NanoRFE Original NanoVNA V2 Plus4 – 4GHz Portable Vector Network Analyzer

NanoRFE Original NanoVNA V2 Plus4 – 4GHz Portable Vector Network Analyzer

The NanoVNA V2 (S-A-A-2) is a 4GHz vector network analyzer (VNA) capable of measuring antennas, filters, duplexers, and amplifiers. This model features a completely new design from HCXQS/NanoRFE, which is not based on previous versions like edy555 V1.

The V2 Plus4 is the latest design that addresses drift and linearity issues of older models. It employs a new VNA-R architecture with suppressed temperature drift and reduced crosstalk, ensuring no visible drift under all conditions.

Compared to other versions, NanoVNA V2 Plus4/Plus4 Pro dramatically increases performance, achieving 90% lower noise levels and being the only affordable VNA providing highly repeatable and reliable measurements comparable to professional instruments. The wide frequency range covers common mobile bands, Wi-Fi and IoT bands, as well as amateur radio HF, VHF, and UHF bands.

• No noticeable drift, allowing calibrations to be retained for more than 3 months (compared to less than 30 minutes with other inexpensive VNAs).
• Lowest measurement noise thanks to the use of RF-rated components and factory tuning. The V2 Plus4 Pro further enhances the signal-to-noise ratio using an adjustable IF filter, improving performance at lower averaging settings.
• Improved shielding and a full aluminum casing for the NanoVNA V2 Plus4 increases its dynamic range to >90 dB, achieving results comparable to professional VNAs and enabling duplexer measurements.
• S-parameter export, custom calibration set parameters, and advanced calibration methods (NanoVNA-QT software)
• TDR/time-domain measurements allow cable length testing and discontinuity detection.
• Enhanced USB protocol allows full-speed streaming of measurement data to a PC.
• Sold and maintained by the original developers, ensuring consistent performance, quality control, and ongoing updates.

Specifications:

The specifications listed below apply to the NanoVNA from HCXQS/NanoRFE:

Achievable Performance (V2 Plus4 Pro, calibrated, IFBW=0.8kHz, AVG=20)

Comparison of Measurements Original NanoVNA V2 vs Clones

Clones are based on earlier designs intended for either 1 GHz or 3 GHz, and some have attempted to extend the frequency range using harmonics without understanding the design. Additionally, some manufacturers have replaced generic parts, which significantly worsened the trace noise.

The performance of the clones NanoVNA V2.2 starts to drop before 2 GHz and would not meet standard quality control requirements for the oldest version 3 GHz V2.2:

Note: The above graphs are uncalibrated, intended to display the amount of noise in the raw data from the hardware.

Some clones of the NanoVNA use harmonics to exaggerate the frequency range, providing inaccurate measurements since a strong base signal in the receiver creates interference at harmonic frequencies, providing consistent but incorrect measurements. These clones usually come in plastic cases to save costs.

If a higher frequency VNA is needed, refer to the VNA6000.

All clones are based on the older V2.2 design, which, if well replicated, can achieve only 60dB dynamic range at 3GHz. Any clones claiming higher performance are likely overstating specifications and probably perform worse.

Comparison of NanoVNA V2 vs Professional VNA

Comparison with FieldFox:

Comparison with HP-8753E:

To give you an idea of what kind of measurement noise is achievable, we provide several sample measurements we conducted from a cascaded SAW filter and a power amplifier using the NanoVNA V2 Plus4 (clicking on the images will display them in full size):

How to Use NanoVNA V2

Basics of VNA

VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) measures frequency-dependent reflected and transmitted power of RF networks.

The NanoVNA measures the following:

• Reflection Coefficient: S11
• Transmission Coefficient: S21

Using the measured data, NanoVNA can calculate the following parameters:

• Return Loss
• Insertion Loss
• Complex Impedance
• Resistance
• Reactance
• SWR

Required Components

To use NanoVNA for single port measurements (e.g., antenna analysis), you will need the following:

• Main unit NanoVNA
• SMA coaxial cable, male to male
• SOLT Calibration Kit: Short, Open, and Load

Performing Measurements

The basic controls and menu structure of V2 are very similar to the original NanoVNA.

• Configure the measurement frequency range:

Select STIMULUS > START and STIMULUS > STOP.

• Calibration:

1. Enter the CAL menu and connect the male SMA cable to NanoVNA port 1.
2. Attach the OPEN standard to the cable and select the "OPEN" menu item. Wait for the menu to highlight.
3. Attach the SHORT standard to the cable and select the "SHORT" menu item. Wait for the menu to highlight.
4. Attach the LOAD standard to the cable and select the "LOAD" menu item. Wait for the menu to highlight.
5. Select "APPLY". Calibration is now active, and you can begin measuring.
6. Note: on NanoVNA V2 Plus4 and newer hardware, isolation calibration is automatically performed during the OPEN and LOAD steps, and there is no separate isolation calibration step.

A more detailed description of calibration methods and measurement options available in NanoVNA V2 can be found in the user manuals below.

Documentation

User Manuals:

Menu Maps:

Download Firmware

For firmware releases, visit the hardware versions page, which lists the latest stable firmware versions for each NanoVNA hardware variant.

Experimental firmware versions are also available for download.

Individual firmware sources are at https://github.com/nanovna-v2/NanoVNA2-firmware

Software

Check out the software downloads.

Contents of the Package: