EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

UNIT IV WAVEGUIDES
General Wave behaviour along uniform guiding structures – Transverse Electromagnetic
Waves, Transverse Magnetic Waves, Transverse Electric Waves – TM and TE Waves
between parallel plates. Field Equations in rectangular waveguides, TM and TE waves in
rectangular waveguides, Bessel Functions, TM and TE waves in Circular waveguides.
Perfectly conducting planes:

The electromagnetic waves that are guided along or over conducting or dielectric

surfaces are called guided waves.

Consider an electromagnetic wave propagating between a pair of parallel

perfectly conducting planes of infinite extent in the y and z directions.

Maxwell’s equations will be solved to determine the electromagnetic field

configuration in the rectangular region.

Maxwell’s equations for a non-conducting rectangular region are given as

̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅

[ ]

= ̅̅̅ ( ) ̅̅̅ ( ) + ̅̅̅ ( )

= [ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅]

Equating x, y, and z components on both sides

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

---------------------------- 1.1

----------------------------- 1.2

----------------------------- 1.3

̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅

[ ]

= ̅̅̅ ( ) ̅̅̅ ( ) + ̅̅̅ ( )

= [ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅]

Equating x, y, and z components on both sides

---------------------------- 2.1

----------------------------- 2.2

----------------------------- 2.3

It is assumed that the propagation is in the z direction and the variation of field components

are expressed in the form

Where =

If = 0, wave propagation without attenuation

If is real i.e. = 0 there is no wave motion but onlu an exponential decrease in amplitude.

= =

Similarly

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

= , = , =

Similarly

= = ( )=

The wave equation is given by

(Ampere’s law)

=( ) (faraday’s law)

= = ( )

= where = ( )

Similarly

For a non-conducting medium, consider only real terms

=-

+ + =- --------------------------3.1

=-

+ + =- --------------------------3.2

There is no variation in the y direction (i.e.) derivative of y is zero.

Substituting the values of z derivatives and y derivatives in the equation 1, 2 and 3

---------------------------- 4.1

- ----------------------------- 4.2

----------------------------- 4.3

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

---------------------------- 5.1

----------------------------- 5.2

----------------------------- 5.3

+ =- --------------------------6.1

+ =- --------------------------6.2

To find

From 4.2 and 5.1

- ----------------------------- 4.2

---------------------------- 5.1

---- 7

Substitute 7 in 4.2

= * +

=* +

=* +

Where

1.1 => = ----------------------- 8

Sub 8 in 4.2

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

- ( )

( )

* +

Where

To find and

From 5.2 and 4.1

----------------------------- 5.2

---------------------------- 4.1

= ----------------------------- 9

Sub 9 in 5.2

1.1 => ------------------- 10

Sub 10 in 5.2

( )

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

The components of electric and magnetic field strengths are expressed

in terms of and .
It is observed that there must be a Z component of either E or H, otherwise all the
components would be zero.
In general case both and may be present at the same time, It is convenient to
divide the solutions into two cases.
In the first case, there is a component of E in the direction of propagation ( ) but no
component of H in this direction. Such waves are called TM waves.
In the second case, there is a component of H in the direction of propagation ( ) but
no component of E in this direction. Such waves are called TE waves.

TE waves between parallel planes.

TE waves are waves in which the electric field strength E is entirely transverse. It has a
magnetic field strength Hz in the direction of propagation and no component of electric
field Ez in the same direction Ez = 0

Ez = 0, = , =

Therefore = 0, =0

Then the wave equation for the component

+ =-

=-

=-( + )

=- Where

+ =0

( ) =0

, ,m=

Therefore

[c1sin (hx) + c2cos( )]

[c1sin (hx) + c2cos( )] where c1 and c2 are arbitrary constants.

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

If is expressed in time and direction

[c1sin (hx) + c2cos( )]

= = [c1 sin (hx) + c2cos( )]

The boundary conditions for the parallel planes are

at x = 0,

at x = a

Applying the first boundary condition

at x = 0

0 = [c1 sin (ha)]

c1cannot be zero

Therefore sin (ha) = 0

ha = h=

[c1sin ( )]

[ c1cos ( )]

W.k.t from Maxwell equation of parallel planes

=-

[c1sin ( )]

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[ c1cos ( )]

The field strength for TE waves between parallel planes are

[c1sin ( )]

[c1sin ( )]

[ c1cos ( )]

Each value of m specifies a particular field of configuration or mode of the wave designated

as wave or mode.

