19ECCN1701 – RF and Microwave Engineering

Unit II – Microwave Passive Components

Presented by,
Ms. S. Thilagavathi
Assistant Professor
Department of Electronics and
Communication Engineering
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Microwave Frequency Range
The microwave spectrum is usually defined as a range of frequencies ranging from 300
MHz to 300 GHz.

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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 2
 Microwave Applications: Overview
Civil Military
Wireless Communication Aircraft Safety and Navigation
Vehicle Collision Avoidance RADAR
Remote Sensing Missile Guidance and Control

Applications
Medical
Cancer/Tumor Detection
Medical Diagnostics and Therapy
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 Applications and Frequency Bands
 FM Radio – Frequency: 88 to 108 MHz
 CDMA – 824 to 890 MHz
 GSM 900 - 890 to 915 and 935 to 960 MHz
 GPS – 1575 + 10 MHz
 GSM1800 – 1710 to 1780 and 1810 to 1880 MHz
 3G - 1920 to 1980 and 2110 to 2170 MHz
 4G – 2300 to 2400 MHz
 Wi-Fi – 2400 to 2483 MHz and 5.2/5.8 GHz Band
 Satellite and Defense Communications (HF to mm wave)
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 Microwave Communication Systems
Modulating Transmitter
Signal
Impedanc
Modulator Amplifier e
Matching
Carrier Network
Signal
Receiver
IF Filter Display
RF device/
Mixer and Demodulato
Amplifier speaker
Amplifier r

LO

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Properties of Microwaves
 Microwave is an electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength.
 They can reflect by conducting surfaces just like optical waves
since they travel in straight line.
 Microwave currents flow through a thin outer layer of an ordinary
cable.
 Microwaves are easily attenuated within short distances.
 They are not reflected by ionosphere

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Advantages and Limitations
 Increased bandwidth availability:
 Microwaves have large bandwidths compared to the common bands like short
waves (SW), ultrahigh frequency (UHF) waves, etc.
 For example, the microwaves extending from  = 1 cm to  = 10 cm (i.e) from
30,000 MHz – 3000 MHz, this region has a bandwidth of 27,000 MHz.

 Improved directive properties:

 The second advantage of microwaves is their ability to use high gain directive
antennas, any EM wave can be focused in a specified direction (Just as the
focusing of light rays with lenses or reflectors)
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Advantages and Limitations
 Fading effect and reliability:
 Fading effect due to the variation in the transmission medium is
more effective at low frequency.
 Due to the Line of Sight (LOS) propagation and high frequencies,
there is less fading effect and hence microwave communication is
more reliable.
 Power requirements:
 Transmitter / receiver power requirements are pretty low at
microwave frequencies compared to that at short wave band.
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Applications of Microwaves
 Telecommunication: Intercontinental Telephone and TV, space
communication (Earth – to – space and space – to – Earth), telemetry
communication link for railways etc.
 Radars: Detect aircraft, track / guide supersonic missiles, observe and
track weather patterns, air traffic control (ATC), burglar alarms, garage
door openers, police speed detectors etc.
 Biomedical Applications ( diagnostic / therapeutic ) – Diathermy for
localized superficial heating, deep electromagnetic heating for treatment of
cancer, hyperthermia ( local, regional or whole body for cancer therapy).

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Applications of Microwaves
 Commercial and Industrial applications of Microwaves :
 Microwave oven
 Drying machines – textile, food and paper industry for drying clothes, potato chips,
printed matters etc.
 Food process industry – Pre cooling / cooking, pasteurization / sterility, hat frozen /
refrigerated pre cooled meats, roasting of food grains / beans.
 Rubber industry / plastics / chemical / forest product industries
 Mining / public works, breaking rocks, tunnel boring, drying / breaking up concrete,
breaking up coal seams, curing of cement.
 Drying inks / drying textiles, drying / sterilizing grains, drying / sterilizing
pharmaceuticals, leather, tobacco, power transmission.
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Applications of Microwaves
 Identifying objects or personnel by non – contact method.

 Light generated charge carriers in a microwave semiconductor make

it possible to create a whole new world of microwave devices, fast
jitter free switches, phase shifters, HF generators, etc.

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Microwave Passive Components
 E-plane tee, H-plane tee, Magic tee

 Directional Coupler

 Circulator

 Corners, bends and twists

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Microwave Tee Junction:
 The interconnection of two or more microwave devices may be
regarded as a microwave junction.

 Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions): The simplest type of power

divider is a T-junction, which is a three-port network with two
inputs and one output.

