American International University- Bangladesh (AIUB) Faculty of Engineering

EEE 4205: Microwave Engineering Laboratory

Exp. No. 6: Observation of Side Hole Directional Coupler (Bethe Hole Coupler); and Measurement of Coupling Factor and Directivity.
Objectives: (i) (ii) The first objective of this experiment is to show how the directional coupler can be used in power measurement. The second objective is to measure the coupling factor and directivity using the Bethe Hole Directional Coupler.

Theory: The most important use of directional coupler is as a power sampling device. High power levels may pass through it with little loss while the power is sampled at 3, 6, 10, 20 and 30 or more dB down from the input (Example: at 1watt, the sample would be 1mw for 30 dB coupler). A directional coupler may also be used to sample the forward power as compared to the reverse power. There are basically two types of coupling mechanisms. They are () Natural or reverse coupling where the main power and the coupled portion of power flows in opposite direction and () Anti natural or forward coupling where the main power and the coupled portion of power flows in the same direction. In this experiment, the side hole coupler (Bethe hole coupler) will be examined physically. In this type of coupler with the apply of source power to the input side of the coupler, the wave propagates in the preferred direction. As the wave passes by the holes some of the power leaks into the next chamber and is available at the auxiliary output, but at a reduced level. The amount of main power which reaches the auxiliary output is the Coupling factor and is stated in decibels (dB). The formula for the coupling factor K is: K=10log10(PAout/PMin) where, PMin is the main input power and PAout is the auxiliary output power. If the coupler is reversed physically so that the main power goes into the main output and all of the leakage power will be absorbed by the matched termination. This procedure leaves no power at the auxiliary output. This is theoretically true but in practice when the coupler is used perfect conditions cannot be reached. So the limit to which the auxiliary output is suppressed during reverse power flow is called the Directivity of the coupler. The formula for the directivity in decibels (dB) is: D=10log10(PAout/PAout)

where, PAout is the power out of the auxiliary during forward power flow and PAout is the power out of the auxiliary during reverse flow. In Bethe hole coupler normally the magnetic field is coupled to provide the coupling action. Components, devices and equipments: (i) Solid state Gunn oscillator (LRL 503\SS) (ii) Oscillator power supply (LRL 510) (iii) Variable flap attenuator (LRL 506) (iv) Thermistor mount (LRL 508) (v) Waveguide to coaxial termination (LRL 502) (vi) Directional coupler (LRL 512) (vii) Wave guide stands Block Diagram of the experiment setting:

Solid State Gunn Oscillator

Variable Flapp Attenuator

Bethe Hole Directional Coupler

Waveguide to Coaxial Termination

Thermistor Mount

Microwave Power Meter Data Table: Power at the main input, PMin (mW) Power at the auxiliary terminal for forward coupling, PAout (mW) Power at the auxiliary terminal for reverse coupling, PAout (mW) Coupling factor, K= 10log10PAout/PMin (dB) Directivity, D=10log10PAout/PAout (dB)

Report:

1. Calculate the coupling factor from the experimental data. 2. What is the difference between the forward and reverse coupling. 2