If m= 0 , ,

Therefore the lowest value of m is 1

The lowest order mode is

This is called dominant mode in TE waves.

Transverse magnetic waves

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

Transverse magnetic waves are waves in which the magnetic field strength H is entirely

transverse. If has an electric field strength in the direction of propagation and no

comkponent of magnetic field in the same direction.

i.e. =0 then =0 and =0

To find

The wave equation for the component

+ =-

= -+ -

=- Where

+ =0

( ) =0

, ,m=

Therefore

[c3sin (hx) + c4cos( )]

[c3sin (hx) + c4cos( )] where c3 and c4 are arbitrary constants.

If is expressed in time and direction

[c3sin (hx) + c4cos( )]

= = [c3 sin (hx) + c4cos( )]

The boundary conditions cannot be applied directly to because the magnetic field is not

zero at the surface of a conductor.

can be obtained in terms of

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

( ) ( )

The boundary conditions for the parallel planes are

at x = 0,

at x = a

Applying the first boundary condition

at x = 0

cannot be zero because it eliminates the entire wave equation

Therefore

( )

Applying the second boundary condition

at x = a

( )

C4 cannot be zero because c3 is already equal to zero.

Therefore sin (ha) = 0

ha = h =

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

( )

( )

= ( )

The field strengths for TM waves between parallel planes are

( )

( )

= ( )

If m = 0 and exists only =0

In this case of TM waves there is a possibility of m =0

TM10 is the dominant mode.

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

Transverse electromagnetic waves:

It is a special type of transverse magnetic wave in which electric field E along the

direction of propagation is also zero.

TEM waves are waves in which both electric and magnetic fields are transverse

entirely but has no component of Ez and Hz. it is also referred as principle waves.

The field strengths for TM waves between parallel planes are

( )

( )

= ( )

For TEM waves = 0 and the minimum value of m = 0

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

These fields are not only entirely transverse but they are constant in amplitude between

parallel planes

Rectangular Wave guide.

A hollow conducting metallic tube of uniform cross section is used for propagating
electromagnetic waves, waves that are guided along the surface of the tube is called a wave
guide.
Waveguides usually in the form of rectangular or circular cylinders
Propagation of waveguide can be considered as a phenomenon in which the waves are
reflected from wall to wall and hence pass down the waveguide in a zigzag fashion.
To determine the electromagnetic field configuration within the guide, Maxwell’s
equation are solved subject to the appropriate boundary conditions at the walls of the guide.
Maxwell’s equations for a non-conducting rectangular region are given as

̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅

[ ]

= ̅̅̅ ( ) ̅̅̅ ( ) + ̅̅̅ ( )

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

= [ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅]

Equating x, y, and z components on both sides

---------------------------- 1.1

----------------------------- 1.2

----------------------------- 1.3

̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅

[ ]

= ̅̅̅ ( ) ̅̅̅ ( ) + ̅̅̅ ( )

= [ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅]

Equating x, y, and z components on both sides

---------------------------- 2.1

----------------------------- 2.2

----------------------------- 2.3

It is assumed that the propagation is in the z direction and the variation of field components

are expressed in the form

Where =

If = 0, wave propagation without attenuation

If is real i.e. = 0 there is no wave motion but onlu an exponential decrease in amplitude.

