SteppIR SARK-110 Manuel utilisateur
This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
© Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
SARK-110
Vector Impedance Antenna Analyzer
User’s Manual
Revision 1.1.7
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 2 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
Updated to Firmware Version 0.8.x
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 3 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
Contents
1INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 5
2MAIN FEATURES ..................................................................................................................... 6
3OVERVIEW OF FUNCTIONS ................................................................................................... 7
4OPERATING THE STEPPIR SARK-110 .................................................................................. 8
4.1 SCREEN LAYOUT .................................................................................................................. 8
4.2 STATUS SYMBOLS MEANING ............................................................................................... 10
4.3 MEANS OF INPUT ................................................................................................................ 10
4.4 CHANGING THE FREQUENCY ............................................................................................... 11
4.5 CHANGING THE SPAN ......................................................................................................... 12
4.6 FREQUENCY PRESETS ........................................................................................................ 13
4.7 USING MARKERS ................................................................................................................ 13
4.8 CHANGING THE VERTICAL AXIS PARAMETER ........................................................................ 16
4.9 SAVING AND RECALLING MEASUREMENTS ........................................................................... 17
4.10 TAKING SCREENSHOTS ................................................................................................... 20
4.11 CHANGING THE OPERATING MODE .................................................................................. 20
4.12 CHANGING THE SETTINGS ............................................................................................... 21
5SCALAR CHART MODE ........................................................................................................ 32
6SMITH CHART MODE ............................................................................................................ 34
7SINGLE FREQUENCY MODE ............................................................................................... 36
8CABLE TEST MODE (TDR) ................................................................................................... 38
9FIELD MODE .......................................................................................................................... 42
10 MULTI-BAND MODE .......................................................................................................... 44
11 SIGNAL GENERATOR MODE ........................................................................................... 46
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 4 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
12 COMPUTER CONTROL MODE ......................................................................................... 51
13 TRANSMISSION LINE ADD/SUBTRACT .......................................................................... 53
14 SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................... 56
15 PRECAUTIONS ................................................................................................................... 60
16 REGULATORY WARNING ................................................................................................. 60
17 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................... 61
APPENDIX A: THEORY OF OPERATION .............................................................................. 62
APPENDIX B: FUNDAMENTAL PARAMETERS .................................................................... 65
APPENDIX C: UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE ...................................................................... 67
APPENDIX D: OSL CALIBRATION ........................................................................................ 68
APPENDIX E: FREQUENCY CALIBRATION ......................................................................... 71
APPENDIX F: DETECTOR CALIBRATION ............................................................................ 72
APPENDIX G: FREQUENCY PRESETS FILE ........................................................................ 75
APPENDIX H: SCALE PRESETS ........................................................................................... 76
APPENDIX I: CUSTOM CABLE SETTINGS ............................................................................. 78
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 5 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
1 Introduction
The SteppIR SARK-110 Antenna Analyzer is a pocket size instrument providing fast and accurate
measurement of the vector impedance, VSWR, vector reflection coefficient, return loss, and R-L-C
(as series or parallel equivalent circuits). Additionally, the analyzer features a TDR (Time Domain
Reflectometer) mode which is intended for fault location and length determination in coaxial cables
as well as a programmable RF signal generator.
The SteppIR SARK-110 is intended for standalone operation but also operates connected to a
personal computer in combination with the SteppIR SARK Plots client software for Windows, further
enhancing the capabilities of the instrument.
Typical applications include checking and tuning antennas, impedance matching, component
testing, cable fault location, measuring coaxial cable losses and cutting coaxial cables to precise
electrical lengths. As a signal generator it is ideal for receiver calibration, sensitivity tests,and signal
tracing.
The SteppIR SARK-110 features a Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) generator with a range of 0.1 to
230 MHz and a frequency resolution of 1 Hz. The instrument has full vector measurement capability
and accurately resolves the resistive, capacitive and inductive components of a load. The
measurement reference plane is automatically adjusted via the Open/Short/Load calibration
standard for higher measurement accuracy. Also, the analyzer implements a transmission line
addition or subtraction feature in order to make antenna measurements while discounting the effect
of the feed line.
The user interface, based on a color display, has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use. The
graphical impedance displays provide a quick view of the antenna impedance characteristics on a
user-selected sweep range. This includes the graphical plot of two user-selectable parameters in a
scalar chart or the complex reflection coefficient in Smith chart form. To help speed up
measurements, two markers are available, both of which are user positionable or can operate in
automatic tracking mode.