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Characteristics of a Three port Junction
1) A short circuit may always be placed in one of the arms of a three-port junction in

such a way that no power can be transferred through the other two arms.

2) If the junction is symmetric about one of its arms, a short circuit can always be

placed in that arm so that no reflections occur in power transmission between the

other two arms. (i.e the arms present matched impedances.)

3) It is impossible for a general three-port junction of arbitrary symmetry to present

matched impedances at all three arm

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
 The scattering matrix of an arbitrary three-port network has nine
independent elements:
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 𝑆22 𝑆23 (1)
𝑆31 𝑆32 𝑆33
 If the device is passive and contains no anisotropic materials, then it
must be reciprocal and its scattering matrix will be symmetric 𝑺𝒊𝒋 =
𝑺𝒋𝒊

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
To avoid power loss - have a junction - lossless and matched at all ports.

It is impossible to construct such a three-port lossless reciprocal network that is

matched at all ports.
If all ports are matched, then Sii = 0, and if the network is reciprocal, the scattering
matrix of (1) reduces to:

0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆12 0 𝑆23 (2)
𝑆13 𝑆23 0

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
If the network is also lossless, then energy conservation requires that
the scattering matrix satisfy the unitary properties:
2 2
𝑆12 + 𝑆13 =1
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆12 0 𝑆23 => 2 2 (3)
𝑆12 + 𝑆23 =1
𝑆13 𝑆23 0
𝑆13 2
+ 𝑆23 2
=1
For a Lossless network:
𝑁
∗ 𝑆13 ∗ 𝑆23 = 0
𝑆𝑘𝑖 𝑆𝑘𝑗 = 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖 = 𝑗
𝑘=1 𝑆23 ∗ 𝑆12 = 0 (4)
𝑁

𝑆𝑘𝑖 𝑆𝑘𝑗 ∗ = 0, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖 ≠ 𝑗 𝑆12 ∗ 𝑆13 = 0

𝑘=1
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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 17
Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
Eqn (4) shows that at least two of the three parameters (𝑆12 , 𝑆13 , 𝑆23 )
must be zero.

This condition will always be inconsistent with one of equations in (3),

implying that a three-port network cannot be simultaneously lossless,
reciprocal and matched at all ports.

If any one of these three conditions is relaxed, then a physically

realizable device is possible.
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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
If the three-port network is nonreciprocal, then 𝑺𝒊𝒋 ≠ 𝑺𝒋𝒊 , and the
conditions of input matching at all ports and energy conservation can
be satisfied.

It is known as a circulator, and generally relies on an anisotropic

material, such as ferrite, to achieve nonreciprocal behaviour.

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
Any matched lossless three-port network must be nonreciprocal and
thus a circulator.

The scattering matrix of a matched three-port network has the

following form:
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 0 𝑆23 (5)
𝑆31 𝑆32 0

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
If the network is lossless, [S] must be unitary, which implies the
following conditions:
𝑆31 ∗ 𝑆32 = 0
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
(6)
𝑆 = 𝑆21 0 𝑆23 => 𝑆21 ∗ 𝑆23 = 0
𝑆31 𝑆32 0
𝑆12 ∗ 𝑆13 = 0
For a Lossless network:
𝑁
𝑆12 2 + 𝑆13 2 =1
∗
𝑆𝑘𝑖 𝑆𝑘𝑗 = 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖 = 𝑗
2 2 (7)
𝑘=1
𝑁
𝑆21 + 𝑆23 =1
𝑆𝑘𝑖 𝑆𝑘𝑗 ∗ = 0, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖 ≠ 𝑗 𝑆31 2 + 𝑆32 2 =1
𝑘=1
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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 21
Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
These equations can be satisfied in one of two ways. Either
𝑆12 = 𝑆23 = 𝑆31 = 0, 𝑆21 = 𝑆32 = 𝑆13 = 1;
Or
𝑆21 = 𝑆32 = 𝑆13 = 0, 𝑆12 = 𝑆23 = 𝑆31 = 1;

These results shows that 𝑺𝒊𝒋 ≠ 𝑺𝒋𝒊 for i ≠ j, which implies that the
device must be nonreciprocal.

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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 22
Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
𝑆12 = 𝑆23 = 𝑆31 = 0 & 𝑆21 = 𝑆32 = 𝑆13 = 0,
𝑆21 = 𝑆32 = 𝑆13 = 1; 𝑆12 = 𝑆23 = 𝑆31 = 1;

The corresponding S Matrix is, The corresponding S Matrix is,

0 0 1 0 1 0
𝑆 = 1 0 0 𝑆 = 0 0 1
0 1 0 1 0 0

(a) Clockwise (b) Counter clockwise

circulation circulation

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
Alternatively, a lossless and reciprocal three-port network can be
physically realized if only two of its ports are matched.

