CHAPTER 9

MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS

9.1. Microwave Junctions

A microwave system consists of several components which are con

nected in some sequence to obtain the desired transmission or receiving
characteristics. The interconnection of two or more microwave com
ponents or transmission lines may be regarded as a microwave junction.
The microwave junction, in some form or other, constitutes such an
indispensable part of a microwave system that a special study of the
junction itself seems to be in order,

<
1
particularly in so far as its circuital Ifcib1
behavior is concerned.
1

t
Let us consider a junction having n
outlets or ports, each of which is a 2

3
1

lossless uniform transmission line, as

0

shown in Fig. 9.1. We suppose, as a

4

general case, that the characteristic

1»4
I'/'
t

impedances of the outlets are not the

'

ll/4
p

<
is,

same, that Zo(i> ^ Za{i>, where

i,j = ... Fig. 9.1. microwave junction con
A

etc., and rep

2,
3,
1,

Zo(i>
,

necting n uniform lossless transmis

resents the characteristic impedance of sion lines.
the ith outlet.
Let Vt and be, respectively, the voltage and current at the ith trans
/,.

mission line expressed as a function of z,, along the direction of propaga

tion. From the differential equations of a uniform transmission line
representing the voltage and current we may write

(9.1)
th _ 7,7. =
0

The usual time and dependence of eiat—"" have been assumed, The
z

general solution of (9.1) can be written as

Vi(zi) = Ai(rym + B.e1"*

(9.2)

£1o
201
202 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

where 7, is the complex propagation constant for the ith transmission line
forming the junction and is made up of a real part a,, known as the
= 2x/X,, called the phase

/S,-
attenuation constant, and an imaginary part
factor, a, the effective wavelength in the outlet

is

i.
In terms of the real and imaginary parts of ya, (9.2) can be expressed as

Vifc) = Aie-ai"e-^"

+
B,e°""e-'<3"<
(9.3)

From an examination of the phase front representing oit + jSiZ, = a con

stant, Eq. (9.3) can be recognized as one representing pair of waves

a
traveling in opposite directions in the ith transmission line with velocity

a
V<
= w/ft and with an exponential
attenuation or decrease in ampli
tude by factor e±0"". The posi

a
tive z, direction in Eqs. (9.1) to
(9.3) denotes the direction of prop
agation toward the junction. The
traveling wave involving the term
g-»m caiied the incident wave,
and that involving ejfii" called js

is
the reflected wave.
Consider first the effect of the
junction on particular transmis
a

Fig. 9.2. The outward traveling wave in

sion line, say, If the junction
i.
the ith line when other lines are matched.
replaced by an impedance equal
is

to Zo', there will be no reflection, and hence B, in (9.3) will be zero. If,
however, the junction along with other ports introduces an impedance
other than ZoW, there will be reflection, and the reflected wave V, will
a

be given by

Vt = TiVJ r. = (9.4)
Ai
where the superscripts and refer to the reflected and incident waves,
r

respectively. I\ called the reflection coefficient of the ith line.

is is

If connected only at the tth line and every other line at

generator
a

the junction terminated by matched impedance as shown in Fig. 9.2,

is

the outward traveling wave (coming outward from the junction) repre
sented by can be expressed as
bi

= Tidi (9.5)
bi

where a, the incident traveling wave coming toward the junction. If,
is

however, there are some incident waves (ai, 02, etc.) coming from lines
the outward traveling wave of the ?th line becomes
2,
3,
1,

. .
.

= Snoi + Sitfi2 + Suds . . Si,

+

(9.6)
bi

.
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 203

where Sijdj represents the contribution of the outward traveling wave at

the ith line due to the incident wave a, at the line j. Similarly, S^at,
/S«a3, etc., represent the contributions of the incident waves a2, a3, etc.,
in lines 2, 3, . . . , to the outward traveling wave at the line t. Obvi
ously, Su represents the reflection coefficient of the ith line and

Su = Ti (9.7)

The justification of algebraic summation of all the contributions from

different lines is directly dependent upon the theory of linear superposi
tion, just as it is in the case of corresponding impedance or admittance
procedures. In general, Eq. (9.6) can be extended to write

bi = SuOi + Sna2 + Sua3 + . . .

+ Si„a„
hi = (Sjid + £22a2 + S23O3 + . . .
+ <S2„a„

b„ = S„iai + + . . .
<Sn2a2 + Sn3a3 + <Snnan

In matrix notation
S = 8d
(9.8)

where both S and d are column matrices. The n X n matrix S is called

the scattering matrix, and the coefficients Sn, Su, . . . , etc., are called
the scattering coefficients.
The word "scattering" has been used to mean reflection in some form
or other. However, there is some difference between ordinary reflection
and scattering. For example, let us con-
sider a single transmission line which is ter- j
*~'1
2
minated at z = z\ by an impedance Z that fc\ *~h

is not equal to the characteristic impedance

of the line, as shown in Fig. 9.3.
|
\ ,
—
r
We shall refer to the wave caused by the
generator at z = 0 as the primary, or inci- r
dent, wave. The other wave arises because FlG- 9-3. Multiple reflections
* "*
of the reflection.
cause-and-effect
The separation of this
relationship between the
tZZSSft^tt*
incident and reflected wave is complete only in the case of a matched
generator; otherwise multiple reflections take place, creating an infinite
number of auxiliary reflected waves. This is taken into account in the
scattering representation. It should be recognized that the impedance
concept to represent the characteristics of a junction attempts to relate
the voltages and currents existing at various ports or outlets, whereas
the scattering representation describes the relationship between the
incident and scattered waves in different ports forming the junction.
That it is mathematically sufficient to describe the junction characteristics
with the help of a scattering matrix will be proved in the next section.
204 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

9.2. Scattering and Impedance Matrices of a Junction

We have already that the characteristics of a microwave
indicated
junction, particularly in far as its effect on any outlet or port is con
so
cerned, can be described by a scattering matrix. However, before we
develop this technique for analysis and synthesis of microwave networks
or components, it is indeed desirable to prove the sufficiency of the
scattering matrix to represent uniquely a junction in terms of an equiv
alent circuit. We shall first prove the sufficiency of an impedance
matrix representing a microwave junction to describe uniquely the
circuital behavior of a junction. Then it will be enough for our proof to
establish a unique relationship between the impedance matrix and the
scattering matrix of any arbitrary junction.
Consider the tth port of an n-port junction. It has been shown in
Sec. 4.8 that the field distribution inside the port is unique for a par
ticular value of voltage or current provided the port is not lossless.1
Suppose the voltage or current at the junction is given. From the
uniqueness theorem the field distribution at the junction corresponding
to the given voltage or current is unique. Furthermore, from the
uniqueness theorem the field distribution inside the port under considera
tion corresponding to the given voltage or current at the junction is also
unique. Since the voltage or current is specified at the junction of all
ports, the field distribution at each port is also unique for the given value
of the voltage or current at the junction, although the field distributions
at different ports may be quite different from one another. Besides,
according to the uniqueness theorem, there exists a particular value of
Voltage or current of each port at a distance, say, I, from the junction,
even though the values of the voltage or current at different ports may
be different from one another. Now, from the reciprocity principle,
we may expect that if these particular values of voltages or currents are
simulated at each port at a distance I from the junction, the field distribu
tion at the junction should become the same as before and hence is unique.
Thus we may conclude that the electric and magnetic fields at any point
inside the junction are linear functions of the voltages or currents applied
to all the ports forming the junction. As a corollary to the above, we can
also state that if there are n ports, then n port currents are linearly
is,

related to n port voltages; that for the tth port,

Vi = Zah (9.9)
2
k

where F, the port voltage and are the proportionality constants

is

involved in the linear summation process. The complete relationship

For the purpose of establishing the uniqueness of voltage and current in lossless
1

junction, one merely needs to assume lossless junction as one in which the loss
a

approaches zero in the limit.

