Passive and Active

Microwave Devices

Dr. H. Rahaman, Associate Professor

Department of Electronics and Communication, BKBIET Pilani
 Objective

 Microwave passive components.

 Microwave active components.
 Semiconductor devices.
 Microwave/ Vacuum Tubes.
 Microwave Components and Devices
Active and passive components and devices are basic building blocks of
microwave circuit and systems that operates at microwave frequency from
300 MHz to 300 GHz. Examples– Source, load, transmission line, coaxial,
waveguide, attenuator, circulator, measurement devices like frequency
meter, power detector etc.

Active devices: They inject power into a circuit or network capable of

controlling and amplifying the power flow. Semiconductor devices
and microwave tubes.

Passive devices: They either consume or store energy. If there is decline

in signal power between input and output, the device is a passive. If the
signal is amplified, the device will become active. Example- Directional
coupler, power divider, magic tee, attenuator, resonator, etc.
 Power Divider and Directional Coupler
 These are passive microwave components used for power division or
power combining.
 Power division means input power is divided into two or more output
signals of lesser power, while power combiner combines two or
more signals at the output port.
 The divider or coupler may have three ports, four ports or more, may be
ideally lossless.
 Three port network takes the form of T- junction, while four port
network takes the form of directional coupler.
 A wide variety of waveguide couplers and power divider are invented by
MIT radiation laboratory during 1940s.
 Directional Coupler
Directional Coupler is a 4-port waveguide junction consisting of a
primary main waveguide and a secondary auxiliary waveguide.

Properties of an ideal directional coupler:

 All the terminations are matched to the ports.
 When the power travels from Port 1 to Port 2, some portion of it gets
coupled to Port 4 but not to Port 3.
 If the power is incident through Port 3, a portion of it is coupled to
Port 2, but not to Port 1.
 If the power is incident through Port 4, a portion of it is coupled to
Port 1, but not to Port 2.
 Port 1 and 3 are decoupled as are Port 2 and Port 4.
 Directional Coupler
Directional Coupler is used to couple microwave power in a particular
port.

Pi = Incident power at Port 1 Pf = Forward coupled power at Port 4

Pr = Received power at Port 2 Pb = Back power at Port 3
Coupling factor C: It is the ratio of incident power to the forward power,
measured in dB.
Directivity D: It is the ratio of forward power to the backward
power,
measured in dB. 𝑃
𝑃 𝑓
𝐶 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑃 𝑑𝐵
𝑖 𝐷 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔 10 𝑑𝐵
𝑃𝑏
𝑓
Applications:
 measure microwave parameters
 monitor and measure power
 Directional Coupler
Isolation (I): It is the ratio of incident power to the backward power,
measured in dB. 𝑃𝑖
𝐼 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑃 𝑑𝐵
𝑏

Isolation (dB) = Coupling factor (dB) + Directivity (dB)

Insertion Loss (I. L): It is the loss due to insertion of the component over a
line. It means total output powers from all ports relative to the input power.
𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + 𝑃4
𝐼. 𝐿 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑑𝐵
𝑃1
S parameter of the
directional coupler is Hybrid coupler is a special case of
directional coupler where the coupling factor
0 𝐴 𝑗𝐵 0 is 3 dB.
𝐴 0 0 𝑗𝐵
𝑆= 0 1 𝑗 0
𝑗𝐵 0 0 𝐴 1 1 0 0 𝑗
0 𝑗𝐵 𝐴 0 𝑆=
1 2 𝑗 0 0 1
𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 = 1 𝐴=𝐵=
2 0
𝑗
1
0
 Attenuator
An attenuator is a passive device that reduces the power of the signal when
the signal passes through it.

Pi PO

Pi > Po

Attenuation (α): It is the ratio of incident power to the output power,

measured in dB.
𝑃𝑖
𝛼 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑃 𝑑𝐵
0
 Attenuator
Fixed Attenuator

Variable Attenuator
 Resonator
Microwave resonators are used in a variety of applications like filters,
oscillators, frequency meters, and tuned amplifiers.
The operation of microwave resonator is very similar to that of lumped
element resonators of circuit theory.
Implementation of resonators at microwave frequencies uses distributed
elements like transmission lines, rectangular and circular waveguide etc.

