microsoft / microsoft/Qcodes

Reverse frequency sweeping on Rohde&Schwarz ZNB40 via QCoDeS

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Python
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Description

Hi,

This is mainly a feature request but it would be nice if the user has the option to define a frequency sweep in the opposite direction for a measurement channel. Currently for instance, if measuring S21 for a DUT, we set

```python
from qcodes.instrument_drivers.rohde_schwarz.ZNB import ZNB
station.add_component(
ZNB(
name="VNA",
address="",
init_s_params=True,
)
)
station.VNA.S21.frequency_start(500e6)
station.VNA.S21.frequency_stop(1000e6)
```
to perform the measurement. However, QCoDeS gives out an error when setting the attribute `frequency_stop` to be lesser than `frequency_start`.

Looking up the manual for the ZNB40 VNA in particular, we find a section on independently defining the port configuration via the K4 option ([see this FAQ from R&S](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/faq/reverse-sweep-backward-sweep-faq_78704-39503.html)). Interestingly enough, atleast on the VNA we have at hand I was unable to find this option via the in-built local GUI of the VNA.

It would be nice if the driver could include this feature.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start with the ZNB driver entry point in qcodes.instrument_drivers.rohde_schwarz.ZNB and read the linked Rohde & Schwarz reverse-sweep FAQ. Inspect how frequency_start and frequency_stop are validated for measurement channels; done means the driver can represent a reverse sweep for a channel without rejecting a lower stop frequency.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
backend
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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