Microwave Communication

Introduction Lecture 01

Introduction

The term Microwave refers to alternating current signals with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz with corresponding wavelength between 1 m and 1 mm. respectively. Signals with wavelengths on the order of millimeters are called Millimeter waves.
Because of high frequency and shorter wavelength, standard circuit theory can not be applied on the microwave circuits directly.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Lumped and Distributed Elements

Lumped Elements:

Section of a transmission line designed so that electric or magnetic energy is concentrated in it at specified frequencies, and inductance or capacitance may therefore be regarded as concentrated in it, rather than distributed over the length of the line. Inductors, Capacitors and Resistors are assumed to be located on small piece of line so these pieces are applicable for low frequencies. They are considered as separate elements.

Contd

Distributed Elements: Distributed elements are Assume that electrical properties R, L, C are distributed across the entire circuit (LINE) these systems are applicable to for low frequency application. They are considered to be applicable for Microwave frequencies.

Why Lumped element approximations are not valid on microwave frequencies?

Because Microwave components are often distributed elements where phase of voltage and current changes significantly over the physical extent of device ( The device dimensions are on order of microwave wavelengths). At much lower frequencies the wavelength is large enough to produce phase variations across the dimensions.

Active and Passive Elements

Active Elements:

Active elements there should be a power source for its working. they require a supply for there working. e.g. Transistors

Passive Elements: Passive elements doesn't require a power from the supply to produce its effect on a signal. they derive the power of the input signal to perform its action e.g. Resistor

Applications of Microwave Engineering (Communication)

Antenna Gain is proportional to the electrical size of the antenna. At higher frequencies more antenna gain.
More bandwidth (Information carrying capacity) can be realized at higher frequencies. For example 1% bandwidth at 600 MHz is 6 MHz (the bandwidth of a single television channel). and at 60 GHz a 1% bandwidth is 600 MHz (100 television channels). Microwave signals travel by line of sight and we not bent by the ionosphere as are lower frequency signals.

The effective reflection area (radar cross section) of a radar target is usually proportional to the target's electrical size.
Today. the majority of applications of microwave are related to radar and communication systems