Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

Module II
MICROWAVE NETWORK THEORY
Microwave network: Coupling of several microwave devices and components such as
Sources,attenuators,filters,amplifiers,filters through transmission line forms microwave network.

• In microwave network,port is a reference plane perpendicular to length of microwave

transmission line
• At lower frequency for a given network voltage and currents can be measured and can be
related to Z,Y,h and ABCD parameters.

V1   h11h12   I1 
V1   Z11Z12   I1     
   
I    
V      2   h21h22  V2 
 2   Z 21Z 22   I 2 
 I1  Y11Y12  V  V1   A,  B  V2 
    1     
    I    
 I 2  Y21Y22  V2   2  C ,  D   I 2 

• But at microwave frequency, the physical length of the component is much lrger than
wavelength hence voltage and currents are not well defined at any given point.
At microwave frequency Measurement of Z,Y,ABCD and h parameters is difficult because of
following reasons

 Non availability of terminal voltage and current measuring instruments

 Short and open circuits can not be realized easily
 Circuit becomes unstable due to presence of active devices.

To show Z and Y matrices are symmetrical for Reciprocal network

Reciprocal networks. Is a network in which the voltage appearing at port 2 due to a current
applied at port 1 is the same as the voltage appearing at port 1 when the same current is applied
to port 2. In these circuit any port can be used as input /output port.
Consider a multiport network with N ports in which total voltage at all ports is zero except ith
and jth port where fields are Ei,Hi and Ej,Hj.

From Lorentz reciprocity theorem

  Ei xH j  E j xHi .ds  0      1
s

Where s is closed surface area of the conducting walls enclosing the junction and N [Link] 1
can be equated to zero since integral over the perfectly conduction wall vanishes.

SCE ,ECE Page 1

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

N
   Ei xH j  E j xHi .ds  0      2
n 1 tn

Eq 2 can be reduced to

  Ei xH j .ds   E j xH i .ds      3
ti tj

Pij  Pji

where Pij represents the power at reference plane I due to an input voltage at plane j.
Yij  Y ji
therefore
Zij  Z ji

Scattering Parameter
The incident wave and reflected wave amplitudes are used to charecterise the microwave circuit
using S parameters.
Scattering parameter relates the voltage waves incident on the ports to those reflected from the
ports.

an and bn representsincident wave and reflected wave respectively.

For two port network thses normalised waves are expressed as follows
Vi1 V1  Vr1
a1  
Zo Z0
Vr1 V1  Vi1
b1  
Z0 Z0
Vi 2 V2  Vr 2
a2  
Z0 Z0
Vr 2 V2  Vi 2
b2  
Z0 Z0

Where V1  Vi1  Vr1

V2  Vi 2  Vr 2

SCE ,ECE Page 2

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)
b1
S11  witha2  0
a1
b2
S 22  witha1  0
a2
b1
S12  witha1  0
a2
b2
S 21  witha2  0
a1

Here S11 is called reflection coefficient ᴦ1 at port 1

S22 is called reflection coefficient ᴦ2 at port 2
S12 is called attenuation of wave travelling from port 2 to 1.
S21 is called attenuation of wave travelling from port 1 to2.

Losses in microwave circuits

• For two port network, if Pi is power fed at port 1 and Pr is power reflected at same port
and Po is output power at port2 then losses are defined as
• 2
P  a
Insertionloss (dB )  10log  i   10log 1 2
 Po  b2
1
20log
S 21
1
20log
S12 (Note S21=S12 due to reciprocity)

 Pi  Pr
Transmissioloss  10log
Po
2
1  S11
 10log 2
S12
 Pi 1
Re flectionloss(dB)  10log  10log
Pi  Pr 1  S11
2


Pi 1 1
Re turnloss(dB)  10log  20log  20log
Pr  S11

S matrix for 2 port network

 S11S12 
S    
S S 
 21 22 
SCE ,ECE Page 3
 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

Properties of S parameters
1) Zero diagonal elements for perfect matched network
For an ideal N port network with matched terminations sii =0,s Since there is no reflection from
any port. Therefore under perfect matched conditions the diagonal elements of [S] are zero.

2) Symmetry of [s] for a reciprocal network

A reciprocal device has the same transmission characteristics in either direction of a pair of ports
and is characterized by a symmetric scattering matrix
S I j = S j i (i#j)

3) Unilateral property for a lossless junction

For any lossless network the sum of the products of each term of any one row or of any column
of the S matrix multiplied by its complex conjgate is unity.