If ports1and 2 are the matched ports, then the scattering matrix can be
written as,
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆12 0 𝑆23 (8)
𝑆13 𝑆23 𝑆33

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Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions)
0 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆12 0 𝑆23 => (9)
𝑆13 𝑆23 𝑆33

(10)

A reciprocal lossless three-port

network matched at ports 1 and 2.

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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 25
Waveguide Tee
• A Waveguide Tee is a 3-port device that can be used to either divide or combine power
in a waveguide system. It is formed when three waveguides tubes are connected in the
form of the English alphabet 'T'. This is where its name is derived from.
• Waveguide Tee junctions are used to split the line power into two or to combine the
power from two lines with proper consideration of phase at Microwave Frequencies

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 E-plane Tee
• An E-plane TEE is a waveguide tee in
which the axis of side arm is parallel to
the E field of the main guide. If the
collinear arms are symmetric about the
side arms, there are two arm
characteristics. When wave are fed into
the side arms, the wave appear in the
collinear arms will be in opposite phase
and in the same magnitude.

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 E-plane Tee

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RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components
 E-plane Tee
• A waveguide tee in which the axis of its side arm is
parallel to the E-field of the main guide.

( Series Tee

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Transmission characteristics of E-plane Tee

When two inputs are fed into Port 1 and Port 2 of the collinear arm , the output
wave at port 3 will be subtractive and opposite in phase. So the third port is
called Difference arm
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Transmission characteristics of E-plane Tee

When the waves are fed into the side arm (port 3), the waves appearing at port1
and port 2 of the collinear arm will be in the opposite phase and in the same
magnitude.
S13= -S23
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 E-plane Tee
• The general S matrix of a Three port network is

• If E-plane tee is perfectly matched with the aid of screw tuners or inductive or
capacitive windows at the junction, the diagonal components of the S-matrix, S11,
S22 and S33 are zero because there will be no reflection.
• Here let port 3 is matched,

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 E-plane Tee
• Symmetry property : S12 = S21, S13 = S31 and S23 = S32 ; WKT
S13=-S23, then

• From Unitary Property [S][𝑆]∗ = [𝐼],

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 • From Unitary Property,

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 34

Contd..,

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 S Matrix of E Plan Tee

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Microwave Tee Junction:
 The interconnection of two or more microwave devices may be
regarded as a microwave junction.

 Three-Port Networks (T-Junctions): The simplest type of power

divider is a T-junction, which is a three-port network with two
inputs and one output.

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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 37
H-plane Tee:
 H-Plane Tee junction is formed by attaching a
simple waveguide to a rectangular waveguide
which already has two ports.
 The arms of rectangular waveguides make two
ports called collinear ports i.e., Port 1 and Port 2,
while the new one, Port 3 is called as Side arm or
H-arm.
Shunt Tee  This H-plane Tee is also called as Shunt Tee.

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H-plane Tee
 As the axis of the side arm is
parallel to the magnetic field,
this junction is called as H-
Plane Tee junction.
 Also called as Current junction,
as the magnetic field divides
Shunt Tee itself into arms.
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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 39
H-plane Tee
 A waveguide tee in which the
axis of its side arm is
“shunting” the E-field or
parallel to the H-field of the
main guide.

Shunt Tee
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H-plane Tee – working principle
 If two input waves are fed into
port 1 and port 2 of the collinear
arm, the output wave at port 3
will be in phase and additive.
 The third port is called “Sum
arm”.
Shunt Tee
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H-plane Tee – working principle

 If the input is fed into port 3,

the wave will split equally into
port 1 and port 2, which are in
phase and in the same
magnitude.
 i.e. 𝑆13 = 𝑆23
Shunt Tee
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Department of ECE RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 42
H-plane Tee

 The connection made by the side

arm to the bi-directional
waveguide to form the serial
Shunt Tee port.
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H-plane Tee
• It is a 3-port network. S matrix is given by,
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 𝑆22 𝑆23 (1)
𝑆31 𝑆32 𝑆33
• Since the junction is symmetrical in plane, 𝑆13 = 𝑆23 (2)
• From symmetry property,
(3)
• The third port is perfectly matched, i.e. 𝑆33 = 0
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H-plane Tee
• The S matrix in (1) becomes,
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 𝑆22 𝑆23 (1) 𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13
𝑆31 𝑆32 𝑆33 𝑆 = 𝑆12 𝑆22 𝑆13 (4)
𝑆13 𝑆13 0
𝑆13 = 𝑆23 ; 𝑆33 = 0 From the unitary property,
[S][S]* = [I] (5)

