So I played around with some tools in Satellite laboratory. This time measured impedances of different electronic components. I used this weird network analyzer to generate signals and measure reflecting patterns. It plotted impedances on frequencies from 300kHz to 1.8GHz on its beautiful CRT display. I made pictures of two displays: Smith chart showing the impedance on different frequencies, and phase angle graph. The display was normalized on 50Ω load.
Smith chart shows the resistance on horizontal scale, and the reactance on vertical one. The line on the display shows impedance on different frequencies. If the line is above the centre line then the load is inductive. If it is below - capacitive. The middle point of the graph is 50Ω. Because ideal resistor is not reactive, it should be a dot on the middle line. Ideal reactive elements should be curves on the other graph (see the pictures).
Hi Guy, very nice images of capacitance and inductance response. However it should be nice if you could demonstrate how to analyse it using an ordinary frequency generator and oscilloscope. Using an expansive network/frequency analyzer is out of the question for a hobbyist. Thank you!
Normally you use components for RF that are meant for RF. But I will be writing more posts about low cost RF measurements and testing in the future.
There are several ways how to use frequency generator and oscilloscope to analyse filters, but they are all for quite low frequencies (<100MHz).