Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

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Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Mike Walkington-3
Hi,

When discussing antenna analysers there's always a discussion on the issue
of measuring the sign of X.  For some years now I've carted round an article
out of the Power Amplifier Handbook titled High-Speed Microprocessor
Controlled Antenna Matching Unit, in which the author implemented a phase
angle sensor which output a logic one for inductive phase angle and logic 0
for capacitive. The circuit didn't look like it was too complex to
implement, so I've always wondered why such a circuit isn't implemented in
every antenna analyser.

Mike
VK1KCK

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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

N8LP
I'd be interested in the article if you have it in digital form, Mike.

I implement a sign detection algorithm in the Plot program for my LP-100
Digital Vector wattmeter. It works pretty well most of the time, but I
added editing of curve points in case it makes an obvious mistake so
that the curve can be "fixed" after scanning. I can't do it in the box,
because it requires a number of frequency related datapoints to work.
This would be no problem in an antenna analyzer, since the box controls
the frequency, of course.

I think the Autek VA1 uses a dither scheme with their oscillator to
produce the variable frequency, even though it appears you are only
testing at one frequency.  It's narrow, but seems accurate with simple
components like caps and coils, and with antennas which have a simple
series or parallel resonance. The problem comes in when measuring an
antenna at the end of a random length of feedline, where the phase slope
can reverse without changing sign. A typical example of this curve would
be a dipole which uses a "broadbanding" network with a "W" shaped curve
at resonance.

A better method for an analyzer is to use a signal source with
quadrature outputs, so that I & Q samples can be generated. Some of the
more expensive analyzers and VNAs do this.

73,
Larry N8LP



Mike Walkington wrote:

> Hi,
>
> When discussing antenna analysers there's always a discussion on the issue
> of measuring the sign of X.  For some years now I've carted round an article
> out of the Power Amplifier Handbook titled High-Speed Microprocessor
> Controlled Antenna Matching Unit, in which the author implemented a phase
> angle sensor which output a logic one for inductive phase angle and logic 0
> for capacitive. The circuit didn't look like it was too complex to
> implement, so I've always wondered why such a circuit isn't implemented in
> every antenna analyser.
>
> Mike
> VK1KCK
>
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Stuart Rohre
In reply to this post by Mike Walkington-3
It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional circuitry.  However,
it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is capacitive
reactance, (-).

Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to paste on the
analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
reactance change you are seeing re frequency.

Stuart
K5KVH


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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

N8LP
That won't work, Stuart. I wrestled with this for awhile when developing
my LP-100 Plot program. You also need to know which side of resonance
you're on, and whether it's a series or parallel resonance... at a minimum.

Take a look at the plot at www.telepostinc.com/Files/OCF_Z_PH2.jpg. This
is a section of an off center fed dipole as measured by my HP 87510A
VNA. If you take the absolute value of the phase data (ie, have it
bounce off zero as it would with a meter that can't determine phase
sign), then you will see the problem. If you look at the phase in this
plot, starting at the left edge, and remembering that all the negative
values have to be reversed to look like a meter without sign detection,
by your definition, the reactance makes the following changes from left
to right edge...

C, L, C, L, C, L, C, L

In reality, as the VNA shows, there are fewer changes. The sequence is...

C, L, C, L, C

Without the visual aid, it can be confusing, to say the least.

In my Plot software, I take into account a number of  factors, based on
the slopes of the magnitude and phase of impedance. If you don't do
this, you could easily be exactly wrong ;-)

73,
Larry N8LP



Stuart Rohre wrote:

> It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional circuitry.  However,
> it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
> Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
> reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is capacitive
> reactance, (-).
>
> Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to paste on the
> analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
> reactance change you are seeing re frequency.
>
> Stuart
> K5KVH
>
>
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

dave-281
In reply to this post by Stuart Rohre

> IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
> reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is capacitive
> reactance, (-).

This is not quite true.

The reactance change over freq is something like a sawtooth waveform.  
Assume we start at reactance=zero (resonance) and freq is increased.

Reactance then increases and is inductive up to some max, then decreases
(while still inductive) until it crosses zero and becomes capacitive.  
Note that it was decreasing and inductive.

If we continue to increase the freq. the reactance continues capacitive
and increases (while still capacitive and freq is increasing) until a
max is reached where it begins decreasing.

It then returns to zero and we begin the sequence over again.

The reversal from inductive max to capacitive max happens quickly, but
the reactance can be decreasing while inductive and increasing while
capacitive.
We have to know where we are in the cycle.


