The Rohde & Schwarz vector network analyzer portfolio. Precise, fast, versatile.

A vector network analyzer (VNA) includes both source signals and receivers. The receivers detect changes to the output signal from a device (or network), compared to the source signals input to the device. By comparing the ways in which current and voltage are effected by the device, a VNA can measure both the amplitude and phase responses caused by the device. The results are transmission measurements (transmission coefficient, insertion loss, gain), reflection measurements (reflection coefficient, VSWR, return loss), impedance and the S parameters (scattering parameters) S11, S12, S21, S22.

The VNA is one of the most essential tools for RF and microwave measurements and analyzes various passive and active components like filters, antennas or power amplifiers, as it can derive transmission measurements (transmission coefficient, insertion loss, gain), reflection measurements (reflection coefficient, VSWR, return loss), impedance and the S parameters (scattering parameters) S11, S12, S21, S22. These are all measurements not possible with spectrum or signal analyzers, so VNA’s are used both during the design process and for quality control in the production process.

The right instrument depends on the expected use cases, and Rohde & Schwarz offers a wide portfolio of network analyzers for varying uses. Typical selection criteria are the frequency range, the number of required ports from 2 up to 24 (multiports) or even 48 in a switch matrix, the output power and the instrument class from economy to handheld and up to high-end.

A VNA and a spectrum analyzer both use RF receivers to analyze RF signals output by the device under test. But a VNA in addition generates calibrated RF stimulus signals used as input to the device and analyzes the response of the DUT to this stimulation. Different electrical properties can be measured by a VNA compared to a spectrum analyzer.

A scalar network analyzer only measures amplitude properties while a VNA in addition analyzes phase properties. A scalar network analyzer is simpler than a VNA; basically a tracking generator and spectrum analyzer resulting in a frequency sweep measuring magnitude (amplitude).

Additionally, a VNA provides higher flexibility and improved accuracy as more sophisticated calibration routines can be used.

A vector network analyzer (VNA) is used to make measurements on complete devices that are not possible with other RF measuring equipment. A VNA makes transmission measurements (transmission coefficient, insertion loss, gain), reflection measurements (reflection coefficient, VSWR, return loss), impedance measurements and the S parameters (scattering parameters) S11, S12, S21, S22 resulting from the influence of a device on a signal. It provides calibrated stimulus signals to the RF network or device under test and measures with receivers the response as a vector over frequency with phase and amplitude information.