Determine which parameters you need to measure and the strength of test signal appropriate for your device.  You will probably want to rent or lease a VNA, but may find you only need a SNA.  Your reasons for needing to test your network will determine which model is appropriate for your project, so decide what you need to know about your network before renting a network analyzer.

There are two common types of network analyzers.  The most widely used is the vector network analyzer (VNA), which measures both amplitude and phase.  Scalar network analyzers (SNA) only measure the amplitude.  Specialty network analyzers are available to measure other aspects of the electromagnetic wave.  Large signal network analyzers measure the amplitude and phase of the fundamental and harmonics.
All network analyzers will have a signal generator, test set, receiver, processor, and display.  The signal generator emits the test signal.  The test set routes the test signal to the device under test.  Then the receiver makes measurements and sends them to the processor, which changes them to numerical values for display.  Your KWIPPED network supplier will help you work with the display on your rented model.

A signal generator provides a test signal, which is routed through the network.  A receiver makes measurements; these are then displayed on a screen for interpretation by the operator or sent to a computer for analysis by application software.  Network analyzers are used mostly to measure high frequencies and give measurements of the amplitude and phase.  The measurements at each point in the network are compared to the test signal or measurements from other components in the network. 

Network analyzers are used to measure the parameters of electrical networks.  This measurement helps problem-solve to resolve issues of poor or non-functioning devices, security threats, and also to test products before production and marketing.  Network analyzers measure the parameters, usually s-parameters, but they can also measure other parameters, of an electrical network.  Network parameters describe the electromagnetic wave travelling through the network in order to determine how it changes at various points.  The reflection, absorption, loss or gain measurements are used to diagnose problems with the network.

• Communications
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering

• Agilent
• Auritsu
• Keysight
• Rohde & Schwarz