MICROWAVE PASSIVE

COMPONENTS
Microwave passive components are
used to carry microwave from its
generator to a load. These are very
much equivalent to capacitors,
inductors of low frequency circuits.
But low frequency inductors and
capacitors can not be used at high
frequency because, the package
capacitance, lead inductance and
series resistance forms a resonant like
circuit when used at high frequencies.
High Frequency Equivalent Circuit of
Low Frequency Components
 S-Parameters
Microwave devices can not be specified
using Z, Y or h-parameters but instead of
that they are specified with another
parameter called Scattering or S-
parameter because:
(i) No equipments are readily available to
measure total voltage and current at the
ports of microwave networks.
(ii) Over a broad band of frequencies it is
very difficult to achieve short and open
circuit.
(iii) Active microwave devices frequently will
not have stability for a short or open
The scatter parameters are the
reflection coefficient of a port and
transmission coefficient between
different ports with other ports
matched terminated. Scattered
parameters are measured readily with
the help of a network analyzer.

For any n-port network, let a and

n

b be the normalised amplitude of

n

incident and reflected microwave at

any port,
Then input power at n-th port
(P ) = ½ │a │²
i n n

reflected power at the n-th port

(P ) = ½ │b │²
r n n

Net power transmitted P = (P ) – (P )i n r n

= ½ (│a │² - │b │²)
n n

Now relation between a , b and the

n n

scattering parameters S can be written

ij

for a two port network as:

 b1 = S11a1 + S12a2
and b2 = S21a1 + S22a2
The significance of S-terms are:
b1 │
S11 = —│= reflection coefficient at
a1 │a2=0 port1, when port 2 is
terminated with
matched load.
b2 │
S22 = —│= reflection coefficient at
a2 │a1=0 port2, when port 1 is
terminated with
matched load.
 b1│
S12 = —│= transmission coefficient
a2 │a1=0 when the wave is
traversing from port 2
to port 1 when port 1 is
terminated with matched load.
b2│
S21 = —│= transmission coefficient
a1│a2=0 when the wave is
traversing from port 1
terminated with matched load.
As; the incident and reflected waves
have both the magnitude and phases
and thus s-parameters are complex
quantities.
For an n-port network the equation
can be written in the matrix form;
│b1│ │S11 S12 S13 …….. S1n││a1│
│b2│ │S21 S22 S23 …….. S2n││a2│
│.│ │. . . …….. . ││ . │
│ . │=│ . . . …….. . ││ . │
│.│ │. . . …….. . ││ . │
│bn│ │Sn1 S2n Sn3 …….. Snn ││an│
 [ bi] = [Sij][aj] (2)

Properties of S-matrix:
(i) Symmetry property: This property
states that if a microwave junction
satisfies reciprocity condition in
absence of active devices in the circuit
then S-parameters are equal to their
corresponding transposes.
i.e., Sij = Sji (3)
(ii) Scattering matrix is always a square
matrix of n×n and the size of the matrix
depends on number of ports of micro-
wave circuit.
(iii) Unity property: The unity property
states that the sum of the products of
each term of any one row or column of
the matrix S multiplied by its complex
conjugate is unity, i.e.,
n

∑ Sij Sij* = 1 for j = 1, 2, 3…., n

i=1 = │Sij│²
Since, Sij is symmetric for a lossless
matched network power input is equal
to the power output.
i.e., [S][S]*= [I] (4)

