Other topics about General Principles of Operation
A network analyzer supplies sweep signal to a DUT, measures its transmission and reflection, and displays the results as ratios against the input signal from the signal source. The E5063A network analyzer consists of the circuit modules shown in the following figure.
System Diagram for the E5063A Network Analyzer
The synthesized source generates a sweep signal in the specified frequency range.
The signal source is phase-locked to a highly reliable quartz crystal oscillator to maintain a high level of accuracy in its frequency as well as to achieve precise phase measurements.
The signal from the source is switched by the multiplexer in order to distribute it to either Port 1 or 2.
The signal separator consists of bridges that detects input and output signals at the test ports. On the test port which the signal is output, the output signal and the reflection from the DUT are detected as the reference signal (R) and the test signal (T), respectively.
The E5063A has two receivers. One is for the reference signal (R) and another is for the test signal (T). The signal from either Port 1 or 2 is switched by the multiplexer.
Each signal that is sent to the receiver is first converted into an IF signal by a mixer and then converted into a digital signal by an ADC (analog to digital converter). The digital data is then analyzed by a micro processor and measurement results will be displayed on the screen.