 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 205

between the port voltages and currents can be expressed in a matrix form;

is,
that
Z\„

II
Z12

= Z2i z„ Zin
(9.10)

. vn_
Symbolically, = ZI

V
(9.11)
where may be regarded as the equivalent impedance matrix of the
2

junction. Since all the voltages and currents are uniquely related by

2,
the impedance matrix in (9.11) describes the circuital behavior of the
junction uniquely.
The equation of the voltage and current at any port in junction will

a
be similar to that of the transmission line forming junction, as discussed

a
in Sec. 9.1. Thus, for the ith. port of any arbitrary microwave junction,
we may write
F,(z) = Aaraue-#a + B,€°"e*''
ZJIiiz) = Aie-^'e-Vu — Bte"ueP<M
Vj(z) + Z^Ij{z)
Therefore I,(z) = Ate-"
,

= Bie+i"
r,(z) - z^u{z) (9.12)
Bi(z)
2

where = a, jfc.
+

7,.

Since time factor of e*" assumed throughout the analysis, we shall

is
a

express Ait Bi, F„ and as functions of the longitudinal direction only.

/,

z
Suppose the ith junction replaced by
matched load. Then Bt =

0,
is

and the average incident power (complex) of the ith port

is

IV T*
17,(z)|2 \Aj(z)\h-^
(9.13)
2Zo*« 8Zt(i)

where the asterisk denotes the complex conjugate of the quantity in

volved.1 Equation (9.12) can be expressed in terms of normalized com
ponents a, and such that the average incident power (complex) equals
6<

?aa*. Thus we may write

vzi m
1

0,(*)
+
2

VM - ym Hz)
(9.14)
1

bi(z)

Vi = gi(oi + 6.)

- h) (9.15)
1

=
/,•

(ai
9*

where = y/Z?
gi

The real power given by the real part of (9.13).

1

is
206 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

If the characteristic impedance is also normalized so that g>

= 1,

Vi = (u + h

v-W.
= -
+ r.)
(9-16>

bi |(F. h)
But from (9.9)

V< = % Z*h
k
n

Hence a, = £ Y (^a + s-*)^>'

(9.17)

i-1
*
where 5ft =
{ \ iJ = k J (9. IS)

and n is the number of ports. Using matrix notation, (9.17) can be

written as
d =
5 =
\(2 + t)?
|(2 S)?
- (9.19)
(9.20)

where d and S are column matrices and t is the identity matrix. Since
2 is a square matrix (n X n) and the identity matrix t is also a square
matrix, the matrix (2 + t) is n X n and may have an inverse. In cases
where such an inverse exists,

I =
2(2 + i)-'d (9.21)

Substituting the result of (9.21) into (9.20) we find

6 = {Z - 1)(Z + I)~1*! (9.22)

But from the definition of a scattering matrix,

8 = 3d
-
i
'
(I
Therefore \\ S = (2 %){Z + l)~l (9.23)

provided 2 + 1 Equation (9.23) describes a one-to-one

has an inverse.
correspondence between the scattering matrix and the impedance matrix
of an n-port junction.
Since it has already been proved that an impedance matrix is sufficient
to describe uniquely a junction, Eq. (9.23) proves the sufficiency of the
scattering-matrix representation to define uniquely the circuital behavior
of a microwave junction.

9.3. Characteristics of a Lossless Scattering Matrix

The scattering matrix S representing any arbitrary lossless multiport
junction has two important properties:
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 207

S is symmetric.
1.
2. <S is unitary.
Before proving these characteristics of the scattering matrix, we shall
consider the symmetric property of the impedance and the admittance
matrices of a microwave junction.
Let two sets of field quantities, E(1>, H<»> and E(2>, H<2>, be the solutions
of Maxwell's equations that satisfy the necessary boundary conditions
imposed at a junction. For sinusoidal time variation of the fields we
may then write
V X H<» = (jm + *W»
V X E(1> = -jwMH(»
V X H«> = (jw« + <r)E<»
V X E<2> = -j«/iH<»
If the above results are substituted in the identity,

V . - = H<« V X - V X H<2>
- H«
X H<» E<2> X . E<» E<1> .
[E<» H<»]
. V x E<» + E<2> . V x H<»
we obtain
V .
(E<« X H<« - E<2> X H<») = 0 (9.24)

Integrating (9.24) over the volume V enclosed by the surface of the junc
tion, we may write from Green's theorem

I *
fir

V ' X H<2> ~ E(2> X

(E(1> HO>)

-
ffs

= (E<» X H<» E<« X H<») . dS

= (9.25)
0

the junction consists of number of waveguides, as shown in Fig. 9.4,

If

with perfectly conducting walls, the tangential components of E(1> and

Fig. 9.4. multiple n-port microwave junction.

A

E(2> will vanish at the walls and the contribution of the integral in (9.25)
will come only from the surface integrals of the integrands over the aper
tures or openings at various ports of the junction.
208 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

When E and H belong to the same set, that

is,
when they are, respec
tively, the electric and magnetic field components of the same electro
magnetic field,

= Vilt

ffa
. rfS
(E H)

^
where n the number of ports in the junction and Vt and

J,
are, respec
is

tively, the transverse voltage and current across the rth port. Extending
the same notion for the two sets of fields, one may write

- -
n

- (Vfi*Ija

y
x
Jfa

H<« E<« dS F,-«Z,-«)

x

(E<» H<») (9.26)

.
Equation (9.26) holds for any two arbitrary sets of applied voltages at
the terminals. If we now let in two-port junction,
a
yxu _ o
?±

i
1
(9-27)
Vtw = iw*2
0

(9.26) reduces to
VjOiijm - rtmitm = (9.28)

The quantities Vi and F2 in (9.28) may be interpreted as voltages 0 at

terminals or ports and respectively. On this basis 7i(2> should be
2,
1

considered as the current in port because of the applied voltage of

1

field in port Similarly, 7»(» becomes the current in port because of

2.
2

2
the applied voltage of field in port Thus
1.
1

/x(2>
= VimYn
/,<» = y.a> y21 (9-29)

where Yn and K2i are elements of the corresponding admittance matrix

of the junction. Substituting (9.29) into (9.28), we obtain

'1! = Yll
It obvious that in the formulation of the above problem we had
is

if

chosen integers and instead of and we could have obtained the

2,
p

1
q

generalized result
Ypq = Y„ (9.30)

thus proving the symmetry of the admittance matrix of the junction.

The proof of the symmetry of the impedance matrix, that
is,

Zpq = Z„ (9.31)

which can be obtained in similar manner, left to the reader.

is
a

We shall make use of the symmetric property of the impedance matrix

of microwave junction to prove that also symmetric. Let the
is
S
a
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 209

matrices P and Q be so defined that

2-i = P
z + i = Q

where 2and t are, respectively, the impedance and identity matrices.

