Ferrite devices

Phase shifter, Isolator, Circulator

Prof. D. Kannadassan,
School of Electronics Engineering
ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall 2012_13 1
Faraday Rotation; Theory
Plane Waves in an Infinite Ferrite Medium
Positive circularly polarized wave is traveling along the direction of ferrites
z axis:



Negative circularly polarized wave is traveling along the direction of
ferrites z axis:



In other words, the applied fields polarization is subject to rotate from the
original direction, this phenomena is called Faraday rotation
A linearly polarized wave will get both components, by result:

ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
2
Phase shifter
Based on the Faraday Rotation, phase shift were been
proposed in Microwave circuits. Those component are
called Gyrator
The Two port network has following modules:
90 degree Twist
Ferrite component with 90 degree phase shift


ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
3
Isolator
Isolator is working in the same mechanism of
Phase shifter.
Isolator is a two port network, it allows the
power flow in one direction and rejects signals
from opposite side.
Working:
At port 1, the vertically polarized wave is twisted
about 45 degree by wave guide twist.
And opposite 45 degree rotation is taken place at
ferrite rod
In opposite direction: the ferrite and wave guide twist
makes 90 degree rotation.
This polarized wave is absorbed by Resistive card

ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
4
Circulator
We already knew that its impossible to construct three port network with
Matched, reciprocal and lossless properties.
Lossless and Reciprocal: Tee Junctions
Matched and Reciprocal: Power Divider
Lossless and matched : Circulator

Consider a perfectly matched (non-reciprocal) three port network,

Circulator Three port network
ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
5
If the junctions are lossless, that no power is stored.











The resultant Matched Lossless Nonreciprocal
Network, is Circulator
Insertion loss
Isolation
ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
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0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0
or
0 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 0

Such circulator (circular isolator) can be designed using Ferrite material
Ring Circulator
Junction Circulator
ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
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ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
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Circulator applications

In Radio Stations (Microwave Transmission)
ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
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Circulator applications

Rx. Antenna

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ECE102 - Microwave Engineering Fall
2012_13
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Circulator applications

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