Tektronix TTR500 series User manual

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TTR500 Series
Vector Network Analyzer
ZZZ
Printable Help
*P077125400*
077-1254-00

TTR500 Series
Vector Network Analyzer
ZZZ
Printable Help
www.tek.com
077-1254-00

Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its
subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this
publication supersedes that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges
reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
VectorVu-PC is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc.
Supports software v1.0
March 2017
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14150 SW Karl Braun Drive
P. O . B o x 5 0 0
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tek.com to find contacts in your area.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction to TTR500 series VNAs............................................................................ 1
Product documentation
TTR500 series product documentation........................................................................... 3
Get started with the VNA
Understand the VNA............................................................................................... 5
The front panel...................................................................................................... 5
The rear panel....................................................................................................... 7
System requirements ............................................................................................... 7
Power source specifications ....................................................................................... 7
Install VectorVu-PC ................................................................................................ 8
Set up TekVISA................................................................................................ 8
VectorVu-PC vector analysis software ........................................................................... 9
Screen area ......................................................................................................... 10
Menu bar............................................................................................................ 10
Data entry bar ...................................................................................................... 12
Soft key panel...................................................................................................... 12
Instrument status bar .............................................................................................. 13
Channel status bar ................................................................................................. 15
Graph area.......................................................................................................... 16
Display update ................................................................................................ 17
Invert color .................................................................................................... 17
Set up the VNA
Set channels ........................................................................................................ 19
Channel operations ........................................................................................... 19
Set traces............................................................................................................ 20
Set graph display .................................................................................................. 20
Multiple channels ....... .................... .............. .................... .............. .................. 20
Multiple traces ...... .................. ........ .......................... ........ .......................... .... 21
Characteristic impedance (system Z0)........................................................................... 21
Set stimulus conditions ........................................................................................... 21
Stimulus operations......... .......................... .................... .................... ................ 21
Avoid spurious function...................................................................................... 23
Set measurement parameters ..................................................................................... 23
S-parameters................................................................................................... 23
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Table of Contents
Set S-parameters.............................................................................................. 24
Set absolute measurements .................................................................................. 24
Set the bias tee ..................................................................................................... 25
Select a data format ............................................................................................... 26
Rectangular format ........................................................................................... 26
Polar format ................................................................................................... 26
Smith chart format .. .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .... .. ... ... .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .. .... .. .... .. .. .... .. .... .. ... ... .. .... 27
Set the scale ........................................................................................................ 28
Auto scale...................................................................................................... 29
Manual scale .................................................................................................. 29
Set a reference line value .................................................................................... 30
Set window displays............................................................................................... 30
Calibration
What is calibration? ............................................................................................... 31
Drift errors..................................................................................................... 31
Random errors................................................................................................. 31
Systematic errors.............................................................................................. 31
Calibration workflow.............................................................................................. 32
The calibration plane ......................................................................................... 33
Definitions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34
Select a calibration kit............................................................................................. 34
Select a calibration method....................................................................................... 35
Calibrate the VNA................................................................................................. 37
Isolation calibration........................................................................................... 37
Response calibration (Short/Open) - Reflection Test.......................................................... 37
Response calibration (Thru) - Transmission Test .............................................................. 38
2-port 1-path SOLT (Enhanced Response) calibration ........................................................ 40
1-port SOL calibration (Reflection Test)........................................................................ 42
2-port 2-path SOLT (Full Two Port) calibration ............................................................... 43
Apply error correction ............................................................................................ 44
Enable error correction....................................................................................... 44
Distinction from factory error correction function........................................................ 45
Apply port extensions............................................................................................. 45
Loss calculation............................................................................................... 47
Partial overwrite ................................................................................................... 48
Additional calibration options
Manage calibration kits ........................................................................................... 49
Add/Modify a calibration kit..................................................................................... 49
Define a calibration standard ................................................................................ 49
Specify a subclass............................................................................................. 50
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Table of Contents
Additional calibration kit operations ................ ........ ........ ........ .................................... 51
Calibration trigger source......................................................................................... 51
Power calibration .................................................................................................. 51
Power calibration workflow ................................................................................. 52
Requirements.................................................................................................. 52
Procedure ...................................................................................................... 53
Receiver calibration ............................................................................................... 54
Procedure ...................................................................................................... 54
Unknown thru calibration......................................................................................... 55
Triggers and measurements
Set trigger for measurement...................................................................................... 57
Sweep order in each channel ................................................................................ 57
Set a trigger source ........................................................................................... 57
Set a trigger mode ............................................................................................ 58
Set the trigger scope.......................................................................................... 59
Additional trigger options ........ .............. ...................... .............. ...................... ........ 59
Point trigger ................................................................................................... 59