Consider a series RLC resonant circuit

The input impedance of the RLC circuit is

The power delivered to the RLC circuit is

The resonance frequency is

 Resonator
Consider a parallel RLC resonant circuit

The input impedance of the RLC circuit is

The power delivered to the RLC circuit is

The resonance frequency is

In the range of microwave frequencies, the value of L and C are so small

that they are practically not realized.
The cavity resonator can generate oscillation like LC circuit in microwave
range.
 Rectangular Cavity Resonator
Recall the rectangular waveguide
The dimensions are a, and b, along x, and
y, directions, respectively. The wavenumber is
then defined as

The cut off wave number and frequency are given by

2 1 1 𝑚𝜋 2 𝑛𝜋 2
𝑚𝜋 𝑛𝜋 2
𝑘𝑐 = 𝑘𝑥2 + 𝑘𝑦2 = + 𝑓𝑐 𝑚 𝑛 = 𝑘𝑐 = +
𝑎 𝑏 2𝜋 𝜇𝜖 2𝜋 𝜇𝜖 𝑎 𝑏

The wave equation of TEmn and TMmn mode is

𝒎𝝅𝒙 𝒏𝝅𝒚 −𝒋𝜷𝒛
𝑯𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑯𝒐𝒛 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝒆
𝒂 𝒃
m, n = 0, 1, 2, 3,,……but both cannot be zero.
𝒎𝝅𝒙 𝒏𝝅𝒚 −𝒋𝜷𝒛
𝑬𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑬𝒐𝒛 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝒆
𝒂 𝒃
m, n = 1, 2, 3,,…….
 Rectangular Cavity Resonator
Let us consider the dimensions are a, b, and d along x, y, and z directions,
respectively. For resonant condition

𝒎𝝅𝒙 𝒏𝝅𝒚 𝒍𝝅𝒛

𝑯𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑯𝒐𝒛 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝑺𝒊𝒏
𝒂 𝒃 𝒅

m, n = 0, 1, 2, 3,,…and l = 1, 2, 3, …..
We refer it as TEmnl mode

𝒎𝝅𝒙 𝒎𝝅𝒚 𝒎𝝅𝒛

𝑬𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑬𝒐𝒛 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒔
𝒂 𝒃 𝒅

m, n = 1, 2, 3,,…and l = 0, 1, 2, 3, …..
We refer it as TMmnl mode
 Rectangular Cavity Resonator
The resonant wavenumber is then defined as

TEmnl or TMmnl are resonant mode of the cavity.

The indices, m, n, l are the number of variations
in the standing wave pattern in x, y and z
direction, respectively. The resonant frequency
of TEmnl or TMmnl modes are given by

