Vector Network Analysis and ARFTG: A Historical Perspective

Summary form only given. In the early days of microwave development, the slotted line was the main measurement tool when reflection coefficient phase was needed. The slotted line allowed the magnitude and location of voltage and maxima to be found, so network parameters could be calculated. The process was indirect and time consuming. The Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) simplifies the network measurement process tremendously. It provides a direct reading of both magnitude and phase, and has become a very basic tool in almost any microwave laboratory.