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List of NanoVNA Console Commands
NOTE:
I created this list by reviewing the older Github source code. This is the first iteration and there WILL be mistakes - but it's a starting point for the documentation of the console commands. Please keep this thread on topic! I will edit this list as users inform me of changes. Cheers,Please feel free to change/add/correct/comment and use this list to further the usefulness of the NanoVNA. Larry NanoVNA Console Commands: ========================= help – prints most of the following commands (below) – some are not enabled but appear in the source code exit – exits and then restarts console mode and prints command prompt info – prints firmware info: Kernel: 4.0.0 Compiler: GCC 5.4.1 20160919 Architecture: ARMv6-M Core Variant: Cortex-M0 Port Info: Preemption through NMI Platform: STM32F072xB Entry Level Medium Density devices Board: NanoVNA Build time: May 5 2019 - 08:54:38 echo - Usage: echo "message" systime – outputs binary time from 1/1/1980: eg: 81225068 threads reset - Performing reset freq - frequency(Hz)} offset - frequency offset(Hz)} time – get the time in: timespec.year+1980, timespec.month, timespec.day, timespec.millisecond dac - usage: dac {value(0-4095)} saveconfig - saves current configuration - and prints "Config saved". not sure what in total it saves - need to go through source code. clearconfig - usage: clearconfig {protection key} where key is predefined as “1234” and wrong input gives: “Key unmatched” error. Correct key gives: “Config and all cal data cleared” data - usage: data [array] dump - (if enabled) outputs dump buffer gamma – Prints gamma[0]& gamma[1] frequencies – prints a long list of all the sweep points from start to stop port – Sets port of DSP tlv320aic3204 usage: port {0:TX 1:RX} stat – outputs processor status: average: -138 -137 rms: 3597 8 callback count: 9126700 awd: 27 gain – sets gain of DSP tlv320aic3204 usage: gain {lgain(0-95)} [rgain(0-95)] power - usage: power {0-3} sweep - usage: sweep {start(Hz)} [stop] [points] if no inputs: then prints current setup eg:300000000 500000000 101 otherwise, can force new sweep settings using the following commands: start stop center span cw set – sets sweep points start stop test – unknown how to use – appears to set freq span from 10MHz to 90MHz and involves one of the LEDs and touchscreen input touchcal – produces calibration touch points in the upper left and lower right corners outputs: "first touch upper left, then lower right...") "诲辞苍别” "touch cal params: A B C D (upper left and lower right x-y co-ords) touchtest – test touch accuracy – touch, hold and drag pointer pause – pause LCD display output resume – resume LCD display output cal - usage: cal [load|open|short|thru|isoln|done|reset|on|off|in] save - save {id} where ‘id’ is from 0 to 4 recall - recall {id} where ‘id’ is from 0 to 4 trace – prints status of either 2 or 4 traces depending on F/W version used: 0 SWR CH0 1.000000000 0.000000000 1 LOGMAG CH1 1.000000000 7.000000000 2 SMITH CH0 1.000000000 0.000000000 3 PHASE CH1 1.000000000 4.000000000 marker – Usage: marker [n] [off|{index}] edelay – electrical delay in picoseconds |
Messaging (over USB-C) between nanovna and PC client - documented (or could be)?
This is somewhat prompted by a recent question about PC application function/capabilities.
Is the (USB Communications) messaging between the nanovna unit and the host PC - 1. Documented? 2. Could be documented or reverse engineered (i.e., not encrypted or obfuscated)? If the messaging is or can be documented, that suggests some new capabilities such as headless/scripted operation in a linux host environment (something I could make use of.) Thanks, Dave |
Re: Messaging (over USB-C) between nanovna and PC client - documented (or could be)?
David,
Refer to my initial posting (a few posts back from this one) of the NanoVNA Console command listing as well as the Python sourcecode just mentioned. That should be more than enough info to figure out how to control and extract data from the device over the USB interface. Regards, Larry |
Re: Messaging (over USB-C) between nanovna and PC client - documented (or could be)?