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H-plane Tee
(6)

• Multiplying and Equating the elements,

• 𝑅1 𝐶1 : => (7)

• 𝑅2 𝐶2 : => (8)

• 𝑅3 𝐶3 : => (9)

• 𝑅3 𝐶1 : => (10)
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H-plane Tee
2 2 1 1
From (9), ⇒ 2 𝑆13 = 1 ⇒ 𝑆13 =
2
⇒ 𝑆13 =
√2
(11)

From (10), ⇒ 𝑆11 = −𝑆12 𝑜𝑟 𝑆12 = −𝑆11 (12)

From (8), & From (7),

When comparing (7) & (8) => => (13)

1 −1
Using eqns 11, 12, & 13 in (8), we get 𝑆11 = = 𝑆22 ; 𝑆12 =
2 2

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H-plane Tee
• Substituting all values in (4)
1
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13 𝑆11 =
2
= 𝑆22 ;
𝑆 = 𝑆12 𝑆22 𝑆13 (4) −1 1
𝑆12 = & 𝑆13 = √2
𝑆13 𝑆13 0 2

The S matrix of H plane tee becomes,

1 −1 1
2 2 √2
−1 1 1
𝑆 = 2 2 √2
which explains its scattering properties.
1 1
0
√2 √2

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 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)
Difference

A Combination of the E-
plane and H-plane tees forms
Sum a hybrid tee, called Magic-T
having 4 ports as shown

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RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components
 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)

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 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)
Difference
• If two waves of equal magnitude and
the same phase are fed into port 1 and
port 2, the output at port 3 is
subtractive and hence zero. Total
output power will appear additively at
Sum port 4.
• Hence Port 3 is called Difference or E-
arm and Port 4 is called Sum or H-
arm.

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 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)
Difference

• If a wave is fed into port

4 (H arm), it will be
divided equally between
Sum port 1 and port 2 of the
collinear arms and will
not appear at port 3 (E
arm).

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 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)
Difference

• If a wave is fed into

port 3 (E arm), it will
produce an output of
Sum equal magnitude and
opposite phase at port 1
and port 2. Output at
port 4 is zero
• S43 = S34 = 0.

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 Magic Tees (Hybrid Tees)
Difference • If a wave is fed into one of the
collinear arms at port 1 or port
2, it will not appear in the
other collinear arm at port 2 or
port 1 because the E arm
Sum causes a phase delay while the
H arm causes the phase
advance.
• S12 = S21 = 0.

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Applications of Magic Tee
• As an Isolator
• As a Mixer
• As a Duplexer
• As a Matching device
• Impedance measurements.
• Radar transmitters

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Applications of Magic Tee

Magic Tee coupled transmitters to antenna

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Waveguide Corners, Bends, and Twists
• The size, shape, and dielectric material of a waveguide must be
constant throughout its length for energy to move from one end
to the other without reflections.
• Any abrupt change in its size or shape can cause reflections and
a loss in overall efficiency.
• When such a change is necessary, the bends, twists, and joints
of the waveguides must meet certain conditions to prevent
reflections.

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Waveguide Bends – E Bend
• Waveguides may be bent in several ways that do not cause
reflections. One way is the gradual bend.
• This gradual bend is known as an E bend because it distorts
the E fields.
• The E bend must have a radius greater than two
wavelengths to prevent reflections.

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Waveguide Bends - H Bend
• Another common bend is the gradual H bend shown in
the left part of the figure. It is called an H bend because
the H fields are distorted when a waveguide is bent in
this manner. Again, the radius of the bend must be greater
than two wavelengths to prevent reflections.
• A sharp bend in either dimension may be used if it meets
certain requirements. Notice the two 45-degree bends in
figure; the bends are 1/4·λ apart. The reflections that
occur at the 45-degree bends cancel each other, leaving
the fields as though no reflections have occurred.
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Waveguide Bends- E Bend & H Bend

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Waveguide Bends- E Bend & H Bend

Waveguide H bend Waveguide E bend

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 Waveguide Twists
• Sometimes the electromagnetic fields must be rotated so that they are
in the proper phase to match the phase of the load.
• This may be accomplished by twisting the waveguide as shown in the
figure. The twist must be gradual and greater than two wavelengths
(2·λ).

