Network analyzers are a key measurement technology for the RF and microwave industry. About fifty years ago the first network analyzer products started to be introduced and have had a significant influence on the design and testing of passive and active components. This paper traces the development of these network analyzers during the past fifty years discussing the technology used in their design and measurement contributions. The first network analyzers were focused on transmission and reflection measurements and then became the mainstay of s-parameter characterization. Error correction techniques were developed for improved accuracy. As time passed additional capabilities and measurements have been added. Features such as error corrected power, noise, converter, and nonlinear measurements have been added to address the growing market needs. Multiport configurations along with balanced and differential characterization have addressed the more integrated solutions of today.
Index Terms-Microwave measurements, Network analyzers, Scattering parameters measurement,
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.