BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

Lab: 3
SAMPLING THE FIELD IN FRONT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT PLATE and
DETERMINING THE REFLECTION COEFFICIENT USING THE SLOTTED
MEASURING LINE

Objective
The aim of this experiment is to get hands on experience with the slotted measuring line and to
determine the maxima and minima of voltage wave traveling through it. Also to determine the
complex reflection coefficient from the measurements performed with the slotted measuring line.

Introduction to Slotted measuring line

The slotted waveguide is used to measure standing waves in the waveguide. The slotted
waveguide measures the amplitude of the standing wave by introducing a small movable probe
into the waveguide. This allows the maxima and the minima of the standing waves to be
measured.

We can measure the magnitude of the SWR and the distance of the first voltage minimum from
the load. This information is useful in calculating the unknown load impedance. It is the
principle technique for measuring the unknown impedance at microwave frequencies, though
surpassed by more accurate and reliable vector network analyser. The line we will use in the lab
is realized in waveguide design using standard R100 waveguide for commercial X-band. The top
and side views are shown in figure below.

Lab 3: Slotted Measuring Line

Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab 1
BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

Propagation in waveguides
A waveguide is special kind of transmission line, a hollow tube, in which electromagnetic waves
can propagate. A slotted measuring line uses a rectangular waveguide. A rectangular waveguide
is shown in figure below and is the basis of this experiment.

If we consider the zig-zag reflection of a plane uniform wave between the side-walls of this
waveguide, we obtain a critical frequency called cut-off frequency at which wave propagation
becomes possible. This frequency is calculated as:

For the phase velocity, the relationship becomes,

And the phase constant becomes,

where is the wavelength in waveguide.

Note: If there is a reflection at the end of a transmission line, maxima and minima of the wave
occur along the line i.e., the standing waves are formed in the spatial distribution of the line.

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BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

Based on the ratio of amplitude and location of these maxima and minima along the waveguide,
you can draw conclusion to magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient. A small dipole
measures this signal and supplies a voltage to its output which is proportional to the
component of the electric field strength. i.e,

THE COMPLEX REFLECTION COEFFICIENT

If a signal is applied to a waveguide terminated with a load whose impedance is not equal to the
characteristic impedance of the waveguide, the load will not be able to absorb all of the signal
energy. As a result, some of the incident signal will be reflected back towards the source, and
there will be two waves traveling along the waveguide. The magnitude of the reflected wave
depends upon the degree of mismatch between the load impedance and the characteristic
impedance of the waveguide.
For given characteristic impedance, the phase of the reflected wave depends on the impedance of
the load and the distance from the load to the point of measurement. The reflection coefficient is
defined as:

(1)
If the magnitude of the incident wave is known, the power incident on the load may be
calculated from:

(2)

The power reflected by the load is given by:

(3)

The ratio of incident and reflected power is called return loss. The magnitude of the reflection
coefficient can be used to determine the percentage power absorbed by the load, given as:
% Power Absorbed = 100% (4)

Lab 3: Slotted Measuring Line

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BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

The magnitude of the reflection coefficient can be calculated using the SWR which will be
measured using the slotted measuring line. The formula is:

(5)

The phase the reflection coefficient can be determined by comparing the location of the
minimum value of Voltage when terminated with unknown impedance, to the location
of the minimum point when the waveguide is shorted.

(6)

Where

Equipment Required
Item Qty Item code
Gunn Power supply with SWR meter 1 737 021
Gunn Oscillator 1 737 01
Diaphragm with slit 2 15 mm 900 1 737 22
Slotted Measuring line 1 737 111
Short Circuit plate, from accessories 1 737 29
Coax detector 1 737 03
Sample holder and sample graphite 1 737 29
Waveguide termination 1 737 14
BNC-BNC cables (male-male) 2 ------
Stand base and support rod 1 ------

Procedure summary
For this purpose, we will measure the distribution of field strength along the transmission line
i.e., the slotted measuring line by inserting a narrow slit in the center of the wide section of the
waveguide. This will ensure as little interference as possible. We will terminate the slotted line
waveguide with a short circuit plate. Then we will measure the maxima and minima along the
waveguide, which will help us to determine the wavelength and phase velocity of the microwave
signal. Then we will measure the reflection coefficient by measuring the VSWR of the wave
along the transmission line i.e., the slotted measuring line. First, you will directly read the

Lab 3: Slotted Measuring Line

Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab 4
BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

VSWR from the meter. Then you will find the phase of the reflection coefficient from the
equation mentioned previously.

Experiment Procedure

a) Measure the aperture width a of the waveguide using the scale and note it down.
b) Arrange the experimental setup in accordance to the figure below:

GUNN Power supply

and SWR meter

GUNN Diaphragm Slotted Short Circuit

Oscillator with slit Measuring Plate
line

We will perform measurement with the short circuit plate.

c) Attach the short circuit plate at the open end of the slotted measuring line.
d) Set the range switch V/dB of the SWR meter to the most insensitive range and set the Gunn
voltage to between 8 and 9 V. Set the modulation switch to GUNN-INT.

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BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

e) Place the slotted measuring line probe at one end position. Now slowly push the slider to the
other end, at the same time, search for the maximum detector voltage (always adjusting the
gain switch to a suitable level) from the meter.
f) Calibrate the maximum value to 0 dB using the ZERO controller. The maximum
position is designated as (read off the slotted measuring line scale and note it down).
g) Now shift the position of the probe in 2 mm steps (in the direction of the end position which
is farthest away from ), in other words to the corresponding positions
. Read the corresponding detector voltage from the meter for each step.
h) Standing wave ratio (SWR) will be the ratio of the amplitude of a partial standing wave at an
antinodes (maximum) to the amplitude at an adjacent node (minimum), in an electrical line.
Calculate the magnitude of reflection coefficient using formula in the table.
i) Enter the values measured for the detector voltage in the third column. You can conclude the
measurement after exceeding the position of the 2nd maximum.
j) Determine the distance between two minima and enter the result in the last line of the
Table. And calculate the phase of reflection coefficient using formula in table.
Tip: By successively increasing the gain (V/dB) in the minima, you can determine the positions
more accurately.

Table to be filled
SWR Meter
Probe position display =
mm

0.0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16

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BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

18
20
22
24
26
28
Minimum at
Distance of the Minima
--------------- mm
(mm) = _______
Node amplitude Anti node amplitude
SWR=Vmax/Vmin
Vmax Vmin

Questions
1. Based on the distance between two neighboring zero points (distance to the minima) i.e.,
(mm), determine the wavelength of the guided wave in mm?
2. Using the value of determined above under point (1), calculate the free space
wavelength and the frequency of the guided wave in GHz with a=22.9mm? Does
this frequency match with the GUNN oscillator frequency?
3. What is the mathematical value of the phase velocity and phase constant (use equations
mentioned)?
4. Calculate the phase velocity and phase constant using the above found values of free
space wavelength.
5. What is the cut-off-frequency? Give its value.
6. What is the purpose of narrow slit in this experiment?
7. How waves propagate in a waveguide
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BEE-F-13E&F Microwave Theory and Techniques Lab Instructor: Maheen Islam

8. Define VSWR, what is the VSWR of a system in which there are no standing waves, Is
the termination for that line correct and does the maximum power transfer take place?
9. What is the Reflection Coefficient? Write the expression relating Reflection Coefficient
with SWR.
10. If VSWR is 2.71, find the percentage power absorbed by the load.

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