Experiment 2: Microwave SWR and Frequency

Measurements

Aims: In this experiment you are introduced to the basics of microwave

transmission in metallic waveguides. You will learn how to measure the standing
wave ratio and frequency.

WARNING: Microwave power levels used in this experiment are safe but do not
look down an open waveguide when it is being driven.

References:

O’Keefe, S.G., 2000. Transmission Lines Notes

Ulaby, F.T., 1997. Applied Electromagnetics, Prentice Hall.
Cheng, D.K., 1989. Field and Wave Electromagnetics. 2nd ed., Addison Wesley.

THEORY:

(a) General Introduction

Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation usually described by that region

of the spectrum higher in frequency than approximately 1GHz. Because coaxial
cable suffers significant loss at these frequencies, an alternative method of energy
transport is used; waveguides. A waveguide is simply a metal tube filled with
dielectric (usually air), which traps the wave by multiple reflections off the inside
walls of the guide. Clearly the angle of incidence within the guide θ, (measured from
the direction normal to the propagation) must be less than 90°. When θ = 0°, there
is no propagation down the wave guide. The wavelength in the wave guide λg is
given by the relationship

λg= λo/sinθ (1)

where λo is the free space wavelength.

When the conductivity of the walls is very high (sometimes coated with gold or
copper), the propagation loss can be very small. As a result of standing waves and
other interference effects, each mechanical structure has a somewhat limited
frequency range over which the attenuation is low. For a waveguide with a
rectangular cross-section, the waveguide equation expresses the wavelength down
the wave guide λg. This is given by the free space wavelength λ0 and the cut off
wavelength λc, by the equation:

1 1 1 (2)
= "
!2g !20 !2c

The cut off frequency corresponds to the situation when one dimension of the
waveguide a is equal to half a free space wavelength; i.e. we then have a vertical
standing wave and no propagation down the wave guide. Thus we can write

λc = 2a (3)

where a is the height of the guide parallel to the magnetic field vector. In this
experiment a TE10 mode of propagation is used. The field patterns are given in
Cheng p553-4. The characteristic impedance of the waveguide Z0 is given by

Z0 = 120π/sinθ (4)

if the wave guide is filled with air or vacuum.

(b) Impedance measurement using a slotted line

When a line is terminated with an impedance Zl which is not equal to the

characteristic impedance Z0 of the line, then some energy is reflected. The reflection
coefficient Γl is given by the expression

Γl = (Zr - Z0)/( Zr + Z0) (5)

and the reflected wave results in a standing wave. The VSWR (voltage standing
wave ratio) is given by the expression

VSWR = (1 + |Γl|) /(1 - |Γl|) (6)

When the termination is a short circuit, the positions of the current minima are
located at equal half wavelengths in the waveguide starting from a current maximum
at the short position. Any other load will result in a new location of the minima d in
the standing wave. The position of the new minima can be used on a Smith chart
once it has been normalised by dividing the value by the wave guide wavelength (i.e.
d/λg). If the line is lossless, the VSWR is constant along the guide, and the VSWR is
a circle on the Smith Chart centred at the point (1+0j). Thus it is possible from a
measurement of VSWR and d, to locate the load as a point on the Smith Chart.
From this the normalised impedance can be calculated.
PRE-LABORATORY QUESTIONS:

Q2.1 The waveguide in this experiment has dimension a = 22.866 mm. What
is the cut off frequency for this waveguide?

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

WARNING: Power levels are safe but do not look down the waveguide when
it is being driven.

(a) Wave guide cut off measurements

In this experiment we will use the slotted line diode as the detector.

Construct the wave guide circuit using two wave guide mounts. The slotted line
uses a diode detector. Connect the BNC output of the slotted line to a digital
voltmeter.

Source ⇒ Coaxial adaptor ⇒ Straight ⇒ Atten ⇒ Slotted line ⇒ Termination

(8002) (502) (773-5) (506) (505) (507)
⇓
DMM
(Volts)

With the attenuator set on 12 dB, and the frequency set on 9.5 GHz, measure the
maximum voltage along the slotted line. (Is there any variation in microwave power
along the line? Why?)

Measure the power at 0.5 GHz intervals from 9.5 GHz to 2 GHz and plot the
results.

Where would you define the cut off frequency of the guide? How does this
compare with the value calculated in Q2.1

(b) VSWR measurements using a slotted line

Set the frequency at 9 GHz and the attenuation at 12 dB. Connect up the following
microwave circuit using two wave guide mounts for support:
Source ⇒ Coaxial adaptor ⇒ Straight ⇒ Atten ⇒ Slotted line ⇒ Various loads
(8002) (502) (773-5) (506) (505)
⇓
DMM
(Volts)
Measure the maximum and minimum diode voltage levels when the Load is a short
circuit plate (532). Use a ruler to locate the position of the minimum value relative
to the short circuit plate. Is this what you expect? Explain your answer.

Measure the VSWR value on the slotted line. Calculate the reflection coefficient Γl
and comment on your answer.

Remove the shorting plate and again locate the nearest minimum. This is the “open
circuit” equivalent. How far has the position of the minimum changed? Is this what
you expect?

Measure the VSWR, and using equation (5) calculate the impedance of the "open
circuit" termination using a Smith chart and your value for Z0. Comment on your
results.

Note that the detector is a square law detector so that Prf is proportional to V, and

VSWR = (Vmax/Vmin)1/2

Use the wave guide “T” power splitter as the Load in your circuit. Terminate the
two free ports with matched loads. Measure the VSWR and so comment on the
effective impedance of the “T”.

Hint: Is this impedance equal to two wave guide impedances in parallel? Comment
on your result.

(c) Frequency measurements using a slotted line

Return the short circuit plate to the end of the circuit. Note the meter reading every
2mm along the length of the slotted line. Plot out the voltage versus distance data.
Obtain at least three measurements for the half wavelength in the line and average
them and so determine the wavelength in the waveguide λg.

From the wave guide equation (2) calculate the free space wavelength of the
radiation λ0 and the frequency of the radiation. The wave guide dimensions are a =
 8
22.866 mm and the speed of light c = 3 x 10 m/s. From this calculate the wave
guide impedance Z0.

POST-LABORATORY QUESTIONS:

Q2.3 Using equation (2) explain what happens to λg when λ0>λc? What
happens to the propagation down the wave guide?

Q2.4 Consult your textbook to find the impedance of free space? How does
this value compare with you value of Z0 determined in the last section? Comment
on why these values might not agree.