Copper Mountain VNA MCP Server

TCP/IP SCPI control for Copper Mountain Vector Network Analyzers via Model Context Protocol.

Disclaimer: This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Copper Mountain Technologies. "Copper Mountain" is a trademark of Copper Mountain Technologies. This is an independent open-source project.

Supported Instruments

Family	Description	Example Models	S-Parameters
RVNA	1-port reflectometers	R54, R60	S11
TRVNA	2-port 1-path	TR1300	S11, S21
S2VNA	2-port full reversing	M5090, Planar 804/1	S11, S12, S21, S22
S4VNA	4-port full	S5048	Full 4x4 matrix

Requirements

Windows PC running Copper Mountain VNA software with socket server enabled
Python 3.10+
Network connectivity between MCP server host and VNA host (can be same machine)

Installation

From PyPI

pip install coppermountain-vna-mcp

From Source

git clone https://github.com/RFingAdam/copper-mountain-vna-mcp.git
cd copper-mountain-vna-mcp
pip install -e .

Dependencies

mcp>=1.0.0
pydantic>=2.0
pydantic-settings>=2.0

Configuration

Configure via environment variables or .env file:

# Connection defaults
VNA_DEFAULT_HOST=127.0.0.1      # VNA software host IP
VNA_DEFAULT_PORT=5025           # Socket server port
VNA_CONNECTION_TIMEOUT=5.0      # TCP connection timeout (seconds)
VNA_COMMAND_TIMEOUT=30.0        # SCPI command timeout (seconds)

# Safety limits
# These limits protect your equipment and DUT from damage.
# Adjust based on your VNA model and test requirements.
VNA_MAX_POWER_DBM=10            # Maximum output power (typical VNA max: +10 dBm)
VNA_MIN_POWER_DBM=-55           # Minimum output power
VNA_MAX_FREQUENCY_HZ=20000000000  # 20 GHz (adjust for your VNA model)
VNA_MIN_FREQUENCY_HZ=100000     # 100 kHz
VNA_MAX_POINTS=10001            # Maximum sweep points (memory/speed tradeoff)

# Software paths (Windows only - for auto-launch)
VNA_S2VNA_PATH=C:\Program Files\Copper Mountain Technologies\S2VNA\S2VNA.exe
VNA_RVNA_PATH=C:\Program Files\Copper Mountain Technologies\RVNA\RVNA.exe
VNA_TRVNA_PATH=C:\Program Files\Copper Mountain Technologies\TRVNA\TRVNA.exe
VNA_S4VNA_PATH=C:\Program Files\Copper Mountain Technologies\S4VNA\S4VNA.exe

# Logging
VNA_LOG_LEVEL=INFO

Safety Limit Guidelines

Setting	Purpose	When to Adjust
`VNA_MAX_POWER_DBM`	Prevents DUT damage from excessive power	Lower for sensitive devices (LNAs, detectors)
`VNA_MIN_POWER_DBM`	Ensures signal above noise floor	Rarely needs adjustment
`VNA_MAX_FREQUENCY_HZ`	Prevents out-of-band operation	Set to your VNA's max frequency
`VNA_MIN_FREQUENCY_HZ`	Prevents invalid frequency requests	Set to your VNA's min frequency
`VNA_MAX_POINTS`	Limits memory usage and sweep time	Increase for high-resolution sweeps

Quick Start

1. Start VNA Software with Socket Server

The VNA software runs on Windows. Enable the socket server via command line:

S2VNA / S4VNA:

S2VNA.exe /SocketServer:on /SocketPort:5025 /visible:on

RVNA / TRVNA:

RVNA.exe EnableSocket:5025

Or enable via GUI: System > Socket Server > Enable

2. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "copper-mountain-vna": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "coppermountain_vna_mcp"],
      "env": {
        "VNA_DEFAULT_HOST": "127.0.0.1",
        "VNA_DEFAULT_PORT": "5025"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Example Usage

Connect and perform a basic S11 measurement:

import asyncio
from coppermountain_vna_mcp.driver import CopperMountainVNADriver
from coppermountain_vna_mcp.models import SParameter, SweepConfig

async def main():
    async with CopperMountainVNADriver("127.0.0.1", 5025) as vna:
        # Get instrument info
        info = await vna.identify()
        print(f"Connected: {info.manufacturer} {info.model}")

