Solver64 Software for the LiteVNA & V2Plus4

This video demonstrates my latest software for the LiteVNA as well ast the V2Plus4. The software was written in LabView and is a 64-bit application.
If you have comments or suggestions on the documentation, feel free to leave them on the EEVBlog site at:
www.eevblog.co...
The latest documentation and software may be found here:
github.com/joe...
Characterizing crystals
www.eevblog.co...
Making attenuators
www.eevblog.co...
My review for the NanoVNA V2 Plus 4
• NanoVNA V2 Plus4 Revie...
The NanoVNA, a beginners guide to the Vector Network Analyzer
• The NanoVNA, a beginne...

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Solver64 is now available on Github.

[@henrystanjr]

Good day sir joe,, why i cannot install the software in the link ? I try to install but it cant,,

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@henrystanjr Maybe less time double posting and more time learning? If you are going to spend your time double posting, maybe think about what you want to ask beforehand.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@henrystanjr I also suggest you join the EEVBLOG thread.

[@henrystanjr]

@@joesmith-je3tq sorry about the bother sir double posting.. are you angry ? Im just asking.. i know your perfectionist about your gadget or tester..spending time to test the equipment for the video to post in youtube..

[@henrystanjr]

@@joesmith-je3tq maybe asking to another person is also learning..

[@boeschka]

Thank you Joe for this powerful upgrade to your already existing software Very interesting and educational video.

[@johnwest7993]

Thanks, Joe. Good stuff. Solver64! It slices! It dices! It makes Julienne fries! You went through all of the same head scratching with the 'Saver' GUI that I did. Glad to know it wasn't just me. It simply doesn't do things the way we're used to. BTW, tossing a diode inline was a great fix.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

The Saver GUI didn't seem too bad. Looks like it was created for the radio hobbyist, which is what I had seen posted. It's far more stable than the QT software I had tried early on. I was surprised it did not appear to have any provisions to program the VNA. I was using QT and ST-Link but I was changing the Lite's firmware often enough that I decided to include it.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Dunsmore's book is a fantastic text! Thanks for working through it with your video, Joe. It's greatly appreciated.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I have the latest copy of Dunsmore's book and thought about using it for this video but I felt Bonaguide and Jarvis's book is better suited for the beginner. It's very practical, easy to read and filled with good advice. Dunmore's book is more advanced. I continue to search for a better reference.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Joe, my bad! I mean the B&G text, lol. Dunsmore’s book is a good one though…but you chose the right one for this. Sorry for the error.

[@SergeantExtreme]

@@Frank_K4FMH Which book would that be just out of curiosity?

[@singlehanded12]

Thanks for the sharing, Looking forward to the new release. I have a H4 and v2+ working nicely very usable software. ps I do read the manual awesome stuff.

[@wes11bravo]

I'm looking forward to getting one of these. It seems almost impossibly capable for the money. I've read that some users said it's too complicated (which is a selling point for me, haha) and others were annoyed by having to calibrate it. Years ago as a test tech, I swept MMDS transmitters with an HP VNA that probably cost $20k and we had to do a similar calibration routine every time we used it.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

The low cost doesn't suggest that anyone with some spare cash would instantly be a expert in RF just by buying one. Sites advertise them as antenna analyzers to the CB and amateur radio hobbyist, which says a lot. There are times I will run without calibration, even with the low cost VNAs. It's normally the last step I take. Basically, the better VNAs provide a decent enough internal calibration to where I know that my setup is working as expected.

[@TonyLing]

Thanks Joe, that's very illuminating.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

If you decide to try and run my software, it was transferred to dropbox. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnW9oYSJaLSobNU

[@PowderMill]

Thank You Sir.. Your videos are always informative and this software looks phenomenal!

[@rexmanchen2739]

I just bought off a lite VNA, hopefully your software can run it smoothly 😍

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I have little doubt that my software can run it smoothly. The problems I have seen are typically caused by the human. I suggest you start out with the open source software. You will get better support as it's a large user base. Hope you enjoy your new VNA.

[@Aimsport-video]

You are the hero we need.

[@GadgetReviewVideos]

Thanks for the in depth video. I have it now installed on an older i5 laptop, but next I want to see if I can also get it installed on a windows virtual on my mac. I think I need to update the windows laptop with a SSD drive, starting to run sluggish these days being almost 10 years old. By the way I would still be interested in the manual you wrote, I know you probably have made changes since you wrote it but I can refer to the software change log to determine the change difference with the manual. I still feel it might help with the learning curve and understanding of everything.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I stopped updating the manual. What is available on-line is the last revision. My advice, use the open sourced applications. They are tailored towards hams, have a large following, and groups.io that are setup to support them.