73 de dave
ab9ca







Stuart Rohre wrote:

> It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional circuitry.  However,
> it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
> Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
> reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is capacitive
> reactance, (-).
>
> Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to paste on the
> analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
> reactance change you are seeing re frequency.
>
> Stuart
> K5KVH
>
>
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>
>  

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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Stuart Rohre
I was referring to a narrowband case of examining a simple antenna to see if
it is long or short.  One with well defined sharp peaks and valleys of
impedance, and one principal resonance which you can estimate from the
dipole physical length.  Seems to work using my Autek or MFJ 269.  I was not
starting from a totally black box, or unknown case.

Stuart
K5KVH


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RE: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Don Wilhelm-3
In reply to this post by N8LP
Larry,

I see no inconsistency with Stuart's statement in your plot.  Without
looking at the specific phase angle - if the absolute magnitude of the
reactance increases with increasing frequency, then the load is inductive,
it it decreases, then the load is capacitive.

The poles of the black curve on your plot do line up with the zero crossings
for the phase.  So if I look at any point on your plot, I see that the
absolute value of the magnitude of the reactance will increase with
increasing frequency anytime the load has positive reactance (inductance),
and the absolute magnitude of the reactance will decrease with increasing
frequency any time the load is capacitive.

Yes, a simple (or complex) phase angle detector working without regard for
the sign will not provide the information required, but 'dithering' the
frequency and looking only at the relative magnitude of the reactance
between 'dither' points can provide the sign of the reactance.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> That won't work, Stuart. I wrestled with this for awhile when developing
> my LP-100 Plot program. You also need to know which side of resonance
> you're on, and whether it's a series or parallel resonance... at
> a minimum.
>
> Take a look at the plot at www.telepostinc.com/Files/OCF_Z_PH2.jpg. This
> is a section of an off center fed dipole as measured by my HP 87510A
> VNA. If you take the absolute value of the phase data (ie, have it
> bounce off zero as it would with a meter that can't determine phase
> sign), then you will see the problem. If you look at the phase in this
> plot, starting at the left edge, and remembering that all the negative
> values have to be reversed to look like a meter without sign detection,
> by your definition, the reactance makes the following changes from left
> to right edge...
>
> C, L, C, L, C, L, C, L
>
> In reality, as the VNA shows, there are fewer changes. The sequence is...
>
> C, L, C, L, C
>
> Without the visual aid, it can be confusing, to say the least.
>
> In my Plot software, I take into account a number of  factors, based on
> the slopes of the magnitude and phase of impedance. If you don't do
> this, you could easily be exactly wrong ;-)
>
> 73,
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Stuart Rohre wrote:
> > It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional
> circuitry.  However,
> > it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
> > Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
> > reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is capacitive
> > reactance, (-).
> >
> > Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to
> paste on the
> > analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
> > reactance change you are seeing re frequency.
> >
> > Stuart
> > K5KVH
> >
>
--
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Stuart Rohre
Thanks Don, my work around has worked for simple antennas like dipoles,
loops, verticals, etc.

His OCF antenna has an interesting sharp resonance which must be the
principle one, but also a non harmonic resonance which is interesting.  I
had not looked at a horizontal OCF (off center feed) one before with my 269
nor Autek.  But, I use the trick to evaluate new wires I hang with good
success.

Stuart
K5KVH


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RE: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Don Wilhelm-3
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
Folks,

There is an error in the reply I sent last night (below) that is very
important - it makes a big difference.

When increasing or decreasing the frequency to determine the sign of the
reactance:
One must observe the increasing or decreasing of the IMPEDANCE (Z) and not
just the reactance.

I had erroneously stated the reactance, and Larry helped get my mind
straightened out - make that impedance instead of reactance and it will be
correct.  In other words, when using an MFJ259B - look at the "Z" value when
increasing or decreasing the frequency, and not the "X" value.

The notes in the MFJ259B manual recommending how to determine the sign of
the reactance are placed under the instructions for measuring Capacitance
and Inductance, and they do state that one can look at the reactance value.
While that works fine for a pure reactance, it does not work for complex
impedances, where one must look at the magnitude of the IMPEDANCE (Z).

