18EC302J

Unit 3
Session 11,12&13
What is a microwave network
• A microwave network is formed when several microwave devices
such as
• Sources
• Attenuators
• Resonators
• Filters
• Amplifiers etc
Are coupled together by transmission line or waveguide for the desired
transmission of microwave signal
Network ports
• What is the difference between the port of low frequency network
and microwave frequency network ?

For low frequency network a port is a pair

of terminals where as for a microwave
network a port is reference plane
transverse to the length of microwave
transmission line
Network Parameters
• Z, h, Y and ABCD parameters are difficult to measure for microwave
network because at microwave frequencies the physical length of the
component or line is comparable to or much greater than the
wavelength.
• so the voltage and current are not well defined at a given point for a
microwave circuit
Why Z, Y,h and ABCD parameters are difficult to
measure for MW circuit ?
• 1) Non- availability of terminal voltage and current measuring
equipment
• 2) Short circuit and open circuits are not easily achieved for a wide
range of frequencies
• 3) Presence of active devices makes the circuit unsuitable for short
and open circuit
What are S-parameters?
• S-parameters are complex matrix that show Reflection/Transmission characteristics
(Amplitude/Phase) in frequency domain.
• This type of test equipment is called “Stimulus/Response” and applies to both Vector Network
Analyzers (VNA) and Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR).
• A two-port device has four S-parameters. The numbering convention for S-parameters is that the
first number following the “S” is the port where the signal emerges, and the second number is
the port where the signal is applied. So S21 is a measure of the signal coming out port 2 relative
to the RF stimulus entering port 1. When the numbers are the same (e.g., S11), in indicates a
reflection measurement, as the input and output ports are the same.

.
What are S-parameters? - Expressions
• With amplitude and phase information, we can quantify the reflection and transmission
characteristics of devices.
• Some of the common measured terms are scalar in nature (the phase part is ignored or not
measured), while others are vector (both magnitude and phase are measured).
• For example, return loss is a scalar measurement of reflection, while impedance results from a
vector reflection measurement. Some, like group delay, are purely phase-related measurements.
• Reflection, S11/S22: Reflections (Return loss), Impedance, Admittance, VSWR. Smith chart is one
of display methods for complex reflection coefficient.
• Transmission, S21/S12: Gain/Loss (Insertion loss), Phase, Group delay (Delay time).

.
FUNCTIONING DETAILS OF VECTOR NETWORK
ANALYSER,SIGNAL ANALYSER &SPECTRUM
ANALYSER
• The Spectrum Analyzer is a frequency discriminating detector that detects the voltage for the
signal. It will give the amplitude of signal as a function of frequency. It is scalar in measurement
dimension magnitude vs. frequency. Displayed units are typically expressed in units of power
(dBm).

• The Vector Network Analyzer measures complex magnitude and angle of RF signals vs. frequency.
By using reference signals to calibrate the test system response and setting up a reference frame
for the measurements, the instrument can measure the amplitude and phase angle of the AC-RF
signal for each frequency it is tuned to. Displayed units are typically expressed as s-Parameters.

• The Vector Signal Analyzer is like a cross between a Spectrum and Network Analyzer. It also
measures the signal modulation and a number of features about the modulation format and
data. It measures in voltage and is in complex or scalar format depending on the data being
displayed; i.e., the RF signal characteristics or the modulation format and data.

.
Network Analyzer
• The Slotted line measurements suffers measurement of amplitude and
phase of a signal is restricted to a single frequency.
• Measurement of amplitude and phase over a large bandwidth is time
consuming.
• It generally measures the microwave network.
• Classified as: PNA (Performance Network Analyzer), VNA (Vector
Network Analyzer), SNA ( Scalar Network analyzer).

.
Network Analyzer
S-parameter measurements basics– Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)

S11 (=A/R1) and S21 (=B/R1) are determined by measuring the

magnitude and phase of the incident (R1),reflected (A) and
transmitted (B) voltage signals when the output is terminated
in a perfect Zo (a load that equals the characteristic impedance
of the test system).
This condition guarantees that R2 is zero, since there is no
reflection from an ideal load. S11 is equivalent to the input
complex reflection coefficient or impedance of the DUT, and
S21 is the forward complex transmission coefficient. Likewise,
by placing the source at port 2 and terminating port 1 in a
perfect load (making R1 zero),
S22 (=B/R2) and S12 (=A/R2) measurements can be made. S22
is equivalent to the output complex reflection coefficient or
output impedance of the DUT, and S12 is the reverse complex
transmission coefficient.

.
Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
• The use of the slotted line for microwave measurements has the disadvantage that the amplitude and phase
measurements are limited to single frequencies. Therefore broadband testing is very time consuming and
manpower cost is very high.
• VNA measures both amplitude and phase over a wide range of frequencies within a reasonable time.
• When an RF signal is applied to a network, such as a filter ,amplifier, or transmission line, that signal is
altered in magnitude and phase.
• If the magnitude and phase of the altered signal can be compared to the magnitude and phase of the
originating RF signal , the characteristics of that network can be evaluated.
• The basic measurements involve an accurate reference signal which must be generated with respect to which
the test signal amplitude and phase are measured.
Block diagram of a complex network analyzer is shown in fig 2

.
Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
• The microwave signal from a sweep oscillator is first divided by means of a power divider into test signal
and reference signal channel.
• The network, or component, being tested is called the (DUT)Device Under Test. ie., The test signal is
transmitted through DUT.
• While the reference signal passes through a phase equalizing length of line.
• The DUT will alter the Reference signal's two components, Magnitude and phase.
• The DUT will change the magnitude component, due to its resistive natures.
• It will alter the phase component due to its reactive natures.
• Both the Test and reference signals are converted to a fixed intermediate frequency by means of a harmonic
frequency converter.
• The output signal from the harmonic frequency are compared to determine the amplitude and phase of the test
signal.
• The harmonic frequency converter uses a phase locked loop which helps the local oscillator to track the
reference channel frequency as shown in fig 3.

