BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF PROESSIONAL (BUP)

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

MIRPUR CANTONMENT, DHAKA -1216.
COURSE CODE: ICT-2204
COURSE TITLE: MICROWAVE COMMUNNICATION AND RADAR
ENGINEERING LAB

EXPERIMENT NO. 02(b) MEASUREMENT OF MICROWAVE POWER

THEORY:
Microwave power up to 10-mw average is usually measured by bolometric
means. The basis for bolometric power measurement is that, when power is dissipated
in resistive element, a corresponding change occurs in the elements resistance. By
proper construction of the element, the heating effect of dc and microwave power will be
nearly the same, and the resistance change may be sensed by associated circuitry to
indicate power. The resistive elements are termed bolometers.

200

1000

180

800

Resistance in ohm

Resistance in ohm

There are two types of bolometers:

1. Barretters: it consists of either a short length of fine wire suitably encapsulated or a
strip of thin metallic film deposited on a base of glass or mica. It exhibits a positive
temperature coefficient.
2. Thermistors: it is made of a compound of metallic oxides. It exhibits a negative
temperature coefficient. It is physically and electrically more rugged than barretters.

160
140
120
100

600
400
200

8
10
Power in mw
(a)

12

14

16

18

8
10
Power in mw
(b)

12

14

16

18

Figure 1: Resistance vs power dissipated in (a) typical wire barretter, and (b) typical
thermistor at various ambient temperature
Measuring techniques: One of the simplest methods for bolometric power
measurements is to place a bolometer (usually a thermistor) in one leg of a Wheatstone
bridge, as in fig 2. The bridge is excited by a regulated dc supply whose amplitude may
be adjusted with R1. Since R4 is a thermistor, its resistance may be controlled by the
amount of current allowed to pass through it. In operation, R1 is adjusted until just
enough current passes through the bridge to make the thermistor resistance equal to
R5, bringing the bridge into balance and causing the meter to read zero. Microwave
power is then applied to the thermistor, and the heating effect causes the thermistor
resistance to decrease, unbalancing the bridge in proportion to the power applied. The
unbalance current is indicated on the meter, which is calibrated directly in milli-watts.
This method is called the unbalanced-bridge technique. Other techniques may be used
to get more accurate reading.
R1

Rb
Regulated
DC supply

Rb Rb
RF input

R4

R2

R3Rb

I
T

R5

R6

R7

Rb

Figure 2: Bridge assembly using thermistor

Bridge circuit usually employed to measure change in the bolometer (thermistor)
resistance is a standard Wheatstone bridge with bolometer forminfg one of its arms.
The value of the resistance in the bolometer arm is determined by the bolometer mount

characteristics. To start with, biasing resistance R1 is varied to obtain null point in the
galvanometer. In this case total power dissipated in the bolometer is
2
I1
P1 Rb
2
Now bolometer is exposed to the microwave power to be measured and R1 is
readjusted to rebalance the bridge. The power dissipated in the bolometer in this case
is
2

I
P2 2 Rb
2
I
where 2 is the changed current through the bolometer. Thus incident microwave
2
power
is
1
p1 p2 prf I12 I 2 2 Rb
4
R
= b I1 I 2 I1 I 2
4
R
= b I I1 I1 I
4
R
=I 2 I1 I b
4
since 2 I1 ? I , then

I1IRb
V0 I
2
IR
Where V0 1 b is the voltage measured at power port of the 510 A power supply used in
2
this experiment under null condition before rf power is applied to the bolometer or thermistor.
prf

(Connect thermistor knob by BNC cable to power port of 510A power supply,
Keep Flap attenuator setting at 24 dB, meter switch to power, null obtain by
adjusting power control knob, then disconnect the BNC cable from the power
port of 510A power supply and measure the)
Thus when microwave power falls on the bolometer, the change in the galvanometer or
-ammeter current measures the incident power.
Bolometer Mounts: Bolometer elements are mounted in either coaxial or waveguide
structures so they are compatible with the common transmission line systems used at
microwave and RF frequencies. The bolometer-mount combination must be designed to
satisfy four important requirements so the bolometer element absorbs as much of the
power incident to the mount as possible. In this regard the mount must:
BNC connector
(to bridge circuit)

Spring contact

POST
RF input

Bead
thermistor
Bar

Waveguide body

Figure 3: Cutaway view of Thermistor Mount

Present a good impedance match to the transmission line over frequency of interest.