If b < a < d, the dominant resonant mode (lowest resonant frequency) will be
the TE101 mode, corresponding to the TE10 dominant waveguide mode in a
shorted guide of length λg/2. The dominant TM resonant mode is the TM110
mode, corresponding to the TM11 dominant waveguide mode.
 Circular Cavity Resonator
Recall the circular waveguide
The dimension is a along radial direction ρ of the
cylinder. The cut off wavenumber for TEmn and
TMmn mode is then defined as
′
𝝌𝒏𝒎 𝝌𝒏𝒎
𝑲𝒄𝒎𝒏 = 𝑲𝒄𝒎𝒏 = 𝒂
𝒂 n=0,1,2,3,… and m=1,2,3,…
The respective frequencies for TEmn and TMmn mode is
then defined as ′ ′
𝑣 𝜒 𝜒𝑛𝑚 𝑣 𝜒
𝜒𝑛𝑚 𝑝 𝑛𝑚 𝑝 𝑛𝑚
𝑓𝑐 𝑛𝑚 = = 𝑓𝑐 𝑛𝑚 = =
2𝜋𝑎 𝜇𝜖 2𝜋𝑎 2𝜋𝑎 𝜇𝜖 2𝜋𝑎
The wave equation of TEmn and TMmn mode is
′
′
𝝌𝒏𝒎 𝝆
𝑯𝒛 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛 = 𝑯𝒐𝒛 𝑱𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝒏𝝋 𝒆−𝒋𝜷𝒛
𝒂
m = 1,2,3,., n = 0, 1, 2, 3,,……
𝝌𝒏𝒎 𝝆
𝑬𝒛 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛 = 𝑬𝒐𝒛 𝑱𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝒏𝝋 𝒆−𝒋𝜷𝒛
𝒂
m = 1,2,3,., n =
0, 1, 2, 3,,……
 Circular Cavity Resonator
Let us consider the dimensions are a, and d
along ρ and z directions, respectively. For
resonant condition
𝝌𝒏𝒎
′ 𝝆 𝒍𝝅𝒛
𝑯𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑯𝒐𝒛 𝑱𝒏′ 𝒂
𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝒏𝝋 𝑺𝒊𝒏
𝒅

n = 0, 1, 2, 3…, m = 1, 2, 3,,…and l = 1, 2, 3, …..

We refer it as TEmnl mode
𝝌𝒏𝒎 𝝆 𝒍𝝅𝒛
𝑬𝒛 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑬𝒐𝒛 𝑱𝒏 𝒂
𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝒏𝝋 𝑪𝒐𝒔
𝒅
n = 0, 1, 2, 3,…, m = 1, 2, 3, …, and l = 0, 1, 2, 3, …..
We refer it as TMmnl mode
The resonant frequency for TE and TM modes are given by

𝑣 ′ 2 2 𝑣 2 2
𝑓𝑐 𝑛𝑚 = 𝑝 𝜒𝑛𝑚 𝑙𝜋 𝑝 𝜒𝑛𝑚 𝑙𝜋
2𝜋 𝜇𝑟 𝜖𝑟 + 𝑓𝑐 𝑛𝑚 = +
𝑎 𝑑 2𝜋 𝜇𝑟 𝜖𝑟 𝑎 𝑑
 Cavity Resonator
For a ≤ d, the dominant resonant mode (lowest resonant frequency) will be
the TE111 mode, corresponding to the TE11 dominant waveguide mode in
a shorted guide of length λg/2. The dominant TM resonant mode is the
TM010 mode, corresponding to the TM01 dominant waveguide mode.
Quality factor, Q:
Quality factor/ Q factor is an important parameter of a resonant circuit
and is defined as
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒
𝑄 = 2𝜋 =
𝜔0 𝑊 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒
𝑃
ω0 – Resonant frequency, W – Average energy stored, P – Average power

Q is a measure of the loss of a resonant circuit. Lower loss implies a high Q.

Resonator losses may be due to conductor loss, dielectric loss, or radiation
loss, and is represented by the resistance, R. Any external network will cause
additional loss and these mechanism will lower the Q value. The Q of the
resonator without external loading effect is called the unloaded Q, denoted
by Q0.
 Quality Factor
Energy associated with different component in a series resonant circuit.

Resonant frequency of the circuit is

Q of the circuit is

Which shows that Q increases as R or C decreases.

Energy associated with different component in a parallel resonant

circuit.

Resonant frequency of the circuit is

Q of the circuit is
Which shows that Q increases as L decreases.
 Quality Factor
In series RLC circuit, the load resistor RL adds in series with R, so the
effective resistance is (R + RL). In parallel RLC circuit, the load resistor RL
adds in parallel with R, so the effective resistance is RRL/(R+RL). Then the
external Q, Qe is denoted as

The loaded Q, Ql of the circuit is given by

 Power Divider
A three port device is a power divider.