External trigger delay ........................................................................................ 59
Averaging........................................................................................................... 60
Averaging and triggers ....................................................................................... 60
Averaging with point trigger................................................................................. 60
Averaging trigger function................................................................................... 60
Sweep time calculation ........................................................................................... 61
Continuous sweep ............................................................................................ 61
Trigger sweep ................................................................................................. 62
Analyze data
Use markers on a trace............................................................................................ 63
Set up marker display ............................................................................................ 63
Marker display format ............................................................................................ 64
Select a display mode ............................................................................................. 65
Relative value display (Delta mode)............................................................................. 66
Couple/Decouple markers ........................................................................................ 66
Marker search operations ......................................................................................... 66
Set search range............................................................................................... 67
Maximum and minimum values ............................................................................ 67
Search tracking................................................................................................ 67
Target search ....................................................................................................... 68
Peak search......................................................................................................... 69
Bandwidth search.................................................................................................. 69
Notch search for bandwidth ...................................................................................... 71
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Table of Contents
Trace data math operations....................................................................................... 72
Normalize data................................................................................................ 73
Save and display data
Save VNA state ............................................................................................... 74
Save and recall trace/channel........................................................................... 74
Recall saved data.............................................................................................. 74
Limitations when recalling data........................................................................ 75
Save touchstone (SnP) files.................................................................................. 75
S1P files................................................................................................... 76
S2P files................................................................................................... 76
Optimize measurements
Expand dynamic range....................................................................................... 77
Narrow the IF bandwidth ............................................................................... 77
Enable sweep averaging................................................................................. 77
Improve phase measurement accuracy ..................................................................... 78
Electrical delay........................................................................................... 78
Phase offset............................................................................................... 79
Improve measurement throughput .......................................................................... 80
Switch off information update.......................................................................... 80
Disable factory error correction ........................................................................ 80
System options
System option group .............................................................................................. 81
Save/Recall......................................................................................................... 81
Preset................................................................................................................ 82
Language ........................................................................................................... 82
More options ....................................................................................................... 83
Connections ........................................................................................................ 83
Use Connection Manager.................................................................................... 84
Simulator ........................................................................................................... 85
Load SnP....................................................................................................... 85
Noise Floor .................................................................................................... 85
Log severity and OPC logger .................................................................................... 86
Default settings
Stimulus options ......... .............................. ........ ........ .............................. ........ ...... 87
Channel/Trace options ............................................................................................ 88
Response options .................................................................................................. 89
Markers/Analysis options......................................................................................... 91
System options..................................................................................................... 92
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Measurement Examples
Frequency response of a band pass filter........................................................................ 93
Calibrate the VNA............................................................................................ 93
Set up the band pass filter.................................................................................... 93
Record S-parameters ......................................................................................... 94
Bandwidth search............................................................................................. 95
Use touchstone (SnP) files for offline analysis ................................................................. 96
Save an S2P file............................................................................................... 97
Recall an S2P file ............................................................................................. 97
Product information
How the VNA operates ........................................................................................... 99
Directional coupler ......................................................................................... 100
Synthesized RF sources.................................................................................... 100
Receivers .................................................................................................... 100
Controls/Communication logic............................................................................ 100
Time base.................................................................................................... 100
USB .......................................................................................................... 101
Power supply................................................................................................ 101
Synchronization and trigger ............................................................................... 101
Bias tee....................................................................................................... 101
Device information.............................................................................................. 101
Software download.............................................................................................. 103
Environmental specifications................................................................................... 103
Log data........................................................................................................... 103
Recommended calibration kits................................................................................. 104
Measurement accessories....................................................................................... 105
Attenuators and bias tee.................................................................................... 105
Cables........................................................................................................ 105
Adapters and test cables.................................................................................... 106
Accessory cables............................................................................................ 107
Calibration kits.............................................................................................. 107
Standard Functions
Standard Functions .............................................................................................. 109
Maintain your VNA
Maintain your VNA............................................................................................. 111
Clean the VNA................................................................................................... 111
Return the VNA ................................................................................................. 111
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Troubleshoot your VNA
Troubleshoot the VNA.......................................................................................... 113
IEEE error messages ............................................................................................ 113
VNA error messages ............................................................................................ 115
Warnings and notifications ..................................................................................... 118
Index
vi TTR500 Series User Manual

