NASWAVE-a program for display of standing waves on network analyzers

Vector network analyzers have evolved as the measurement system of choice for microwave industry use. However, network analyzers are not usually covered in undergraduate laboratories, primarily because of cost and reluctance of instructors to move away from slotted line techniques, and the associated visual representation of standing waves. To bridge the gap between these technologies, a computer program has been developed for controlling a network analyzer to display standing waves as visualized on slotted lines for impedance measurements. The program, NASWAVE, provides this visualization of standing waves for instructional purposes so that students actually see the waveforms similar to the response obtained with slotted line measurements. The equations used for computation and display of the standing waves are presented. The software operation and use is discussed and examples are also presented.