Repurposing Pluto SDR for Network Analyzer Functionality
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Heads up! You're about to learn how to DIY a network analyzer using an ADALM-Pluto SDR and some nifty components, inspired by projects from [FromConceptToCircuit] and MAKA.
Components required:
- ADALM-Pluto SDR: Your radio-buddie, able to send and receive signals.
- RF Bridge: This guy redirects reflected signals to the SDR's input for better measurements (S11).
- Passive Components: These could be resistors, capacitors, or other knickknacks to set up your network analyzer.
- Python Software: This is vital for data processing and computing S21 and S11 measurements.
Building & Setting Up:
- Connect the RF Bridge: Pop the RF bridge between the device under test and the SDR output, one port goes to the SDR output for reflected signals (S11), and the other to the input of the device under test for insertion gain/loss (S21).
- Calibration Time!: Calibrate your system by setting it up with both an open circuit (as a placeholder for the tested device) and a load. This ensures accurate measurements by taking into account the RF bridge's directivity and other system inaccuracies.
- Software Setup: Utilize Python to manage the SDR, generate tones, and calculate S11 and S21 based on monitored signals. Check out open-source codes from projects like MAKA's for inspiration on getting started.
- Operation: Measure S21 by feeding the device under test with tones, compare input and output amplitudes to ascertain insertion gain/loss across different frequencies. For S11, employ the RF bridge to gauge reflected signals, providing an indication of the device's impedance.
Example Python Code
Use the following Python structure as a base. This example assumes you have a library like for SDR control and for signal processing:
```pythonimport numpy as npimport pypluto
def init_pluto(ip='192.168.2.1'): sdr = pypluto.PlutoSDR(ip) return sdr
def determine_s21(sdr, frequencies): for freq in frequencies: # Configure SDR to transmit the tone sdr.set_frequency(freq) sdr.set_power(0) # Adjust power as needed
... ...
// Mainif name == "main": sdr = init_pluto() freqs = np.linspace(100e6, 3000e6, 1000) # Example frequencies
```
Remember, this is a basic structure, adjust it to fit your particular setting and make use of open-source project codes for complete guidance.
Use & Precautions:
- Be aware of the measurement limitations associated with the RF bridge's directivity and other system components, which may impact accuracy at particular frequencies.
- Leverage open-source projects like MAKA's for complete code and intricate setup instructions.
Happy tinkering, handy-dandy network analyzer builder!
Incorporating data-and-cloud-computing technology, you could develop a software application for this DIY network analyzer to store and process the gathered S11 and S21 data for further analysis.
This application could be designed to upload the measurements to the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration, data visualization, and comparative analysis with other users who have built similar network analyzers.
