be moved to a separate page or I may remove them all together.   

Sorry if my Java-English made You confuse, The Nali screenshot is exactly what I mean
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/?action=dlattach;attach=800451)   
some times only display one graph a time can help if You using a small screen like in laptop but if You dont need or like, its no problem I can live with it.
btw the real designer of nanoVNA made some update in the github I know nothing about what its done maybe You can take a look
https://github.com/flyoob/NanoVNA-F

Oh, you were wondering if it would fit on a small screen or not.   I havn't been paying attention to the size of the graphics and if it would run on my 8" tablet or not.   My guess is it's close the way it is now.     

[joeqsmith]

I tried the older version of the software and have the same effect.  Without moving the cursor, the impedance will flash quickly making it next to impossible to use.   I will show both versions in the demo video. 

[joeqsmith]

I tried both versions of software on my Laptop.  Windows 7 64-bit i7 gen 1 vs 10 64-bit xeon e5-1650 on the desktop.   Both nvidia controllers.  Old laptop flickers badly but I can see the readout.  Beware of epilepsy seizures.     Like the desktop, it flickers if data collection is turned off and the mouse is stable. 

[malagas_on_fire]

Sorry to post but did you tried to change Windows version compatibility for another version eg windows xp?

[joeqsmith]

The NanoVNA.

[joeqsmith]

Measuring antenna resonance and SWR

[joeqsmith]

Requested plots show fundamental and harmonics at 1MHz and 350MHz CW.  Note above 300MHz, uses 3rd harmonic.

[radiolistener]

joeqsmith, there are at least 3 versions of nanoVNA with different pcb layout on aliexpress:
https://github.com/hugen79/nanovna_900

Which one you're using exactly?

[bitseeker]

Thanks for pointing that out. I noticed black vs. white, but didn't realize that there were two different black ones. The "bad" one doesn't appear to have any shielding in the listing photos.

[Bicurico]

Just to get this thread on my list...

Got me a NanoVNA, too. Have not really used it, yet, as I need to better understand what it actually does. So far I know it measures resistance and capacitance of A/C over frequency --> Impedance.

I am interested in writing my own software in VB .net, as I already did for the SMA/NWT Spectrum analyser developed by BG7TBL.

Is there any document to start with, explaining the serial communication protocol?

Questions to joeqsmith:

- What version of LabView are you using?
- Is the HOME version worth the purchase (discussed in a different thread on this forum - a HOME version for personal use at 49 US$)?
- Does it come with all required components/toolboxes?
- Are you allowed to distribute the compiled version done with HOME version for free? Or would that be against "personal use"?
- How big is the time saving in doing your software in LabView as opposed to .net (C# or VB)?[/li][/list]

Regards,
Vitor

[joeqsmith]

joeqsmith, there are at least 3 versions of nanoVNA with different pcb layout on aliexpress:
https://github.com/hugen79/nanovna_900

Which one you're using exactly?

Exactly the one that is sitting on my desk now.  I doubt there is another exactly like it.  Mine has my fingerprints on it which I am pretty sure make it even more unique.

For a more general idea, I did post 2 videos showing it, one with it apart.  Beyond providing this level of detail, I can't be of much help.

[joeqsmith]

Just to get this thread on my list...

Got me a NanoVNA, too. Have not really used it, yet, as I need to better understand what it actually does. So far I know it measures resistance and capacitance of A/C over frequency --> Impedance.

I am interested in writing my own software in VB .net, as I already did for the SMA/NWT Spectrum analyser developed by BG7TBL.

Is there any document to start with, explaining the serial communication protocol?

Not that I am aware of.  I did search and ask the group prior to starting.

Questions to joeqsmith:

- What version of LabView are you using?

For home, I have a Pro license for 2011, along with the 2014 Home license. 

- Is the HOME version worth the purchase (discussed in a different thread on this forum - a HOME version for personal use at 49 US$)?

You may as well ask me about houses, cars and handheld DMMs.  There is no way I would know if the Home is worth the purchase for you personally.  Obviously I felt it was worth it for me or I wouldn't have purchased it.

- Does it come with all required components/toolboxes?

You may have asked me if you car requires four doors or two.  Again, I don't know what your requirements would be.  But as I stated in the other thread you mention, you can run free one week trials on the tools to determine if they fit your needs or not.  And again, they will extend these times.   If your question is if I can run the code I developed for the Nano with the Home edition as supplied, then the answer yes.   

- Are you allowed to distribute the compiled version done with HOME version for free? Or would that be against "personal use"?

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/213095

You may share your work only for noncommercial, nonindustrial, and nonacademic purposes.

- How big is the time saving in doing your software in LabView as opposed to .net (C# or VB)?[/li][/list]

I had someone post about it being a pity that I did it in LabView rather than Python.   When I first looked at the supplied software, I knew it couldn't be used for the demo which is why I decided to roll my own.  I didn't waste a lot of time complaining about the problems but rather posted I was going to write my own in LabView, then proceeded to write it in LabView, then made a couple of videos showing the LabView code running it.  All in the course of about a week.    This included the time reversing the protocol.   

Obviously, I am not doing anything to hinder this poster from showing us some Python code or posting about how long they took to develop it.  You could certainly could show us another language and post your development time as well.  Beyond some experts like yourself actually doing something like this, I can't really offer you any data on a time saving metric.    I did however post how I exclusively use LabView for PC software development because of the time it has saved me.   

[joeqsmith]

I thought about adding Touchstone support and putting together some sort of demo using LTSPICE.   Some time ago there was a conversation about SPICE and I had asked about LTSPICE supporting a blackbox model.   It appears that this feature never was implemented.   

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/what-can-pspice-better-than-ltspice/msg928319/#msg928319

I had looked at another simulator that had hopes of supporting S-parameters but they went under.   It appears Orcad still owns PSPICE.  Maybe the student version would handle it.   I'll look into it. 

[hagster]

QucsStudio supports touchstone files and can plot smith charts etc. Very easy to use

[joeqsmith]

Nice find.  Thanks.    The current price of PSPICE is $6400USD and the student version wouldn't support it.   I'll have a look at this simulator.  If it looks like I can sort out some sort of demo, I'll go ahead and add Touchstone support.   

Thanks again.

[bitseeker]

joeqsmith, there are at least 3 versions of nanoVNA with different pcb layout on aliexpress:
https://github.com/hugen79/nanovna_900

Which one you're using exactly?

Exactly the one that is sitting on my desk now.  I doubt there is another exactly like it.  Mine has my fingerprints on it which I am pretty sure make it even more unique.

For a more general idea, I did post 2 videos showing it, one with it apart.  Beyond providing this level of detail, I can't be of much help.

Based on the current title image of this video, he has the good one:

[_Wim_]

The current price of PSPICE is $6400USD and the student version wouldn't support i.   I'll have a look at this simulator.  If it looks like I can sort out some sort of demo, I'll go ahead and add Touchstone support.   

Thanks again.

Another option is the Microcap software which recently has become free:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/microcap-12-is-free-(as-in-beer)-now/