Siglent SVA1015X Network Analyzer Option Review

[graybeard]

I have had the new Siglent SVA1015X for a month and in this review I characterize the strength and weaknesses of the network analyzer option.   

I show examples of measuring filters, amplifiers, and components.

I go over the lack of movable reference planes, the poor file system and user interface and make suggestions with examples of how these weaknesses can be improved.

I hope Siglent sees this video and takes some of my suggestions.

Click here to get a copy of my presentation

Thanks,
Chris

[tautech]

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions for improvements which have been linked to interested parties.

A few things:
Not once have you mentioned the current firmware version in your SVA.
Current Version: V2.1.1.1.13

The SVA in VNA mode limited to 10 MHz as the minimum sweep frequency by its internal HW.
Some discussion has been had about 10 MHz as the multilayer coupler mentioned in reply #104 of this thread below is the limiting factor for low frequency use.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/
Some of your other points have also been discussed in this thread^

Dave's teardown:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1101-siglent-sva1015x-vna-teardown/

[graybeard]

I am updated to the latest firmware.  The firmware it was delivered with had no capability of saving the data from the VNA.

I would not expect it to work below 10MHz because of the difficulty in sensing the reflected energy over such a wide bandwidth.  10 MHz to 1.5 GHz is more than 2 decades of coverage, that is very impressive for this price.   I did not assume anywhere it would ever work below that frequency, I just had on a wish list that the span from start to stop could be less than 5 MHz for use in aligning IFs.

[tautech]

The firmware it was delivered with had no capability of saving the data from the VNA.

Understood and good suggestions you have for that. 

I would not expect it to work below 10MHz because of the difficulty in sensing the reflected energy over such a wide bandwidth.  10 MHz to 1.5 GHz is more than 2 decades of coverage, that is very impressive for this price.   I did not assume anywhere it would ever work below that frequency, I just had on a wish list that the span from start to stop could be less than 5 MHz for use in aligning IFs.

Yes it's certainly a limitation in this model and as it's at hobbyist pricing the low frequency HAM enthusiast is a market it misses. 

Let's hope Siglent recognizes this and goes to a bit lower frequency with the SVA3000X's when they are released.

[graybeard]

From your response it seems obvious I spent too much time on the introduction before diving into the key issues.   A lesson I will heed when I make my next video.

I went through the linked thread and it does not address the key issues I bring up in this video. 

1) The biggest problem is the S11 calibration and lack of a moveable reference plane renders the Smith Chart useless above about 100 MHz.  I detail the issues a show how they should be fixed.

2) The second biggest problem is the file system and it's user interface truly suck.  Again I detail the issues a show how they should be fixed.

Here are links to the key portions of the video:


Here I give an introduction the issues with the VNA and specifically address the problems with calibration and the horrible file system: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=273


Beginning here I show the problems with the reference plane for S11 measurements that essentially make the Smith Chart unusable above 100 MHz: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=911


Here I specifically detal what Siglent needs to fix with the reference plane and calibration to make this a useful instrument: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=1459


Here I show what is wrong with the cumbersome file system and user interface: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=1591


Here I suggest how Siglent could add a user comment and change the default file names to greatly improve usability: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=1896


Here I suggest a format for the CSV data files that would be far more useful than the crap is saves now: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=2009


Lastly I prioritize what I believe Siglent needs to do to turn this into a truly useful tool and follow it with some nice to have things I would like to see once the fundamental flaws are fixed: https://youtu.be/V7VJZlLkpwA?t=2277

[tautech]

From your response it seems obvious I spent too much time on the introduction before diving into the key issues.   

Not at all.

It's great someone as competent as yourself can demonstrate what the SVA can do and what a skilled user would like it to do and what's missing.
Like you I think these have great possibilities as a powerful and cost effective tool.
I've only scratched the surface of what mine can do. 

Some that were involved in SVA development are now aware of your feedback and are analyzing it.
Thanks also for compiling the PDF as this a great format for the engineers to primarily work with and then video to demonstrate specific issues that are difficult to document.
There's every chance you maybe contacted directly to work closer with Siglent.

[graybeard]

Here is an example of using the movable reference plane to measure components with Agilent E5062A 300 KHz to 3GHz network analyzer.  I have some minor issues with the use of his fixture, but his example of using the movable reference plane for the measurement is what is missing form the SVA1015X