        # Configure sweep: 1-2 GHz, 201 points
        config = SweepConfig(
            start_freq_hz=1e9,
            stop_freq_hz=2e9,
            num_points=201,
            if_bandwidth_hz=1000,
            power_dbm=0,
        )
        await vna.configure_sweep(config)

        # Perform sweep and get data
        await vna.trigger_sweep()
        data = await vna.get_s_parameter_data(SParameter.S11)

        # Find minimum (best match)
        marker = await vna.marker_search_min()
        print(f"Best match: {marker.frequency_hz/1e9:.3f} GHz @ {marker.magnitude_db:.1f} dB")

        # Export to Touchstone
        await vna.save_touchstone("measurement.s1p")

asyncio.run(main())

Available Tools

Connection

Tool	Description
`vna_discover`	Scan ports 5025-5035 for running VNA instances
`vna_connect`	Connect to VNA at specified host:port
`vna_disconnect`	Disconnect from VNA
`vna_identify`	Get VNA identification (*IDN?)
`vna_get_status`	Get connection and configuration status

Configuration

Tool	Description
`vna_configure_sweep`	Set frequency range, points, IF BW, power
`vna_set_center_span`	Configure via center frequency and span
`vna_set_averaging`	Configure sweep averaging
`vna_set_port_power`	Set power level per port
`vna_output_on`	Enable RF output
`vna_output_off`	Disable RF output

Measurement

Tool	Description
`vna_trigger_sweep`	Trigger single sweep, wait for completion
`vna_get_s_parameter`	Get S-parameter data (frequency, magnitude, phase)
`vna_measure_return_loss`	Measure S11 at specific frequency
`vna_measure_vswr`	Measure VSWR at specific frequency
`vna_measure_insertion_loss`	Measure S21 at specific frequency

Markers

Tool	Description
`vna_set_marker`	Position marker at frequency
`vna_get_marker`	Get marker value
`vna_marker_search_min`	Find minimum in sweep
`vna_marker_search_max`	Find maximum in sweep
`vna_marker_bandwidth`	Find -3dB (or specified) bandwidth

Calibration

Tool	Description
`vna_calibration_status`	Get calibration validity
`vna_calibration_start`	Start calibration (SOL, SOLT, SOLR, TRL)
`vna_calibration_measure_standard`	Measure OPEN/SHORT/LOAD/THRU
`vna_calibration_apply`	Apply calibration coefficients
`vna_correction_on`	Enable error correction
`vna_correction_off`	Disable error correction

Data Export

Tool	Description
`vna_save_touchstone`	Export to .s1p/.s2p/.s4p file
`vna_save_screenshot`	Save display screenshot

Low-Level SCPI

Tool	Description
`vna_scpi_send`	Send raw SCPI command
`vna_scpi_query`	Send SCPI query, return response
`vna_reset`	Reset VNA (*RST)
`vna_preset`	Preset VNA (SYST:PRES)

Templates

Tool	Description
`vna_list_templates`	List all available measurement templates
`vna_load_template`	Load a measurement template by name
`vna_apply_template`	Apply loaded template to VNA
`vna_save_state`	Save VNA configuration to file
`vna_load_state`	Restore VNA configuration from file
`vna_get_full_state`	Get complete VNA configuration as JSON

Measurement Templates

Pre-configured templates for common measurement scenarios. Each template sets up sweep parameters, markers, and display traces appropriately.

