Microwave Devices

Waveguides Microwave solid state devices Microwave tubes Microwave antennas

Preamble
As frequency increases beyond the lower boundary that has been assigned as the microwave threshold (1 Ghz) conventional R.F. techniques become less effective. Lead inductance and capacitiance as well as connecting traces on substrates become issues affecting circuit performance. An example is TRANSIT TIME. Physical construction of devices must change.

Waveguides
Conventional transmission lines develop too much loss at microwave frequencies. Hollow waveguides present an alternative. Electromagnetic waves reflect from the walls of the wave guide as it travels its length. Brass, aluminum or silver plated. RECTANGULAR, elliptical and circular.

Waveguides
No radiation losses as E and H fields are contained. Dielectric losses are small. (air) Minimal losses in conductive walls.

Waveguide Modes
A waveguide operates most efficiently within modal boundaries. A given waveguide cross section will have a cutoff frequency where a signal below it will not propagate. What type of filter does this act as? Not all modes strike the walls at the same angle therefore the distance traveled varies. This is called multimode propagation. Effective velocity reduces. Pulse spreading results and subsequent pulses following closely will interfere. (Dispersion)

c a= where a = long dimension 2 c = cutoff wavelength in dielectric

c = 2 a
c 2a = fc c fc = 2a

c = f

c c = fc

fc = cutoff frequency

Waveguide Modes
Singlemode operation is achieved by using the mode with the lowest cutoff frequency. (Dominant mode) Waveguide is used between its cutoff frequency and that of the mode of the next lowest cutoff frequency. TE or TM modes.

TE10

# of variations along b

# of half cycles along a

 fc vg = c 1 = c 1 f 2a

Group velocity- used to determine the length of time a signal takes to travel the length of the waveguide.

vp =

c 1 2a
2

c fc 1 f
2

Phase velocity- used to determine wavelength in a guide. It is the rate at which a wave appears to move along a wall of a guide based on the way the phase angle varies along the guide.

ZO =

377 fc 1 f
2

Impedance of a waveguide.

g = g =

vp f

or

1 2a
2

fc 1 f
2

The calculation for wavelength in a guide requires phase velocity.

Bends and Tees

BENDS: if the transition through the bend is gradual there will be a minimal effect. TEES: >E plane tee output is out of phase with the input. (series tee). >H plane tee is in phase with the input. (shunt tee)

Bends and Tees

HYBRID or MAIC TEE: If the input is to Port 3 Output is at port 1 and 2 in phase Port 4 does not have an output. If input is to port 4 Output is at port 1 and 2 out of phase Port 3 does not have an output Note: a termination component develops 3 dB loss.

Cavity Resonator
wavelength section Waves reflect end to end and in phase with the incident signal. Field strength will build Resonant cavity Q is on the order of several thousand. Can be made tunable with an adjustable short circuiting plate. Ex. Wavemeter.

Attenuators and Loads Carbon can be used. As a field becomes present in the carbon a current flows developing a power loss. A carbon flap is inserted and presented over a varying degree.

Circulators and Isolators

ISOLATOR: permits a signal to pass in only one direction. Other direction is attenuated.Ex. Protects a source from a mismatched load. Reflected power is dissipated. CIRCULATOR: Separates signals. Signal applied to one port will only emerge at the next port. Ex. Transmit/receive switch.

Circulators and Isolators

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION: Fields interact with a ferrite. (magnetically) Ferrites can be comprised of ceramic compounds of iron oxide with other metals. Ferromagnetic and non conductive. Permeability greater than air.

Circulators and Isolators

PRECESSION: When axis of a rotating electron also spins. A magnetic field can be adjusted to control the frequency at which precession occurs in a ferrite. If a magnetic field propagates through the ferrite and signal (wave) frequency equals precession frequency the magnetic field can then adjust precession frequency up nor down. For isolator: If precession increases signal energy is removed. If precession decreases minimal loss.

Circulators and Isolators

For Circulator: A magnetic field acting upon a ferrite also develops a phase shift as the wave propagates through the material. Faraday rotation. Similar to polarization shift for some frequencies paasing through the ionosphere. Quantity of phase shift is determined by the length of ferrite and the strength of the dc magnetic field. Correct selection of phase shifts will add fields at some ports while canceling at others.