Screen capture of the nanovna etc using a Python script

I find it convenient to capture the screen from my tiny devices directly to a computer over the USB connection.

I use a script derived from Ho-Ro’s nanovna-tools.

The script emits a png of the screen, and a png of the screen with the colours inverted (for presentation and printing).

Above is a screen shot from a tinysaultra.

The script is published on github: https://github.com/owenduffy/tinydevicecapture .

tinyPFA – new Nanovna-H4 arrived

TinyPFA is firmware from Erik Kaashoek for NanoVNA-H4 hardware for accurate measurement of oscillator and clock source stability.

I was so impressed with the possibilities of the project, I purchased a new Nanovna-H4 v4.3 a couple of weeks ago to dedicate to this application.

Anticipation got the better of me, and I put tinyPFA onto my existing Nanovna-H4 v4.3 to evaluate it, and was not disappointed.

Anyway, the recently ordered device arrived.

Above, the new tinyPFA at work. Continue reading tinyPFA – new Nanovna-H4 arrived

tinyPFA – HP8656B vs Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO

TinyPFA is firmware from Erik Kaashoek for NanoVNA-H4 hardware for accurate measurement of oscillator and clock source stability.

This article documents calibration and stability comparison of a HP8656B signal generator’s high stability reference oscillator.

Calibration

Above is a screenshot of the tinyPFA with only Trimble Thunderbolt GSPDO input, and after freq A is nulled (colours have been inverted for printing). Continue reading tinyPFA – HP8656B vs Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO

tinyPFA – a set of Allan Deviation plots

TinyPFA is firmware from Erik Kaashoek for NanoVNA-H4 hardware for accurate measurement of oscillator and clock source stability.

This article documents an experiment to measure the Allan Deviation of several sources:

  • Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO;
  • Motorola R2009D service monitor; and
  • Rhode & Schwarz SML01 signal generator.

So, to make a two way comparison or three sources, there are C(3,2)=3 difference combinations, and a fourth test to document the instrument noise floor (connect the same source to both inputs).

TinyPFA and Timelab were used to make the measurements.

The GPSDO reference used was a Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO which is locked. Continue reading tinyPFA – a set of Allan Deviation plots

tinyPFA – first experience

TinyPFA is firmware from Erik Kaashoek for NanoVNA-H4 hardware for accurate measurement of oscillator and clock source stability.

This article documents a first experience with it performing a quite simple operation, calibrating the internal 10MHz reference oscillator of two devices:

  • Motorola R2009D service monitor; and
  • Rhode & Schwarz SML01 signal generator.

The calibration reference used was a Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO which is locked. Continue reading tinyPFA – first experience