Introduction Introduction to TTR500 series VNAs
Introduction to TTR500 series VNAs
The TTR500 series (503A/506A) Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is a portable, 2–port network
analyzer. The VNA operates over a frequency range of 100 kHz-3 GHz (TTR503A) and 100 kHz-6 GHz
(TTR506A). You use the VNA to measure the network parameters of electrical networks to characterize
high-frequency passive components and active devices (in their linear mode of operation). The VNA
separates signal sourcing and detection from processing measurements, which you perform using the
VectorVu-PC vector network analysis software. VectorVu-PC software is available in the TTR500 series
instrument. When you connect the VNA to a PC for the first time, VectorVu-PC installs on the computer.
You use an AC adapter to power the analyzer. The VNA connects to a Windows PC through a standard
USB 2.0 cable. You can also sync the VNA with other instruments using an external trigger.
See Also
Install VectorVu-PC
TTR500 Series User Manual 1

Introduction Introduction to TTR500 series VNAs
2TTR500 Series User Manual

Product documentation TTR500 series product documentation
TTR500 series product documentation
In addition to the compiled help file, these manuals are available in the TTR500 series product
documentation set:
Quick Start Guide containing installation, safety, and compliance instructions
Programmer’s reference
Specifications and performance verification
Security and declassification
You can download all of these manuals at www.tek.com/downloads.
TTR500 Series User Manual 3

Product documentation TTR500 series product documentation
4TTR500 Series User Manual

Get started with the VNA Understand the VNA
Understand the VNA
You use the VNA to make network parameter measurements. You analyze these measurements using
VectorVu-PC software on a Windows machine. VectorVu-PC is preloaded on the instrument. When you
first connect the VNA to a Windows PC, VectorVu-PC installs on the machine. Use VectorVu-PC to process
measurement data captured using the TTR500 series VNAs or view data obtained using other VNAs.
These topics describe the hardware and software interfaces of the TTR500 series VNA.
Topic Related information
Hardware The front panel
The rear panel
Requirements System requirements
Power source requirements
Software installation Install VectorVu-PC
Software VectorVu-PC vector analysis software
Screen area
Menu bar
Data entry bar
Soft key panel
Instrument status bar
Channel status bar
Grapharea
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The front panel
The front panel of the TTR503A and TTR506A VNAs has these components:
TTR500 Series User Manual 5

Get started with the VNA The front panel
No. Component Description
1 RF Port 1 N-type 50 Ωfemale test port for device-under-test (DUT)
connection. Use either RF port for stimulus source or
response receiver.
Maximum operational RF input level 10 dBm (100 kHz—6
GHz)
2LO A SMA 50 Ωfemale port 10 dBm, 0 VDC (reserved for
future use)
3 LED Indicator Indicates whether the VNA is powered and disconnected
(red) or connected (green).
4LO B SMA 50 Ωfemale port 10 dBm, 0 VDC (reserved for
future use)
5RF Port 2 N-type 50 Ωfemale test port for device-under-test (DUT)
connection. Use either RF port for stimulus source or
response receiver.
Maximum operational RF input level 10 dBm (100 kHz—6
GHz)
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6TTR500 Series User Manual

