Network Analyzer

It is an instrument that is used to measure an electrical network’s network parameters. Currently,

these instruments are normally used to measure S-parameters because transmission & reflection
of electrical networks are very simple to calculate at high frequencies, although there are other
types of network parameter sets like Y, Z & H-parameters. These analyzers are frequently used to
differentiate two-port networks like filters & amplifiers and filters.

A network analyzer provides information regarding what is happening on a network by letting

you observe the actual data that supplies packet by packet over it. Generally, a network analyzer
has the capacity to understand different protocols, which allows it to show conversations
occurring between hosts over a network.

The basic working principle of a network analyzer is to measure the phase & amplitude of both
the waves like reflected & incident at the different ports of the Device Under Test (DUT). This
analyzer includes both a source & set of receivers. A source is used to produce a known stimulus
signal whereas receivers are used to decide changes in stimulus signal which is caused by the
DUT.

A network analyzer characterizes & measures the device or network response. So that the
operator can monitor how the network or device functions in an RF circuit. Generally, these
devices are used for different parts measurements like filters, mixers, frequency sensitive
networks, transistors & other RF-based devices.

It is used in transmission & reflection measurements. Transmission measurements comprise gain,

insertion loss, transmission coefficient whereas reflection measurements comprise return loss,
reflection coefficient, impedance, etc. The operating frequencies of these analyzers range from 1
Hz – 1.5 THz. These analyzers can also be used for the analysis of stability for the measurement
of ultrasonic, audio components, and open loops.

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 Measurements:

Network analyzer measurements are three types transmission, reflection, and scattering
parameter.

 Transmission measurements are used to measure insertion loss, gain, and transmission
coefficient.
 Reflection measurements are used to measure VSWR, reflection coefficient, impedance
& return loss.
 Scattering parameter measurements are used to measure s-parameters like S11, S12, S21
& S22.

Network Analyzer Block Diagram

The block diagram of this analyzer is shown below. This block diagram mainly includes four
essential components like signal source, signal separation, receiver or detector, and processor or
display.

Network Analyzer Block Diagram

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 Signal Source

 The main function of the signal source in the network analyzer is to provide the incident
signal which excites the device under test which is also known as DUT. This test device
simply responds by reflecting elements of the incident signal & transmitting the leftover
part. The response of the DUT can be simply determined through frequency sweeping of
the frequency response of the source. The sources are available in two types sweep
oscillator & synthesized signal generator.

Signal Separation

 A signal separation that is used to divide different signals like incident, reflected &
transmitted. When these three signals are divided then their phase & amplitude
measurement can be simply carried out & their variations can be identified. So this can be
done by using power splitters, high impedance probes or bridges, and directional
couplers.

Receiver/Detector

 The receiver or detector in this block diagram is used to change RF voltage to lower
intermediate frequency or direct current signal to permit more precise measurement.
There are three major receiver methods are used to achieve this diode, fundamental
mixing & harmonic mixing.

Processor/Display

 The display is the final part of this analyzer that generates the results as preferred by the
operator. The signal processor or display processes the intermediate frequency signal &
displays the information on the cathode ray tube screen.

Working

 The above network analyzer block diagram working is, fist the signal source generates an
incident signal to DUT. After that, the signal separation device divides incident, reflected
& transmitted signals. The receiver or detector changes the frequency from microwave to
lower IF to make it simple for further processing. Finally, the processor or display
processes the IF signal & displays the data on the CRT display.

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 Types of Network Analyzer

 Scalar Network Analyzer- The term SNA stands for scalar network analyzer is an RF
type network analyzer, used to measure simply the amplitude properties of a DUT. Not
like a VNA, SNA does not measure both phase & amplitude of the DUT. A scalar type
analyzer is mainly used to measure different parameters like return loss, VSWR which
simply need the signal’s magnitude measurement at a specific frequency.

 Vector Network Analyzer- VNAs are mainly used for testing the specifications of
components and also verifying design simulations to confirm the systems and their
components together work properly or not. The VNA is a more practical form of RF
network analyzer as compared to the SNA because it is capable to determine additional
parameters regarding the DUT (device under test).

 Large Scale Network Analyzer- It is extremely specialized for RF network analyzers

because it is capable of investigating the device characteristics in large-signal conditions.
This analyzer is also capable to look at the non-linearities & harmonics of a network in
different conditions like providing a complete operation analysis. The previous version of
the LSNA is called the MTA or Microwave Transition Analyzer.

S Parameters in Network Analyzer

The S parameters are also known as scattering parameters which describe the main relationships
between input and output ports within an electrical system. At maximum frequency, it becomes
particularly essential to explain a specified network in terms of waves instead of current or
voltage. So in scattering parameters, we utilize power waves. For a 2- port network, scattering-
parameters can be simply defined as;

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  S11 is the reflection coefficient of i/p port voltage.
 S12 is the gain of reverse voltage gain.
 S21 is the gain of forward voltage gain.
 S22 is the reflection coefficient of o/p port voltage.

Network Analyzer Vs Spectrum Analyzer

Network Analyzer Spectrum Analyzer

Network analyzers allow the users to monitor the The spectrum analyzer is used for measuring the
network parameters, particularly within an input signal’s magnitude against the frequency
electrical network. within an instrument.

Network analyzer includes source & receiver. Spectrum analyzer includes a receiver.

It measures known signals of circuits, It measures signal characteristics like sidebands,

components, devices, etc. carrier power level, phase noise, harmonics on
unknown signals.

It includes a minimum of two channels and more. It includes a single channel.

Network Analyzer Specifications

 Frequency ranges from 100 kHz to 20 GHz.

 Measured parameters are S11, S21, S2, and S22.
 The noise level is 133dB.
 The dynamic range is 1MHz to 20 GHz.
 The adjustment range of output power is -60 dBm to +10 dBm.
 Time taken for measurement for each point is <12us.
 Full CW frequency accuracy is + or – 2×10^-6.
 Setting resolution of frequency is 1Hz.

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 Advantages

 Scalar network analyzers are cheaper.

 As compared to VNA type, SNA performs sweep faster.
 In SNA, the hardware necessary for power detection & down conversion is fairly simple.
 VNA is used for phase as well as magnitude measurements not like SNA.

Disadvantages

 SNA type is not applicable for phase-related measurements.

 As compared to the SNA type, VNA performs sweep slower.
 VNAs are very complex because of the full heterodyne architecture utilized within the
receiver of it.
 VNAs are expensive as compared to SNAs.

Applications of Network Analyzers

 VNAs are used to check the specifications of components & also design simulations.
 RF Network type analyzers are simply used to measure circuits, devices, components,
etc.
 These are used in a range of industries to check different equipment, measure materials &
observe the integrity of the signal.
 VNAs are essential for the devices & components characterization used within
microwave & RF systems.
 These are used to measure the S parameters, insertion loss, reflection, transmission &
return loss.
 These are mainly used do research & development purposes.
 These instruments are used in linear networks to measures transfer & impedance
functions through sine-wave testing.
 These analyzers are used to measures the network parameters within electrical networks.

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