Antenna Templates

Template	Frequency Range	Description
`antenna_wifi_24ghz`	2.4-2.5 GHz	WiFi 2.4 GHz band
`antenna_ble_24ghz`	2.402-2.480 GHz	Bluetooth Low Energy
`antenna_wifi_ble_24ghz`	2.4-2.5 GHz	Combined WiFi/BLE 2.4 GHz
`antenna_wifi_5ghz`	5.15-5.85 GHz	Full WiFi 5 GHz band
`antenna_wifi_5ghz_unii1`	5.15-5.25 GHz	WiFi 5 GHz UNII-1 only
`antenna_wifi_5ghz_unii3`	5.725-5.85 GHz	WiFi 5 GHz UNII-3 only
`antenna_wifi_6ghz`	5.925-7.125 GHz	WiFi 6E / 6 GHz band
`antenna_wifi_dual_band`	2.4 + 5 GHz	Dual-band WiFi
`antenna_wifi_tri_band`	2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz	Tri-band WiFi 6E
`antenna_mimo_wifi_24ghz`	2.4-2.5 GHz	MIMO 2.4 GHz (S11+S22+S21)
`antenna_mimo_wifi_5ghz`	5.15-5.85 GHz	MIMO 5 GHz (S11+S22+S21)
`antenna_mimo_wifi_dual_band`	2.4 + 5 GHz	MIMO dual-band (S11+S22+S21)
`antenna_ism_us915`	902-928 MHz	US ISM band (LoRa, Zigbee)
`antenna_ism_eu868`	863-870 MHz	EU ISM band (LoRa, Zigbee)
`antenna_ism_worldwide`	862-928 MHz	Worldwide ISM (EU + US)
`antenna_uwb_channel_5`	6489.6 MHz	UWB Channel 5
`antenna_uwb_channel_9`	7987.2 MHz	UWB Channel 9
`antenna_uwb_full_band`	3.1-8.5 GHz	Full UWB band
`antenna_cellular`	600 MHz-2.7 GHz	Cellular/LTE multiband
`antenna_mimo_cellular`	600 MHz-2.7 GHz	MIMO Cellular (S11+S22+S21)
`antenna_gps_l1`	1575.42 MHz	GPS L1 band
`antenna_gnss_dual_band`	L1 + L5	Dual-band GNSS
`antenna_nfc`	300 kHz-40 MHz	NFC with SRF detection

Cable Templates

Template	Frequency Range	Description
`cable_dc_2_4ghz`	100 kHz-2.4 GHz	Cable/connector test
`cable_dc_8_5ghz`	100 kHz-8.5 GHz	Extended frequency cable test

Filter Templates

Template	Description
`filter_wifi_24ghz`	2.4 GHz WiFi bandpass filter
`filter_wifi_5ghz`	5 GHz WiFi bandpass filter
`filter_ism_915mhz`	915 MHz ISM bandpass filter
`filter_gps_l1`	GPS L1 bandpass filter
`filter_bandpass_custom`	Custom bandpass (provide center_freq_hz, bandwidth_hz)
`filter_lowpass_custom`	Custom lowpass (provide cutoff_freq_hz)

Template Usage

# List available templates
templates = await vna.list_templates()

# Load and apply a WiFi 5GHz antenna template
await vna.load_template("antenna_wifi_5ghz")
await vna.apply_template()

# Or use custom template parameters
await vna.load_template("filter_bandpass_custom",
                         center_freq_hz=1.5e9,
                         bandwidth_hz=100e6)
await vna.apply_template()

Calibration Guide

SOL Calibration (1-Port)

For reflection measurements (S11) on single-port VNAs or when only measuring one port:

Start calibration: vna_calibration_start(method="SOL")
Connect SHORT standard, measure: vna_calibration_measure_standard(standard="SHORT", port_num=1)
Connect OPEN standard, measure: vna_calibration_measure_standard(standard="OPEN", port_num=1)
Connect LOAD standard, measure: vna_calibration_measure_standard(standard="LOAD", port_num=1)
Apply calibration: vna_calibration_apply()
Enable correction: vna_correction_on()

SOLT Calibration (2-Port Full)

For full 2-port measurements including transmission (S21, S12):

Start calibration: vna_calibration_start(method="SOLT")
Measure standards on Port 1: SHORT, OPEN, LOAD
Measure standards on Port 2: SHORT, OPEN, LOAD
Connect THRU between ports: vna_calibration_measure_standard(standard="THRU")
Apply calibration: vna_calibration_apply()
Enable correction: vna_correction_on()

Calibration Notes

Calibration is frequency-specific; recalibrate when changing frequency range significantly
Use quality calibration standards appropriate for your frequency range
Store calibration files on the VNA for reuse
Verify calibration by measuring a known standard (e.g., airline, attenuator)