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Waveguide Corners, Bends, and Twists
• In order to prevent undue distortion on the waveform a 90° twist should be
undertaken over a distance greater than two wavelengths of the frequency in
use.
• If a complete inversion is required, e.g. for phasing requirements, the overall
inversion or 180° twist should be undertaken over a four wavelength distance

RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components

 Waveguide Corners, Bends, and Twists

E plane Corner H plane Corner

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 Waveguide Corners, Bends, and Twists
• These waveguide components are normally used to change the
direction of the guide through an arbitrary angle.
• In order to minimize reflections from the discontinuities, it is
desirable to have the mean length L between continuities equal to an
odd number of quarter wavelengths.

i.e

RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components

 Waveguide Corners, Bends, and Twists
• If the mean length L is an odd number of quarter wavelengths, the reflected
waves from both ends of the waveguide section are completely cancelled.
• For the waveguide bend, the minimum radius of curvature for a small
reflection is given by

• Where a and b are the dimensions of the bend.

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Waveguide Impedance Matching

Normally a magic-T needs

an impedance matching
shown in the figure as
matching screws

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Waveguide Summary
• The walls of the waveguide have only the function, to
prevent that the electric magnetic waves deviate from the
specified way.
• Waveguides have lower losses and are more charge as
comparable coaxial cables.
• Waveguide haven't any practical meaning at frequencies
by less than 1000 MHz because of the dependence of its
geometric measurements of the transferred frequency.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 68

Waveguide Summary
• There are electrical fields only vertically to conducting
areas, magnetic fields can there be only parallelly to
conducting areas
• The fields are moving by reflection between the covers of
the waveguide.
• Waveguide being able to be operated only above the
critical frequency. Applies to the cut off wavelength of
rectangular waveguide: λcutoff = 2·a
• In the waveguide ongoing waves can only exist by exact
termination with the impedance (E- and H-Feld in phase).
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 69
Matched Terminator
• Terminator is a device which is connected to the last
peripheral device in a sequence or the last node in a
network.
• Coaxial terminators and waveguide terminators are
collectively known as radio frequency terminators
or microwave terminators.
• They are used to absorb energy and prevent a signal from
reflecting back from open-ended or unused ports.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 70

Matched Terminator

Matched Termination

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 71

Problem

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 72

Directional Coupler:
 It is a 4-port passive device used for coupling a known fraction of
the microwave power to a port (coupled port) in the auxiliary line
while flowing from input port to output port in the main line.
 Remaining port is ideally isolated port and matched port.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 73

Directional Coupler:
 Directional coupler is used to couple the Microwave power which
may be unidirectional or bi-directional.

 A Directional coupler is a device that samples a small amount of

Microwave power for measurement purposes.

 The power measurements include incident power, reflected power &

VSWR values

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 74

Properties of Directional Couplers
 All the terminations are matched to the ports.
 When the power travels from Port 1 to Port 2,
some portion of it gets coupled to Port 4 but
not to Port 3.
 As it is also a bi-directional coupler, when the
power travels from Port 2 to Port 1, some
portion of it gets coupled to Port 3 but not to
Port 4.
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 75
Properties of Directional Couplers
 If the power is incident through Port 3, a
portion of it is coupled to Port 2, but not to
Port 1.
 If the power is incident through Port 4, a
portion of it is coupled to Port 1, but not to
Port 2.
 Port 1 and 3 are decoupled as are Port 2 and
Port 4
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 76
Power flow in a directional coupler

 Ideally, the output of Port 3 should be zero. However, practically, a

small amount of power called back power is observed at Port 3.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 77

Power flow in a directional coupler

 𝑃𝑖 → Incident power at Port 1

 𝑃𝑟 → Reflected power at Port 2
 𝑃𝑓 → Forward coupled power at Port 4
 𝑃𝑏 → Back power at Port 3
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 78
Directional Coupler:
Parameters used to define the performance of a directional coupler:
Coupling factor, C: It is the ratio of incident power to the forward
power, measured in dB

Directivity, D: It is the ratio of forward power to the back power,

measured in dB

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 79

Directional Coupler:
Parameters used to define the performance of a directional coupler:
Isolation, I:
 It defines the directive properties of a directional coupler.
 It is the ratio of incident power to the back power, measured in
dB.

 Isolation in dB = Coupling Factor + Directivity

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 80

Types of Directional Couplers

 Two Hole Directional Coupler

 Four Hole Directional Coupler
 Schwinger Coupler
 Bethe-hole Directional Coupler

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 81

Applications of Directional Couplers

 Commercial applications
 Military applications
 Used for sampling a single direction of power which is
propagating on a transmission line

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 82

Two Hole Directional Coupler:

 Directional coupler with same main and auxiliary waveguides, but with two
small holes that are common between them.
 These holes are λ𝑔 /4 distance apart where λ𝑔 is the guide wavelength
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 83
Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 A two-hole directional coupler is
designed to meet the ideal
requirement of directional coupler,
which is to avoid back power.
 Some of the power while travelling
between Port 1 and Port 2, escapes
through the holes 1 and 2.
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 84
Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 The magnitude of the power depends upon the
dimensions of the holes.
 This leakage power at both the holes are in phase
at hole 2, adding up the power contributing to the
forward power 𝑃𝑓
 It is out of phase at hole 1, cancelling each other
and preventing the back power to occur.