Hi Larry,
The NanoVNA command listing you posted is all that is needed to communicate with the NanoVNA. I am writing an article on the NanoVNA as well as writing software to perform all the functions of the NanoVNA Sharp and more. My emphasis is on impedance calculations, checking filters, measuring crystals and equivalent circuit models. I do not care for depending on NET.framework or Python. So my software runs on old/cheap laptops running Win XP. These laptops work well in my lab environment and this low-cost VNA does a good job for me. Regards, George |
Re: Messaging (over USB-C) between nanovna and PC client - documented (or could be)?
Hi George,
I scarfed the commands by going through main.c (and a few posts here) and there is some ambiguity on how to format a few of them as well as how executing some might affect others. If you could verify and/or notate the command list while writing your application, I'm sure others would appreciate it. Also, there are 3 versions of nanoVNA firmware but no one has released the sources for them (that I can find) and I'm sure there may be new commands or options not listed in the original git repository. For this I'm going to go through the binaries for more info. Thanks Larry |
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
Yes, calibration data can only be modified with electrical delay. For better accuracy, I customized the shortest and most accurate calibrations kits possible. Naturally, the accuracy of professional calibration parts cannot be achieved. Unfortunately, some clone makers do not understand the role of the calibration kit, providing a poor quality load to act as a calibration kit, which can result in worse measurement results.
hugen gen111.taobao.com |
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
Dr. David Kirkby from Kirkby Microwave Ltd
On Wed, 3 Jul 2019 at 04:04, <hugen@...> wrote:
Yes, calibration data can only be modified with electrical delay. What exactly do you mean by that? Are you saying that the firmware has the ability to allow one to adjust the delay of the calibration standards? If so that’s good news. Just being able to enter a delay for the standards will be a vast improvement over having no control whatsoever. But someone else wrote ideal standards were assumed. For better accuracy, I customized the shortest and most accurate calibrations kits possible.There’s no need to make the shortest calibration standards possible, *IF* one can enter the delay of the standards. *The internet is full of people claiming incorrectly the need to have the shortest possible delays on calibration standards. * If you look at the delays on professional calibration kits, you will find they are *longer* on modern high-end kits than they were on obsolete kits! The obsolete HP/Agilent 85032B type-N calibration kit had delays of Female Short = 0.000 ps Female Open = 0.093 ps Those are the shortest possible delays one can make on female N. Now if you compare those figures to the current $20,690 high-end 18 GHz 85054B kit, you will find the delays are much longer in the modern kit. Female short = 27.990 ps Female open = 22.905 ps For the lower cost ($2410) 9 GHz 85033F 9 GHz kit, the delays on the female parts are: Female Short = 45.995 ps Female Open = 41.170 ps *So very approximately, for female N calibration standards:* Obsolete 6 GHz kit - delays around 0 ps Current $2410 9 GHz kit - delays around 43 ps Current $20,690 18 GHz kit - delays around 24 ps Clearly on female N parts, it’s possible to make delays close to 0, but Keysight don’t use them. The same general principle is true for the male N standards, but in that case it is impossible to make a zero delay. If you check the links I gave above, you will find the following. *Very approximately, for male N calibration standards:* Obsolete 6 GHz kit - delays around 17 ps Current 9 GHz kit - delays around 43 ps Current 18 GHz kit - delays around 60 ps For obsolete HP 3.5 mm kits, the delays were from memory were around 17 ps, but any of the modern kits (85033E, 85052D or 85052B) all have delays of about 30 ps. Naturally, the accuracy of professional calibration parts cannot be achieved. That statement is a bit ambiguous. If you are saying that a high end VNA is best used with a professional calibration kit, I would agree with you. However, if the NanoVNA firmware always assumes idealised parts with a delay of zero, then things would change *dramatically*. One could easily make more suitable opens and shorts than would would have if one spent $2410 on an 85032F. Spending even more, buying the $20,690 85054B would give you even less suitable open and short standards. The loads from the $20,690 kit would always be the best loads, but of course it would be crazy to use loads that probably cost $1500 each on a VNA costing less than $100. Unfortunately, some clone makers do not understand the role of the calibration kit, providing a poor quality load to act as a calibration kit, Yes, clone makers often don’t appreciate or care what crap they turn out. But a lot of self-proclaimed experts, writing web pages about how to make calibration kits don’t understand what they are doing. My own company, Kirkby Microwave, does care and we have enough knowledge to understand most of the intricacies. I cringe at some of the stuff I see written on the internet about VNA calibration kits. hugen Dr. David Kirkby Kirkby Microwave Ltd. <> -- Dr. David Kirkby, |