Since 2 is symmetric, the addition or subtraction of the identity matrix
(which affects the diagonal elements only) preserves the symmetry of the
resultantmatrix. Thus P and Q are symmetric and commutative.
Symbolically,
PQ = OP
Upon multiplication by Q~l at both the left- and right-hand side of the
above equation, we obtain

QrlPQQ-1 = Q-lQPQ-* ,Q ,9,

Therefore = PQ~i
Q~lP
From (9.23) and (9.32)
S = PQ-1 = Q~*P
(9.33)

If we denote S = transpose of S, then

S = PQ-i = Q-*P = QrlP = PQ-1 (9.34)

Therefore 5 = S; that the coefficients S,, and of are equal. This

is,

<§

£</
proves the symmetry of S.y
In order to prove that unitary, we shall now apply Poynting's
is
S

theorem of conservation of energy for periodic field. For an n-port

a

junction, let 7, and be the equivalent voltage and current, respectively,

U

at the tth port. Then, from (4.103),

VJT = 2P + ijv(WB - WB) (9.35)

%

where P the power dissipated at the junction, and Wh and WB are,

is

respectively, the average stored magnetic and electric energies. The

asterisk in (9.35) denotes the complex conjugate of the function involved.
From (9.16) and (9.35)

(at + bt)(a? - b?) =2P + AMWa - WB) (9.36)

2

Equating real and imaginary parts, one obtains

M ~
Kb.) = 2P
I

=
1

- a.b?) - WE)
i

(q?bi = AMW„
2

=
1
i
 210 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORT AND ANALYSIS

In matrix notation this may be expressed as

- S*S)d 2P
- S*)d
=
fl*(t
(9.37)
fi*(S = 4ja(WH ~ WB)

In the case of a lossless junction P = 0 for all & in (9.37). Thus we

have
t - 8*s = o
(9.38)
3-i = 8*

Furthermore, since S is symmetrical, S* = S, and

s-1 = S*

which definition of a unitary matrix. This establishes the fact that

is the
, the scatteringmatrix is symmetric and unitary for a lossless junction.
The unitary matrix has the special property

j; {J ti^l <9.39>

with j, k = 1, 2, 3 When j = k,

I
t=l
=
i-l I \S(i\*
= 1 j = 1, 2, 3, . . . (9.40)

For a junction with losses,

P > 0

and (9.37) requires that the determinant of t — S*S should be greater

than or equal to zero.

9.4. Scattering Matrix of a Transmission Line

Consider the scattering matrix of a section of uniform lossless trans
mission line of length L, as shown in Fig. 9.5. This section can be
regarded as a two-port junction with incident
voltages Oi, a2 and reflected voltages bi, fe2, for
ji'

|2'
1

ports and respectively. The terminal

2,

a, — -
1

planes and of the junction are assumed to

|

2
1

be as shown in the figure. Since

—L- = aie-'^ and = a2e-^L

bt
62

(9.41)
i

Fig. section of loss- we may write the scattering matrix

A

9.5.
a

less uniform transmission

line. "6,1 er^l [a,]
I"

From the simplicity of the result, apparent that change in the

it
is

specified locationof the terminal planes of an arbitrary junction will

 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 211

affect only the phase of the scattering coefficient of the junction. Thus,
if any of the terminal (reference) planes, say j, is moved away from the
junction by a distance I, each of the coefficients or <S„ involving will j
be multiplied by the factor e#', while Sjj will involve the product of two
such factors and thus will be changed by a factor e~w.
To express the above result in matrix notation, we may state that if the
terminal plane of the jth line is moved away from the junction by a dis
tance the transformed scattering matrix S' given by

is
lj,

S' = PsP (9.43)

where the original scattering matrix and

is
S

~
Pll •

•
•
0

0 0
0

0
•
P

•
•
0

0
0
22
• •
P33

•
0

0
0

=
P

•
P44

•
•
0

0
0

• • •
Pnn.
0

0
0

.
so that
P11 = = = e" -mi for =

3,
Pa
2,
j
• 1,

9.5. Transition between Coaxial Line and Waveguide

a

The transition from coaxial transmission line to rectangular or

a
a

circular waveguide (or vice versa) constitutes very common form of

a

microwave junction. Usually the

transition consists of probe which
is
a

connected to the central conductor of

a coaxial line and extended inside
is

the waveguide, as shown in Fig. 9.6.

The analysis of such transition
a

from the field-theory approach may

be carried out as boundary-value
a

problem. We shall consider here,

Fig. 9.6. half-sectional view of co
A

however, the scattering-matrix rep axial line-waveguide transition.

resentation of the junction.
Let the two reference terminal planes and be considered at the left-
2

hand side of the waveguide and at the coaxial line, respectively. Neglect
ing the loss in the extended probe, we may write from (9.40)

+ \SU\* =
\SU\2
1

= (9.44)
l&il2 + |S22|2
1

Furthermore, since symmetric,

is
S

=
|<S1S|2 \Sn\*
= (9.45)
Hence \Su\ IS22I
212 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

Thus the voltage standing-wave ratio pi,2 in either port with a matched
load on the other becomes

+ \SU\
-
+
1 1

1
P2 (9.46)
s22\

The fractional power (with respect to the incident power) which is

reflected back to the coaxial line is given by |<Sn|2.
If now, instead of a matched termination, a load with a reflection
coefficient r2 is connected to terminal 2,

Gt2
Ti = r- or a2 = r2o2
t>2

From (9.8) 6i = Snai + Sltai

— Sudi + <Si2r2&2
and bi = <S2iai + <S22a2

Therefore 6, = Sna>
°ir'S"S"
+
1 — 022I 2

and recalling that Sn = Su, the input reflection coefficient becomes

=
^"
n
fin + ,i — r2 (9.47)
Ul o22i

The relationships expressed in (9.5) and (9.47) are perfectly general in

nature and hold also for a junction with losses.

9.6. T Junctions
In microwave circuitsa waveguide or a coaxial-line junction with three
independent arms or ports is usually referred to as a T junction. From
the scattering-matrix representation of a microwave junction, it is appar
ent that a T junction should be characterized by a matrix of third order
containing nine elements, of which six should be independent. T junc
tions are perhaps the most commonly used junctions in microwave cir
cuits. Before describing the various forms of T junctions used in micro
wave circuits, we shall discuss here some fundamental characteristics of
a T junction. These characteristics, perhaps, can be best described with
the help of three theorems.
Theorem 1. It is impossible to match a T junction perfectly.
A junction is defined to be perfectly matched if the reflection from any
port is zero, when other ports are terminated by matched loads.
Suppose that it is possible to match a T junction. Obviously, in such
a case, the scattering matrix must have zero diagonal elements. Thus

0 Su Su
8 = 8n 0 Sn (9.48)
Sn 0
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 213

Since S is unitary and symmetric [cf. (9.39)],

(9.49)
(9.50)

By virtue of (9.49) and (9.50),

SijiSu — 0
is,

That either Si3 or S*3 or both should be zero.

But from (9.40)
$21^*1 + SuSfi = (9.51)

1
<S'l2.S*2 + <S'23<S2S
= (9.52)

1
- \Sn\2
SnS*i + S^S*2 =
- \Su\ (9.53)

1
= =
(9.54)
1

1
Equations (9.53) and (9.54) are inconsistent, since Sn = also

is
0,
if
S23
zero, and therefore (9.53) not true. Similarly, S23 = Si3 becomes

if
is

0,
zero, and hence there again contradiction in (9.53). This contradic
is

tion proves that all the diagonal elements of the scattering matrix of

a
junction are not zero. It also proves the theorem.
T

Equivalent Circuit Microwave Junction. The equivalent circuit

of

T
a

of junction at microwave frequencies can be drawn in number of

T
a

a
ways. However, we shall describe here only one type of equivalent
circuit, such that the corresponding circuit parameters of the junction

T
can be measured easily by common laboratory technique and the
a

computation involving junction becomes simplified.

a

VSWR meter

Fig. 9.7. The measurement of impedance of junction.