[@celsiusswatt6021]

It could be nice if the program contained indicator when acquisition is done (like blinking LED picture) - it will be much easier to understand what is going on. Currently it is not clear if the program is hanging sometime, or it is waiting for data to be acquired...

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I am not sure what you mean. Assuming you are using the latest version of Solver64, if you select the Setup/Diagnostics, to the center right there is something called Point Index. This is incremented on every sample received. SweepTime is how long it took to measure the entire sweep. I've not ran into it hanging but it's certainly possible you have uncovered a problem. You would need to provide more details about what you are seeing.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

There is a link to a thread I started on the EEVBLOG site. If you decide to provide further details about the problems you are seeing, feel free to post them there. I am in the middle of making changes to this software for an experiment I want to run, so this would be a good time to change it or fix any problem you may have found.

[@zandanshah]

Book name: The VNA Applications Handbook Hardcover - Illustrated, Sept. 30 2019 by Gregory Bonaguide (Author)

[@keathrhymer5449]

will this work for the VNA H4? I just got it and trying to figure out how to see it on my laptop screen

[@zandanshah]

Quick Question, will this S/W run for LibreVNA 2.0 100KHz-6GHz Network Analyzer,USB Based Full 2-Port with External Reference ?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

The LibreVNA uses a unique protocol which is different than the one used by the LiteVNA and V2Plus.

[@joanramonparcerisa1510]

Hi from Spain. "Donde conseguir el Software" regards.

[@rolandbernold8004]

Could you provide a direct link to download Solver64 Software for the LiteVNA TM 64 (for Windows10/11, 64 bit), please?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Go to the first link in the description, then follow the link in my signature.

[@maciekkawalkqcwski8616]

Joe I hope you get your hands on the SV4401A 7 inch Touch LCD 50KHz ~4.4GHz Vector Network Analyzer . seen too good to be true.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I looked it up. At $350 I will pass. The large scree is no value to me as I would not run something like this stand alone. It appears to have a programmable step attenuator for the output which may be useful. The added dynamic range would be nice. There is no mention of the USB protocol which I would want just to get started.

[@bfx8185]

Great! THX

[@patrickdemeyer2210]

Hi Joe , any chance on rebuilding this on ARM , Kind reagards.

[@jspencerg]

Let us know how to contribute towards purchase of the new Labview.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I've thought about setting up an account for it but I highly suspect people would assume they have some say in its development. I already see some of that today with no donations. So thank you for the offer.

[@jspencerg]

A wise choice considering your preferences. Perhaps an expert user will emerge to tutor use of the program as W0QE has done for Simsmith.

[@petersvideofile]

I just bought a litevna64 and I am very much looking forward to using your software! Is the 32 bit version that is still under development compatible with the litevna64? Or is only the discontinued 64 bit version compatible?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Both the 65 & 32 bit versions are compatible. The 64 bit version is basically dead due to a recent change in how NI conducts business. The 32 bit version is the only one being updated.

[@petersvideofile]

@@joesmith-je3tq Thankyou for your reply. I saw your other video about how NI went to rolling subscription model without telling you, it's very unfortunate. I'm glad you have a perpetual license for the 32 bit version. I looked into the community version, but like you I'm not sure if you could build and distribute an executable freely under the license. If you provided the source code I suspect users could freely build there own executable with it (but unless I'm mistaken the source isn't available, and there's no reason you should feel a need to make it available to appease NI licensing constraints if you don't want to). Thanks again for your great work, I can't wait to try it with a LiteVNA64 when it arrives.

[@henrystanjr]

Good day sir joe smith Why i cannot install the software in th link discription sir?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Perhaps you don't own a PC?

[@alsamson3419]

We’re can I buy the book help needed thanks

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Amazon has it

[@dougn7bfs]

I know this is focused on the hardware discussed but I'm told that the 'saver' software will work with the Sysjoint SV4401a VNA, do you know if your software might work with the Sysjoint SV4401a VNA?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

It might. Consider there are many of these low cost VNAs with various names, manufactures and people creating firmware, it would be near impossible to say for sure. Keep in mind that I stopped developing software the uses the older protocol some time ago. The latest software support the new protocol only. I suggest staying with the open sourced programs. They are supported and you should be able to join the group.io mail lists to get answers to any questions you may have. If you want to run my latest software, I suggest you stay with the VNAs I test with. Currently, that is the LiteVNA 64 and the V2Plus4.

