Siglent SNA5000A two and four port VNA's

[grouchobyte]

Hello,

I can not find a SNA5084 do you mean a SNA5014A?

Best regards
egonotto

egonotto….

The SNA5084X in the same instrument as the SNA5104A less the bias-t ports. Early on these were released in China and later renamed. These are not re-badged and designed from the ground up by Siglent’s RF group.

Sighound36 is correct, this is a very capable instrument!

-grouchobyte

[Sighound36]

Apologies I have been tied up with some really in-depth projects recently so its taken up a lot of my time hence ny absence from this place.

The Siglent 5000 model VNA is surprisingly good and given the features and easy of use and accuracy compared to some of the more lower order big brands ranges really deserves a proper demonstration and evaluation in your lab.

While this is not really aimed at the hobbist, its has such a deep of possibilities and feature sets that it needs to be taken seriously. I am very fortunate to straddle that work / home lab stance. My lab is nicely equipped with a range of quality instruments for various aspects of electronic design and production. While I am not a true RF daylight specialist, I use TDR for high-speed serial data signal integrity testing and board layouts. Also cable characterisations along with connector robustness and insertion loss measurements. They are far more capable RF engineers on here than myself, consider me a capable amateur in this department.

While not a true TEA person, I do have twenty + quality pieces in my lab plus a large selection of quality probes, various LINS' dual DC and AC, power analysers, three phase, single and DC, 6.5/7.5 and 8.5 digit DMM, various scopes to 8Ghz and RTA spectrum analysers rf probes etc.

The Siglent VNA 5000 has been a real nice addition to my test bench, maybe I use it twice a week now and it hooks up nicely to the large screen I have in here which is a nice feature to have. I do remember the old HP days and those lovely 4/5" CRT displays and the extra work out's when moving said boat anchors around the lab!

What I would say is that I am quite discerning when it comes to choosing test equipment, I am lucky to be able to assign budgets to various projects where normally it would involve a planning meeting to get a planning meeting organised to present the case for budget allocation in-front of a panel of bean counters! However we select equipment that really does the job correctly based on what is involved , reliability, quality of the instruments and can the guys use it easily without requiring a Ph.d in GUI deciphering

Images of said VNA in action with some spectrum analyser rough plots to demonstrate its futire potential.

[hendorog]

I believe Sighound36 is smply modestly explaining their work.

There is nothing to be concluded from the images as they stand, but you could have been slightly polite and just asked what was being demonstrated.

[tv84]

You are either a profesxional or a hobbyist. I doubt you are either after reading your mildly incoherent ramblings.

If you are a hobbyist, you have a rather lavish budget that allows you to put the SNA on your personal bench.
If you are a professional,  then its not clear what you do and why you need a network analyzer like the SNA5000 just for TDR and SI work

The “rough images” you posted don't reveal a thing other than proof that you have an SNA.

Amateur indeed. Capable? Not convinced.

  What you should have extracted from Sighound36's "ramblings" is that a guy who owns several equipments of an order of magnitude greater than the 5000 VNA tells you that the VNA has a place in his bench. If that doesn't tell you something about the VNA, in his perspective, I don't know what will. Maybe pictograms?

[Sighound36]

Blimely, all I was trying to get across is that is a rather a good piece of test equipment. and that's all of the very basic images I have of the said VNA currently.

I will endevor to produce some more meaning images in the coming weeks of using the Siglent VNA with a new PDN we are working on plus some strip line comparisions and a more indepth look @ the Spectrum analyser as well. Plus more basic insertion loss of a/c filter models (with correct baluns) so it will demonstrate a greater range of its capabilities.

Genuinelly like what I am using and its nice change to use an intuitive GUI on a VNA thats not £50K+

[grouchobyte]

Blimely, all I was trying to get across is that is a rather a good piece of test equipment. and that's all of the very basic images I have of the said VNA currently.

I will endevor to produce some more meaning images in the coming weeks of using the Siglent VNA with a new PDN we are working on plus some strip line comparisions and a more indepth look @ the Spectrum analyser as well. Plus more basic insertion loss of a/c filter models (with correct baluns) so it will demonstrate a greater range of its capabilities.

Genuinelly like what I am using and its nice change to use an intuitive GUI on a VNA thats not £50K+

Sighound36:

PM sent.