T
a

Let us consider an imaginary experiment (Fig. 9.7) measuring the

impedance of junction from port when other ports are open. We
a

record the voltage standing-wave ratio, the position of voltage mini

a

mum, and the actual waveguide wavelength (twice the distance

X„

between two consecutive voltage minima) for the port from the slotted
1

measuring line. Then we place short circuit at some arbitrary plane

a

aa' as near as possible to the junction and record the shift of the position
of voltage minimum from the first reading. With the help of Smith
a
214 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

chart we can now determine the impedance looking into the junction at
the plane aa' . Let this impedance be Z[. Since there exists an open
transmission line of length I having a characteristic impedance of unity
normalized to the characteristic impedance of port 1 so that the imped
ance at aa' is Z[, we can find a reference plane of the junction for port 1 at
which the length of the port can be regarded as zero. The length I may,
of course, be either negative or posi
tive, since a line length of — I is
equivalent to X„/2 — I, in so far
as the impedance computation is
concerned. If the phase of the
voltage current is to be pre
or
served, the equivalent distance of
the reference plane from aa' be
comes mX„/2 — I, where m is some
integer. This experiment can be
repeated for all ports, and we may
obtain the equivalent circuit of a T
junction, shown in Fig. 9.8, such
that at the junction the length of
each port is zero. The transformer
turns ni, n2, and n3 will depend on
the square of the corresponding
characteristic-impedance ratios for
the three ports.
Fig. Equivalent circuit representa
9.8.
tions of an arbitrary T junction,
Itshould be remarked that by
(a)
Series representation; (b) shunt represen- determining the equivalent length
tion. of each transmission line separately
we have taken into account the
mutual couplings among different ports more than once. This effect can
be compensated by the introduction of the series element jX in Fig. 9.8a
or the shunt element jB in Fig. 9.86.
The equivalent circuits of a T junction, shown in Fig. 9.8, are in terms
of the distributed circuit parameters. If we are interested in expressing
the circuit in terms of equivalent lumped impedances, we may draw a
circuit as shown in Fig. 9.9. The values of the circuit elements in terms
of matrix components are indicated in the figure and may be verified
directly by inspection.
We shall now state and prove the second and third theorems on the
T junction.
Theorem 2. It is always possible to place a short circuit in one port
of a T junction in such a position that the remaining two ports become
electrically isolated.
Two ports are said to be isolated electrically when power flowing into
the network in one part is not transmitted to the other.
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 215

With no loss of generality the short can be placed in port 2, as shown in

Fig. 9.10. The equivalent input impedance of a short-circuited port is

Z = Zo(2> tanh yl (9.55)

where Zom and y are, respectively, the characteristic impedance and

l/2
(Zj3-2i3-Z32)
.A/VWV-;

9
.^12^13
=
Z„ Z„

+
ZA

i
Z\lZVi
*3
^32-^13
~

*
ZG ^32+^l3

/
12

(A)
Fig. 9.9. (a) A lumped-circuit equivalent of a junction with circuit elements corre
T

sponding to those of an impedance matrix; (6) the alternative lumped-circuit equiv

alent of a T junction.

(3)

Fig. 9.10. waveguide T junction with a short circuit at port 2.

A

propagation constant for port and the distance of the short from the
is
2,

junction.
The voltage and current equations for the junction can be written as

Vi — Z\\I\ + Z\3li
+

Z12I2
'] = 'ji\l\ "T Z11I1 -\- Z23I3 (9.56)
V3 = Z31/1 + Z32/2 + Z33I3
=
where Z* = Ztj
2,
j
1,
i,

3
216 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

We shall assume a convention in the remaining part of the text such that
the impedance is negative when the power is flowing away from the junc
tion and is positive otherwise.
With the short in port 2,

^ = -Z (9.57)

Substituting the result in (9.56) and making use of Fig. 9.9a, we get

—
Zl%Z 12
Zu
Zu + z Zyi + Z
2 =

Zn —
ZnZu ZJ (9.58)

Zn + z zM + zA
where the impedance matrix 2 is denned as

Ei --fa
In order to isolate the ports 1 and 3 electrically, we make the mutual ele
ment of the impedance matrix vanish.
Therefore
ZliZ 12 = Zi^Z 12 —
0 Zii
Zii-\-Z

V 1
—; y ° (9.59)

'" (3) From (9.55), it is easily seen that \Z\

. can assume any value ranging from
oo to — » . Thus (9.59) can always
(a) for any physically realiz
be satisfied
9 ° able value of Zn, Z22, Zi2, and Zi2.
(2)
Thus the two ports of the junction
OOPQO
can be electrically isolated.
Theorem 3. A short circuit in the
(I) (3) port of symmetry of a symmetrical T
-vwwvwv- junction can be so placed that perfect
z' transmission between the other two
W arms becomes possible.
Fig. 9.11. The
series and shunt equiv A transmission is defined to be per
alent circuits for a symmetrical T junc fect when there is no reflection.
tion, (a) Shunt equivalent circuit;
For a symmetrical T junction, the
(6) series equivalent circuit.
equivalent circuit corresponding to a
short circuit at the symmetry port can be represented by Fig. 9.11. A
perfect transmission from terminals 1 to 3 results if the proper impedance
is placed on port 3 to tune out the reactive impedance Z' resulting from
the short circuit at the symmetry arm of the junction. The circuit then
reduces to a transmission line with a characteristic impedance of unity
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 217

and of length Li + L3. Since any physically realizable impedance Z'

can be tuned out by a short circuit placed at a suitable distance Li,
Theorem 3 is proved.
Equivalent Circuit of E-plane and H-plane T Junctions. Symmetrical-
waveguide T junctions are very frequently used in microwave circuits.

12)

(1) Itttt lit (3)

rrrr,
(a)

(2)
it*

ID
Ht

f»4
(3)

-swmmsmwRp . o

JB Li
\^

—X o

U)
Fig. 9.12. (a) The schematic arrangement of an £-plane T junction; (6) an equivalent
circuit of an .E-plane junction with lumped-circuit elements at high frequency; (c)
T

an equivalent circuit of an E-plane junction with distributed circuit elements.

T

These junctions are usually of two types — the 2?-plane junctions and
T

the //-plane junctions. junction said to be an i?-plane junction

T

T
A

is

when the change in structure at the branch occurs in the plane of the
electric field. For example, when rectangular waveguide operated
is
a

in its dominant mode the electric field directed conventionally in the

is

direction of the rectangular coordinate system. In the i?-plane junc

T
y

tion the branch waveguide joins this main waveguide on the broad face,
as shown in Fig. 9.12a. The field distribution in different branches
is

also shown in Fig. 12a.

9.

At relatively low frequencies the equivalent circuit of the junction may

be represented by series circuit. From the line integral of and H
E
a

around the closed path at the junction seen that the 2?-plane junction
it
is
218 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

should satisfy the following equations in terms of equivalent voltages and

currents at its terminals.

Fi + + =
F; v; °. (9.60)

As the frequency increases, the properties of the junction become more

complicated and depend on the shape of the junction and the kind of

< a »

(1) a (3)

Fig. 9.13. The ff-plane T junction, (a) Fig. 9.14. (a) Atypical coaxial-line junc
Schematic arrangement ; (6) an equivalent tion; (6) the equivalent circuit of a co
circuit. axial-line T junction with lumped-circuit
element and an ideal transformer.

transmission lines. The corresponding equivalent circuit which reduces

to a simple series circuit at low frequencies is shown in Fig. 9.126.
Another equivalent circuit of the E-plane junction which is useful in
some situations is shown in Fig. 9.12c. The circuit equations for this
case are
Vi + V2 = 0
ni/i + nJz - nJi
+ V2
= 0 (9.61)

II - I2 =
z "Wi (Vi
ii — VA
\ni n3/
Like the 2?-plane T junction,
the waveguide T junction in which branch
ing takes place in the plane is called the //-plane T junction.
H A
schematic diagram of the //-plane junction and its appropriate equivalent
circuit are shown in Fig. 9.13. The equivalent circuit of a coaxial-line
junction, shown in Fig. 9.14a, can be obtained in a similar way. Since,
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 219

physically, the coaxial-line junction is like a shunt junction, it is natural

to employ a shunt equivalent circuit. For frequencies less than about
3,000 Mc/sec, the junction effect can be represented by a shunt suscept-
ance and an ideal transformer, as shown in Fig. 9.146. It is easily seen
that for this type of junction the coupling between the branches is mag
netic, and no phase shifts between the branch lines are expected at the
junction unless the operating frequency is exceedingly high (much higher
than 3,000 Mc/sec). The ratio n of the ideal transformer is equal to the
ratio of the square of characteristic impedances of branches 1 and 2, or
those of branches 3 and 2.

