Scribd
Upload
254 views47 pages

Microwave Measurements

The document describes various microwave measurement techniques and equipment. It discusses measuring parameters like power, attenuation, frequency, VSWR, cavity Q factor, and impedance. Measurement methods include bolometers, directional couplers, slotted lines, and reflectometers. Errors and precautions for microwave measurements are also covered.

Uploaded by

akceo4848
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
254 views47 pages

Microwave Measurements

The document describes various microwave measurement techniques and equipment. It discusses measuring parameters like power, attenuation, frequency, VSWR, cavity Q factor, and impedance. Measurement methods include bolometers, directional couplers, slotted lines, and reflectometers. Errors and precautions for microwave measurements are also covered.

Uploaded by

akceo4848
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 47

Microwave Measurements

• Description of Microwave bench – different blocks and their features


• errors and precaution
• Microwave power measurement- Bolometer method
• Measurement of attenuation, frequency
• Low and high VSWR
• Q of the cavity and
• Impedance measurements

Neelima Koppala
Assistant Professor
Department of ECE
SVEC, A.Rangampet, Tirupati
Low Frequency Measurement vs.
Microwave Measurements
• At low frequency, it is convenient to measure voltage, and current and use
them. to calculate power. However at microwave frequencies, they are
difficult to measure and since they vary with position in a transmission line, are
of little value in determining power. Therefore at microwave frequencies, it is
more desirable and simpler to measure power directly.

• At low frequency, circuits use lumped elements which can be identified and
measured. At microwave frequencies, circuit elements are distributed and as
such it is usually not important to know what element make up a line. It is
possible and also satisfactory to measure the impedance of a circuit without
regard to the individual distributed elements making up that circuit.

• Unlike low frequency measurements, many quantities measured at microwave


frequencies are relative and it is not necessary to know their absolute values.

• Further for power measurement, it is usually sufficient to know the ratio of two
powers (or their difference in dBs ) rather than exact input or output powers. .
Contd.,
• The following parameters can be conveniently
measured at microwave frequencies

(1) Frequency
(2) Power
(3) Attenuation
(4) Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)
(5) Phase
(6) Impedance
(7) Insertion loss
(8) Dielectric constant
(9) Noise factor
Microwave Bench – General
Measurement setup
Slotted Line
(a) Tunable
Probe

(b) Fixed
Broad Band
Tuned Probe
(c) Tunable Waveguide Detector

(d) Fixed Waveguide Matched Detector Mount


VSWR Meter and its Scale
Power Meter
Schottky Barrier Diode sensor
Thermocouple sensor
Wave meter
Absorption Cavity of wave meter
(b) Characteristics (c) Analog Equivalent
(d) A micrometer type frequency meter using
absorption type cavity wave meter (e) A Direct
Reading Frequency Meter
Spectrum Analyzer
Network Analyzer
Harmonic Frequency Converter
Errors and Precautions
• Waveguides are made from soft conducting material such as
copper or aluminium. They are therefore easy to dent or
deform. Even the slightest damage of the inner surface of a
waveguide will result in the formation of standing waves and
may cause in internal arcing. Any such arcing causes further
damage to the waveguide.

• A continuous occurrence of such phenomena may render a


waveguide unusable. The use of a waveguide with damaged
inner surfaces can greatly reduce its efficiency. Thus, the use
of a waveguide on a damaged surface will make the system
not only inefficient but also unworkable.

• In some applications, the copper/aluminium waveguides are


used in conjunction with other equipment/platforms made of
steel or other materials.
Contd.,
• In view of electrolytic corrosion of the metals at the points of
contacts between two dissimilar metals, the waveguides can be
completely destroyed and that too in a relatively short period of
time. Thus, any direct contact between dissimilar metals must
be avoided.

• All practical waveguide systems are exposed to weather. To


avoid natural corrosion waveguides are to be properly painted.
The dielectric in waveguides is air which is an excellent media
as long as it is free from moisture. The moment the air is wet it
becomes a poor dielectric and can result in internal arcing.

• To prevent the moisture from entering the waveguides all joints


are to be properly sealed. At microwave range the quantum of
power involved is quite low. Efforts are to be made to avoid
loss of the same.
Contd.,
• To get better results a number of precautions, encompassing
plumbing, handling and selection of equipment, are listed
below.

1. All the components are to be properly connected to


prevent leakage/ reflection of microwave energy.

2. The entire setup is to be perfectly levelled.

3. The klystron is to be properly placed in its mount and leads


to the KPS.

4. The leads to klystron mount are to be connected accurately.


Contd.,
5. Ensure microwave generation by proper biasing of electrodes
of klystron.

6. RF source must be followed by an isolator (for low signals) or


an attenuator (for medium or high signals) to prevent
reflections reaching the source.

7. Matched load is to be discarded if the device under test is an


absorbing element.

8. The KPS, klystron, VSWR meter and other devices and


components are to be operated strictly in accordance with the
instructions provided for the equipment.
Contd.,
9. Power output and frequency of signal source are dependent on
load, discontinuities and mismatched terminations. Change in
their values may result in erroneous readings.

10. Reflections from excessive penetration of detector probe may


alter position of standing wave or even result in uneven
spacing between nulls.

11. Presence of higher-order modes of propagation in the vicinity


of waveguide discontinuities may also result in uneven spacing
between nulls.

12. Excessive attenuation introduced may necessitate excessive


probe penetration for adequate output, which may alter
positioning of standing waves.
Measurement of Power
(a) Measurement of Low Microwave
Power
Contd.,
Balanced Bolometer Bridge Technique
Directional Coupler
(b) Measurement of Medium Power
Self Balancing Bridge Technique
(c) Measurement of High Power
Measurement of Attenuation
• The amount of attenuation can be measured by
two methods
1. Power Ratio Method
2. RF Substitution Method

• Square Law Characteristics of Crystal Diode


Power Ratio Method
RF Substitution Method
Contd.,
Measurement of frequency
• The frequency can be measured by either
electronic or mechanical techniques (by using
frequency meter).

Measurement of frequency – electronic method


Measurement of VSWR
Measurement of Low VSWR (S<10)
Measurement of High VSWR (S>10)-
Double Minimum Method
Contd.,
Measurement of Q of a cavity
Resonator
• The Quality Factor of a cavity Resonator can
be measured by using any one of the
following methods

1.Transmission Method
2.Impedance Measurement
3.Transient Decay or Decrement Method
Contd.,
Contd.,
Measurement of Impedance

• The Impedance at microwave frequencies can


be measured by using any one of the
following methods

1.By using a Magic - Tee


2.By using a Slotted Line
3.Using Reflectometer
Measurement of Impedance using
Slotted Line
Contd.,
Contd.,
Measurement of Impedance using Reflectometer

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy