A Vector Network Analyzer(VNA) can be used to identify oscillation frequency of a signal source with moderate or low Radio Frequency(RF) power if certain care is taken according to experimental results. Unlike reported in the literature that a resonant peak of measured absolute value of reflection coefficient greater than 1 that corresponds to an oscillation frequency, we report that by observing the magnitude change of one-port reflection coefficient across the entire swept frequency range, a sudden peak or a dip corresponds to an oscillation frequency, this is more accurate than other reports. In addition, using modern VNA as a signal detection method can significantly reduce measurement time and increase measurement accuracy to VNA capability for developing emerging signal generating devices at early stage, especially for planar, large quantity and operating in a wide frequency range.

A Vector Network Analyzer(VNA) can be used to identify oscillation frequency of a signal source with moderate or low Radio Frequency(RF) power if certain care is taken according to experimental results. Unlike reported in the literature that a resonant peak of measured absolute value of reflection coefficient greater than 1 that corresponds to an oscillation frequency, we report that by observing the magnitude change of one-port reflection coefficient across the entire swept frequency range, a sudden peak or a dip corresponds to an oscillation frequency, this is more accurate than other reports. In addition, using modern VNA as a signal detection method can significantly reduce measurement time and increase measurement accuracy to VNA capability for developing emerging signal generating devices at early stage, especially for planar, large quantity and operating in a wide frequency range.