Demo mode for LibreVna

[dna35]

Is Demo mode available for the LibreVNA? If not, can it be added as a feature? It would be nice to go through LibreVNA features without the physical unit. I can move this over to new features if you think it is practical.

[jankae]

No demo mode is implemented yet. This would be possible as a new device driver. It is easy enough to simulate a device that will just generate static sweep data but I am not sure how useful that will be. For example, you will not be able to perform any useful calibration with such a simulated VNA

[dna35]

When I didn't have my LibreVNA available to me for an extended period, I thought about investigating theoretical outcomes with an ideal calibration or even calibrations reflecting actual usage cases. I take it that a demo version could still load a setup and calibration? I also assume that the s2p files could be loaded and be graphed just like real input, but the main purpose would be to answer forum questions and stay skilled with the VNA even if the graphs were not real cases. Are any of these assumptions realistic?

[jankae]

Nothing is stopping you from loading setups, calibrations, s2p files, applying math to traces or whatever else you want to do.
You can do that even if the VNA is not connected. It says so right in the Readme:

You can try out the application without the PCB (obviously no measurements are possible, but you can import provided example measurements and get an idea about what it can and can't do).

The only thing you can not do without a VNA is taking calibration measurements or filling traces from live data.

[dna35]

You're right, then what is the difference btw a DEMO mode and what can already be done?

[jankae]

You are the one who requested a demo mode, so maybe you can tell me.

I assumed you meant a simulated VNA, so you can make measurements (well, simulated measurements) without having a LibreVNA.

[dna35]

Yes, that's correct, right now it can only load a file and get a static result. The simulated measurement would be more realistic, since the sweep would generate new data. It could use an ideal calibration or one loaded as when taking real measurements.Thanks for your consideration.