S*  S    I 
T
 
[ S ]  [ St ]1
*

4) Phase shift Property

For a two port network shown in fig with reference plane at 1 and 2,S parameter have definite
complex values

 S11S12 
S    
S S 
 21 22 
If reference planes are shifted to x and y by electrical phase shifts Φ 1=β1 l1 and Φ2=β2 l2, then new
S matrix is given by
e  j1 0   e  j1 0 
S   
 
1
 j 2
 
 S   j 
0e   0e 2


SCE ,ECE Page 4

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

S parameters of 2 port network with Mismatched load

A two port network is formed whe there is a discontinuity between the input and output ports of
transmission line.

Consider a two port network terminated by normalized load and generator impedances Z L/Z0
=Zg/Z0=1.
Reflection coefficient at port 2 is given by
ZL ----------1
1
Z0
2 
ZL
1
Z0
Reflection coefficient at port 1 is given by
S12 S21 2
1  S11 
1  S22 2 ---------2
Since for reciprocal network S12=S21 therefore exp2 reduces to
2
S12 2
1  S11 
1  S 22  2
For two port n/w with mismatched load S12 can be calculated as
2
S12  1  S11

SCE ,ECE Page 5

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

Comparison b/w S,Y and Z parameters

Sl No S Y Z
1 Measured in terms of incident and Measured in terms of V Measured in terms of
reflected wave and I V and I
2 Used at high frequency Low frequency Low frequency
3 The unitary property helps in quick No such immediate check No such immediate
check of power. is possible check is possible
4 S is defined for a given set of Since V&I are functions Since V&I are
reference planes [Link] reference of complex impedance functions of complex
planes are changed,S coefficients and therefore both impedance and
vary only in phase magnitude and phase therefore both
change. magnitude and phase
change

Derive S parameters interms of impedances for two transmission lines of

characteristic impedance Z1 and Z2 joined at plane pp1
Let output line to be matched(a2=0).
The reflection coefficient at input side is given by

Z 2  Z1
S11 
Z 2  Z1

Similarly let assume input line to be matched(a1=0).

The reflection coefficient at input side is given by

Z1  Z 2
S22   S11
Z1  Z 2

Similarly
S21  1  S11

Z 2  Z1
S21  1 
Z 2  Z1

2Z 2
S21 
Z 2  Z1

S12  1  S22

Z1  Z 2
S12  1 
Z1  Z 2

SCE ,ECE Page 6

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

2Z1
S12 
Z 2  Z1

Therefore,

SCE ,ECE Page 7

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

MICROWAVE PASSIVE DEVICES

Microwave passive devices are designed using sections of coaxial line,waveguide,striplines and
microstriplines.
Ex:Coaxial connectors, Waveguides, Attenuators, Phase shifters

Coaxial connectors
• Coaxial cables are terminated or connected to other cables and components by means of
sheilded connectors.

• In these connectors,outer sheild makes 360 degree low impedance joint to main shelding
integrity.

• Different types of coaxial connectors are i) Type N(Navy)ii)BNC(Bayonet Navy

Connector) iii)TNC(Threaded Navy Connector) iv)APC v)SMA(Sub-miniature A)

Type N(Navy)
• In this there two types male and female
• Has 50 and 75 ohms

• Suitable for flexible or rigid cables

• Suitable for frequency range 1-18GHz

• Used for military applications.

BNC
• Are 50 and 75 ohm connector

• Suitable for up to 1GHz.

• Not suitable for higher frequencies due radiation leakage at high frequency.

TNC
• Are 50 and 75ohms

• Suitable for up to 12GHz frequency

SMA
• Suitable for thin flexible or semirigid cables.

• Suitable up to 24GHz.
• Above this it starts generating harmonics(noise)

SCE ,ECE Page 8

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

APC
• Are 50 Ohm

• Low VSWR
• Suitable up to 18GHz.
• Used in optical fiber communication

• Are sexless connectors

Attenuators
• Are passive microwave devices used to control power levels in microwave system by
partially absorbing the transmitted signal wave.
• Types of attenuators

i)Fixed type a) Coaxial type b) Waveguide type

ii)Variable type a) Precision rotary type

Coaxial fixed type

• In Coaxial fixed type attenuator a thin film of lossy material is placed at the center which
absorbs some power.

Waveguide type Fixed attenuator

• In waveguide type,a thin dielectric strip coated with resistive film is placed at center of
waveguide.

• Here the incident microwve induces current in resistive film which results in power
dissipation leading to attenuation

SCE ,ECE Page 9

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

Precision Rotary attenuator(Variable type)

• It consists of two rectangular to circular sections RC1 and RC2 and a circular waveguide
section at the center.
• Two resistive cards R1 and R3 are placed in RC1 and RC2 section in such way that they
are perpendicular to electric field and are fixed.
• The resistive card placed at the center section can by rotatable by 360 degree.
• Since resistive cards placed at RC1 and RC2 section are perpendicular to E field they will
absorb parallel field component.