@Grouchobyte

[Sighound36]

Blimely, all I was trying to get across is that is a rather a good piece of test equipment. and that's all of the very basic images I have of the said VNA currently.

I will endevor to produce some more meaning images in the coming weeks of using the Siglent VNA with a new PDN we are working on plus some strip line comparisions and a more indepth look @ the Spectrum analyser as well. Plus more basic insertion loss of a/c filter models (with correct baluns) so it will demonstrate a greater range of its capabilities.

Genuinelly like what I am using and its nice change to use an intuitive GUI on a VNA thats not £50K+

Sighound36:

PM sent.

@Grouchobyte

PM sent

[tautech]

Then it finally arrives but how could/would you believe the SN# ? ?   

[tautech]

Latest firmware for SNA5000A models.

Version V1.0.0.2.10
64 MB
https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Vector%20Network%20Analyzer/SNA5000_V1.0.0.2.10_EN.zip

Release notes
1. Added spectrum analyzer option
2. Fixed input bug in network configuration window
3. Fixed mouse click input box crash bug
4. Increased the touch-sensitive area of the DHCP checkbox
5. Modified the policy when the DHCP request fails

[tautech]

It's getting hard to keep up with all the new variants coming......
2 more new 2 port only models of 100 kHz-13.5 or 26.5 GHz. 

26.5 GHz model will of course sport 3.5mm NMD (male) 50Ω connectors.

Chinese datasheet
https://www.siglent.com/u_file/download/22_03_23/SNA5000A_DataSheet_DS09050_C01B.pdf

[tautech]

New firmware for SNA5000A models

Version： V1.0.0.2.10.R5
66MB
https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Vector%20Network%20Analyzer/SNA5000_V1.0.0.2.10.R5_EN.zip

Release notes
1. Added independent configuration function of emission source in spectrum mode
2. Optimized the sweep process
3. Optimized TDR interface
4. Added command for transferring file data
5. Added marker->SA commands

[tv84]

So, these are the 4-port models, right?

SNA5004A - 4.5 GHz
SNA5014A - 8.5 GHz
SNA5024A - 13.5 GHz
SNA5034A - 26.5 GHz

[tautech]

So, these are the 4-port models, right?

SNA5004A - 4.5 GHz
SNA5014A - 8.5 GHz
SNA5024A - 13.5 GHz
SNA5034A - 26.5 GHz

Not quite and this is where it gets darn confusing but let's examine the current model lineup for a bit.

SNA5000A as we in the west know them at this time consists of just 4 models, 4.5 or 8.5 GHz and 2 or 4 port versions whereas the 2 newer higher BW models coming are only 2 port and 13.5 or 26.5 GHz.

Did I say it gets confusing, well this is why, China knows the 4 models we now have in the west as the SNA5000X series, not the SNA5000A series as we do and to further complicate matters they know the 2 new 2 port models yet to come to the west as SNA5000A. 

A quick wander around the Chinese HQ website reveals all this twisted model branding which then makes you wonder why.....trying to put tv84 off the scent can be the only reasonable explanation ! 

[tv84]

Not quite so. This is the contents of the NSP_trends_config_info.xml file inside a SNA5000:

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<nsp_trends_info_root>
<device>
<language>english</language>
<pid>0x1700</pid>
<vid>0xf4ec</vid>
<product_type_1>SNA5002A</product_type_1>
<product_type_2>SNA5004A</product_type_2>
<product_type_3>SNA5012A</product_type_3>
<product_type_4>SNA5014A</product_type_4>
<product_type_5>SNA5022A</product_type_5>
<product_type_6>SNA5024A</product_type_6>
<product_type_7>SNA5032A</product_type_7>
<product_type_8>SNA5034A</product_type_8>
<manufacturer>Siglent</manufacturer>
<Support_Touch_Flag>1</Support_Touch_Flag>
<Support_VXI11_Flag>1</Support_VXI11_Flag>
<file_prefix>CP_</file_prefix>
</device>
</nsp_trends_info_root>
Any clearer?