9.7. Four-port Microwave Junctions

Waveguide or coaxial-line junctions having four ports are also quite

extensively used in microwave circuits. It is evident that the equivalent

Fig. 9.15. The equivalent circuit of a four-port junction in the form of a Wheatstone
bridge.

circuit of such a junction should have 10 independent circuit parameters,

since in order to determine the impedance matrix of the four-port junc
tion it is necessary to have 10 independent elements. One of the most
commonly used equivalent circuits of a four-port microwave junction is
shown in Fig. 9.15. This particular type of equivalent circuit in the form
of a Wheatstone many special properties of a four-port
bridge exhibits
junction. For example, it is possible to decouple ports 1 and 3 by
properly balancing the bridge. The bridge can be balanced by altering
the impedances connected to ports 2 and 4. These impedances on ports
2 and 4 may consist of matched terminations and some reflecting irises or
probes to tune out the reactance. If proper irises or probes and matched
terminations are connected to ports 1 and 3, no power is coupled between

these ports. It is also possible to place the irises in such a way that no
reflection results when waves are incident on ports 1 and 2. Under these
conditions the four-port junction becomes a directional coupler.
A directional coupler is widely used in microwave circuits and consti
220 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

tutes a very important microwave device. We shall discuss the theo

retical properties of such couplers in Sec. 9.10. In this section, however,
we shall discuss a device that makes use of the bridgelike properties of
the four-port junction.
Waveguide Bridge and Hybrids. In low-frequency communication
practices the so-called bridge circuit or bridge balance often constitutes

—*. —*-

>
I 1
Equalizer Amplifier Attenuator
2

000 000

Matched Matched
1 1 §3 termination termination
*
000
^ Hybrid '000
4
coil 1 Hybrid coi Z-*
A
1 1
1 t
D>
i— —
.< m — .* —

Attenuator Amplifier Equalizer

Fig. 9.16. Typical terminal or intermediate equipment for a long-distance telephone

line.

a quite useful circuit arrangement. Consider, for example, a hybrid coil

or transformer in a two-way long-distance telephone circuit, as shown in
all the port imped
is,

Fig. 9.16. When the hybrid coil is balanced, that

ances of the transformers are properly terminated, the input signal from
port divided equally between adjacent ports and whereas nothing
4,
is

4, 3. 2
1

transmitted to port Similarly, when the

is

signal comes from port divided equally be

it
is

tween ports and and nothing transmitted to

is
3
1

port Thus two-way amplification of tele

2.

phone signals becomes possible with the intro

Fig. 9.17 The equivalent duction of two hybrid coils. Similar circuit
circuit of hybrid bal arrangements are indeed desirable for many
a

ance. microwave communication systems. The ele

ments which can be used in microwave hybrid
circuits, however, are expected to be quite different from the hybrid coils
used in low-frequency telephone circuits.
Microwave Hybrid or Magic T. Any hybrid coil introduces some
A

directional characteristics into the junction such that the relative cou
plings among different ports are controlled in typical predetermined
a

fashion. Thus, in the simplified circuit of a hybrid coil as shown in

Fig. 9.17, signal incident on port of the junction directed to ports
is
a

and with coupling coefficient of one-half in each case. Similarly, the

3,

a
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 221

signal incident in port 2 is directed equally to ports 1 and 3, with a cou

pling coefficient of one-half for each port. It is evident that when a
hybrid coil is balanced, the positions 2 and 4 become comparable with
those of the emf source and the current-measuring device, respectively,
in a typical Wheatstone bridge, and there is no coupling between ports 2
and 4.
Let us consider a typical microwave hybrid, also called a magic T.
The couplings among the various arms can be determined if an imaginary
plane, shown in Fig. 9.18, which di
vides the magic T symmetrically about
the plane, is assumed. Consider that Symmetry
plane
a wave in its dominant mode (TEio
mode in case of a rectangular wave
guide) is incident on the junction in
arm 4. With respect to this wave
the entire magic-T structure is sym
metrical about the symmetry plane Arm 3
Arm 1
shown in the figure, and hence power
transmitted into arms 1 and 3 will be
the same. If Emn represents symbol
ically the transmitted electric field
intensity in the nth arm, when the Arm 4

incident wave is in arm m,

ES = E<* (9.62)

Again, no power is transmitted to arm Fig. 9.18. A waveguide magic T.

2, since no mode that has an even
symmetry about the symmetry plane can propagate in arm 2. Similarly,
a wave incident on the junction in arm 2 has an odd symmetry and
is,

therefore excites fields that have odd symmetries in arms 1 and 3 ; that

EJ = -E2> (9.63)

As before, no power transmitted to arm since arm cannot support

is

a
4
4

transmission mode with an odd symmetry.

It quite possible, however, that the coupling coefficient may not be
is

one-half even when

- m =
2,

\Eml\
4

\Em*\

since arms and may have some reflections. To ensure coupling

4

a
2

coefficient of one-half in each case (which desirable in hybrid) the

is

junction has to be tuned either with probes or with irises.

Scattering Matrix Magic T. From the necessary criteria of
of

a
a

and from the fundamental properties of the scattering matrix

T

magic
of lossless junction we can determine the scattering or the impedance
a

matrix of magic-T junction. Since each port of the magic matched

T
is
a
222 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

it,
to the waveguide connected to there no reflection in any port when

is
the wave incident to that port. Hence

is
r« = Su = for = and

3,
1,
2,
(9.64)

4
i
That
is,
the diagonal elements of the scattering matrix of should

T
magic

a
be zero. Again, from (9.62) and (9.63)

(9.65)

Further, already stated that when the power incident on the

it
is

is
junction from port no power transmitted to port Similarly,

2.
is
4

power incident on the junction from port not transmitted to port

4.
is
2
Therefore
S4i = £24 = (9.66)

0
Finally, from the characteristic properties of scattering matrix repre

a
senting lossless junction as given by (9.39) and (9.40), we may write
a

—
SnSu
+ +

S3iS34

0 0
=
&21S23 SiiSl%
+ |S„|S + |S„|« = (9.67)
IS2.I2 1
+ =
1
!-s12|2 |s82|2
=
+

|.S'14|2 l-S'3412

From the above equations we may find number of values of the coeffi
a

cients Sa, particularly when they are unrestricted complex quantities.

For example,
-1
0

0
1
j

0
1
1

(9.68)
S

V2
0

0
1

_-l
0
0

~
"0
j
0
1

-j
0
1

0
1

or (9.69)
V2
0
0

-J
J

_
0

It evident that the rows and columns of the scattering matrices given in
is

(9.68) or (9.69) will have to be changed as soon as the numbering arrange

ment for different ports or arms of the magic For example,
T

changed.
is

ports and are interchanged, the scattering matrix becomes

if

0
0

1
1

-1
0

0
1

0
0

1
1

or (9.70)
V2 V2
0
0
0

0
1

-1
J
0
0

0
1

1
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 223

Before we proceed to determine the scattering matrices of other com

monly used microwave junctions we shall describe in the following section
some special advantages of the use of scattering matrices in microwave
systems.