In other words, switch the MFJ259B to IMPEDANCE MODE and do the 'frequency
increase/decrease thing' before attempting to affix a sign to the value of
the reactance parameter.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> Larry,
>
> I see no inconsistency with Stuart's statement in your plot.  Without
> looking at the specific phase angle - if the absolute magnitude of the
> reactance increases with increasing frequency, then the load is inductive,
> it it decreases, then the load is capacitive.
>
> The poles of the black curve on your plot do line up with the
> zero crossings
> for the phase.  So if I look at any point on your plot, I see that the
> absolute value of the magnitude of the reactance will increase with
> increasing frequency anytime the load has positive reactance (inductance),
> and the absolute magnitude of the reactance will decrease with increasing
> frequency any time the load is capacitive.
>
> Yes, a simple (or complex) phase angle detector working without regard for
> the sign will not provide the information required, but 'dithering' the
> frequency and looking only at the relative magnitude of the reactance
> between 'dither' points can provide the sign of the reactance.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > That won't work, Stuart. I wrestled with this for awhile when developing
> > my LP-100 Plot program. You also need to know which side of resonance
> > you're on, and whether it's a series or parallel resonance... at
> > a minimum.
> >
> > Take a look at the plot at www.telepostinc.com/Files/OCF_Z_PH2.jpg. This
> > is a section of an off center fed dipole as measured by my HP 87510A
> > VNA. If you take the absolute value of the phase data (ie, have it
> > bounce off zero as it would with a meter that can't determine phase
> > sign), then you will see the problem. If you look at the phase in this
> > plot, starting at the left edge, and remembering that all the negative
> > values have to be reversed to look like a meter without sign detection,
> > by your definition, the reactance makes the following changes from left
> > to right edge...
> >
> > C, L, C, L, C, L, C, L
> >
> > In reality, as the VNA shows, there are fewer changes. The
> sequence is...
> >
> > C, L, C, L, C
> >
> > Without the visual aid, it can be confusing, to say the least.
> >
> > In my Plot software, I take into account a number of  factors, based on
> > the slopes of the magnitude and phase of impedance. If you don't do
> > this, you could easily be exactly wrong ;-)
> >
> > 73,
> > Larry N8LP
> >
> >
> >
> > Stuart Rohre wrote:
> > > It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional
> > circuitry.  However,
> > > it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
> > > Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
> > > reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is
> capacitive
> > > reactance, (-).
> > >
> > > Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to
> > paste on the
> > > analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
> > > reactance change you are seeing re frequency.
> > >
> > > Stuart
> > > K5KVH
> > >
> >
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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> 11:27 AM
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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/723 - Release Date:
> 3/15/2007 11:27 AM
>
--
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

N8LP
Thanks for the clarification, Don. As I mentioned in my private email,
to eliminate all ambiguity, you really need to look at the slopes of
both impedance magnitude and phase (or alternatively resistance and
reactance). This will cover you for both sides of either series or
parallel resonance.

This is what I do with my Plot software. You could certainly do it in
your head, but it's little much to remember. If you have an analyzer,
like the MFJ, which displays both R and X, it might make sense to print
a little "what if..." sequence on a laminated card and tape it to the
back of the unit to help with going through the scenarios when
calculating sign. Based on my algorithm, I could print up a sample for
anyone interested. Or you could use the two plots I referenced in this
discussion to make your own. Remember though, that my plots show correct
sign, and you have to reverse all the negative values to arrive at the
correct input data for an analyzer that doesn't show sign.