 Keep I2R and dielectric losses within the structure minimized so that power is not
dissipated in electrical contacts, waveguide walls or insulators.
Provide isolation from thermal and physical shock; and
Keep leakage small so that microwave power does not escape from the mount in a
shunt path around the bolometer.
Shielding is also necessary to keep extraneous power from entering the mount. One
other consideration is that, the mount should have enough mass to minimize the effects
of ambient temperature variation.
Bolometers generally can be divided into two basic groups: one is the coaxial thermistor
mount or barretter mount structure; the other type is waveguide mount. In fig 3 the
cutaway view of coaxial thermistor mount is shown.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this experiment is to measure relative microwave power in dB using a
Thermistor mount, variable flap attenuator and fixed attenuator. The source used in
this experiment is a solid-state oscillator.
COMPONENTS:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Solid state oscillator (LRL503/SS)

Oscillator power supply (LRL510A)
Variable flap oscillator (LRL506)
Thermistor mount LRL508
Coaxial cable with BNC connector
Fixed attenuator LRL513A or LRL513B
Wave guide stand

01 unit
01 unit
02 unit
01 unit
01 unit
01 unit
02 unit

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
Microwave
Solid State
Oscillator
#503/SS

RF Tuner
#504

Variable
Flap
Attenuator
#506

Transmitting
Horn
#531

Thermistor
Mount
#508

Receiving
Horn
#531

#510A
Power
supply/Therm
istor Bridge
& amplifier

Figure 4: Assembly used to measure microwave power received.

Fig 5: Experimental setup for received power (Pr) measurement. For

transmit power(Pt) measurement, disconnect the horns on the left and right and
connect the thermistor mount in place of the left horn.

PROCEDURE:
CAUTION: R-F POWER LEVELS IN THIS EXPERIMENT IS NOT
HARMFUL, BUT LOW LEVELS OF RADIATION MAY DAMAGE A
HUMAN EYE. DO NOT LOOK INTO ANY WAVEGUIDE AT ANY
TIME WHEN UNITS ARE ON.
Before switching on or off the #510A power supply confirm the following
setting: 1. Speaker Switch
ON
2. RF Switch
ON
3. Attenuator Switch
24 dB
4. Meter Switch
Power
5. VSWR output control
Maximum Counter Clockwise
6. Standing wave detector output connected to VSWR port (on the #510A
power
supply)
7. Thermistor mount output connected to power port (on the #510A power
supply)
8. Power Balance Control
12 Oclock
9. Klystron Repeller Control
12 Oclock.
10. Turn the power supply ON.
11. Adjust power balance control for zero meter reading.
12. Set the flap attenuator to 12dB, 6dB, 3dB, odB successively and record
the meter
reading in each step according to the following table.
13. Transmitted power can be measured by connecting the thermistor
mount in place of
of the transmitting horn.
DATA TABLE:
Vo

Attenuator Setting
(in dB)
24
12
6
3
0

Received Power
(Proportional to
I), Pout for Vo
0

Transmitted Power
(Proportional to
I), Pout for Pt
0

Vo is to be measured by keeping flap attenuator setting at 24 dB and meter at null

position by adjusting power control knob. Then disconnect the BNC cable from the
power port of 510A power supply and measure Vo. Note that after the BNC cable is
disconnected the bridge may be out of balance. Vo measured in this case will be the
open circuit voltage applied to the thermistor.
Attenuator setting in dB =10log10(Pin/Pout) where Pin represents Pr or Pt as the case
may be.

