Experiment 1.

Familiarization with microwave equipment

Objective: Identify and assemble a typical and basic microwave setup.

Discussion:

 A microwave is an EM wave whose frequency is between 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

 Waveguide is a hollow mechanical structure used for the propagation of microwave.
 Mostly, waveguides have rectangular cross-section. They are specified by their internal dimensions.
 We will be using a waveguide called R-100 (according to IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission
standard).
 Internal dimensions of R-100 are 10.16 mm x 22.86 mm and it is used to propagate signals of 8.2 GHz to 12.4 GHz.

Some basic microwave component

The Gunn Oscillator

 Shown in figure 1.1, the Gunn oscillator is the source of microwave signal.
 Gunn oscillator generates a 10.5 GHz signal. At this frequency, the maximum output power is 10 to 20 mW.
 The output power of Gunn oscillator varies with the supply voltage.

Figure 1.1: The Gunn oscillator and its symbolic representation.

The Gunn oscillator power supply

 This power supply, specially designed for Gunn oscillator is shown in figure 1.2 below.
 The output of the Gunn oscillator power supply connects to the Gunn oscillator.

Figure 1.2: The Gunn oscillator power supply and its symbolic representation.
The variable attenuator

 Variable attenuator is a device used to reduce the power level and to make attenuation measurement (figure 1.3).
 Two types of variable attenuators (1) rotary vane attenuator (2) side vane attenuator. We use side vane
attenuator.
 In side vane attenuator, a plastic fiberglass blade with a resistive coating is used to produce attenuation. The
blade is inserted vertically into the waveguide, parallel to the short side wall. Amount of attenuation depends
upon the position of the blade in the waveguide.
 Attenuation is increased by moving the blades towards the center of the waveguide.

Figure 1.3: The variable attenuator and its symbolic representation.

The thermistor mount

Figure 1.4: The thermistor mount and its symbolic representation.

 A thermistor is temperature dependant electrical resistance. If placed in the path of microwave, it absorbs energy
from microwave and its temperature increases. This increase in temperature, reduces its resistance. The power or
microwave is indirectly measured by measuring the variation in the resistance of thermistor.
 The thermistor in our lab is permanently housed in a section of waveguide called thermistor mount (figure 1.4).
 The two matching screws and the movable short circuit are used to maximize the microwave power reaching the
thermistor.

Power meter

 The power meter (figure 1.5) along with the thermistor mount will allow you to measure the power of a
microwave signal.
 Output of thermistor mount is connected to the power meter.

Figure 1.5: The power meter and its symbolic representation.

Waveguide supports

 To ensure the stability of the setup, it is strongly recommended that waveguide supports be used. These supports
are shown in figure 1.6.

Figure 1.6: Waveguide support and its symbolic representation.

Quick-lock device

 Figure 1.7 shows the connections of two components with the help of plastic quick-lock device.
 Align the holes of the components. Insert the metal pin of quick-lock into the hole and push the plastic piece against
the flange.

Figure 1.7: Connections of two microwave components with quick-lock device.

 Pre-lab 1

a. What is a microwave signal?

b. Which signal source you will be using in the lab?
c. What is the frequency range of the signal generated by this signal source?
d. What is the power range of this signal source?
e. How does the output power of this signal source vary?
f. What are the two types of variable attenuators?
g. How the amount of attenuation is changed inside the variable attenuator?
h. What is a thermistor?
i. How the power of microwave signal is measured using thermistor?

Equipment:

Gunn oscillator power supply (9501)

Power meter (9503)
Gunn oscillator (9510)
Thermistor mount (9521)
Variable attenuator (9532)
Cables and accessories 9590)
Waveguide supports (9591)
Procedure:
In this lab, you will learn to recognize and use some microwave component. You will (1) use the Gunn oscillator power
supply to power up the Gunn oscillator. (2) The microwave signal generated by Gunn oscillator will be attenuated by
the variable attenuator. (3) The power of this signal will then be monitored using the thermistor mount and power
meter at different settings of the variable attenuator and of the thermistor mount short circuit.
1. Make sure that all power switches are in the “off” position and setup the module as shown in figure 1.8:

Figure 1.8: Module arrangement.

2. Assemble the setup shown in figure 1.9 below:

 Figure 1.9: Microwave setup.

3. Make the following adjustments on the Gunn oscillator power supply:

Voltage: Min Mode: DC Meter Range: 10 V
4. Adjust the variable attenuator to about 11.43 mm. It will place the attenuator blade in the middle of waveguide,
effectively preventing any microwave signal from reaching the thermistor.
5. Power up the Gunn oscillator power supply and power meter. Select the 10 mW RANGE on the power meter. Adjust
the voltage of the Gunn oscillator power supply to 8.5 V.
6. Wait about two minutes to allow the power meter and the thermistor mount to reach their operating temperature.
Using the ZERO ADJUST knobs, bring the needle of the power meter to 0 mW.
7. Adjust the variable attenuator to 3 mm. Adjust the plunger (position of short circuit) at the back of thermistor mount
to obtain a maximum power reading. Wait 30 sec and take the reading of power on power meter:
Power =
8. Adjust the variable attenuator to obtain a reading of 2mW on the power meter. Disconnect the cable from OUTPUT
of the Gunn oscillator power supply. Select 3 mW RANGE on the power meter and readjust the zero using the ZERO
ADJUST knobs. Be sure to give the needle time to stabilize before continuing. Finally reconnect the Gunn oscillator
to the Gunn oscillator power supply and wait about 30 sec to the Gunn oscillator to stabilize. Now make sure that
the reading on power meter is 2 mW. Note the reading on the micrometer of variable attenuator:
Micrometer reading =
9. Turn the VOLTAGE control knob on the Gunn oscillator power supply to the MIN position. Place all power switches
in the “off” position, disassemble the setup.

Review Questions:
1. What types of the signals are considered to be the microwave signals?
2. What is a wave guide?
3. What causes the attenuation on the type of variable attenuator that you have used in this exercise?
4. What are the two main functions of the variable attenuator?
5. What is a thermistor?
6. Radiated microwave power is present in this lab. Is the exposure to this power safe or not?