 The directivity of a directional coupler improves.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 85

S Matrix of a Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 It is a 4 port network – size of S matrix is 4 x 4
𝑆11 𝑆12 𝑆13 𝑆14
𝑆21 𝑆22 𝑆23 𝑆24
 S matrix 𝑆 = (1)
𝑆31 𝑆32 𝑆33 𝑆34
𝑆41 𝑆42 𝑆43 𝑆44
 Since, all ports are perfectly matched.
Hence (2)
 Port 1 and 3 are decoupled as well as port 2 and 4
(3)

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 86

S Matrix of a Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 Substitute (2) & (3) in (1)

 We will get

(4)

 And [S] is a symmetric matrix. So 𝑆𝑖𝑗 = 𝑆𝑗𝑖

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 87

S Matrix of a Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 From unitary property of [S] matrix: [S] [S]* = I

(6)

 On multiplying [S] with [S]* and equating it to RHS,

 (7) (9)
 (8) (10)
(11)
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 88
S Matrix of a Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 From (7) & (8),
& =>
(Coupled power)
 From (9) , (10) & (7)

 Let, = P (Real No) => (Forward power)

 Eqn (11) becomes,

=> => =>

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 89

S Matrix of a Two Hole Directional Coupler:
 Applying symmetric property,
0 𝑆12 0 𝑆14
𝑆12 0 𝑆23 0
𝑆 =
0 𝑆23 0 𝑆34
𝑆14 0 𝑆34 0
 S Matrix of a two hole directional coupler

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 90

Microwave Isolator
• An isolator is a nonreciprocal transmission device that is
used to isolate one component from reflections of other
components in the transmission line.
• An ideal isolator completely absorbs the power for
propagation in one direction and provides lossless
transmission in the opposite direction.
• Thus the isolator is usually called Uniline.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 91

Microwave Isolator
• Isolators are generally used to improve the frequency
stability of microwave generators, such as klystrons and
magnetrons, in which the reflection from the load affects
the generating frequency.
• In such cases, the isolator placed between the generator and
load prevents the reflected power from the unmatched load
from returning to the generator.
• As a result, the isolator maintains the frequency stability of
the generator. Isolators can be constructed in many ways.
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 92
Microwave Isolator
• They can be made by
terminating ports 3 and
4 of a four-port
circulator with matched
loads.
• On the other hand,
isolators can be made
by inserting a ferrite rod
along the axis of a
rectangular waveguide

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 93

 Microwave Isolator
• The input resistive card is in
the y-z plane, and the output
resistive card is displaced 45°
with respect to the input card.

• The de magnetic field, which

is applied longitudinally to
the ferrite rod, rotates the
wave plane of polarization by
45°.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 94

Microwave Isolator
• The degrees of
rotation depend on
the length and
diameter of the rod
and on the applied
de magnetic field.

• An input TE10
dominant mode is
incident to the left
end of the isolator.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 95

Microwave Isolator
• Since the TE10 mode wave is
perpendicular to the input resistive
card, the wave passes through the
ferrite rod without attenuation.

• The wave in the ferrite rod section

is rotated clockwise by 45° and is
normal to the output resistive card.
As a result of rotation, the wave
arrives at the output end without
attenuation at all

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 96

Microwave Isolator
• On the contrary, a
reflected wave from the
output end is similarly
rotated clockwise 45° by
the ferrite rod.

• However, since the

reflected wave is parallel
to the input resistive
card, the wave is thereby
absorbed by the input
card.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 97

Microwave Isolator
The typical performance of
these isolators is about 1-dB
insertion loss in forward
transmission and about 20- to
30-dB isolation in reverse
attenuation.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 98

Microwave Isolator

One major use of the isolator is to prevent “backflow” of RF energy

from a load back to the sensitive source, which may be due to
impedance mismatch. (Image source: MECA Electronics, Inc.)

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 99

 S Matrix of Isolator

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 100

 Isolator
An isolator is a two port,
non-reciprocal device which
produces a minimum attenuation
to wave propagation in one
direction and very high
attenuation in the opposite
direction.