Get started with the VNA The rear panel
The rear panel
The rear panel of the TTR503A and TTR506A VNAs has these components:
No. Component Description
1Bias2 Provides bias input for RF port 2
2Aux Sync 50 Ωfemale BNC connector (reserved for future use)
3 Trigger In 50 Ωfemale BNC connector to connect an external device
to provide a trigger input
4USB 2.0 Connect USB 2.0 cable to Windows PC
54.75 V– 5.25 VDC DC input to power the instrument
6Ref In 50 Ωfemale BNC high impedance connector to provide
optional 10 MHz reference input
7Ref Out 50 Ωfemale BNC connector to provide 10 MHz reference
output
8Bias1 Provides bias input for RF port 1
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System requirements
Each TTR500 series VNA instrument connects to a Windows PC machine and requires 1 USB port.
The VectorVu-PC software operates on Windows 7/8/10 operating systems.
Power source specifications
Characteristic Description
AC input voltage 100 VAC – 240 VAC
47Hz–63Hz
DC power output 4.75 V – 5.25 V
VNA power consumption <16 W
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TTR500 Series User Manual 7

Get started with the VNA Install VectorVu-PC
Install VectorVu-PC
From the VNA
1. Connect the VNA to a power source using the AC adapter.
2. Use the USB 2.0 cable to connect the VNA to your Windows PC.
3. In Windows, navigate to the TTR500 drive and run setup.exe. The installation wizard opens.
4. Follow the steps in the installation wizard to install VectorVu-PC and Tektronix TTR500 family driver
files. Optionally, you can also install the TekVISA program to communicate with VectorVu-PC
through a programmatic interface.
NOTE. Ifyouneedtoperformpowercalibrationtomeasure active devices, install Tektronix Power
Meter Apps V4_5 to use the Tektronix PSM Series Power Meters. For other supported power meters and
power sensors, see Power calibration requirements.
From the web
You can download VectorVu-PC from the Tektronix website at www.tek.com/downloads.
Set up TekVISA
When you install VectorVu-PC, you can also choose to install the TekVISA application package. TekVISA
is the Tektronix implementation of VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture), an industry-standard
communication protocol.
When installed on a PC, TekVISA provides communication with instruments that are connected to the PC
using the OpenChoice Instrument Manager application. You can also communicate with the VNA through
a programmatic interface using the OpenChoice Talker Listener program in the TekVISA package.
NOTE. If you have a previous version of TekVISA already installed on your system, this may not be
compatible with the TTR500 series VNA. To ensure proper functionality, install TekVISA through the
VectorVu-PC installation wizard.
Programmatic operation
Once you have installed VectorVu-PC and TekVISA programs using the installation wizard,
1. Open the OpenChoice Instrument Manager application.
2. Click Identify. The Instrument Manager recognizes the TTR500 VNA. When you connect multiple
VNAs to your computer, Instrument Manager detects all connected instruments.
8TTR500 Series User Manual

Get started with the VNA VectorVu-PC vector analysis software
3. Open the OpenChoice Talker Listener application. The VNA should appear in the Instrument window.
4. Enter *IDN? in the Command text box and click Query. The application identifies the VNA in the
window below.
You can now send SCPI commands to communicate with the VNA. For more information on compatible
SCPI commands and their syntaxes, refer to the TTR500 Programmers Manual available at www.tek.com.
Remote connection
You can use OpenChoice Talker Listener to login remotely from another machine and issue SCPI
commands to the VNA. Use the Windows Remote Desktop option for this purpose.
VectorVu-PC vector analysis software
When you power the VNA and connect it to a Windows PC for the first time, the instrument prompts you
to install VectorVu-PC – the vector network analysis software that you use to process measurements.
Use VectorVu-PC to make network parameter measurements of passive components and active devices.
You ca n also use VectorVu-PC to view measurement data recorded in touchstone files (S1P, S2P formats)
using other VNAs as well as data generated from circuit simulation software.
TTR500 Series User Manual 9

Get started with the VNA Screen area
Screen area
The primary components of the VectorVu-PC interface are:
No. Component
1 Menu bar
2 Data entry bar
3Soft key panel
4 Instrument status bar
5Channel status bar
6Graph area
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Menu bar
The menu bar has several groups of options available as pull-down menus. Each of the option groups
has a corresponding set of soft keys in the soft key panel. You can access all of these menus using a
mouse or touch screen.
10 TTR500 Series User Manual