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About NanoVNA V2
Table of contents
* Where to buy
* Beware of underperforming clones
* Comparisons with professional VNAs
* User groups / Forums
* Specifications
* Basic usage
* Documentation
* Firmware downloads
* Software
* Schematics and PCB layout
NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a 4GHz vector network analyzer (VNA) capable
of measuring antennas, filters, duplexers, and amplifiers.
* New from-scratch design by HCXQS/NanoRFE
* Compared to other NanoVNA versions, V2 Plus4 and V2 Plus4 Pro do
not use harmonics for measurements, improving performance
significantly.
* High dynamic range: 90dB (V2 Plus4), achieves similar results as
professional instruments; can measure duplexers.
* Can be used standalone or with PC
* NanoVNA-QT software - supports advanced calibration methods and
custom calibration kit parameters; allows S parameter export
* TDR (time domain reflectometry) allows measuring cable length and
discontinuities
Where to buy
Official stores
NanoVNA V2
Safe places to buy an original NanoVNA V2:
* Official store on Tindie (worldwide)
* Official store on Taobao (mainland China)
Beware of underperforming clones
As of February 2022 there are many clones sold under various names,
many of which do not meet specifications and are highly noisy due to
using incorrect or lower quality parts. Some users have also reported
software/firmware incompatibility. See official stores above and look
for NanoVNA V2 Plus4 versions only to avoid getting a bad clone. See
also FAQ | How to avoid a bad clone.
We tested a few clones of the NanoVNA V2 design, some claiming higher
specifications than the original. The earliest V2.2 version (before
Plus4) that all clones are based on was designed for 3GHz only, and
some clones try to extend the frequency range using harmonics without
understanding the design, while substituting lower quality or
counterfeit parts to reduce cost. What we saw was worsened noise,
nonlinearity error, and temperature drift issues.
Here is the S11 trace noise compared to the original S-A-A-2 (NanoVNA
V2.2) and Plus/Plus4 versions. The performance starts to degrade
before 2GHz, and would not have passed our standard QC procedures for
the earliest 3GHz V2.2 version.
LiteVNA (NanoVNA V2 clone) noise
Note: the above plots are uncalibrated to show the amount of noise of
the raw data from the hardware.
Other users have done their own comparisons with similar results.
Here is the S21 noise floor:
LiteVNA (V2 clone) S21 noise (source)
Beware of clones that advertise a higher sweep speed than 100 points/
s. These default to averaging and smoothing to hide the noisy
performance yet still advertise sweep speed without averaging, but as
seen above the noise is worse than our earliest V2.2 even with
averaging enabled. To get acceptable S11 measurements, the averaging
has to be so high that the sweep speed is slower than even V2.2.
The following stores have sold at least one bad clone.
* Banggood
* R&L electronics - still selling clones despite being asked not to
by the original developers
Important: Hugen/Zeenko is selling S-A-A-2 based designs without
permission and in violation of our non-commercial license, with
exaggerated specifications. The original V2_2 design was open sourced
to help hobbyists learn, but Zeenko's actions force us to close
source later designs. Please reconsider supporting this vendor.
Comparisons with professional VNAs
Users have compared our V2 Plus4 with professional instruments.
Here is one blog post comparing it with a Keysight FieldFox:
https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/07/
1-to-4-ghz-nanovna-2-plus4-vs-keysight.html
Comparison with HP-8753E:
https://www.dd1us.de/Downloads/Brief comparison of NanoVNA V2 with a
professional VNA HP-8753E.pdf
Example measurements
LiteVNA vs V2 Plus4 dynamic range
LiteVNA vs V2 Plus4 measurement
User groups / Forums
Discussion forum
https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2
This is the only official users group. Be careful and note the URL is
NanoVNAV2.
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nanovnav2/
Discord
https://discord.gg/mF8AZrY
Specifications
The specifications below apply only to devices manufactured by HCXQS
or NanoRFE.
Beware of clones using lower quality or salvaged parts.