31-Aug-23 101
RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components
Properties of reciprocal and non-reciprocal networks
• A reciprocal network is one in which the transmission of a signal
between any two ports does not depend on the direction of
propagation- input and output ports are interchangeable (scattering
parameter S21=S12, S13=S31, etc.)

• A network is known to be reciprocal if it is passive and contains

only isotropic materials.

• Examples of reciprocal networks include cables and standard

transmission lines, attenuators, and the common passive power
splitters and couplers.
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 102
 Properties of reciprocal and non-reciprocal networks
• Two classic examples of non-reciprocal networks are RF amplifiers and isolators.
In both cases, scattering parameter S21 is much different from S12.
• In fact, almost all active circuits are non-reciprocal since transistors are
inherently non-reciprocal devices.
• Anisotropic materials have different electrical properties depending on the
direction a signal propagates through them. One example of
an anisotropic material is the class of materials known as ferrites, from which
circulators and isolators are made.
• Two classic examples of non-reciprocal networks are RF amplifiers and isolators.
In both cases, the scattering parameter S21 is much different from S12. In fact,
almost all active circuits are non-reciprocal since transistors are inherently non-
reciprocal devices.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 103

Properties of reciprocal and non-reciprocal networks
• A reciprocal network always has a symmetric S-
parameter matrix. That means that S21=S12, S13=S31,
etc. All values along the lower-left to upper right
diagonal must be equal.
• A two-port S-parameter matrix (at a single frequency) is
represented by:

where S21 is identical to S12.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 104

Microwave Phase shifter-Gyrator
• Anisotropic material will have different properties in
different directions.
• The most common materials having anisotropic
properties are ferromagnetic compound such as YIG and
ferrites.
• A ferrite is basically a non metallic material.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 105

Microwave Phase shifter-Gyrator
• When a circularly polarized wave is passed through a
ferrite rod, under the influence of the axial magnetic field,
the axis of polarization will get tilted in the clockwise
direction.
• The amount of tilt depends on strength of the magnetic
field as well as dimensions of the ferrite rod.
• The same principle is being used in the design of gyrator.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 106

 Gyrators

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 107

Circulator
 A circulator is a multi port junction in which the wave can travel from one port
to the next immediate port in one direction only.

Example: Four port Circulator

Example: Three port Circulator

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 108

Circulator
 The circulator is a ferrite device including two or more ports. When the input
signal enters into any port then the signal will transmit in a particular direction
 There are different models of circulators available in the market from different
manufacturing companies.
 These components are mainly used in different applications like radar systems,
amplifier systems, transmitting or receiving from the antenna.
 The different models of these mainly include two port circulator; three port
circulator with waveguide packages & frequency range will be up to 40 GHz

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 109

Circulator Characteristics
 Insertion loss is < 1 dB
 Isolation range is approximately from 30dB to 40 dB
 VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) is <1.5

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 110

Three Port Circulator – Operating Principle

 It is formed by a 1200 H-plane waveguide or strip line

symmetrical Y-junction with a central ferrite post.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 111

Circulator
 For a perfectly matched, lossless and non-reciprocal three port circulator, the S
matrix is
0 0 𝑆13
𝑆 = 𝑆21 0 0
0 𝑆32 0
 If the terminal planes are properly chosen to make the phase angles of 𝑆13 , 𝑆21
and 𝑆32 zero. 𝑆13 = 𝑆21 = 𝑆32 = 1, so that,
0 0 1
𝑆 = 1 0 0
0 1 0
 The matching of the junction can be achieved by placing suitable tuning
elements in each arm
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 112
Four Port Circulator – Operating Principle
 A four port circulator can be constructed from
a. Two Magic Tees and a non-reciprocal 1800 phase
shifter or
b. A combination of two 3-dB side hole directional
couplers and a rectangular waveguide with two non-
reciprocal phase shifters.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 113

A Four port circulator from two Magic Tees

e
d

a
b

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 114

Four Port Circulator – Operating Principle

Schematic Diagram

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 115

Circulator
 A perfectly matched, lossless and non-reciprocal four-port
circulator has S-matrix

0 0 0 1
𝑆 = 1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 116

Applications of Circulators
 Duplexer
 Isolator
 Reflection amplifier
 Radar systems
 Amplifier systems
 Antenna transmitting or receiving

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 117

 Microwave Attenuator
• The attenuators are basically passive devices which control power
levels in microwave system by absorption of the signal.
• Attenuator which attenuates the RF signal in a waveguide system
is referred as waveguide attenuator.
• They are achieved by insertion of resistive films (aquadag).

