About NanoVNA V2

NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a vector network analyzer (VNA) capable of measuring antennas, filters, duplexers, and amplifiers.

• 4GHz operation without using harmonics - new from-scratch design by HCXQS/NanoRFE
• Low temperature drift (V2 Plus4) - automatic internal calibration corrects for drift errors
• High dynamic range: 90dB (V2 Plus4), achieves similar results as professional instruments; can measure duplexers.
• S parameters export; custom calibration kit parameters & advanced calibration methods (NanoVNA-QT software)
• TDR (time domain reflectometry) allows measuring cable length and discontinuities
• 4 inch touch screen - can be used standalone or with PC (through USB using NanoVNA-QT software)
• Beware of clones using harmonics to exaggerate the frequency range, which gives wrong measurements above 1GHz because the strong <300MHz fundamental signal at the receiver creates false signals at the harmonic frequency, giving an impression of the calibration holding but returning unphysical results. These clones usually come in a plastic enclosure to save cost.

Where to buy

Official stores

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As of May 2022 there are many clones of an outdated hardware version sold under various names, many of which do not meet specifications and are highly noisy due to using incorrect or lower quality parts.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 clones are based on earlier designs intended for either 1GHz or 3GHz, and some clones have tried to extend the frequency range using harmonics without understanding the design, while substituting lower quality 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.

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.

(source)

The following stores have sold at least one bad clone.

• Banggood
• Eleshop
• R&L electronics - still selling clones despite being asked not to by the original developers

Note: 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

User groups / Forums

Discussion forum
https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nanovnav2/

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
Frequency range	V2_2, V2 Plus	50kHz - 3GHz	-
	V2 Plus4, V2 Plus4 Pro	50kHz – 4.4GHz	-
Frequency resolution	All	0.01MHz	-
System dynamic range (calibrated)	V2_2, V2 Plus	70dB	1GHz
		60dB	3GHz
	V2 Plus4	90dB	1GHz BW=6.2kHz, AVG=20
		80dB	3GHz BW=6.2kHz, AVG=5
	V2 Plus4 Pro	90dB	1GHz BW=1.6kHz, AVG=5
		80dB	3GHz BW=1.6kHz, NO AVG
S11 noise floor (calibrated)	All	-50dB	f < 1.5GHz
		-40dB	f < 3GHz
Sweep points	V2 Plus4	1 – 1024 points (with NanoVNA-QT software). More points (up to 65535) are possible depending on the performance of your PC. Note: beware of clones that interpolate calibration to extend the number of sweep points on-device beyond 201 points, compromising accuracy, especially when using test cables.	-
Sweep time	V2 Plus4	0.25s	Default sweep settings
	V2 Plus4 Pro	0.16s	Default sweep settings BW=10kHz
Power supply	All	USB, 4.6V – 5.5V	-
Supply current	All	500mA typ	No charging
Battery current, charging	All	1.2A typ	-
Battery capacity	V2 Plus4, V2 Plus4 Pro	3200mAh	-
Operation ambient temperature	All	0℃ - 45℃ *	* by design, not tested in production
Ambient temperature during battery charging	All	10℃ - 45℃	-

Note: V2 Plus4 Pro now allows measuring crystals by an adjustable bandwidth setting. All other hardware versions can not measure crystals because of the rapid switching of the test signal.

Basic usage

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

Menu maps

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

See Software downloads.

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.