The Multiband mode is a unique feature of the SteppIR SARK-110 whereby it is able to display
simultaneously the plot of an impedance parameter in four scalar charts. This feature is ideal for
tuning multiband antennas.
Also included is a single frequency measurement mode which presents a complete impedance
parameter analysis at a user selectable frequency and displays diagrams of equivalent circuits.
The analyzer uses an internal 2MB flash disk for the storage and recall of measured parameters,
screenshots, analyzer configuration and firmware updates. This disk is accessible via USB so the
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 6 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
measured parameters can be downloaded to a PC for analysis using the ZPLOTS spreadsheet
program or with SteppIR SARK Plots client software for Windows.
Please let us have your suggestions through the website http://www.sark110.com as we are highly
motivated to extend this device’s functionality based on community requests.
2 Main Features
Pocket size and lightweight
Solid aluminum case
Intuitive and easy to use
Operating modes: Scalar Chart, Smith Chart, Single Frequency, Cable Test (TDR), Field
Mode, Multi-band, Signal Generator, and Computer Control
Good accuracy over a broad range of impedances
Resolves the sign of the impedance
Manual and automatic positioning tracking markers
Internal 2MB USB disk for the storage of measurements, screenshots, configuration and
firmware upgrade
Exports data in ZPLOTS-compatible format for further analysis on a PC
SARK Plots client software for Windows
Lifetime free firmware upgrades
Open to community requested features
Open source Software Development Kit (SDK) including a device simulator for development
of user applications
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 7 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
3 Overview of Functions
Power Switch
Mini USB Port
Navigator A
Navigator B
Run/Hold
Select
Save Screen
Save Conf.
Test Port
3" TFT LCD
SARK-110
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-•••+
Ø||
USB
ON
Test
Port
The unit has a Test Port located on the left side to connect to the device under test. This receptacle
accepts straight MCX plug connector types. The product pack includes a MCX plug to BNC female
cable adapter.
The USB port located on the right side allows connecting the unit to a personal computer for
communication and internal battery charging using a compatible mini-USB cable (not included). The
unit charges the internal battery when connected to USB. The internal battery charger manages
automatically the charge cycle and stops the process when battery is fully charged. The complete
charge cycle takes around 3.5 hours.
Slide the Power Switch button located on the right side to the ON position for turning on the unit. An
automatic power-off feature can be set for power-saving after a user specified period of inactivity.
Operation is controlled by four buttons and two navigation keys located on the top side of the unit. A
3” TFT color LCD is used for display diagrams.
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 8 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
4 Operating the SteppIR SARK-110
This chapter provides information about the SteppIR SARK-110’s basic functionality and user
interface.
4.1 Screen Layout
The following figure shows the screen layout in Scalar Chart mode. It shows diagram areas that are
the same for all operating modes of the SteppIR SARK-110. Screen layouts that show specifics for
each operating mode are provided in corresponding sections of this manual.
1
Diagram
11
Markers information
2
Traces
12
Detailed measurements
3
Markers
13
Frequency and span settings
4
Vertical axis labeling
14
Transmission Line length setting
5
Horizontal axis labeling
15
Reference impedance setting
6
Main menu
16
Loaded data file name
7
Highlighted menu option
17
Disk write operation in progress
8
Submenu
18
Calibration status
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 9 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
9
Highlighted submenu option
19
Run/Hold status
10
Currently selected submenu option
20
USB/Battery status
SteppIR SARK-110 User’s Manual
Rev 1.1.7 October 29th, 2014 - 10 - © Melchor Varela – EA4FRB 2011-2014
4.2 Status Symbols Meaning
Calibration status
Calibrated
Non-calibrated
Run/Hold status
Measurements in progress
Measurements on hold
USB/Battery status
Device operating from USB
Charge status of the battery when the device is operating from the
battery
Disk
Disk write operation in progress
4.3 Means of Input
There are four buttons and two navigation keys on the SteppIR SARK-110.
Navigator A
Navigator B
Run/Hold
Select
Save Screen
Save Conf.
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-•••+
Ø||
SARK-110
Navigator A
Navigator A is used to navigate within the main menu (left side of the screen). The active option is
highlighted with a green background color.
Navigator B
Navigator B is used for changing the value of the highlighted option in the main menu (for Freq,
Span, Marker1, Marker2, LeftY and RightY) and to navigate within the popup submenus.
Run/Hold [►||]
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