PicoTech PicoVNA 106

Vector network analysis for the many

Once the domain of an elite few, microwave measurement has encroached into the lives of scientists, educators, surveyors, inspectors, engineers and technicians alike. Today’s microwave measurements need to be straightforward, portable, accurate, cost-effective and easy to learn. The PicoVNA 106 is an all new, UK-designed, professional USB-controlled, laboratory grade vector network instrument of unprecedented performance, portability and value for money. Despite its simple outline, small footprint and low cost, the instrument boasts a four-receiver architecture to minimize the uncorrectable errors, delays and unreliability of internal transfer switches. Despite its small size, the PicoVNA 106 delivers an exceptional dynamic range of 118 dB at 10 Hz and only 0.005 dB RMS trace noise at its maximum operating bandwidth of 140 kHz. It can also gather all four S-parameters at every frequency point in just 190 µs; in other words, a 500 point 2-port .s2p Touchstone file in less than a tenth of a second. Its low price means that the PicoVNA 106 would be cost-effective as a deep dynamic range scalar network analyzer or a single-port vector reflectometer. However, despite its size and price, the PicoVNA 106 really is a full-function dual-port, dual-path vector network analyzer. It’s affordable in the classroom, in small businesses and even in amateur workshops, yet capable of meeting the needs of all users up to the microwave laboratory technician and expert.

Picotech VNA 106 Professional and portable performance at low cost

• 300 kHz to 6 GHz operation
• High speed of > 5000 dual port S-parameters per second
• Quad RX four-receiver architecture for best accuracy
• 118 dB dynamic range at 10 Hz bandwidth
• 0.005 dB RMS trace noise at maximum bandwidth of 140 kHz
• Half-rack, small-footprint, lightweight package
• PC-controlled over USB from a Microsoft Windows interface
• Reference plane offsetting and de-embedding
• Time domain and port impedance transformations
• Tabular and graphic print and save formats, including Touchstone
• P1dB, AM to PM, and stand-alone signal generator utilities
• Fully accessible, guided 8 and 12-term calibration processes
• 6 calibration modes, including unknown thru and connected DUT isolation