Microtrip line Waveguide Tees:

E plane Tee, H plane Tee

In RF & microwave ckts, a waveguide or coaxial line junction with 3

ports is known as tee junction. These devices are mainly used for
combining power and splitting power in a waveguide system. The three
port waveguide tees are mainly of two types-
E plane connected in series
H plane connected in shunt
 E Plane Tee
A three port device is a power divider. When the axis of the side arm
is parallel to the Electric Field (E) of the collinear, then the tee is called a
E-Plane Tee Junction.

Port 1 is a side arm, Ports 1 & 2 are collinear arms.

The outputs we get in this type of tee are 180° out of phase with each
other, irrespective of from which port the input is fed.
If power is fed into port 3, it is equally divided into port 1 and 2 but will
be 180o phase difference with each other.
If power is fed into ports 1 & 2, they will appear as port 3 as difference
between port 1 and port 2.
 E Plane Tees
If the E-plane Tee is perfectly matched at ports by using
screws, capacitive or inductive windows, then diagonal terms of the S
parameters will be zero i.e. S11 = S22 = S33 = 0.
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 0 𝑆23
𝑆31 𝑆32 0
In general, when an E-plane tee is constructed of an empty waveguide, it
is poorly matched at the tee junction. However, the collinear arms
are symmetric about the side arm. S23 = – S13, and S11 = S22.
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆12 𝑆11
−𝑆13
𝑆13 −𝑆13 𝑆33
 H Plane Tee
When the axis of the side arm of the waveguide tee is parallel to the flow
of the Magnetic Field (H) from port 1 and is perpendicular to the flow of
the Electric Field (E), then the tee is called a H-Plane Waveguide Tee.

Port 1 is a side arm, Ports 1 & 2 are collinear arms.

The outputs we get in this type of tee are in phase with each other,
irrespective of from which port the input is fed.
If power is fed into port 3, the signal is split into two equal parts at port 1
and 2 but both are in phase with each other.
If power is fed into ports 1 & 2, the output at port 3 will be additive and in
phase.
The collinear arms are symmetric about the side arm. S23 = S13, S11 = S22.

𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13

𝑆 = 𝑆12 𝑆11 𝑆13
𝑆13 𝑆13 𝑆33
 Magic Tee
A Magic Tee or Hybrid Tee is a 4 port waveguide tee that is a combination
of an E-Plane and H-Plane Waveguide Tee.

A magic tee has four ports:

Port 1 - Co-linear
Port 2 - Co-linear
Port 3 - Difference Port
Port 4 - Sum Port

Case 1: When two signals of equal magnitude and phase are fed from port
1 and 2, we get a zero at port 3 and the sum of the two signals at port 4.
Case 2: When a signal is fed to port 4, it gets divided equally between port
1 & 2 with both the outputs in phase. No output comes from port 3.
Case 3: When a signal is fed to port 3, we get an output of equal
magnitude but opposite phase at port 1 & 2 (the signals are 180o out of
phase). Output at port 4 is zero. S34 = S43 = 0.
 Magic Tee
Case 4: When a signal is fed to one of the collinear arms at port 1 (or port
2), it will not appear at the other arm at port 2 (or port 1) because E arm
causes a phase delay, while H arm causes a phase advance. S34 = S43 = 0.
S parameter for a matched Magic Tee waveguide
0 0 𝑆13
𝑆14 0 0 𝑆23
𝑆= 𝑆24
𝑆31 𝑆32 0
0 𝑆41 𝑆42 0
0
 Active microwave devices
 Active devices include diodes, transistors, and electron tubes.
 These devices can be used for signal detection, mixing, amplification,
frequency multiplication and switching and as sources of rf and
microwave signals.

Diode:
 A diode is a two terminal semiconductor device having a nonlinear V –
I relationship.
 This nonlinearilty can be exploited for various functions – signal
detection, demodulation, frequency multiplication and oscillation etc.
 We will discuss on two diodes: Schottky diode and Crystal diode.
 Summary

 Microwave active and passive components.

 Directional coupler, Attenuator.
 Cavity resonator: rectangular and cylindrical
 Quality factor of resonator
 Power divider: E- Plane, H- Plane, Magic Tees
Thank you !