(iv) The sum of the products of each

term of any row (or column) multiplied
by the complex conjugate of the
corresponding terms of any other row
(column) is zero.
i.e., ∑Sik Sij* = 0 (5)
i= 1, n
 WAVEGUIDE ATTENUATORS
Attenuators or pads are required in the
waveguide to reduce the power
level of the signal. There are fixed
as well as variable attenuators. An
attenuator should have the
following characteristics:
(i) Broad band accuracy
(ii) Low VSWR at a desired frequency.
(iii)Constant frequency response, i.e.
stability.
Fixed Waveguide Attenuators
A tapered edge of resistive vane made
of lossy material is inserted into the
guide, which absorbs the power and
tapered edge prevents the reflection of
power. The vanes are parallel to
electric field lines, so short them and
as a result power is reduced. As
attenuators absorbs microwave power
hence they can be used as load in the
microwave circuits.
 Variable Attenuators
Here a thin tapered resistive card,
whose depth of penetration into the
waveguide is adjustable. The card is
inserted into the wave guide through
a longitudinal slot cut in the centre of
the broad wall of a rectangular
waveguide. Here the amount
attenuation depends on depth of
insertion, which is adjusted with a
micrometer drive and frequency of
operation.
Flap Type Variable attenuator
 Rotary Type Variable attenuator

It is a more precision type. It consists

of two rectangular to circular
waveguide tapered transitions,
together with an intermediate section
of circular waveguide which is free to
rotate.
Construction of Rotary Attenuator
Two fixed tapered resistive cards at the two
ends of the attenuator are placed
perpendicular to the electric field lines in
the waveguide (TE10). The central rotary
section of a circular waveguide consists of
one or more resistive cards. When the
centre card is made parallel with the other
two cards, then it also become
perpendicular to the E-field lines and results
negligible attenuation. When the centre card
is made parallel to E-field lines, there is a
complete absorption.
But for any other angle (θ) between
the resistive card and the E-field
gives the amount of attenuation as
α = - 20 log (sin²θ) = - 40log(sin θ)
 WAVEGUIDE TEES

It is basically a junction of waveguides

having three ports and are of two
types – E-plane and H-plane. These
junctions are used to split the line
power into two or combine the power
of two lines with proper consideration
of phase. A Tee can be characterized
by third order S-matrix.
Structure of H-plane Tee
The coupling of power from main guide
to the branch guide is by means of
magnetic field and hence it is known as
H-plane Tee. As the two auxiliary or
side arms are in shunt to the input arm
(port 3), hence it is also called a ‘shunt
tee’. If ports 1 and 2 are terminated with
matched and equal loads, then power
coming through port 3 will be divided
equally towards each load and in phase
with one another.
Equivalent Circuit and Power Flow
diagram of H-plane Tee
On the other and if two signals of
equal amplitude and in same phase
are fed into two side ports 1 and 2,
they will be added together and the
combined power comes out through
third arm.
Now, the S-matrix of a three port H-
plane Tee is
│S11 S12 S13│
[S] =│S21 S22 S23│ (1)
│S31 S32 S33│
Applying the properties of S-matrix;
(i) the junction scattering coefficients
S13 and S23 must be equal to the plane of
symmetry; i.e. S13 = S23
(ii) From the symmetric property Sij=Sji
then S13 = S31, S12 = S21, S23 = S32 = S13

(iii) Since port-3 is perfectly matched,

hence reflection coefficient is zero.
S33 = 0
With these properties [S] matrix of eqn.
(1) becomes
│S11 S12 S13│
[S] =│S12 S22 S13│ (2)
│S13 S13 0 │
(iv) Using unitary property
[Sij][Sij*] = [I]

i.e.│S11 S12 S13││S11* S12* S13*│ │1 0 0│

│S12 S22 S13││S12* S22* S13*│=│0 1 0│
│S13 S13 0 ││S13* S13* 0 │ │0 0 1│

S11S11* + S12S12* +S13S13* = 1 (3a)

S12S12* + S22S22* + S13S13*= 1 (3b)
S13S13* + S13S13* = 1 (3c)
S13S11* + S13S12* = 0 (3d)
Using the unitary property one can
further simplify these equations as:
│S11│² +│S12│² +│S13│² = 1 (4a)

│S12│² +│S22│² +│S13│² = 1 (4b)

│S13│² +│S13│² = 1 (4c)

