Overview of Waveguides

वेवगाइड का अवलोकन

Asmita Singhal
अस्मिता सिंघल
SU/PDIC
13th Oct 2021
Agenda
• Introduction

• Waveguides

• Functionality and types

• Key parameters of waveguides

• Topologies for Design

• Complexities in waveguide design

• Comparison between waveguides, microstrip and coax

• Transition from coax to waveguide

• References

Overview of Waveguide
What is waveguide?
 Hollow tube used for transmission of microwave range
frequency signals from one end to another by successive
reflections from inner walls.

 Made from copper,

aluminium extracted
into long rectangular
or circular pipes

Overview of Waveguide
Key parameters
Shape

Dimensions

Cut off frequency

Waveguide operating band

Group Delay

Overview of Waveguide
Based on shape -

Overview of Waveguide
Rectangular waveguide

Overview of Waveguide
Mathematics involved

Overview of Waveguide
 Why and when to use waveguide
 At high frequencies, due to skin effect and dielectric losses,
Tx lines become inefficient.

Overview of Waveguide
Comparison
Characteristic Microstrip Coax Waveguide
Preferred mode Quasi-TEM TEM TE10
Loss High Medium Low
Power capacity Low Medium High
Physical size Small Medium Real large
Fabrication ease Easy Medium Medium
Component Easy Hard Hard
integration
Dispersion Low None Medium

Overview of Waveguide
Comparison
Transmission Lines
Supports TEM wave
All frequencies can pass
through
Two conductor transmission
Reflections are less
It has a characteristic
impedance
Propagation of waves is
according to "Circuit theory"
It has a return conductor to
earth
Bandwidth is not limited
Waves do not disperse
Overview of Waveguide
Waveguides
Cannot support TEM wave
Only the frequencies that are
greater than cut-off frequency can
pass through
One conductor transmission
A wave travels through reflections
from the walls of the waveguide
It has wave impedance
Propagation of waves is according
to "Field theory"
Return conductor is not required
as the body of the waveguide acts
as earth
Bandwidth is limited
Waves get dispersed
 Possible types of modes
• TEM wave : Ez & Hz = 0
• TE wave : Ez = 0 & Hz ≠0 (electric field is purely transverse to
direction of propagation)
• TM wave : Hz = 0 & Ez ≠0 (magnetic field is purely transverse
to direction of propagation)
• HE wave : Ez ≠0 & Hz ≠0 (neither electric nor magnetic field are
purely transverse)

Overview of Waveguide
Standard Waveguides

Overview of Waveguide
 Possible types of modes

• At high frequencies, angles are large, hence path is long

• At low frequencies, angles are small, hence path is short
• At cut off frequencies, signal simply bounces back and forth, no
propagation.
• At cut off frequency and below, no energy will propagate.
Overview of Waveguide
How to get microwave energy into wavegu

• Small probe inserted into waveguide which act

as quarter wave antenna.
• Current flows into probe, sets electric field,
electric lines detach from probe.
• Electric field is maximum at center of “a” wall,
parallel to “b” wall and one quarter-wavelength
from shorted end.

Overview of Waveguide
• Another way by setting up H field in the
waveguide.
• Insert small loop which carries a high current

Overview of Waveguide
 Pros and Cons
• Very low loss even at • Higher up-front cost
multi-GHz frequencies • Challenge in assembly and
• Consistent and stable routing and constraints on
performance once layout flexibility
installed • Installation issues, as you
• Ability to handle very just can’t quickly cut one to
high power levels (into fit as you would with coaxial
cable, or just tuck the
kW and even MW
excess in the side as we
range). could with coax.
• Energy injection challenges.

Overview of Waveguide
Simple transition methods

Overview of Waveguide
Wave propagation in right angle transition

Overview of Waveguide
Right angle Coax-waveguide transition design
 WR-28 dimensions for 26.5 – 40 GHz
 Designed & optimised for Ka band
 Bandwidth - 1 GHz

3 D model Fabricated model

Overview of Waveguide
Measured Results

Overview of Waveguide
Fabrication challenges

Overview of Waveguide
 Introduction to SIW
Planar structures
Planar structures Non
Non Planar
Planar
• Higher loss at like microstrip
like microstrip &
& structures
structures like
like • Size & cost
mm freq • Fabrication &
• Low power CPW
CPW waveguide
waveguide assy
handling constraints
capability

Substrate Integrated
Substrate Integrated Waveguide
Waveguide

Applications like
Filters
Directional couplers,
Power dividers & combiners
Phase shifters
Mixers & oscillators

Overview of Waveguide
SIW Layout
 Rows of vias act as walls of waveguide cavity.
 Top & bottom metal layers of substrate material form upper & lower cavity walls.
 Planar transmission provides RF input / output.

Overview of Waveguide
SIW Applications
 SIW

Overview of Waveguide
CONCLUSION
For any Front-End receiver/module, RF limiters and
switches play crucial role.

1. RF Limiters can be used limit high power signals from

damaging Successive components

2.Switches: To switch between Antenna, Byte, Cal source,

Termination, etc. for any front end module and for signal
routing between instruments and devices under test (DUT).

Overview of RF Limiters and Switches

References
1. Pin diode Handbook, Microsemi Corp

2. Emily Wagner, Petro Papi, Colin Cunningham “RF Switch Design”

3. A. M. S. Zobilah, N. A. Shairi, Z. Zakaria and M. S. Jawad, “RF

SWITCHES IN WIDE-, BROAD-, AND MULTI-BAND RF FRONT-END
OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS: AN OVERVIEW”, 2016.

4. Agilent Technologies, “Understanding RF/Microwave Solid State

Switches and their Applications”.

5. Echchakhaoui Khalifa, Abdelmounim Elhassane and Bennis Hamid,

“Microwave Power Protectors: Attenuators and Limiters”.

Overview of RF Limiters and Switches

Overview of RF Limiters and Switches
Overview of RF Limiters and Switches