REPORT:
1. Plot normalized power vs. dB curve.
2. Write short note on thermistor.
3. Remarks.

Calibration of the Wheatstone Bridge provided in LRL 510A power supply for Microwave
power measurement
A. The Wheatstone bridge under off condition of the 510A Klystron Power Supply
Rs
Rb

Rb
G
10V

R0
Rb
To power port of 510A
Regulated power supply
Fig1. Simulation of the Wheatstone bridge under off condition.
Rs
Rb
R0

Series resistance to protect the bridge circuit

Branch resistance of each of three branches of the bridge
Potentiometer resistance of the branch in which the bolometer or thermistor will
be connected in parallel
G
Galvanometer
Thermistor #508 is to be connected to the power port of #510A power supply
B. The Wheatstone Bridge of the 510A klystron Power Supply under null condition:
(Thermistor not exposed to microwave)
Rs

I1
I1/2
Rb

I1/2
G

Rb

10V

I1/2
R0
Rb
I1/2
Thermistor not
exposed to
microwave
RT

Fig2. Simulation of the Wheatstone bridge when the thermistor not exposed to
microwave.
RT
Resistance of the thermistor not exposed to microwave and connected to
power port of 510A power supply in parallel with R0
For null balancing the bridge, the required condition is Rb= RT R0 =
R0
RT R 0
RTR 0
Thermistor biasing voltage V0 = (I1/2)
RT R 0

Current in the thermistor branch = (I1/2)

RTR 0
RT R 0

Power consumed in thermistor branch P1 = (I1/2)2

R0

RT R 0

RT

C. The Wheatstone bridge of the 510A klystron power supply when the thermistor
Connected to power port is exposed to microwave
Rs

I2=I1+I
I1/2+I
Rb

I1/2
Rb
10V

I1/2+I
R0

I1/2
Rb

I2

Thermistor
exposed to
microwave
RT-R

Fig.3 Simulation of the Wheatstone bridge when the thermistor is exposed to microwave
Power
When the thermistor is exposed to microwave, resistance is reduced to RT - R. R is the
decrease in resistance of the thermistor due to exposure to microwave.
Then current in the thermistor branch = (I1/2+I)

R0
R 0 RT R

Power consumed in the thermistor branch P2 = (I1/2+I)2

Since R<<RT
Then P2 = (I1/2+I)2

R0

R 0 RT R

R0

R 0 RT

RT

Then microwave power consumed by the thermistor

P(rf) = P2-P1
= (I1/2+I)2

R0

RT R 0

R0

RT R 0

RT - (I1/2)2

R0

RT R 0

RT R 0

R0

RT (I1I + (I)2)

RT {(I1/2 + I)2 - (I1/2)2}

2

RT

(RT-R)

R0

RT R 0

RT I1I (1 + I/I1)

Since I<<I1, then

P(rf) =

R0

RT R 0

RTI1I = 2

R0
V0I
RT R 0

Where V0 is the thermistor biasing voltage V0 = (I1/2)

RTR 0
RT R 0

Hence P(rf) can be measured by measuring I, R0, RT and thermistor biasing voltage V0.
The bridge is designed in such a manner that RT = R0.
So, P(rf) V0I = (Thermistor biasing voltage)*(Galvanometer deflection)
In the case of positive temperature coefficient of the bolometer, the resistance RT after exposure
to microwave changes to RT + R. In this case P1>P2.
So P(rf) = P1-P2 = V0I.
Calibration data of a power meter in 510A Klystron power supply:
Thermistor biasing voltage V0

Galvanometer deflection (I)

P(rf) = V0I

1.22
1.18
1.15
1.13
1.11
1.08
1.04
1.01
0.99

0
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90

0
23.6
34.5
45.2
55.5
64.8
72.8
80.8
89.1

Calibration curve

P (rf) (micro watt)

100
80
60
Series1
40
20
0
0

20

40

60

80

Galvanom eter deflection (m icro amp)

100