73,
Larry N8LP



Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Folks,
>
> There is an error in the reply I sent last night (below) that is very
> important - it makes a big difference.
>
> When increasing or decreasing the frequency to determine the sign of the
> reactance:
> One must observe the increasing or decreasing of the IMPEDANCE (Z) and not
> just the reactance.
>
> I had erroneously stated the reactance, and Larry helped get my mind
> straightened out - make that impedance instead of reactance and it will be
> correct.  In other words, when using an MFJ259B - look at the "Z" value when
> increasing or decreasing the frequency, and not the "X" value.
>
> The notes in the MFJ259B manual recommending how to determine the sign of
> the reactance are placed under the instructions for measuring Capacitance
> and Inductance, and they do state that one can look at the reactance value.
> While that works fine for a pure reactance, it does not work for complex
> impedances, where one must look at the magnitude of the IMPEDANCE (Z).
>
> In other words, switch the MFJ259B to IMPEDANCE MODE and do the 'frequency
> increase/decrease thing' before attempting to affix a sign to the value of
> the reactance parameter.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>  
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>>
>> Larry,
>>
>> I see no inconsistency with Stuart's statement in your plot.  Without
>> looking at the specific phase angle - if the absolute magnitude of the
>> reactance increases with increasing frequency, then the load is inductive,
>> it it decreases, then the load is capacitive.
>>
>> The poles of the black curve on your plot do line up with the
>> zero crossings
>> for the phase.  So if I look at any point on your plot, I see that the
>> absolute value of the magnitude of the reactance will increase with
>> increasing frequency anytime the load has positive reactance (inductance),
>> and the absolute magnitude of the reactance will decrease with increasing
>> frequency any time the load is capacitive.
>>
>> Yes, a simple (or complex) phase angle detector working without regard for
>> the sign will not provide the information required, but 'dithering' the
>> frequency and looking only at the relative magnitude of the reactance
>> between 'dither' points can provide the sign of the reactance.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>    
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>
>>> That won't work, Stuart. I wrestled with this for awhile when developing
>>> my LP-100 Plot program. You also need to know which side of resonance
>>> you're on, and whether it's a series or parallel resonance... at
>>> a minimum.
>>>
>>> Take a look at the plot at www.telepostinc.com/Files/OCF_Z_PH2.jpg. This
>>> is a section of an off center fed dipole as measured by my HP 87510A
>>> VNA. If you take the absolute value of the phase data (ie, have it
>>> bounce off zero as it would with a meter that can't determine phase
>>> sign), then you will see the problem. If you look at the phase in this
>>> plot, starting at the left edge, and remembering that all the negative
>>> values have to be reversed to look like a meter without sign detection,
>>> by your definition, the reactance makes the following changes from left
>>> to right edge...
>>>
>>> C, L, C, L, C, L, C, L
>>>
>>> In reality, as the VNA shows, there are fewer changes. The
>>>      
>> sequence is...
>>    
>>> C, L, C, L, C
>>>
>>> Without the visual aid, it can be confusing, to say the least.
>>>
>>> In my Plot software, I take into account a number of  factors, based on
>>> the slopes of the magnitude and phase of impedance. If you don't do
>>> this, you could easily be exactly wrong ;-)
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Larry N8LP
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Stuart Rohre wrote:
>>>      
>>>> It is not too simple to measure phase with a additional
>>>>        
>>> circuitry.  However,
>>>      
>>>> it is simple to move the frequency of the antenna analyzer and see the
>>>> Reactance change,  IF it is increasing with frequency it is inductive
>>>> reactance, (+); if decreasing with frequency increase, it is
>>>>        
>> capacitive
>>    
>>>> reactance, (-).
>>>>
>>>> Once you get used to that, and make a little reminder note to
>>>>        
>>> paste on the
>>>      
>>>> analyzer case, you can do the check easily and remember which type of
>>>> reactance change you are seeing re frequency.
>>>>
>>>> Stuart
>>>> K5KVH
>>>>
>>>>        
>> --
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/723 - Release Date: 3/15/2007
>> 11:27 AM
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>>
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>> --
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/723 - Release Date:
>> 3/15/2007 11:27 AM
>>
>>    
> --
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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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> 11:27 AM
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Jack Smith-6
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3


Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Folks,
>
> There is an error in the reply I sent last night (below) that is very
> important - it makes a big difference.
>
> When increasing or decreasing the frequency to determine the sign of the
> reactance:
> One must observe the increasing or decreasing of the IMPEDANCE (Z) and not
> just the reactance.
>
>  
>  
You can note in Larry's VNA data that |Z| has four inflection points and
that phase = 0 at each inflection point.

i.e., if d|z|/df = 0
where f is frequency and the d symbols refer to differentiation

there must be a phase zero, which can be seen to be true, since only an
impedance with a net zero reactive component will have no change in
impedance with frequency.

This is one of the three definitions of parallel  resonance. The
interested reader can find the other two definitions in Terman's Radio
Engineer's Handbook, amongst other places.



Jack
www.cliftonlaboratories.com
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Re: Antenna Analyser - Phase Angle Sensor

Stuart Rohre
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
I did not mention that obviously, one has to watch both the impedance
variation and the reactance term to use my approximation to finding the sign
of the reactance.  Larry's antenna is a good exception to the performance of
simpler antennas.

Most ham antennas have well defined harmonic related resonances, and dips to
lower impedance at a resonance.  Another case where you might have a non
harmonic resonance is if you are measuring paralleled and non harmonic band
antennas such as a 15m dipole in parallel on one feeder with a 17m dipole.

If you are dealing with a one band or fundamental antenna, the rule of thumb
is not too hard to use.

Stuart
K5KVH


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