Lab #1 Scalar Measurements

OBJECTIVES: This lab will be an introduction to standing waves and RF/microwave scalar power measurements. Insertion loss of various passive components will be measured. PRE-LAB: 1. Review material on transmission line characteristics. 2. Read the following sections of the user manual on calibration and operation of the power meter: a. Getting Started: 1-3 to 1-15 b. Power Meter Operation: 2-7 to 2-11; 2-16 to 2-17 3. Find information on how a microwave oven works. In this lab you will attempt to measure the speed of light using a microwave oven. You must research ways to do this PRIOR to coming to lab. Bring appropriate material with you to enable you to perform this experiment. Only a microwave oven will be provided for your use. PROCEDURE: 1. Perform your experiment to measure the speed of light. Record your observations and measurements. Explain what you did. 2. Configure the test station per diagram below for the following measurements: Power Meter Coaxial RF cable

Signal Generator

Device Under Test

Power Sensor

a) Power Meter Set-up: before using the power meter for power measurements, perform the sensor zero check and power calibration procedure. (see user manual for details) We will initially be measuring a 2 GHz signal from the signal generator. b) Signal Generator Set-up: Set signal frequency to 2 GHz. Set output power level to 0 dBm. RF output port should be off until the proper cable and/or the power meter sensor are attached.

c) To check the actual RF power produced by the signal generator, carefully attach the power meter sensor directly to the signal generator output port. Turn on the RF port of the signal generator and record the measured power at the output of the signal generator. (It should coincide with your original power setting on the signal generator.) d) Carefully connect the N-type RF coaxial cable to the signal generator. Be careful not to bend the RF cable too much as this will cause permanent damage. (RF cables are not as flexible or as tolerant to bending as common BNC cables.) Using an N-type to SMA adapter, connect the power sensor to the RF cable. e) At f = 2 GHz measure and record (in dBm and mW) the absolute power at the output of each of the following: 1. the signal generator 2. the RF cable (by itself) 3. 3 dB SMA attenuator (pad) 4. 6 dB SMA attenuator (pad) 5. 10 dB SMA attenuator (pad) 6. 20 dB SMA attenuator (pad) f) Measure the transmitted power through a filter (provided by the TA) from 1 to 4 GHz in 250 MHz steps. Compute the nominal insertion loss of the filter in its passband. What is the 3-dB cutoff frequency for this filter (frequency where the insertion loss drops 3dB from the nominal passband loss)? ANALYSIS: Include a brief summary of your speed of light experiment. Discuss accuracy of measurement, problems encountered and suggestions for doing this a better way. From your scalar measurements, determine: 1. The insertion loss of each component tested. 2. The attenuation constant, , in dB/m for the RF cable. 3. For each attenuator determine the measured insertion loss difference (absolute and percentage) compared to the advertised attenuation. 4. Plot insertion loss vs. frequency for the filter. What type of filter did you measure (low-pass, band-pass, or high-pass)? QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: From what you learned in this lab why do microwave oven manufacturers almost always include a rotating platform? When is it appropriate to use scalar measurements and when is it better to use vector measurements? Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each technique. If attenuators (pads) consume RF power why would we use them in microwave modules and test sets?