Introduction to Microwave Engineering
Why Microwaves?
The descriptive term microwaves is used to describe electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 1 cm to 1 m. The corresponding frequency range is 300 MHz up to 30 GHz for 1-cm-wavelength waves. Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 1 to 10 mm are called millimeter waves. Merit : Focused energy Demerit: Atmospheric attenuation
The atmospheric attenuation of microwaves in dry air with a precipitable water vapor level of 0.001 mm. The downward spikes in the graph correspond to frequencies at which microwaves are absorbed more strongly, such as by oxygen molecules
Applications
One-way(eg. TVbroadcasting)and two-way telecommunication using satellites.
Terrestrial microwave radio relay links in broadcasting and telecommunications networks including eg. backbone or backhaul carriers in cellular networks linking BTS-BSC and BSC-MSC. Radar
Challenges
Skin Effect - usage of conventional circuit components - lumped circuit components are replaced by distributed circuit components Transit time -usage of GaAs and SiGe can control transit time Line of sight communication
Advantages
Minimum cross talk Small Area (small area of antenna) Passage of signals via obstacles Few repeaters (due to high power injected in signals) Reliability
Impedance Mismatching - for efficient transfer of energy, the impedance
of the radio, the antenna, and the transmission line connecting the radio to the antenna must be the same. Radios typically are designed for 50 ohms impedance and the coaxial cables (transmission lines) used with them also have a 50 ohm impedance. Efficient antenna configurations often have an impedance other than 50 ohms, some sort of impedance matching circuit is then required to transform the antenna impedance to 50 ohms.
VSWR The Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is an indication of how good the impedance match is. VSWR is often abbreviated as SWR. A high VSWR is an indication that the signal is reflected prior to being radiated by the antenna. VSWR and reflected power are different ways of measuring and expressing the same thing. A VSWR of 2.0:1 or less is considered good. Most commercial antennas, however, are specified to be 1.5:1 or less over some bandwidth. Based on a 100 watt radio, a 1.5:1 VSWR equates to a forward power of 96 watts and a reflected power of 4 watts, or the reflected power is 4.2% of the forward power. Gain Measurement Technique By comparing the antenna under test against a known standard Antenna (Directional Antenna Gain/Isotropic Antenna Gain)
Microwave Components
Waveguides, VSWR meter ,Up converter , Down converter, Slotted line detector, Microwave antennas ,Co-axial waveguide adapter and so on..