[@dougn7bfs]

@@joesmith-je3tq Thanks for responding and your efforts with this channel and the software!

[@dariocetrari7785]

Thanks for el video ¿ litevna 64 case plastic or metal?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

The case for the three we looked are are plastic.

[@Moonblade042194]

It looks like solver is written in some sort of compiled python, not surprised it performs poorly.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

That is what I had heard but I would expect that the libraries they use would be very fast.

[@hankhamner3671]

Will this sofrware work with the Sysjoint nanoVNA-F V2?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I doubt it. This software as the title suggests was written for the LiteVNA and V2Plus4 only.

[@hankhamner3671]

Will this software work on the Sysjoint nanoVNA-F V2?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Note the title of the video where it clearly states LiteVNA & V2Plus4.

[@juann5642]

Hey Joe, how can I purchase your labview VI?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

Let's assume you actually understand what it is you are asking and you wanted to buy the source code. It's not something I have ever considered. How deep are your pockets?

[@patrickdemeyer2210]

Let me refrase my question , i`m using Win 11 on Paralells on a Mac M1 , NI runtime doesn't like this , any chance on rebuilding your NI app on a Mac M1?

[@joesmith-je3tq]

If NI offers Labview for your hardware, then yes it could be rebuilt to target your system. I had rebuilt it using the latest version at the time of this video, so that's not a problem. Of course, the license for the development tools is going to cost you about $3500 rental fees per year. I've never had any interest in the Apple products and have no experience dealing with their hardware. The port could be very simple or a major effort. You would also need to cover the cost of the Mac for development and time. So it's just a money time problem. A better approach would be to use one of the many open sourced programs. They have better support and I understand will run on several platforms. If my software has some function you feel you need and you can't get the open source group to support you, you can buy a PC for a couple hundred USD. Of course, considering the LiteVNA is a bit of a toy and the development costs to port my software may not seem worth while, there is a third option. You could buy a better class VNA. The software they offer should far exceed anything I have shown and the VNA is surly going to outperform any of these low cost VNAs..

[@patrickdemeyer4668]

@@joesmith-je3tq After some spending a few evenings with this problem , got it running on an Mac M1 with Windows 11.The problem was the Cypress driver .

[@patrickdemeyer4668]

And the NI VISA software upgraded to latest version . Nice !

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@patrickdemeyer4668 I'm surprised that combination would work at all. Good job getting it working.

[@patrickdemeyer4668]

@@joesmith-je3tq Persistence and a lot of crashes of the VM'S.Never liked NI , to unstable in deployment.

[@bobmorris5971]

Hi Joe, I only see one branch on Github for Solver64. Dose this branch work for both NanoVAN Lite and the V2Plus4? I am still having issues getting it installed.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

I suggest you watch the video you are commenting on before asking questions. Or, maybe just read the title of the video.

[@bobmorris5971]

@@joesmith-je3tq Yes, sorry about that. I see that the software supports both in one branch. I also see that you say "no installer and no support". I do have the 64 bit LV 2020 runtime installed and the current NI VISA. Placing the executable in c:\Program Files\Solver64 it launches and I locate lvsound2.dll but the VI is broken. Error shoes Missing External Function lvsound2.dll:SOConfigure:C in VI Sound Output Configure VI. (and several other similar errors). I must be missing a .lib Your older NanoVNA software installed and runs fine.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@bobmorris5971 And no documentation. Had you taken the time to read the Github README, which was all but a few sentences, you would have known what runtime the software requires. And of course, there is always the EEVBLOG. Learn to use the search before asking basic questions as they have most likely been covered. www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/nanovna-custom-software/msg4095544/#msg4095544 I suggest going with one of the many open sourced programs rather than wasting time on mine.

[@bobmorris5971]

@@joesmith-je3tq Yes, I did read the read me and I did install the 2021 LV runtime SP1, sorry but I mistyped 2020. Not trying to be a pain here. I may be the only one have an issue with the install but I though you would like to know. I really do want to get this soft ware running. I know that you have put a lot of effort into it. I will try EEBLOG as well.

[@joesmith-je3tq]

@@bobmorris5971 How would I know what you have installed? If you installed the correct runtime and VISA, then I would guess that rather than pull the sound DLL from the repository, you decided you would save some time and copy a local one. Read the EEVBlog thread.

[@veoteveo1]

Labview sucks