= =

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

Similarly

= , = , =

---------------------------- 3

----------------------------- 4

----------------------------- 5

---------------------------- 6

----------------------------- 7

----------------------------- 8

To find and

---------------------------- 3

----------------------------- 7

= ( ) -------------------------- 9

Sub 9 in 7

( )

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

* +

( )
* +

= ( )

=( ) ---------------------- A

Sub Ain 9

= ( ( ))

= ( )

=( (
)
)

=( (
)
)

= ------------------------------------ B

To find and

----------------------------- 4

---------------------------- 6

= ( ) ---------------------------- 10

Sub 10 in 6

( ( ))

( )

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

( )
( ) =

( )

---------------------- C

Substitute C in 10

= ( ( ) )

= ( )

= ( )

= ( )

= ( )

Rectangular cavity resonator:

The rectangular waveguides are constructed from closed sections of the waveguide, as

the waveguide is the type of the transmission line. Usually the rectangular waveguide are

short circuited at both the ends to avoid the radiation losses from open end of the waveguide.

Due to short circuited ends of the waveguide, a cavity or closed box is formed. Within this

cavity, both the energies, electric and magnetic are stored. The power dissipation is observed

at the metallic conducting walls of the waveguides as well as in the dielectric inside the

cavity. Through a small aperture or a small probe or a loop such resonators are coupled.

The geometry of the rectangular cavity resonator is as shown in figure

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

Consider a rectangular waveguide cavity shorted at both the ends as shown in the

figure.

The guide wavelength is given by,

--------------------------- 1
√ ( )

The most dominating mode in the rectangular waveguide is TE10 mode. Basically for

the dominant mode, the resonant frequency of the field configuration is lowest.

For mode, = 2a. Hence guide wavelength is given by,

----------------------------------- 2
√ ( )

From equation 2 it is clear that, dimension a is fixed for the resonator. So also the guide

wavelength is fixed.

But in general the frequency is given by,

F= = ----------------------------- 3

As is fixed and cis velocity of light which is also constant, for the given mode the
frequency has fixed value denoted by thus the rectangular resonant cavity supports only
one frequency for a given mode. This frequency is called resonant frequency and thus the
cavity formed is called resonant cavity. This cavity resonator behaves similar to parallel LC
resonant circuit commonly called tank circuits.
The parallel resonant circuit or equivalent tank circuit is as shown in the figure. The
resonant frequency for such equivalent parallel circuit is given by

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

Expression for resonant frequency for rectangular cavity resonator:

For the rectangular waveguide we have a relation given by,

=( ) ( )

=( ) ( ) - ------------------------ 4

But for a condition of wave propagation, we can write,

Hence equation 4 can be written as,

=( ) ( ) –( )

=( ) ( ) + --------------------------------- 5

But the condition for the cavity resonator is given as the cavity must be an integer multiple of
a half guide wavelength long at the resonant frequency.
Hence we can write,
Where p = 1, 2, 3 ……………..
Hence p is known as number of half wavelength variations of either electric or magnetic
fields along z direction.
Thus depending on the value of p, the general wave mode through the cavity resonators are
denoted by TEmnp for the transverse electric (TE) wave and TMmnp for the transverse
magnetic (TM) wave.
To have a resonator resonating at a fixed frequency, = , substituting value of from
equation 6 in equation 5, we can write,
=( ) ( ) +( )

= [( ) ( ) ( ) ]

√ [( ) ( ) ( ) ]rad/s

But =2

= √[( ) ( ) ( ) ] Hz ----------------------------------- 7
√

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

We can modify this expression by taking ( ) out of the radical term as , we can write,

= √[( ) ( ) ( ) ] Hz --------------------------------------- 8
√

If the resonator cavity is filled with an air, then we can write,

= = where c = 3* 10^8 m/s = velocity of light

√ √

Thus for free space within the cavity, the frequency of resonance is given by,

= √[( ) ( ) ( ) ] Hz ---------------------------------------- 9

Equations 8 and 9 indicate the resonant frequency of a rectangular cavity resonator with
dimensions a, b, and d for both TEmnp and TMmnp modes in it.
Circular cavity resonator:
The rectangular cavity resonator is constructed from the rectangular waveguide
shorted at both the ends. Similarly circular cavity resonator can be constructed from
circular wave guide cutting into a section and shorting both the ends of it. The circular
cavity resonators are mainly used in microwave frequency meters. The mechanical tuning
of the resonant frequency is done with the help of movable top wall. The cavity is
coupled to the waveguide through a small aperture. The dominant mode of circular mode
is TE11. The circular cavity resonator modes are specified as TEmnp for the transverse
electric wave and TMmnp modes for the transverse magnetic wave.