From equation 4(c)
2│S13│² = 1 or, S13 = 1/√2 (5)
Comparing equation 4(a) and 4(b)
│S11│² =│S22│²
S11 = S22 (6)
From equation 3(d)
S13( S11*+ S12*) = 0
As; S13 ≠ 0, thus S11*+ S12*= 0
S11*= - S12*
or S11 = - S12 or, S12 = - S11 (7)
Using equation 4(a)
│S11│² +│S11│² + ½ = 1
or, 2│S11│² = ½ or, S11= ½ (8)
From equations (6) and (7)
S12= -1/2 or, S22 = ½
Substituting the values of S11, S12, S22,
S13 in the original S-matrix of the H-
plane Tee;

│1/2 -1/2 1/√2│

[S] = │-1/2 1/2 1/√2│
│1/√2 1/√2 0 │
Using equation (2) we get
│b1│ │ 1/2 -1/2 1/√2││a1│
│b2│= │-1/2 1/2 1/√2││a2│
│b3│ │1/√2 1/√2 0 ││a3│
i.e. b1 = ½ a1 – ½ a2 + (1/√2)a3
b2 = -(1/2)a1 + ½ a2 +(1/√2)a3
b3 = (1/√2)a1 + (1/√2)a2
As port 3 is the input through which
power is feeding them; a3 ≠ 0, a2 = 0, a3
=0.
Thus from the above three equations
one can write:
b1 = a3/√2, b2 = a3/√2, b3 = 0.
Let P3 be the power to input to port 3
(corresponding to a3) then this power will be
divided equally to port 1 and port 2 provided
they are properly terminated by matched
load i.e., P1 = P2 (corresponding b1= b2)
But P3 = P1 + P2 = 2P1 = 2P2
Power gain = 10log10(P1/P3)
= 10log10(P1/2P1)
= 10log10 (1/2) = - 3dB
Hence, the power coming out of port 1 or 2
is 3dB less than that of input at port 3.
 Waveguide E-plane Tee
Here the auxiliary or side arm axis is
parallel to the plane of the electric
field. Again, the loads connected to
port 1 and port 2 are in series with the
input port and hence it is also known
as ‘series tees’. When the ports 1 and
2 are terminated with matched and
equal loads, then power will be
divided equally amongst the load but
in out of phase.
Construction of E-plane Tee
Equivalent circuit and Power Flow
Diagram of E-Plane Tee
 MAGIC TEE (HYBRID TEE JUNCTION)