• If the card R2 is placed at an angle ᶿ, then, input signal gets attenuated by sin2ᶿ
• Therefore attenuation is given by
E 1
 
E sin  Sin 2 
2

 1 
 (dB)  20log    40log  sin  
 Sin 2  

 (dB)  20log S21

• Since attenuator is reciprocal network S21=S12

• S matrix for attenuator is given as

SCE ,ECE Page 10

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

Phase Shifters

• Is a two port microwave passive device which produces variable change in phase of the
wave transmitted through it.
• These can be realised by placing dielectric slob parallel to electric field(E) and at center
of waveguide where field is max.
• A differential phase change is produced due to change of wave velocity through dielectric
slab compared to that through an empty waveguide.
• Propagation constant of wave through a length l of dielectric slab is given by

  
2
0
2 1    
  2a  r 
 
2  
1  
g1 0
r
• Propagation constant of wave through an empty waveguide is given by

   2 
2 1   0  
2   2a  
1  
g 2 0
r
• Therefore the differential phase shift produced is given by
   1   2  l

Precision Rotary type Phase shifter

SCE ,ECE Page 11

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

• It consists of two Rectangular to circular transition sections RC1 and RC2 and a circular
waveguide section at the center.
• Two dielectric slabs of length l=λ/4 are placed in RC1 and RC2 sections at 45 degres and
are fixed. RC1 and RC2 are also called as quaterwave sections.
• A dielectric slab of length l=λ/2 is placed in the center section and can be rotatable in 360
[Link] produces a phase shift equal to twice its rotation angle ᶿ.
• If E  E i  is input signal where Ei is amplitude and ᶿ is [Link] output of phase
shifter is given as E  E i 2 .

Principle of operation:

• The incident field Ei decomposes in to two components E1 and E2 in first quarter

wavelength section.E1 is parallel to dielectric slab and E2 is perpendicular to slab as
shown in fig below.

• These components are given as

E1  E0 e j 1l

j
E2  E0 e 2

Ei
Where E0 
2

• These components (E1 and E2) will decompose in to E3 and E4 in half wave section ie
at center section as shown in fig below and are given as

E3  E0 e  j 31l e  j

j
 j 31l  j
E4  E0 e e e 2

• These components ie E3 and E4 are decomposed as E5 and E6 as shown in fig below in

last quarter wave section and are given as

SCE ,ECE Page 12

 Microwaves &Antenna (18EC63)

E5  E0e j 4 1l e2 j

E6  E0e j 4 1l e2 j

• Total phase shift observed in output is given by

Eout  Ei e j 2 e j 4 1l

Ei e
 j  2  4 1 l 

SCE ,ECE Page 13

Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

MAGIC TEE / HYBRID TEE

 A combination of E plane and H plane tees forms a hybrid tee.
 If two inphase waves of equal magnitude are fed in to ports 1 and 2 the
output at port 3(E) is subtrative and hence zero and total output will appear
at port [Link] port 3 called difference arm and H is called sum arm.
 A wave incident at port 3 devides equally between ports 1 and 2 but opposite
in phase with no coupling to port 4.
 A wave incident at port 4 divides equally b/w ports1 and 2 in phase with no
coupling to port3.
 A wave fed in any on collinear port will not apprear in other collinear port ie
collinear ports are isolated.

SCE,ECE Page 1
Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

Derivation for S matrix for magic tee

• Since port 3 and 4 are perfectly matched

S33=S44=0

• Since port 3 and 4 are perfectly isolated

S34=S43=0

• Input at port 4 ( E )

S14=-S24

• Input at port 3(H)

S13=S23

• Due to symmetry property od S matrix ie Si,j=Sj,i

S12=S21

S13=S31

S24=S42

 Applying unitary property to row1 and 2

2 2 2 2
S11  S12  S13  S14  1
2 2 2 2
S12  S22  S13  S14  1
SCE,ECE Page 2
Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

Substrction of these equations results in to

S11  S 22
With unitary property applied to rows 3 and 4

2
2 S13  1
1
S13 
2
2
2 S14  1
1
S14 
2
Substitute S13 and S14 in Exp A results in

S11=S22=S12=0

SCE,ECE Page 3
Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

Applications of Magic tee

• To find unknown impedance

• Balanced mixer in microwave super-heterodyne receiver to balance out the

local oscillator noise at the IF amplifier input

• Power Combiner

• Duplexer

To find known impedance

SCE,ECE Page 4
Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

Magic Tee as Duplexer

Magic Tee as Mixer

SCE,ECE Page 5
Microwave and Antenna(18EC63) 6 Sem

SCE,ECE Page 6