Consider a circular cavity resonator constructed from the circular waveguide with
uniform circular cross section with radius a. the geometry of the circular cavity resonator
is shown in figure.
Note that both the ends of the section of circular cavity resonator of length d are
shorted with the help of circular shorting plates.
Expression for resonant frequency (f0) circular cavity resonator:
For a circular waveguide, we have already derived the expression given by
=( ) -------------------------- 1
Where is the Eigen value and a is the radius of the circular cylinder. But for the
wave propagation, the condition can be written as,

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=+ --------------------------------------- 2
Substituting value of in equation 1, we get,

=( )

=( )

= [( ) ]------------------ 3

But the condition for the circular cavity resonator remains same as the condition in
rectangular cavity resonator which is given by,
Where p = 1, 2, 3 …………….. -------------------- 4
Depending upon the value of p, the general modes through the circular cavity
resonator are denoted by TEmnpandTMmnp.
With this value of substituted in the expression for , for the cavity resonator
supports only one frequency or
= [( ) ( ) ]

=√ [( ) ( ) ] rad/sec ------------------------ 5

For TMmnpwave :

= √[( ) ( ) ] Hz -------------------- 6
√

For a free space as a dielectric within the circular cavity, we can write,
= = c, where c = 3* 10^8 m/s = velocity of light
√ √
Hence for a free space, the expression for the resonant frequency of circular cavity
resonator can be modified as,
= √[( ) ( ) ] Hz ---------------------------- 7
Expression for the resonant frequency given by the equations 6, 7 is for TMmnp mode.
For the TEmnp mode, the expression for are given as follows.
For TEmnpwave:

= √[( ) ( ) ] Hz --------------------------- 8
√

For free space within the circular cavity, the expression for the resonant frequency for
TEmnp is given by,

= √[( ) ( ) ] Hz ------------------------------ 9

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

PART A
1. What is dominant mode? What is dominant TE and TM mode in rectangular
waveguide? A/M 2018, N/D 2017,N/D 2016, M/J 2016, A/M 2015
The dominant mode of wave is defined as the mode in which the wave has lowest
cutoff frequency.
For parallel plate waveguides -TE1or TM1
For Rectangular waveguides- TE01, TM11
For Circular waveguides- TE11, TM01
2. What are the application of cavity resonator? Mention the application of
resonant cavities. A/M 2018, A/M 2017, M/J 2016, N/D 2015, N/D 2014, M/J
2013, N/D 2013
(i)Cavity resonators are tunable circuits used in microwave oscillators, amplifiers,
wave meters and filters.
(ii) They are widely used in light house tube, which is used for VHF range of
frequencies.
(iii) It is used in duplexers in the RADAR system.
3. Write the expression for the cutoff wavelength of the wave which is propagated
in between two parallel planes. N/D 2017
Guide wave length

λg=
√ ( )

Where fc is the cut off frequency

4. A wave is propagated in the dominant mode in a parallel plane waveguide. The
frequency is 6GHz and the plane separation is 4cm .Calculate the cut off wavelength in
the waveguide. A/M 2017
λc= =

5. Give the equations for the propagation constant and wavelength for TEM waves
between parallel planes. A/M 2017

√(

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EC8651: TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEM Department of ECE

6. A rectangular wave guide with a 5cm×2cm cross is used to propagate TM11 mode
at 10GHz.Determine the cut off wave length. A/M 2017, N/D 2015, N/D 2014
a=5cm,b=2cm
TM11mode,m=1,n=1

√( ) ( )

7. Calculate the cut off frequency of a rectangular waveguide whose inner

dimensions are a=2.5 cm and b=1.5cm operating at TE10 mode. A/M 2017
A=2.5cm=2.5
B=1.5cm=1.5