It is a junction of one H-plane Tee and

E-plane Tee. The E and H arms are
crossed polarized or out of phase
and thus no power can move from E
to H arm or vice-versa. Power
entering through H arm is equally
divide in phase in two side arms.
Similarly power entering through E
arm is equally divided amongst the
side arms but are out of phase.
Structure of Magic Tee or Hybrid Tee
If powers P1 and P2 are fed
through port 1 and 2 respectively
then it is added in H-arm, i.e. P1
+ P2, while it is subtracted in the
E-arm as P1 - P2. Thus the magic
tee can work as a power divider,
Power combiner and power
subtractor.
 DIRECTIONAL COUPLER
It consists of two waveguides or
transmission lines coupled together
by using a small slot or by fringing
fields respectively. It is a four port
network having one input port, two
mutually isolated output ports and
one port is isolated from the input
port. Directional couplers are used
as elements in power monitors,
reflecto-meter and power dividers.
In an ideal coupler when power enters in
port 1 it will travel towards port 2 and a
fixed part of it gets coupled to port 3 but
no power is available at port 4. Port 1 is
called an input port, port 2 as direct port,
port 3 as coupled port and port 4 is the
isolated port.
A directional coupler is
characterized by the parameters like,
Directivity, Coupling factor, Insertion
loss, and Isolation.
 Bathe Hole Coupler (Single Hole)
It has a single centre offset hole in the
common broad wall of the two guides
and the coupling between port 1 and
3 is controlled by the offset of the
hole, i.e, the angle θ between the axis
of two guides determines the amount
of coupling. Also the size of the hole
and frequency of operation
determines the amount of coupling.
Construction of Bathe Hole coupler
 Two Hole Coupler
Two waveguide are connected with each
other through two holes, which are made
on the common broad wall of them and are
separated by a distance of λg/4. Waves
traveling through holes X and Y, travels
equal paths to move towards port 3 and
thus adds up constructively. When these
waves travels towards port 4, wave
coming through hole 3 traverse λg/2
distance more than that coming through
hole Y. Therefore they adds up
destructively (180º out of phase) and as a
result no power gets coupled with port 4.
Schematic Diagram of a Double Hole
Coupler
 Multi Hole directional Coupler
By using more holes more power
can be coupled from the main
waveguide to the auxiliary
waveguide and making hole
dimensions wider a wide frequency
range can be covered. For high
power operation the holes are
drilled in the narrow side of the
waveguide. Number of holes
should be even and distance
between successive holes are λg/4.
Schematic of a Multi-hole Directional
Coupler
 Rat Race Coupler (Hybrid Ring)
Here each port is
separated from its next
by a distance of λg/4
and hence incident
power at port 1 is
divided equally in two
directions and when
reaches to port 4
travels equal distance
of 3λg/4 in both
clockwise and in
anticlockwise direction
and hence phase
addition takes place at
port4.
Similarly at port 2, the portion of signal
traveling clockwise travels λg/4 distance
and that traveling counter-clockwise
covers 5λg/4 and the two portions are
again in phase resulting in addition of
power at port 2. On the other hand to
reach port 3 input signal travels a
distance of λg/2 in clockwise and a
distance of λg in anticlockwise
directions, hence becomes out of phase
and they cancels each other and
resulting no power in port 3.
A four port directional coupler
generally works as a three port one.
 TUNING POST AND SCREW
A cylindrical post or a wire when
inserted in a waveguide, it creates a
discontinuity in the waveguide. A part
of the incident microwave signal gets
reflected by it. If the post or screw is
parallel to the electric field, it will
have more effect than when it is
perpendicular. Again when the rod is
extended from top to bottom of the
waveguide it will act as a short. Also a
post nearer to side wall cause a
greater reflection.
Two Screw combination Circuit
In case of post and screw when the
depth of penetration into the waveguide
is less than λg/4, it behaves capacitive
and this capacitive suceptance
increases with depth of penetration. At
a depth of λg/4, it acts as a series
resonant circuit and for a depth of
penetration > λg/4, it behaves
inductively. A combination of two
screws or posts separated by a
distance of 3λg/8 gives an effect of
parallel L-C circuit.
 WAVEGUIDE IRISES
Fixed and adjustable projections from
the walls of the waveguide are used
for impedance matching are known as
waveguide irises and windows. These
are nothing but some thin metal
discontinuities and introduce the
effect of inductance (L), or
capacitance (C) or the combination of
both in the waveguide transmission
line.
Inductive Irises for Waveguide
As these irises are not matched to the
waveguide, hence some power will be
reflected from them. When a thin metal
sheet is placed along the broad plane
of the waveguide, that gives an effect
of suceptance of a capacitance. They
may also be placed symmetrically or
asymmetrically across a waveguide. At
high power the gap between the plates
should be such that no voltage
breakdown takes place.
When the metal diaphragm is placed
symmetrically across all the sides of a
waveguide, it gives an effect of both L
and C, i.e. a parallel resonant circuit.
WAVEGUIDE BENDS, TWISTS AND
TAPER
 COUPLING
Three methods are employed to
couple power to the signal to the
cavity (i) loop coupling, (ii) probe
coupling, (iii) coupling through an
aperture. First two are provided to
couple co-axial lines to the
different types of cavities and the
third is specially used to couple a
waveguide to the cavities.
Probe Coupling
A coupling probe consists of an
extended inner conductor of the
coaxial cable and placed at the
midpoint of one of the wide walls. Here
the higher order modes are also
excited, because the electric field in
the vicinity of the probe has
components normal to the axis of the
probe.
Loop Coupling and aperture
Coupling