S-Parameters in Magnitude and Phase Angle on the Nano VNA?

[fuseless]

Hi folks,

I'm thinking of getting a nano vna to measure the S-Parameters of RF transistors. One thing I noticed is that I've only seen the magnitude expressed in dB. I'm used to it expressed in absolute value of the magnitude.

How do I set the instrument to read the absolute value of magnitude? The manual for the SAA-2N V2.2 isn't clear on this.

And the manual says "Phase in the range of -180 ° to + 180 ° (90 degree default)", does this anything to do with the Smith chart?

Thanks...

 

[danadak]

The manual shows a choice of linear scale setting on a channel -

Regards, Dana.

 

[fuseless]

Hi Dana, thanks for your response,

Yes, I received my analyzer the other day and discovered that. I also found that by using 'Lin' in the 'Smith value' menu, you can get the absolute value of the magnitude and the phase angle.

The one thing I don't understand is why the magnitude is negative even though the load on the channel is greater than Zo? I'm assuming that Zo = 50 Ohms.

Thanks...