Re: Calibration procedure
Dr. David Kirkby from Kirkby Microwave Ltd
On Wed, 3 Jul 2019 at 00:17, dreschel via Groups.Io <dreschel=
[email protected]> wrote: Some photos of my NanoVNA measuring a "6.5MHz" Butterworth LP I don’t see any attachments! Dave, G8WRB -- Dr. David Kirkby, |
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
Hello David,
I mentioned in a much earlier post, I have no idea what is in the firmware definition for the standards supplied with the nanoVNA. In addition, based on the physical description of the standards provided, i.e. the 50 ohm load a pair of 100 ohm chip resistors soldered in parallel, that they may not represent the state of the art! However, if there were a way to measure and characterize them as a entry to the unit, such as a classification table, that would be helpful, I did measure their 50 ohm load after an independent 3.5 mm SOLT cal on a hp 8753 VNA and found their load standard at 900 MHz was at best 17 dB return loss. Another measurement of a second independent 50 ohm load from Weinschel on the 8753 at 900 MHz demonstrated a significantly better return loss. However, on the nanoVNA the Weinschel showed the same 17 dB return loss. Is there an issue here? YES! I might add, folks who use this instrument should consider obtaining SMA connector savers. It will not be long before the poor SMA connectors on the nanoVNA are tainted. Alan |
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
I should add, that after a calibration with their standards, the resulting short, open and load are PERFECTLY located on the chart. Really! Wow, I have to pray that a set of APC-7 or my sophisticated cal standards could do so well. That said, this is a neat box and applying a little care to the measurement and compensation for the short comings can rectify some of these issues.
|
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
Dr. David Kirkby from Kirkby Microwave Ltd
On Wed, 3 Jul 2019 at 13:19, alan victor <avictor73@...> wrote:
I should add, that after a calibration with their standards, the resultingI'm afraid to say you are stepping into the error many people make. They first calibrate with a set of standards, then see those standards look perfect on the Smith Chart. I have hayfever at the moment, but made my first YouTube video yesterday to show the problem. Please ignore the sniffles I have and the fact I only used a mobile phone. Tel 01621-680100 / +44 1621-680100 |
Re: Calibration coefficients - can one change them?
I am quite familiar with the error. Please read my post carefully. I point this measurement observation out as this is a STRONG HINT that something is NOT correct!
In any case, I measured their "standards" independent and I found the 50 ohm load at 58.5 + j 11.5 ohm at 900 MHz. The short and open are 412 pH and 190 fF respective. I suspect no polynomial L or C coefficients are loaded to a table in the nanoVNA to reflect these deviations. |
Re: Nano Vna Pre-Order?
Banggood, Gearbest, Tomtop and a few others are like Aliexpress and eBay (buy it now mode) - they are an umbrella of many vendors that take a % of sales.
You shouldn't have a problem - I've bought through BG many times. Unfortunately though, sometimes it can take a couple of months of you chose free shipping. Other times, I've received my item in 2 weeks (China to Canada) with paid shipping. BG offers shipping insurance - buy it for a little extra and pay with PayPal so you have 2 avenues you can pursue if you need to claim a refund. BG has warehouses in China, Europe and the US. I had originally ordered the Gecko white unit without a battery but I just ordered a black unit with battery and cables for $10 less on Aliexpress. Hopefully, it will take 3 weeks like the 1st one. Cheers, Larry |
Re: Nano Vna Pre-Order?
Oh I use banggood all the time. I am more of "when is it coming" does
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anyone know. I ordered it on may 26th.... But its a waiting game i guess. Just being impatient :P Definitely need to get a batter for it thought. On Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 10:17 AM Larry Rothman <ac293@...> wrote:
Banggood, Gearbest, Tomtop and a few others are like Aliexpress and eBay |
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