Network Topology

The MCP server connects to VNA software via TCP/IP, enabling flexible deployment:

+-------------------+     TCP/IP      +-------------------+
|   Linux/macOS     |<--------------->|   Windows PC      |
|                   |    Port 5025    |                   |
|  +-----------+    |                 |  +-------------+  |
|  | MCP Server|    |                 |  | VNA Software|  |
|  +-----------+    |                 |  +-------------+  |
|                   |                 |         |         |
+-------------------+                 |    +----v----+    |
                                      |    |   VNA   |    |
                                      |    | Hardware|    |
                                      |    +---------+    |
                                      +-------------------+

Architecture

copper-mountain-vna-mcp/
├── src/coppermountain_vna_mcp/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── __main__.py           # Entry point
│   ├── server.py             # MCP server (stdio transport)
│   ├── tools.py              # Tool definitions and handlers
│   ├── config.py             # Pydantic settings
│   │
│   ├── driver/
│   │   ├── scpi_socket.py    # Async TCP/IP SCPI transport
│   │   ├── vna_driver.py     # Unified VNA driver
│   │   └── exceptions.py     # Custom exceptions
│   │
│   ├── models/
│   │   ├── vna_types.py      # VNAFamily, SParameter enums
│   │   ├── sweep.py          # SweepConfig dataclass
│   │   └── measurement.py    # SParameterData, MarkerData
│   │
│   ├── safety/
│   │   └── validators.py     # Power/frequency limit enforcement
│   │
│   └── software/
│       ├── launcher.py       # VNA software lifecycle (Windows)
│       └── discovery.py      # Port scanning
│
├── tests/
├── examples/
└── assets/

Development

# Install with dev dependencies
pip install -e ".[dev]"

# Run tests
pytest

# Run tests with coverage
pytest --cov=coppermountain_vna_mcp

# Type checking
mypy src/

# Linting
ruff check src/

Integration Testing

Requires VNA hardware:

VNA_TEST_HOST=127.0.0.1 VNA_TEST_PORT=5025 pytest tests/test_integration.py -v

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

Verify VNA software is running with socket server enabled
Check firewall settings allow connections on the configured port
Confirm the IP address is correct (use 127.0.0.1 for local, actual IP for remote)

Command Timeout

Increase VNA_COMMAND_TIMEOUT for long sweeps (many points, narrow IF bandwidth)
Check VNA is not in manual trigger mode

Invalid S-Parameter

Verify the requested S-parameter is supported by your VNA family
RVNA: S11 only
TRVNA: S11, S21
S2VNA: S11, S12, S21, S22
S4VNA: Full 4x4 matrix

Calibration Not Applied

Ensure vna_calibration_apply() was called after measuring all standards
Call vna_correction_on() to enable error correction
Verify calibration covers current frequency range

License

Apache License 2.0 - see LICENSE for details.

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
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.github/workflows		.github/workflows
assets		assets
examples		examples
src/coppermountain_vna_mcp		src/coppermountain_vna_mcp
tests		tests
.env.example		.env.example
.gitignore		.gitignore
CHANGELOG.md		CHANGELOG.md
CONTRIBUTING.md		CONTRIBUTING.md
LICENSE		LICENSE
README.md		README.md
SECURITY.md		SECURITY.md
pyproject.toml		pyproject.toml

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Copper Mountain VNA MCP Server

Supported Instruments

Requirements

Installation

From PyPI

From Source

Dependencies

Configuration

Safety Limit Guidelines

Quick Start

1. Start VNA Software with Socket Server

2. Configure Claude Desktop

3. Example Usage

Available Tools

Connection

Configuration

Measurement

Markers

Calibration

Data Export

Low-Level SCPI

Templates

Measurement Templates

Antenna Templates

Cable Templates

Filter Templates

Template Usage

Calibration Guide

SOL Calibration (1-Port)

SOLT Calibration (2-Port Full)

Calibration Notes

Network Topology

Architecture

Development

Integration Testing

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

Command Timeout

Invalid S-Parameter

Calibration Not Applied

License

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