Basics Of A Vector Network Analyzer That Every Novice Engineering Student Should Know
Accurate de-embedding of an instrument is crucial to characterize the electrical performance of a component, whether it is a chip, PCB, connector, or cable. A Vector Network Analyzer is perhaps the best instrument to use for measuring because it measures the detailed electrical behaviour of a component at every frequency. There are two types of network analyzers available in the market- Scalar, and Vector. A Scalar network analyzer is an electronic instrument that measures only the magnitude of the input versus output voltage. The scalar network analyzer is used to measure things like shielding effectiveness, or general filter response. However, these things can be measured with a spectrum analyzer as well. On the other hand, a vector network analyzer measures both magnitude and phase of the same input/output voltage, capturing both the real and imaginary information. This is crucial in matching circuits because it includes the resistance and capacitive/inductive reactants. ...