9.8. Matrix Representation of Tandem Networks

In many communication systems four terminal networks con
a series of
nected in cascade or tandem is often used. Each of these networks has, in
general, some characteristics different from those of the others. More
over, the variation of these characteristics with the change of frequency
may again be altogether different in each network. From the system engi
neers' standpoint, however, it is desirable to know how the overall input-
output relationship is affected by the different links in the series.

Transmitter Harmonic Sideband filter Transmission Antenna

tank circuit filter or Filterplexer line

Fig. 9.19. A typical UHF television transmission system.

Let us consider, for example, a UHF television transmission system

schematically shown in Fig. 9.19. The output of the transmitter tank
circuit, which is a cavity resonator in this case, is connected to a harmonic
filter that suppresses the transmission at harmonic frequencies. The
output of the harmonic filter is connected to the sideband filter or the
filterplexer1 that suppresses the lower sideband. Finally, the output of
the sideband filter or the filterplexer is connected to a long transmission
line, the other end of which is connected to the antenna. It is evident
that the equivalent impedance characteristics of the harmonic filter and
sideband filter, or those of the transmission line and the antenna, are
quite different, even though attempts are made to design these links so
as to have similar impedance characteristics at least in the passband,
that in the allowable Suppose that
is,

transmission
frequency band.
there are some reflections from the antenna due to an impedance mis
match. The reflected signal transmitted from the antenna to the tank
is

circuit, re-reflected, and part of the original signal finally transmitted

is
a

back to the antenna. Because of the time lag of this secondary signal
behind the original signal, there appear in effect two signals of different
amplitudes and phases in the radiation field due to each originating signal.
This phenomenon causes the appearance of "ghosts" in television picture.
a

we are interested in bringing the ghost signal below the noise level or
If

below certain predetermined level so as to prevent any distortion in

a

the television picture, we have to consider the entire transmission system

combination of filter and diplexer.
A
1

a
224 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

and determine of each link in so far as its impedance-fre

the tolerance
quency characteristics in the passband are concerned.
With reference to Fig. 9.5, suppose we define the following column
matrices :

(9.71)

and = Tp (9.72)
$

where T may be called the transfer matrix of the link.

Since, by definition of the scattering-matrix coefficients,

6i = SnOi + iSi2ffl2
= OilCLl -J- (9.73)
OS C22&2

,
=
/r, SjsSiA (S22 ,
we find 02 1 O21 „ I ai '
S
(9.74)
Oil , 1 1
at = — -g- o1 + „— 01
012 012

0 022S11 S22

Hence t= 012 Ow
(9.75)

/S12 $12-

If there are a number of similar junctions or links in tandem, one may

write for the ith fink on the chain

& =
TiPi = Pi+1 (9.76)

since the output of the t'th link is the same as the input of the (t + l)st
link.
Finally, the overall relationship between the input and output can be
expressed as

$„
= f„f_, . . . f ,?! (9.77)

With reference to Fig. 9.19 we may write

fi = transfer matrix of antenna (2X1 matrix)
ft = transfer matrix of transmission line
T% = transfer matrix of sideband filter
ft = transfer matrix of harmonic filter
Ts = transfer matrix of transmitter tank circuit

From (9.42) and (9.72) the transfer matrix for the transmission line of
length L becomes

L 0 e^J
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 225

where y = a + J/3, with a and /3 the attenuation and phase constants,

respectively, of the transmission line.
In an ordinary television picture tube with normal "contrast setting"
one can see signals which are approximately 35 db below normal level of
visibility. If the impedance-frequency characteristics, and hence the
matching limitations of the transmitter tank circuit, sideband filter, and
the harmonic filter, are known, one can specify the design criteria for the
antenna reflection coefficient or the antenna impedance over the entire
passband for "ghostless" reception. Let
e-2yL
(9.78)
0

where C„ and D„ represent, respectively, the original and the "ghost"

signals at the transmitting antenna. The commutative property of the
T matrices have been assumed here without proof. For the reception
without appreciable ghost signal, Cn/D„ should be approximately 56
(corresponding to 35 db). It is evident that C„ is frequency-dependent
since the transfer matrices Ti, Tj, . . . are frequency-dependent.
Thus, once the scattering matrices of different links forming a tandem
network for a particular frequency are known, one can investigate the
complete system to determine its overall performance at that frequency.
If, however, it is desired to know the overall performance of the system
for a frequency band, the frequency dependence of the individual transfer
matrices has to be determined.

9.9. Frequency Dependence of a Lossless Junction

The characteristics of a microwave circuit change considerably with

change of frequency. For example, the input impedance of a high-Q
microwave circuit may change from a very low value to a very high value,
or vice versa, even when the operating frequency is slightly perturbed.
Theoretically, therefore, the matrix representation of a microwave net
work, in the form of a scattering matrix, and impedance matrix or a
transfer matrix should be restricted to a single frequency. For most
communication practices, however, we are interested to know the
behavior of any circuit for a band of frequencies, instead of a single fre
quency, since the message or information to be communicated is usually
distributed over a frequency band.
If the operating frequency band of a microwave circuit is small, we can
obtain the scattering-matrix representation of the circuit at some fre
quency in the band and investigate the change in the matrix at any other
frequency within the band by allowing a small frequency perturbation.
Consider, for example, a lossless waveguide junction, as shown in Fig.
9.4, to which several waveguides are connected. Let E and H represent
the electric and magnetic field intensities at the junction such that they
226 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

satisfy the necessary boundary conditions. Maxwell's equations at the

junction are

V X H - jWB = 0
'
VxE+wH=0 *

where u is 2ir times the frequency /, at the passband. If the frequency is

Su, there will be, in general,

is,
slightly perturbed, that w becomes w

+
some change in and H. Let these new electric and magnetic field
intensities be represented by E + SE and H + SH, respectively. These

E
field intensities, consistent with the boundary conditions, should satisfy
the following equations
:

V x (H SH)
-
j*(«E + wSE + ES«) =0
+
, -

V X (E + SE) + i/i(«H + wSH =

}
K
+
HSw)

0
From (9.79) and (9.80) we may write the variational equation

V SH -
j'u«SE jtE8u = - „.,
X

0 0
(q
V X SE + jo)n8K + j'mHSoj =

'
(
The sum of the dot product of the top equation with and the dot

E
product of the bottom equation with H yields

V SH - ju«E SE + H.V X SE j'wMH SH = -j(nH2 - tE^Sw

+
E

.
.

If, in accordance with (9.79), one now replaces jw/iH . SH by — V . SH

E
X
and joitE SE by V H . SE in the above equation, one obtains
X
.

V X - . V X SH) - . V X SE - V X
- tE*)&u H)
(H SE
E

(SH
E
.

= j(»W
= V (E X SH - SE X H) (9.82)
.

since from (2.31/)

V .
G! - F2 X G2) = G, . V Fj - Fi . V Gi - G2 V
X
X

(Fx
x

F2 + F2 V X G2
X

If (9.82) integrated over the entire volume of the junction, from Green's
is

theorem one obtains

fjfv - x - SE X H)
ffs

V (E x SH SE H) dv = (E SH dS
x

.
.