TE10 mode : fc=

fc=6GHz
8. Enumerate the parameters describing the performance of a cavity resonator.
A/M 2017
Parameters describing the performance of a cavity resonator are,
 Field in the direction of propagation
 Field expression
 Wave impedance
 Resonant frequency
 Cut off wave length
 Phase velocity and group velocity
9. What is the need for attenuator? N/D 2016
An attenuator is a device that reduces the amplitude or power of a signal without
distorting its waveform .In transmission equipment, it is required to suppress or reduces
the level of current and voltage at certain points.
10. How to design an air filled cubical cavity to have its dominant resonant
frequency at 3GHz? N/D 2016

F0= √( ) ( ) ( )

√( ) ( ) ( )

a=0.0707m
11. How a cavity resonator is formed? M/J 2016

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When one end of the waveguide is terminated in a shorting plate, there will be
complete reflection of waves. When one more shorting plate is kept at a distance of
multiple of λs/2 from first shorting plate resonant cavities are formed
12. .Justify, why TM01 and TM10 modes in rectangular waveguide do not exit. N/D
2016

It has no axial component of either E or H. so it cannot propagate within a single

conductor waveguide.
13. An air filled rectangular waveguide of inner dimensions 2.286×1.016 in
centimeters operates in the dominant TE10 modes. Calculate the cut off
frequency and phase velocity of a wave in the guide at a frequency of 7GHz. N/D
2016

Fc= √( ) ( )

= √

Phase velocity Vph= = =8.62

√
√ ( )

14. Define the term phase velocity and group velocity. A/M 2015
(i)Free Space Velocity-It is the velocity of propagation of an EM wave in free space. Vo = C
=3× 10^8 m/sec.
(ii)Phase Velocity Vp -The phase Velocity is defined as the rate at which wave changes its
phase as the wave propagates inside the region between parallel planes.
(iii)Group Velocity Vg - It is defined as the actual velocity with which the wave propagates
inside the region between two parallel planes.
15. What are the characteristics of TEM wave? A/M 2015, M/J 2013
1) The fields are entirely transverse.
2) Along the direction normal to the direction of propagation, the amplitude of the field
components are constant.
3) Velocity of TEM wave is independent of frequency.
4) The cutoff frequency of the wave is Zero
16. A rectangular wave guide has the following dimensions l=2.54cm,b=1.27cm and
thickness=0.127cm.Calculate the cut off frequency for TE11mode. A/M 2015
L=a=2.54cm

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B=1.27cm
M=1,n=1

√( ) ( )
√
1.5

17.Why TEM mode is not supported by waveguide? N/D 2014

It has no axial component of either E or H. so it cannot propagate within a single conductor
waveguide.
18.State the significance of dominant mode of propagation. N/D 2014

Based on the values of m and n, there can be infinite mode existing in the waveguide. So
the input energy to guide the waveguide is shared by all there mode. But this leads to losses
as the energy is diverted during propagation. So to avoid loss of energy because of
divergence the dominant mode is propagated through the waveguide
19.What is degenerate mode in rectangular waveguide? M/J 2013
Some of the higher order modes, having the same cut off frequency, are called degenerate
modes. In rectangular waveguide, TEmn and TMmn modes (both
m )
20.Write Bessel’s function of first kind of order zero M/J 2013

( )
J0(ρ)=c∑ ( )
20.A wave is propagated in a parallel plane waveguide with the frequency is 6GHz and
the plane separation is 3cm.Determine the group and phase velocities for the dominant
mode. N/D 2013
a=3cm
f=6GHz
m=1

Cutoff frequency fc=

√

fc= = 4.996GHz
√( )( )

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Phase velocity vp= =

√ ( ) √ ( )

=5.4179 m/sec
20.Define TEM waves. N/D 2013
When the components of the electric and magnetic fields in the wave, both are transverse to
the direction of propagation of wave is called TEM wave or Principal waves.
21.A rectangular wave guide with a=7cm and b=3.5 cm is used to propagate TM10 at 3.5
GHz. Determine the guided wavelength. N/D 2013
a=7cm
f=3.5 GHz
=λc=2a=2

λ =c/f=

Guide wavelength λg= =0.108m

√ ( )

22.Compare TE and TM mode N/D 2012

TE Mode TM Mode
TE wave has magnetic field component in the TM wave has electric field component in the
direction of propagation. direction of propagation.
The waves are called M waves or H waves The waves are called E waves

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