The PNA is equipped with two ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) inputs on the rear-panel Power I/O connector (Pins 7 and 8). These ADC inputs can be used as measurement receivers and display measurements on the VNA screen.
Analog Inputs (AI1 and AI2) can be used for measuring from -10V to +10V. These inputs can be considered auxiliary receivers and used in a similar way as S-Parameter receivers.
Analog Output Sense inputs (AOS1 and AOS2) can be used to measure the corresponding DAC outputs.
Analog Ground input (AIG) can be used to measure the instruments analog ground (PNA-X only).
Two DAC outputs are supplied on the Power I/O connector (Pins 3 and 4). These DAC outputs are controlled from the DC Source Control dialog.
Learn how to configure an external DC Source or DC Meter.
New Trace (ADC) dialog box help |
Note: Sweep speed slows dramatically when measuring more than two ADC receivers. On the New Trace dialog, click the Receivers tab. Activate - check any empty line to create a trace. Numerator - select from the following:
Denominator - NOT available (ONLY unratioed measurements) Source Port - The ADC receiver is measured when the specified source port is sweeping. Select None to always measure the ADC receiver. |
ADC receiver traces are labeled as shown in the following images:
The ADC1 input is being measured, with 2 as the source port.
The Y axis is U (unitless).
The default trace format is Real (linear).
Although most VNA functions work with ADC traces, the following may be especially useful.
Equation Editor can be used with the trace data. Although the VNA ADC is measuring voltage (-10V to +10V range in 14 bits), by using a trace formula, this voltage can represent other types of measurement parameters (such as current, temperature, or a scaled voltage). See PAE example.
Trace averaging and Trace Smoothing can be used to remove trace noise.
Dwell time can be used to allow for settling.
Calibration for ADC receivers is NOT supported.
Not supported in Noise Figure application