= jto jjjY (m# - «£J) dv

2

(9.83)

Suppose that the junction under consideration waveguide junction

is
a

with perfectly conducting guide walls. Then the left side of (9.83)
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 227

vanishes on the metal surface and

JJs[(E X «H) - («E xH)].rfS

n

where E, and H, are, respectively, the electric and magnetic field intensi
ties of the ith junction and Si is the cross-sectional area of this ith
waveguide.
If V> and 7, denote the equivalent voltage and current, respectively, at
the t'th waveguide,

/ (E, rfS, - [gt

(5E, x H.) dSi = Vt&Ii -
X

(9.85)
•

•
fgi

«H<)
f

-
But from (9.16)
VtSIi - IiSVi =
2(bi80i (9.86)
- Mfci) -
ai8bi)
Hence = jSw
e£J2) dv
(6,5a,.
fffv (nH* (9.87)
2
£

H
E

where and are scalars and are, respectively, the magnitudes (not
absolute value) of the electric and magnetic field intensities at the
junction.
In general, E and H are complex quantities, and may be desirable it
here to determine their phases. It evident from (9.35) that for loss
is

a
less junction, each Vi real, then each imaginary, and hence
7<

E
if

is

is

is
real and H imaginary. If, on the other hand, each F, has phase
is

a a
angle and each has phase angle then and H will have phase
7,

0,

E
6,

angle and respectively, throughout the junction. Also, from (9.35)

0,
6

when the junction lossless.

is

Thus E2 and H2 will differ in phase by 180°, and

j(tE* - M//*) = je*'(f\E\*

+

»\H\*)
- nH2) = jW*W
fft

(tE2 dv (9.88)
Jj

where W =
fff (t\E\2 + n\H dv
\2)
i

and equal to the total stored energy at the junction, in both and H
is

fields.
From (9.87) and (9.88)

-2
n

(biSot
- afSbi)
= j4e*'WSw (9.89)
£

=
•
i

Since E1 has phase angle 26, the equivalent voltage at the junction for
a

any waveguide will have phase angle or pir, being any integer.
p
±
a
i

6
228 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

Similarly, the equivalent current in the ith waveguide will have a phase

/,•
— — Therefore the voltage matrix
angle ir/2 or ir/2 and

V
jur.

±
0

0
the current matrix become such that

/
real

is is
go)

(9
imaginary

.
e~'eI
In other words, e~'''V = e'ef* .

Q
From (9.16) we may write the voltage and current matrices as

= = d(i

+
t>

S) S)
+
V
d-t
d
(9.92)
t
= =
d(t-
where and are, respectively, the identity matrix and the scattering
S
t

matrix of the junction.

From (9.90) and (9.91)

e-»V =
e-"(t + S)d
= e?{i + S*)d*
- KV V<S}
and e~'>I = <r" S)d
-
(t

= -e"(t S*)d*
Solving for we obtain
d,

= e»»S*d*
(9.94)
d

From (9.89)
n
— = h&d — a&h
V

(biSai aiSbi)

= -2je*eW8u (9.95)

where a and are, respectively, the transposed matrices of and But

5.
d
5

= Sd = SSd+ 5Sd
8$
S

Therefore ^a(5S)d = je'26W8u (9.96)

^

Let =
§'

(9.97)

From (9.95), (9.96), and (9.97)

|ja*S*S'a = W (9.98)

The frequency dependence of the scattering matrix of any arbitrary

microwave junction can be investigated from (9.98). For instance, con
sider a lossless termination of single transmission line. All the matrices
a

in (9.98) reduce to scalar quantities for this case, and we may write

(9.99)
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 229

Since (9.95) is satisfied for any d and since the termination is lossless,

S = e,*
(9.100)

where — <t,
the phase delay after reflection.
is
Substitution of (9.100) into (9.99) yields

^ (9.101)
du

P
where the power incident to the junction and equal to
P

represents

is
The physical significance of (9.101) rather interesting. Since

is
$a*a.
— d<t,/doi)
can be interpreted as the phase delay of wave after reflection,

a
(

measured in time, (9.101) indicates that in single-line junction the phase

a
delay in time equal to the ratio of the stored energy to the incident
is

power at the junction.

9.10. Directional Couplers

We have already discussed the "bridgelike" property of four-port

a
junction in Sec. 9.7. typical bridge, shown in Fig. 9.20, can be balanced
A

Fig. 9.20. balanced bridge.

A

by properly adjusting the impedances connected to ports and If now

4.
2

ports and are connected to matched loads and suitable irises are used
3
1

to tune out the junction reactance, no power will be coupled between

these ports. Furthermore, possible to place irises so that ports and
it
is

are matched to incident waves; also, there can be no coupling between

2

ports and 4. Under these conditions the four-port junction becomes

a
2

directional coupler.
directional coupler can be defined as a four-port junction such that
A

when all ports to as shown in Fig. 9.21, are terminated by their

4,
1

characteristic impedances, there no reflection in either port or port

2,
is

and there no coupling between ports and and between ports and 4.
is

2
3
1
230 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

Under these circumstances, incident on port 1 propagates through

a wave
ports 2 and 4, whereas the wave incident on port 2 leaves by ports 3 and 1.
Such a device is capable of monitoring power flow in two directions
through ports 1 and 2. For example, the power absorbed by the matched
load on port 3 is indicative of the power flow in the direction of port 2
toward the junction. Similarly, the power absorbed on the matched
termination on port 4 indicates the amount of power flow in the direction
of port 1 toward the junction. Thus, if the ratios of power flow between
ports and 4 and between ports
1
Detector
2 and are known, the relative
3
amplitudes of the incident and re t
flected waves in a line connected to
IS] [6)
any load can be determined simply

J.
by inserting the directional coupler

(U. —-
A/4-
l«2
(2) 'U/4- (2)
-xsA-\

'
i
(31 (4)

(3)
Bent waveguide
(4)
Detector
I
Fio. 9.21 . A waveguide directional coupler. Fig. 9.22. Double directional coupler.

into the line. The ratios of power flow are called the coupling coeffi
cients of the directional coupler.
The principle of operation of a typical directional coupler can be under
stood from Fig. 9.21. A portion of the wave energy incident on the junc
tion from port 1 into the bent waveguide forming ports 3 and 4,
is leaked
through hole ax. At hole o2, a portion of the wave energy in the main
waveguide (1, 2) is again leaked into the bent waveguide. If the magni
tudes of the leakage through ai and a2 are the same, the leaked waves
through ax and a2 are strengthened at port 4 since the waves arrive
at port 4 with equal phase. This is not the case at port 3, since the
leaked waves through ai and a2 arriving at port 3 are separated by a phase
difference of 180° (corresponding to X/4 + X/4). Similarly, a wave
incident on the junction from port 2 travels by ports 1 and 3, and there is
no coupling at port 4 because of the destructive interferences of the two
antiphased leaked waves. In general, the amount of leaked waves
through the holes ai and a2 are kept reasonably small. Thus a direc
tional coupler is often regarded as a hybrid junction in which the division
of power between adjacent ports is unequal.
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 231

As mentioned before, by placing matched receivers at ports 3 and 4,

each provided with suitable measuring devices, we can obtain the neces
sary data for determining the reflection coefficient as well as the trans
mission coefficient of any load connected to port 2. However, since in
most cases the reflected power from a load is very low, one needs a well-
matched termination at port 4. It is seen that it is seldom possible to
provide the required match at port 4 for reasonable accuracy in measuring
the reflected power.
An alternative arrangement for measuring transmission and reflection
coefficients using a double directional coupler is shown in Fig. 9.22.
Matched terminations in this case are placed at ports 4 and 5, whereas
detectors with suitable measuring devices are placed in ports 3 and 6. In
this arrangement the detector in port 3 monitors the reflected power
whereas the detector in port 6 monitors the transmitted power. Such
an arrangement has the additional advantage of choosing different
coupling coefficients for the transmitted and reflected power. This is
particularly useful when the received and transmitted power levels are
widely different.
It can be seen that a directional coupler can be used to replace a stand
ing-wave indicator since the standing wave in a line can easily be deter
mined from the transmission and reflection coefficients. However, since
the directional coupler can measure only the amplitude and not the phase
of the standing wave, their uses in lieu of a standing-wave indicator are
somewhat restricted.
Scattering Matrix of a Directional Coupler. In a directional coupler all
terminals or ports are completely matched ; hence the diagonal elements
of the scattering matrix are zero. Thus

Su = SM = Su = Su = 0 (9.102)

Furthermore, there is no coupling between ports 1 and 3 and between

ports 2 and 4. Therefore

Si3 = Sti = S2i = Sa2 = 0

(9.103)

The above consideration leads to a scattering matrix of the form

"0 Sn 0 Su
OJ1 0 023 0
S (9.104)
0 OJ2 0 Su
Stl 0 Su 0 .