.
Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
• This allows swept frequency measurements. The frequency conversion takes place in two steps.
• The first mixer converts RF to a fixed IF in the MHz range and then after amplification they are
further converted to another fixed IF in the KHz range by means of second mixer for the final
amplitude and phase comparison.

.
Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
• The reflection and transmission measurements are carried out by using the reflection –transmission
test unit as shown in fig 4.
• The reference line length can be balanced for transmission measurement, and the device under test
is compared to the sliding short for reflection measurements,
• The direction couplers used in the bridge are accurately matched to ensure a good balance between
the two channels.

.
.
Spectrum Analyzer
• Spectrum analyzer is a microwave instrument which provides signal spectrums, i.e. the plot of
amplitude against the frequencies.
• The simplified block diagram is shown below:

.
Spectrum Analyzer
• The microwave signal to be measured is super heterodyned with sweep
voltage produced by a sweep generator and oscillates with local oscillator.
• The mixed signal is then amplified by narrow bandwidth intermediate
frequency amplifier.
• The signal is then detected, and video amplified for display in terms of
amplitude and frequency.
• The sweep voltage is sawtooth type signal.
• The zero-flyback time of sweep voltage moves the spot on display
horizontally in synchronization with frequency sweep.
• This makes the horizontal position function of frequency and amplitude of
signal the vertical deflection of the signal.

.
.
.
 Frequency Range:
• It depends on the local oscillator and mixer.

Frequency Span:
• Range of frequency that can be displayed on the screen at particular time.

Frequency Resolution:
• Minimum frequency difference between two signals required to identify them separated using a
spectrum analyzer.
• The frequency resolution of spectrum analyzer is set by the bandwidth of the swept bandpass filter
used in the spectrum analyzer.
• It has direct relation between the sweep speed.
• If resolution is high, then it will correspond at a longer sweep time.
Sensitivity:
• It always associated with a noise floor.
• Noise floor set a minimum signal level always associated with a noise floor.
• It is directly depends upon the bandwidth of the swept bandpass filter-smaller the bandwidth, lower
the noise floor and longer sensitivity.

Dynamic Range:
• The difference between the maximum usable signal power and minimum detectable signal power.
• The maximum usable signal power is limited by non-linear distortion of the components and
damage issue.
• The minimum detectable signal power is set by the system sensitivity.
.
Summary-Spectrum Analyzer
• Able to measure received signal in frequency domain.
• Local Oscillator that electronically swept back and forth at a linear rate between two frequency
limits, with saw tooth type swept voltage.
• The fly back time of the saw tooth swept voltage is kept zero.
• The saw tooth voltage is applied at the horizontal plate of CRO.
• To achieve the better resolution, bandwidth of the IF amplifier should be as small as possible.
• The swept speed should also be low, the voltage can be build up in the receiver circuit.
• In order to avoid image response, the IF should be chosen as high as possible.
• Displaying frequency verses amplitude, it is able to display exact frequency of a signal, stability
against time, spurious oscillation and interfering signal, noise and distortion and effect of
modulation of carrier.

.
Signal Analyzer
• The signal analyzer is really a modern version of the older swept spectrum analyzer.
• The input RF signal is down converted to a lower intermediate frequency (IF). Instead of an
analog, variable bandwidth filter used in a traditional RF spectrum analyzer,
• a digitizer converts the analog IF signal into a digital signal. Now DSP algorithms, including the
FFT, can be applied.
• One key difference separates the traditional swept spectrum analyzer from the newer signal
analyzer: The signal analyzer can fix the local-oscillator (LO) frequency and perform a time signal
capture and spectrum analysis at that fixed center frequency.
• The local oscillator determines the center frequency and the sampling clock, along with the related
bandpass filter bandwidth, and determines the bandwidth—or span—of the spectrum display.

.
.
.
• The signal analyzer is a spectrum analyzer that includes digital signal processing (DSP). The digital
oscilloscope also has added DSP, and gains much higher bandwidths. Their differences in the
context of frequency analysis derive from their front-end, signal-conversion approach.
• In contrast to signal analyzers, the digital oscilloscope digitizes the RF signal directly. The resulting
baseband spectrum is anchored at zero hertz (dc) and extends to the oscilloscope bandwidth,
which is also related to its sample rate. As mentioned, oscilloscope bandwidth has greatly
increased, up to 100 GHz
• In summary, the digital oscilloscope offers wider-bandwidth analysis and multiple channels,
compared to the higher dynamic range and lower noise floor of the signal analyzer. The signal
analyzer typically has a bandwidth of a few hundred megahertz around the center frequency.

.
• What is the difference between signal analyzer and spectrum analyzer?

While a spectrum analyzer analyzes an applied signal, a network analyzer creates a signal and
characterizes the devices that receive it. ... On the opposite end, spectrum analyzers measure
the parameters of a signal and not a device. They are commonly configured without a source.
A traditional spectrum analyzer measures amplitude only and produces a power vs frequency
spectrum measurement.

A vector signal analyzer converts the input signal to an IF frequency and measures both phase
and amplitude. Consequently it can demodulate a complex signal.