About NanoVNA V2
Table of contents
NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a low cost 4GHz T/R vector network analyzer developed by HCXQS in collaboration with OwOComm. The V2 hardware is a new from-scratch design and is not based on the earliest V1 design from edy555. Compared to earlier NanoVNA versions, V2 does not use harmonics for measurements and achieves higher dynamic range.
V2 Plus4, the latest version, reaches >90dB dynamic range and can measure duplexers (see comparisons below).
Where to buy
Only HCXQS and NanoRFE support the original developers.
As of January 2022 there are many clones being sold, many of which do not meet specifications and are highly noisy due to substituting parts without understanding the design. Some users have also reported software/firmware incompatibility. See official stores below and look for V2 Plus4 versions only to avoid getting a bad clone. See also FAQ | How to avoid a bad clone.
Official stores:
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
Measurement comparisons
Noise comparison
We tested a few clones of the S-A-A-2 design, some claiming higher specifications than the original. The earliest S-A-A-2 (before Plus4) was designed for 3GHz only and many have tried substituting parts to reduce cost or extending the frequency range using harmonics, but without understanding the bottlenecks of the design the result is high measurement noise, nonlinearity error, and temperature drift issues.
Here is the S11 trace noise compared to the original S-A-A-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. Here is the S21 noise floor:
Accuracy comparison
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
Sample measurements (V2 Plus4)
Important: 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.
User groups / Forums
Discussion forum
https://groups.io/g/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 cheap clones that use salvaged or reject parts which do not meet specifications.
Parameter |
Board version |
Specification |
Conditions |
Frequency range |
V2_2, V2 Plus |
50kHz - 3GHz |
- |
V2 Plus4 |
50kHz – 4.4GHz |
- |
|
Frequency resolution |
All |
10kHz |
- |
System dynamic range |
V2_2, V2 Plus |
70dB |
f < 1.5GHz |
60dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
V2 Plus4 |
90dB |
f < 1GHz |
|
80dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
70dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
S11 noise floor |
All |
-50dB |
f < 1.5GHz |
-40dB |
f < 3GHz |
||
Sweep points |
All |
1 – 1024 points (with NanoVNA-QT software; 10-201 on device display). Note: beware of clone unofficial firmware using calibration interpolation which compromises accuracy, especially when calibrating with test cables. |
- |
Sweep rate |
V2_2 |
100 points/s |
f >= 140MHz |
80 points/s |
f < 140MHz |
||
V2 Plus |
200 points/s |
f >= 140MHz |
|
100 points/s |
f < 140MHz |
||
V2 Plus4 |
400 points/s |
f >= 140MHz |
|
200 points/s |
f < 140MHz |
||
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_2 V2 Plus |
User defined |
- |
V2 Plus4 |
3200mAh |
- |
|
Operation ambient temperature |
All |
0℃ - 45℃ * |
* by design, not tested in production |
Ambient temperature during battery charging |
All |
10℃ - 45℃ |
- |
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
Accuracy comparison between NanoVNA V2 and HP-8753E by DD1US
Basic usage
NanoVNA V2 Video TutorialsVNA 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
- 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:
- Enter the CAL menu and connect a SMA male-male cable to port 1 of the VNA.
- Connect the OPEN standard to the cable end and select "OPEN". Wait for menu highlight.
- Connect the SHORT standard to the cable end and select "SHORT". Wait for menu highlight.
- Connect the LOAD standard to the cable end and select "LOAD". Wait for menu highlight.
- 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 S-A-A-2. 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.