[tautech]

Not quite so. This is the contents of the NSP_trends_config_info.xml file inside a SNA5000:

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<nsp_trends_info_root>
<device>
<language>english</language>
<pid>0x1700</pid>
<vid>0xf4ec</vid>
<product_type_1>SNA5002A</product_type_1>
<product_type_2>SNA5004A</product_type_2>
<product_type_3>SNA5012A</product_type_3>
<product_type_4>SNA5014A</product_type_4>
<product_type_5>SNA5022A</product_type_5>
<product_type_6>SNA5024A</product_type_6>
<product_type_7>SNA5032A</product_type_7>
<product_type_8>SNA5034A</product_type_8>
<manufacturer>Siglent</manufacturer>
<Support_Touch_Flag>1</Support_Touch_Flag>
<Support_VXI11_Flag>1</Support_VXI11_Flag>
<file_prefix>CP_</file_prefix>
</device>
</nsp_trends_info_root>
Any clearer?

A little. 
SNA5024A, SNA5034A
2 more 4 port models to come. 

[tautech]

Do they offer an ecal for it?

Not yet in my pricelist however one may be coming or maybe other eCal will be supported if this image from a 8MB PPT presentation is anything to go by:

In the latest Siglent newsletter a reminder these do support Ecal units however only Keysight at this time:
https://siglentna.com/operating-tip/sna5000a-supported-ecal-units/

The SNA5000A currently supports the following ECal units (starting with firmware revision 1.0.0.2.9.R5)

Keysight
N4433A
85092C

[tv84]

Another one for the "semirandom but careful mistakes" collection... 

[tautech]

Part 1 of Shahriar's SNA5000A review:

[tomud]

Part 1 of Shahriar's SNA5000A review:

Cooll   

I have been waiting for it - we will see if it is time to start putting money into the piggy bank to buy the SNA5000 

[tautech]

Cooll   

I have been waiting for it - we will see if it is time to start putting money into the piggy bank to buy the SNA5000 

Unfortunately we might need to wait a few weeks for a later instalment until Siglent comes back to Shahriar with some firmware improvements he has asked for. As yet we don’t know what they are in detail but really looking forward to the next instalment. 

[tomud]

Cooll   

I have been waiting for it - we will see if it is time to start putting money into the piggy bank to buy the SNA5000 

Unfortunately we might need to wait a few weeks for a later instalment until Siglent comes back to Shahriar with some firmware improvements he has asked for. As yet we don’t know what they are in detail but really looking forward to the next instalment. 

I'm in no hurry  These are not small amounts, so it will probably take a while to save money for the purchase.

However, I have a question, TV84 showed that you can convert 5004A to 5014A, I wonder if such a possibility exists in the 5002A version 
And does such a modification have any disadvantages (e.g. lack of factory calibration to 8.5GHz, etc.).

Ehh why am I watching these movies. The 4.5 GHz version with two ports has an attractive price, but after watching the movie, the version with four ports is tempting  It will end so that I will eat bread with water to save for the purchase of equipment

[tautech]

However, I have a question, TV84 showed that you can convert 5004A to 5014A, I wonder if such a possibility exists in the 5002A version 

Only to SNA5012A I imagine.
Early in the video from Shahriar he shows 2 RF sections stacked for the 4 port device so the 2 port models will only have 1 RF section.
See pic below:

And does such a modification have any disadvantages (e.g. lack of factory calibration to 8.5GHz, etc.).

Yes of course as the factory calibration sheet will not match the model # or the Sys Info.
But it would seem from the teardown the RF modules are all 8.5GHz however this is just a suspicion, maybe they grade them IDK.

[Sighound36]

Its a very good explanational video on the SNA5000A, I have been using my one more and more recently and only just relaised they is a FW update (Thanks TT) and I suspect more on the way after P2 of the video.

For the money this really does tick a serious amount of boxes and its nice ot use as well. Sorry we have been seriousy busy of late.

[tautech]

Its a very good explanational video on the SNA5000A, I have been using my one more and more recently and only just realized they is a FW update and I suspect more on the way after P2 of the video.

For the money this really does tick a serious amount of boxes and its nice to use as well. Sorry we have been seriously busy of late.

Instead I believe something was discovered and until new FW or a beta is available Pt 2 will wait.
Shahriar mentions he's working with Siglent engineers ~45.30 and wants to give them a chance to make some improvements.
However you are most probably correct Shahriar will get the beta before there is any public release.

[TheSteve]

Maybe I need to re-watch the video but did we see Shahriar use his Keysight N4691B ECAL with the power on the Siglent turned up to 10 dBm? That is the absolute max power allowed for that model of ECAL, but anytime I use one with a Keysight VNA it will not allow power that high as ECAL performance is reduced.