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 118

 Waveguide Attenuation
The “cut off” Principle
• Waveguide attenuation is often based on the cut off principle
where a section of the waveguide is operating frequency far
below the cut off frequency — a frequency that directly
correlated with the dimensions of the waveguide, below which
the waveguide is unable to carry signals.
• For a rectangular waveguide, the length of the broadwall is
generally equal ½ wavelength of the lower cut off frequency.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 119

Waveguide Attenuation
• Microwave energy will therefore dissipate very
rapidly in sections where the H-plane is shunted as
shown in Figure 1.
• This rate of decay is exponential along the
transmission path of the signal.
• As the cut off frequency increases, so does the rate of
attenuation of the modes below cut off frequency.
• And since waveguides can operate with many modes
existing simultaneously, the dominant mode is used;
the mode with the lowest decay rate and lowest cut off
frequency

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 120

Attenuators
There are two main types of attenuators
• Fixed Attenuator
• Variable Attenuator

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 121

Fixed Attenuators
• Fixed attenuator consists of a dissipative element
called pad which is placed in a waveguide.
• The pad is placed in such a way that its plane is parallel
to the electric field, for this two thin metal rods are used
• The pad is tapered for providing a gradual transition
from the waveguide medium to the absorbing medium
of the pad.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 122

Fixed Attenuators
• The resistive element causes attenuations while the taper
minimizes reflections.
• The taper shape can vary with a single taper or a double
taper.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 123

 Continuously variable Attenuators
• A continuously variable attenuation is
accomplished in a waveguide by means of
vertically adjusting the lossy dielectric
fins to incrementally reduce the energy
level of the signal at the output.

• This can be done with either a micrometer

screw or with a flap-type
adjustment where the attenuating material
is mounted to a movable arm

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 124

Continuously variable Attenuators
• This can be done with either a micrometer screw or with a flap-
type adjustment where the attenuating material is mounted to a
movable arm.
• The greater the penetration of the lossy vane, the greater the
attenuation.
• The dielectric slab can be specifically shaped (and is often disc-
shaped) so that the attenuation can vary linearly with insertion.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 125

Flat Type Attenuators
• The flap-type waveguide attenuator has gone through several
iterations to improve the linearity of the insertion loss over
mechanical positions.
• Older constructions involved suspending the element manually
to preset fixed positions that could vary over time with wear and
tear thereby risking oscillations.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 126

 Flat Type Attenuators
• More precision flap-type attenuators are adjusted
via a plane orthogonal to the moving arm so that
the element is inserted into the waveguide as a
function of angular position.
• These attenuators are not designed specifically
for high powers due to the poor thermal
management of the resistive component.
• For instance, high powered coaxial attenuators
contain resistive elements on a ceramic
insulating substrate that are in direct contact with
a heat sink where heat can be carried away
rapidly by the anodized aluminium fins

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 127

 Precision type Variable Attenuators
• A precision type variable
attenuator consists of a
rectangular to circular
transition (ReT), a piece of
circular waveguide (CW)
and a circular-to-rectangular
transition (CRT) as shown in
figure .

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 128

 Precision type Variable Attenuators
• Resistive cards Ra , Rb and Re are
placed inside these sections as
shown. The centre circular section
containing the resistive card Rb
can be precisely rotated by 360
degree with respect to the two
fixed resistive cards.
• The induced current on the
resistive card R due to the incident
signal is dissipated as heat
producing attenuation of the
transmitted signal

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 129

 Precision type Variable Attenuators
• TE10 mode in RCT is converted into
TE11 in circular waveguide.
• The resistive cards Rb and Re a kept
perpendicular to the electric field of
TE10 mode so that it does not absorb
the energy.
• But any component parallel to its plane
will be readily absorbed. Hence, pure
TE11 mode is excited in circular
waveguide section.
31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 130
 Precision type Variable Attenuators
• If the resistive card in the centre section is kept at an angle 𝜃 relative
to the E-field direction of the TE11 mode, the component E cos
𝜃 parallel to the card get absorbed while the component E sin 𝜃 is
transmitted without attenuation.
• This component finally comes out as E sin2θ

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 131

References:
1. Liao, S.Y., “Microwave Devices & Circuits”, Prentice Hall of India, 2006.

2. Ludwing R and Bogdanov G, “RF Circuit design: Theory and Applications”,

Pearson Education, Inc., 2009.

3. Annapurna Das and Sisir K Das, “Microwave Engineering”, Tata McGraw Hill
Inc., 2009

4. David M Pozar, “Microwave Engineering”, 4th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
2012.

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 132

31-Aug-23 RFME - Unit II – Microwave Passive Components 133