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Experiment-1

Study of Microwave Bench & Waveguide Components


Objective: Study of different types of microwave sources, detectors and waveguide
components

Figure1. Waveguide
A waveguide as shown in Fig.1 is a hollow metallic tube of any cross section through which the
transmission of the electromagnetic waves takes place by the successive reflections from the
inner walls of the tube. The cross section of the waveguide is related to the frequency of the
waves and is suitable for the transmission of signal in microwave frequency range. The
rectangular waveguide is more important from a practical point of view, mainly because of the
simplicity of the propagation phenomena involved. In general, depending upon the specific
experiment, following equipment/components are required to perform the experiments using a
microwave bench (Fig.2).
1. Gunn Power Supply (Digital).
2. VSWR Meter Solid State.
3. BNC Cable.
4. Diode Detector.
5. Klystron Power Supply (Square & Saw Wave Digital readout).
6. Frequency meter (Direct reading).
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7. Fixed Short.
8. Gunn oscillator.
9. Isolator.
10. Klystron mount.
11. Klystron tube.
12. Magic tee.
13. Movable short.
14. Pick up horn.
15. PIN Modulator.
16. S.S. Tuner.
17. Slotted section with probe carriage.
18. Tripod stand.
19. Tunable probe.
20. Variable attenuator.

Figure2. Microwave bench setup

Brief description about waveguide equipment/components:

Gunn Oscillator

Figure 3. Gunn Oscillator


As shown in Fig.3, it is a source of microwave power in which Gunn diode is used which work
on negative resistance produced by application of DC bias. Precision micrometer fitted with the
plungers is used to change the frequency of the oscillations.

Gunn Diode
These Gunn diodes are useful for low Power transmitters and local Oscillator used in the
detection of moving targets in such applications as speed control radars, radar detectors, intrusion
alarm systems, door openers and commercial marine navigational radar. These low power diodes
can also be used in control applications such as near object direction for vehicles, and door
openers.

Figure 5. Gunn diode

Frequency Meter

Figure 6. Frequency meter


Frequency Meter (direct reading)
It is constructed from a cylindrical cavity resonator with a variable short circuit termination as
shown in Fig.6. The shorting plunger is used to change the resonance frequency of the cavity by
changing the cavity length. DRF measures the frequency directly. It is particularly useful when
measuring frequency differences of small changes.
PIN Modulator

Figure 7. PIN Modulator

PIN modulator utilize PIN diode which are mounted across the waveguide line with a R.F.
isolated DC bias lead passing to an external TNC (F) connectors as shown in Fig7.
Slotted Section of Waveguide

Figure 8. Slotted Waveguide Section


This system consists of a transmission line /waveguide a traveling probe carriage and facility for
attaching/detecting instruments. The slot made in the center of the broad face do not radiate for
any power of dominant mode. Slotted section is basically used to measure standing wave ratio
(VSWR). The precision built probe carriage having centimeters scale with a vernier reading of
0.01 mm least count is used to note the position of the probe. Additionally slotted section can be
used to measure impedance, reflection coefficient and the return loss.

Tunable Probe

A tunable probe as shown in Fig.9 helps in detecting the low frequency square wave modulated
microwave signal. It is made by the use of crystal diode, mounted in the transmission line. The
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probe is connected to the crystal detector so that the output from the detector is proportional to
the square of the input voltage at the position of the probe. As the position of the probe is moved
along the waveguide slot it gives output proportional to the standing wave pattern inside the
waveguide.
Waveguide Variable Attenuators
For perfect matching sometimes it is required that the microwave power in a waveguide be
absorbed completely without any reflection and also insensitive to frequency.

Figure 10. Variable Attenuator


For this attenuators are used. As shown in Fig. 10, attenuators are commonly used for measuring
power gain or loss in dBs for providing isolation between instruments, for reducing the power
input to a particular stage to prevent overloading. Scientific Microwave offers fixed and variable
attenuator-s to its customers. These attenuators provide continuous attenuation of power up to 20
dB.

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio Meters

Figure 11. VSWR Meter


As shown in Fig. 11, it is a high gain voltage amplifier tuned at the center frequency of 1 KHz. It
is used for to measure VSWR, attenuation and total mismatch on the line
Klystron Power Supply

Figure 12. Klystron Power Supply


Klystron power supply generates required beam and repeller voltage for the X-Band klystron
tube. It is very stable and contains the short circuit protection circuit. Also it has amplitude and
frequency modulation circuits for the generation of 1 KHz square wave and the saw tooth wave.
Gunn Power Supply

The very important feature of this instrument is the simultaneous display of voltage and current
which is the basic and necessary requirement of v-i characteristics experiment. Here different
modulation modes are single switch selectable with display.

Figure 13. Gunn Power Supply

Detector Mount

Figure 13. Detector Mount

Detector mount is used to detect the microwave signals propagated inside the waveguide. The
detected signals can observe on VSWR meter and CRO. The detector mount should comprises
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of crystal detector and a plunger which can be used to match the impedances. High sensitivity;
Millimeter and sub-millimeter wave detection; Full waveguide bandwidth

Multi-hole directional (MHD)

Figure 14. Multi-hole directional


Multi-hole directional as shown in Fig.14, are available in 3,6, 10,20,40 dB coupling. Owing to
high directivity the device is highly suitable for application in reflectometer. The stability of
coupling makes it usable as attenuator.
Isolators & Circulators

(a)

(b)

Figure 15. (a) Isolator (b) Circulator

These ferrite isolators & circulators as shown in Fig.15, are matched 2/3 port devices which
offer low insertion loss and high isolation over 1 GHz band width. The performance of these
Isolators optimizes at the frequency given in the datasheet on special order. A unit can be
optimized at any frequency within the wave guide band.
Matched Termination
These are used for terminating the waveguide Systems operating at low average power and are
designed to absorb all the applied power assuring a low SWR. Where a matched load is required
as in the measurements of reflection, discontinuities of obstacle in waveguide systems, these
components are applied.

Figure 16. Matched Termination

Klystron Mount with tube


As shown in Fig. 17, it consists of a piece of waveguide fitted with flange at one end and a
shorting plunger at the other end. Octal base is provided to fix the klystron tube. Maximum
power can be tuned by the plunger.

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Figure 17. Klystron Mount


Slide Screw Tuner

Slide screw tuner as shown in Fig.18, is particularly suited to establishing


impedances for device characterization or any other application requiring a
precisely repeatable.

Figure 18. Slide Screw Tuner

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E, H Plane and Magic Tee

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 19. Waveguide Junctions: (a) E-plane T (b) H-plane T (c)


Magic/Hybrid T

The E-plane and H-plane Tee are microwave components used to divide the
microwave signals in different plane. The E/H- plane Tee have three ports in which
two ports are on collinear arm and third port are on side arm of the waveguide. The
power is fed through the port 1, and power is equally divided into the port 2,
and port 3. The received signals have half power and anti-phase. The H plane Tee
also divide the input power into two equal halves and signals at the collinear port
are in phase to each other.

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