Parameter Board version Specification Conditions
V2_2, V2 Plus 50kHz - 3GHz -
Frequency range
V2 Plus4, 50kHz - 4.4GHz -
V2 Plus4 Pro
Frequency resolution All 0.01MHz -
70dB 1.5GHz
V2_2, V2 Plus
60dB 3GHz
90dB 1GHz
BW=6.2kHz, AVG=20
System dynamic range V2 Plus4
(calibrated) 80dB 3GHz
BW=6.2kHz, AVG=5
90dB 1GHz
BW=1.6kHz, AVG=5
V2 Plus4 Pro
80dB 3GHz
BW=1.6kHz, NO AVG
S11 noise floor -50dB f < 1.5GHz
(calibrated) All
-40dB f < 3GHz
1 - 1024 points (with
NanoVNA-QT software; 10-201
on device display).
Sweep points All Note: beware of clones that -
use calibration interpolation
to extend the number of sweep
points, compromising
accuracy, especially when
calibrating with test cables.
400 points/s f >= 140MHz
V2 Plus4
Sweep rate 200 points/s f < 140MHz
V2 Plus4 Pro 600 points/s BW=10kHz
Power supply All USB, 4.6V - 5.5V -
Supply current All 400mA typ, 500mA max No charging
Battery current, charging All 1.2A typ -
Battery capacity V2 Plus4, 3200mAh -
V2 Plus4 Pro
Operation ambient All 0 - 45 * * by design, not tested
temperature in production
Ambient temperature during All 10 - 45 -
battery charging
Note: All V2 versions switch on and off the test signal rapidly and
can not measure crystals or be used as a signal generator. See FAQ. A
special firmware build for the V2 Plus4 that can measure crystals is
posted here: https://nanorfe.com/forum/
V2-Plus4-firmware-for-measuring-crystals.html
Basic usage
NanoVNA V2 Video Tutorials
VNA basics
A VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) measures the frequency dependent
reflected and transmitted power of a high frequency network (RF
Network).
The NanoVNA V2 measures the following:
* Reflection coefficient: S11
* Transmission coefficient: S21
The following items that can be calculated from these can be
displayed:
* Return loss
* Insertion loss
* Complex impedance
* Resistance
* Reactance
* SWR
Required components
To use the NanoVNA V2 for one port measurements (e.g. antenna
impedance), you will need the following:
* NanoVNA V2 main unit
* SMA cable, male-male
* Calibration standards: Short, Open, and Load
Performing measurements
The basic operation and menu structure of the NanoVNA V2 is very
similar to the original NanoVNA.
* Configure the measurement frequency range:
Select STIMULUS > START and STIMULUS > STOP.
* Calibrate:
1. Enter the CAL menu and connect a SMA male-male cable to port
1 of the VNA.
2. Connect the OPEN standard to the cable end and select "OPEN".
Wait for menu highlight.
3. Connect the SHORT standard to the cable end and select
"SHORT". Wait for menu highlight.
4. Connect the LOAD standard to the cable end and select "LOAD".
Wait for menu highlight.
5. Select "APPLY". Calibration should now be active and you can
start performing measurements.
Documentation
User manuals
User Manual for all V2 versions
V2 Plus4 User manual by NC4BR
Menu maps
Menu Map for all V2 versions
V2 Plus4 Menu Map by NC4BR
Firmware downloads
For firmware releases go to the Hardware versions page which lists
the latest stable firmware builds for each hardware variant.
There are also experimental firmware releases at downloads.
Firmware sources are at https://github.com/nanovna-v2/
NanoVNA2-firmware
Software
There are two PC programs compatible with the NanoVNA V2. NanoVNA-QT
is the native V2 software and allows adjustable sweep points and
firmware updating. NanoVNA-Saver was originally developed for the V1
NanoVNA but now also has support for V2.
Download
See Software downloads page.
NanoVNA-QT source code:
https://github.com/nanovna/NanoVNA-QT
Schematics and PCB layout
The schematics and PCB layout files of the V2.2 version are available
here:
https://github.com/nanovna-v2/NanoVNA2
The design is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA and commercial use without
specific permission is forbidden. You need to obtain specific written
permission every 3 months to sell hardware using this design.
V2.3 and V2.4 designs are confidential and proprietary, and reverse
engineering is forbidden.
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