Using PyVISA on an Ubuntu-operating computer (Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS), I would like to interact with a VNA machine (E8361A, Agilent technologies) in the following way,
1- Connect to the VNA through a port.
2- Send a signal to VNA to start S-parameter measurements within a specified frequency range at specified number of points.
3- Send a signal to VNA to stop S-parameter measurement, fetch the S-parameter data, transfer the data to the PC and save the data.
Q1: Which VNA port do you recommend to use (GPIB, Ethernet or USB), and why? Q2: Depending on the VNA port, what hardware is required to connect the PC to the VNA? Q3: Is there a way to adjust the power level of the VNA stimulus signal? If yes, how to inquire the maximum and minimum power levels? Can the power level be adjusted continuously or only discrete power levels are avilable? (Basically, how to control VNA's internal amplifiers/attenuators? Q4: Can you please share a sample Python code which uses PyVISA to save S-paramater data in the fashion described in steps 1--3? Q5: Does trigger port have to do anything with sending signals to the VNA to start and stop measurements?