Experiment 5. Measuring the reflection coefficient.

Objective: To be familiarized with the concept of reflection coefficient and return loss; measure the reflection
coefficient of the load and determine the fraction of power absorbed by the load.

Discussion:

• If a waveguide is terminated with a load, some of the incident signal power is reflected back from the load.
• The magnitude of reflected signal depends upon the degree of mismatch between the impedances of the load
and the characteristic impedance of the waveguide.
• The ratio of the voltage of the reflected wave 𝐸𝑟 to the voltage of the incident wave 𝐸𝑖 is called the reflection
coefficient, denoted Γ:
𝐸𝑟
Reflection coefficient = Γ =
𝐸𝑖
• Since 𝐸𝑟 and 𝐸𝑖 are both phasors, Γ will be a phasor (complex). Because the phases of the two waves vary
from point to point along the waveguide, the phase of the reflection coefficient also varies along the waveguide.
• However, the magnitudes of the two signals do not vary along the waveguide (as attenuation is negligible), so
that the magnitude of Γ, denoted 𝜌, does not vary either:
|𝐸𝑟 |
𝜌 = |Γ| =
|𝐸𝑖 |
In a passive system, 𝐸𝑟 can take on any value from 0 to 𝐸𝑖 , hence 𝜌 can take on any value between 0 and 1.
• If the magnitude of the incident wave 𝐸𝑖 is known, the power incident on the load may be calculated as
𝐸𝑖 2
𝑃𝑖 =
2𝑍0
where 𝑍0 is the characteristic impedance of the waveguide. Similarly, the power reflected by the load
𝐸𝑟 2
𝑃𝑟 =
2𝑍0
• The ratio of the incident to the reflected power is called the return loss. The return loss is generally expressed in
dB and denoted RL:

𝑃𝑖 |𝐸𝑖 |2 1
Return loss = 𝑅𝐿 = 10 log = 10 log 2
= 10 log ( 2 ) = −10 log 𝜌2 = −20 log 𝜌
𝑃𝑟 |𝐸𝑟 | 𝜌
• The return loss represents the fraction of the incident power which is reflected towards the source. For example,
a short circuit returns all the incident power towards the source, so it has a return loss of 0 dB. If a 6-dB attenuator
is located between the source and the short circuit, the return loss will be 12 dB because of the 6-dB attenuation
in each direction. In this way, a load having a predetermined reflection-coefficient magnitude can be synthesized
by short-circuiting the output of an appropriately valued attenuator.
• The magnitude of the reflection coefficient can also be used to determine the percentage of the incident power
absorbed by the load. It can be calculated using the following equation:
% power absorbed = (1 − 𝜌2 )100
• The reflection coefficient of a load can be determined by measuring the incident and reflected voltages and
calculating their ratio.
• A directional coupler is used to sample the signal propagating in a given direction since it is insensitive to a signal
propagating in the reverse direction. A directional coupler is thus an ideal instrument for measuring reflection
coefficients.
• A directional coupler and two power meters can be used to measure the power of the incident and reflected
signals (Figure 5.1). From these power levels, return loss and the reflection coefficient 𝜌 can be calculated.
Figure 5.1: Directional coupler with two power meters can be used for measuring the magnitude of the reflection coefficient 𝝆.

• In this exercise the set-up illustrated in Figure 5.2 will be used to measure return loss. This setup employs an SWR
meter and requires that the microwave signal be amplitude modulated at a frequency of 1 kHz.
• Here, the reflection coefficient is obtained from the magnitude of the reflected signal only. First, the SWR meter
is calibrated with the waveguide terminated at short circuit (0-dB). Other loads are evaluated with this reference.

Figure 5.2: The reflectometer square-law method using a SWR meter to measure the reflection coefficient (ρ).
 Pre-lab 5
Q1. If the incident and reflected powers are 10 and 6 watts respectively, calculate the return loss and reflection
coefficient of the load. How much power is absorbed by the load?
Q2. What is the reflection coefficient?
Q3. More specifically, what is the magnitude of the reflection coefficient?
Q4. What affects the phase of the reflection coefficient?
Q5. What is return loss?

Equipment:
Gunn oscillator power supply (9501)
SWR meter (9502)
Gunn oscillator (9510)
Crystal detector (9522)
Directional coupler, 10 GHz (9523)
Matched load (9531)
Variable attenuator (9532)
Fixed attenuator -6 dB (9533)
Microwave accessories (9536)
Cables and accessories (9590)
Waveguide support (9591)
Procedure:
1. Make sure that all power switches are in the “off” position and setup the module as shown in figure 4.3:

Figure 5.3: Module arrangement.

2. Assemble the setup as shown in Figure 5.4. Set the Variable Attenuator’s blade position to 0.00 mm.

Figure 5.4. Setup used to measure the return loss for different loads.
3. Make the following adjustments on the Gunn oscillator power supply:
Voltage: Min Mode: 1 kHz Meter Range: 10 V
4. Select the -20 dB RANGE switch on the SWR Meter, adjust the GAIN control knob to the maximum position and
select the 20 Hz BANDWIDTH.

5. Power up the SWR Meter and the Gunn Oscillator Power Supply; wait 1-2 minutes; adjust it to 8.5 V.

6. Adjust the GAIN control knob to obtain a reading of -25 dB on the SWR Meter.

7. Vary the CENTER FREQUENCY control knob of the SWR Meter to maximize the reading.
8. Adjust the GAIN control knob of the SWR Meter to obtain a reading of -22 dB. This is the reference level.

9. For each blade position value given in Table 5.1, do the following:
a. Record the relative signal level (expressed in dB). If necessary, select different RANGE, but do not readjust
the GAIN control knob.
b. Calculate the load return loss by subtracting this reading from the reference level of step 8 and record it in
the RL column.
c. Use following relationship to calculate the magnitude of the load reflection coefficient 𝜌:
−𝑅𝐿(𝑑𝐵)
𝜌 = 10 20

Variable Attenuator’s Relative Signal −𝑅𝐿(𝑑𝐵)

RL 𝜌 = 10 20
Blade Position Level
(dB)
(mm) (dB)

0 −22 −22 − (−22) = 0 1

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Table 5.1: Determining the return loss and the magnitude of the reflection coefficient.

10. Disconnect the Gunn Oscillator’s power supply cable from the Gunn Oscillator Power Supply. Turn the VOLTAGE
control knob on the Gunn oscillator power supply to the MIN position. Place all power switches in the (off)
position and disassemble the setup.