RF & MICROWAVE ENGINEERING (UNIT-4) PREP BY: ER.

SARBESH CHAUDHARY, LECTURER, ELECTRONICS DEPT

UNIT 4

RF/Microwave Components and Devices

Probe Coupling

Small probe carrying microwave energy inserted into a waveguide acts as quarter-wave antenna. As
illustrated in Figure (a), a current-carrying conductor is inserted into the waveguide. The most efficient place
to locate the probe is in the centre of a broader wall and parallel to the narrower wall. Further, it has to be
at one quarter-wavelength distance from the end of the waveguide, which is to be shorted permanently or
through a movable (plunger) short (Figure b). Thus, when a probe is located at the point of highest efficiency,
the E-field is of considerable intensity.
The point illustrated in Figure (b) is at the maximum E field corresponding to the dominant mode. There is
maximum energy transfer (coupling) at this point. The quarter-wavelength spacing is required to propagate
the energy in the forward direction.
Figure (c) shows the probe and its equivalence, which is normally referred to as electric or electrostatic
coupling.

Figure : Probe coupling in a rectangular waveguide. (a) Location of probe, (b) probe at /4 distance from
shorted end, (c) probe and its equivalence, (d) detached E-field, (e) E-field and probe and (f) broadband
probes.

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RF & MICROWAVE ENGINEERING (UNIT-4) PREP BY: ER.SARBESH CHAUDHARY, LECTURER, ELECTRONICS DEPT

Figure (d) shows that the current carried by the probe sets up an E-field in accordance with its direction.
These E lines later detach themselves from the probe.
Figure (e) illustrates the location of the probe along with the alternating nature of E-field. In case a lesser
degree of energy transfer or loose coupling is desired, it can be reduced by reducing the probe insertion or
by moving it out of the centre of the E-field, or by shielding it. If the degree of coupling is to be frequently
varied the probe is to be made retractable so that the depth of insertion can be changed easily. The
frequency, bandwidth and power handling capability are determined by the size and shape of the probe. As
the diameter of a probe increases, the bandwidth increases. A probe similar in shape to a door knob is
capable of handling much higher power and a larger bandwidth than a conventional probe. The power-
handling capability of a probe is directly related to its surface area.

Two broadband probes are illustrated in Figure (f). The energy removal from a waveguide is just the reversal
of the injection process.

Loop Coupling

In this case, the energy is injected by setting up a magnetic field in the waveguide. This can be done by
inserting a small current-carrying loop into the waveguide as shown in Figure (a). Figure (b) shows the loop
along with necessary insulation.

Figure (c) illustrates the loop and its equivalence, which is termed as magnetic coupling. As shown in Figure
(d), the magnetic field builds up around the loop and expands to fill the waveguide.

If the frequency of the loop current is within the waveguide bandwidth, energy will get transferred to the
waveguide. For effective coupling, the loop is to be so inserted so that the magnetic field is maximum at the
point of insertion. Figure (e) shows four loop locations for obtaining maximum magnetic field strength.

Figure: Loop coupling in a rectangular waveguide. (a) Location of loop, (b) loop and insulation, (c) loop
and its equivalence, (d) loop at maximum H-field and (e) possible locations for loop.

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RF & MICROWAVE ENGINEERING (UNIT-4) PREP BY: ER.SARBESH CHAUDHARY, LECTURER, ELECTRONICS DEPT

In some applications, only a small fraction of power is to be coupled or removed. In such cases, the coupling
is reduced by moving or rotating the loop. The order of coupling will depend on the number of H lines
encircled or intercepted. The power-handling capability of a loop is proportional to its diameter. Thus, when
the loop diameter is increased, its power-handling capability also increases.

Its bandwidth can be increased by increasing the size of the wire used for the loop formation. The removal
of energy through the loop follows the same principle as that by a probe. As the loop is inserted into a
waveguide having an H field, a current is induced in the loop, which can be fed to the desired device.

WAVEGUIDES

Waveguides, like transmission lines, are structures used to guide electromagnetic waves from point to point.
However, the fundamental characteristics of waveguide and transmission line waves (modes) are quite
different. The differences in these modes result from the basic differences in geometry for a transmission
line and a waveguide.
Waveguides can be generally classified as either metal waveguides or dielectric waveguides. Metal
waveguides normally take the form of an enclosed conducting metal pipe. The waves propagating inside the
metal waveguide may be characterized by reflections from the conducting walls. The dielectric waveguide
consists of dielectrics only and employs reflections from dielectric interfaces to propagate the
electromagnetic wave along the waveguide.
A waveguide can be of either rectangular or circular cross section which is used to guide electromagnetic
wave. Rectangular waveguide is most commonly used as waveguide. Waveguides are used at frequencies in
the microwave range.
At microwave frequencies (above 1GHz to 100 GHz) the losses in the two line transmission system will be
very high and hence it cannot be used at those frequencies. Hence microwave signals are propagated
through the waveguides in order to minimize the losses.

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RF & MICROWAVE ENGINEERING (UNIT-4) PREP BY: ER.SARBESH CHAUDHARY, LECTURER, ELECTRONICS DEPT

Properties and characteristics of waveguide:

1. The conducting walls of the guide confine the electromagnetic fields and thereby guide the
electromagnetic wave through multiple reflections.
2. When the waves travel longitudinally down the guide, the plane waves are reflected from wall to wall .the
process results in a component of either electric or magnetic fields in the direction of propagation of the
resultant wave.
3. TEM waves cannot propagate through the waveguide since it requires an axial conductor for axial current
flow.
4. When the wavelength inside the waveguide differs from that outside the guide, the velocity of wave
propagation inside the waveguide must also be different from that through free space.
5. If one end of the waveguide is closed using a shorting plate and allowed a wave to propagate from other
end, then there will be complete reflection of the waves resulting in standing waves.
Comparison of Waveguide and Transmission Line Characteristics

Serial Transmission line Waveguide

no.
1. Two or more conductors separated by some Metal waveguides are typically one
insulating medium (two-wire, coaxial, microstrip, enclosed conductor filled with an insulating
etc.). medium (rectangular, circular) while a
dielectric waveguide consists of multiple
dielectrics.
2. Normal operating mode is the TEM or quasi-TEM Operating modes are TE or TM modes
mode (can support TE and TM modes but these (cannot support a TEM mode).
modes are typically undesirable).
3. No cut-off frequency for the TEM mode. Must operate the waveguide at a
Transmission lines can transmit signals from DC up frequency above the respective TE or TM
to high frequency. mode cut-off frequency for that mode to
propagate.
4. Significant signal attenuation at high frequencies Lower signal attenuation at high
due to conductor and dielectric losses. frequencies than transmission lines.
5. Small cross-section transmission lines (like coaxial Metal waveguides can transmit high power
cables) can only transmit low power levels due to levels. The fields of the propagating wave
the relatively high fields concentrated at specific are spread more uniformly over a larger
locations within the device (field levels are limited cross-sectional area than the small cross-
by dielectric breakdown). section transmission line.
6. Large cross-section transmission lines (like power Large cross-section (low frequency)
transmission lines) can transmit high power levels. waveguides are impractical due to large
size and high cost.