HF and Microwave Laboratory Improvement

使用最新技术的压力要求将网络分析仪（NA）测量纳入电气工程师的高频（HF）实验室。 因此，该项目通过引入网络分析仪和通过对控制器重新编程以保持这种经过验证的教学方法来在NA上表示驻波来增强HF实验室。 随着矢量NA的发展，具有测量幅度和相位的能力，在测量计量学的新时代已经开始。 基于独立的微处理器驱动仪器的NA在某种程度上取代了人工测量的作用。 根据幅度和相位来表征组件的能力改变了设计和开发中使用的方法，从而改变了学生或实践工程师如何思考和可视化这些过程。 矢量测量通常不包括在本科HF和微波实验室，主要是因为成本和教师不愿意离开开槽线技术，因为他们直观的驻波视觉表示。 在NA显示器上可以模拟经典的驻波模式。 这需要开发新的计算机程序模块。 因此，即使在通过该项目提供的未来实验室环境中，也可以保留开槽线技术的直观优势。 通过新的低成本NA和定制显示器，学生可以在工业中使用的当前测量计量学方面接受教育，而教学则基于驻波的直观概念。 这种组合NA环境可以用来加强实验室的学习，可以作为未来实验室发展的模式。 *

Pressure to use up-to-date technology mandates that network analyzer (NA) measurements be included in high-frequency (HF) laboratories for electrical engineers. Therefore, this project enhances a HF laboratory through introduction of network analyzers and through representation of standing waves on the NAs by reprogramming the controllers to maintain this proven approach to teaching. With the recent development of vector NAs that possess the capability of measuring both magnitude and phase, a new era in measurement metrology has begun. NAs based on self-contained, microprocessor-driven instruments have, to some extent, taken over the role from manual measurements. The ability to characterize a component in terms of magnitude and phase changes the methods used in design and development and, thus, how the student or practicing engineer thinks about and visualizes these processes. Vector measurements are not usually covered in undergraduate HF and microwave laboratories, primarily because of cost and a reluctance by instructors to move away from slotted line techniques because of their intuitive visual representation of standing waves. It is possible to emulate the classical standing-wave pattern on the NA display. This requires developing new computer program modules. Therefore, the intuitive advantage of the slotted line technique can be preserved even in the future laboratory environment provided through this project. With new, low-cost NAs and customized displays, students can be educated in current measurement metrology employed in industry while teaching is based on intuitive concepts of standing waves. This combined NA environment can be employed to enhance learning in laboratories that can serve as a model for future laboratory development. *