All the elements shown in (9.104) are obviously not independent since
these elements are related through the "symmetry" and "unitary" condi
232 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

tions described in (9.39) and (9.40). Thus

\Sn\* + \SU\2 1 -
SnSlt + <S'3,Sj4 = 0 (9.105)
SnSij + S*iS4t = 0
From (9.105)
|Sii| |5m| = \S»\ \8U\
(9.106)
\S»\ \SU\ = \Su\ \SU\
Also, from (9. 106) one may write

|5«| = \SU\
= (9.107)
|5M| \SU\

Ifthe locations of the terminal planes in ports 2 to 4, respectively, are so

chosen that:

1. 512 is real and positive

2. Sti is real and positive
3. Sti is imaginary and positive
we may write from (9. 107)
Su = Su = p (9.108)
where p is positive real.
Again, from (9.105)
p(S& + 8u) = 0 (9.109)
S» = Stl=jq (9.110)
where q is positive real.
The scattering matrix of a directional coupler then reduces to

0 v k~
0
k

V 0
0

=
Sdc (9.111)
j'l

0
0

0_
0

that = Before describing few commonly

p2

gJ

so
+

[see (9.105)].
a
1

used junctions we should state perhaps the most important theorem in

directional coupling.
Theorem. The necessary and sufficient condition for directional
a

coupler that all its terminals or ports be completely matched.

is

We shall prove the first part of the theorem (the necessary condition)
with the help of Fig. 9.21.
Suppose that the power transmitted from port If port not
is

is
1.

matched, reflected wave will travel from port toward the junction and
a

portion of this wave will appear in port 3. Thus ports and will be
a

3
1

coupled. This contrary to the definition of directional coupler.

is

Similarly, port mismatched when power being transmitted from

is
if

is
4

port the reflected power from port will appear directly in port
3.
1,

4
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 233

This is not permissible by definition. We can also show in a similar

fashion that ports 1 3 must be matched if we consider the power flow
and
from port 2 toward the junction.
In order to prove the sufficiency of the condition, we shall show that if a
four-terminal network is matched at all ports, it is necessarily a direc
tional coupler.
Consider the matrix of a matched four-terminal network :

0 Ol2 S13 Su
S =
Sn 0 023 Su
(9.112)
(Sji (S3J 0 Su
Sn St* (S43 0

Ifthe terminal planes are so chosen that S-n and S43 are positive real
quantities whereas 1S41 is pure imaginary,

SiiS?, - S«SJi = 0 (9.113)

-SiiSJl + S„Sf3 = 0 (9.114)

since S is a unitary matrix.

Multiplication of (9.113) by S21 and of (9.114) by Sf3 yields

Sn*S?3
- SnStiS» = 0 (9.115)
-SmS?,S« + SnSfi = 0
Therefore -S2,(-S212
- S$) = S23(<S2i2
- S432)
(9.116)

= 0 (9.117)

Equation (9.117) indicates that either <S23

= 0 or

Sn = Su
If 5*3 = 0, we obtain from (9.113) and (9.114)

-S32
= Su - Su - 0 (9.118)

Thus, by definition, the junction becomes a directional coupler with no

coupling between ports 2 and 3 and ports 1 and 4.
If, however, Su 5* 0,

Sn - Su - p (9.119)
where p is positive real.
Substitution of the result of (9.119) into (9.115) and (9.116) gives

S» = Sn = jq (9.120)

Equations (9.112), (9.119), and (9.120) result in a directional-coupler

scattering matrix S, given in (9.111). Hence the junction becomes a
directional coupler. Some typical waveguide directional couplers are
shown in Fig. 9.23.
In the "reverse-coupling" directional coupler shown in Fig. 9.23a, an
234 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

auxiliary waveguide is coupled to the main waveguide by two slots so that

the wave in the auxiliary waveguide travels in the opposite direction to
that in the main waveguide. The coupling slots in such a directional
coupler are usually located on opposite sides of the center line of the
broad side of one waveguide and that of the narrow side of the other, as

Coupling holes

Auxiliary
waveguide

Main
guide.

(a)

Auxiliary waveguide

Concel f
— ». Add
.r— ►

Main waveguide

(4)

To absorber

Rototed auxiliary guide

Coupling hole

U-Main guide

Fig. 9.23. (a) "Reverse coupling" directional coupler; (6) two-hole directional coupler;
(c) Bethe-hole directional coupler.

shown in the figure. Slots are excited by two oppositely directed longi
tudinal magnetic fields. The "center-to-center" distance between the
slots is a quarter wavelength in the guide, along the longitudinal direction.
Figure 9.236 shows a "two-hole" directional coupler. The coupling
holes in this case are small and are a quarter wavelength (guide) apart.
The auxiliary and the main waveguides are coupled by the longitudinal
magnetic fields that excite equivalent magnetic dipoles within the holes.
 MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF MICROWAVE JUNCTIONS 235

Since the radiations from the holes into the auxiliary guide are equal in
magnitude but 90° out of phase, they are reinforced (inside the auxil
iary guide) in the direction of the original wave in the main waveguide
but are canceled in the opposite direction.
Still another type of directional coupler in which only one coupling hole
is used is shown in Fig. 9.23c. It is known as a "Bethe-hole coupler."
Such a coupling hole is located at the center of the broad face of the main
waveguide and is therefore excited by both normal electric and transverse
magnetic fields. For the dominant-mode (TEio) operation, the normal
electric field has an even symmetry about the center line of the broad
face, and hence the radiated electric field in the auxiliary waveguide has
an even symmetry. The transverse magnetic field, however, has an odd
symmetry about the center line, and hence it produces a field with odd
symmetry in the auxiliary waveguide. The relative magnitudes of elec
tric and magnetic couplings are adjusted by rotating the auxiliary guide
with respect to the main waveguide. The phases of the fields radiated
into the auxiliary guide due to electric and magnetic coupling are such
that when the power is incident on the main waveguide from left to right,
the coupled power flows in the auxiliary waveguide in the direction of the
receiver.

PROBLEMS

1. Determine the impedance and scattering matrices of an H-plane T junction, the

equivalent circuit of which is shown in the accompanying figure.

Fig. P 1

2. A pulse-type electrical signal containing a small band of frequencies and having a

Fourier transform F(w) is introduced at the terminals of a lossless transmission line.
Some time later the pulse R(t) is reflected out of the termination. If the time delay
between the incident and reflected pulses is t, determine

Show that the time required for the pulse of energy to enter the termination and leave
it again is equal to the average stored energy per unit incident continuous-wave power.
[Hint: R(t) - -
F(t t).]
236 MICROWAVE CIRCUIT THEORY AND ANALYSIS

3. The scattering matrix of a four-port directional coupler is given by

0 o 3

S - 1 I i o
V2 o o -3
Li -i 0
Determine its impedance matrix.
4. A stepped transformer designed for impedance-matching purposes consists of
three sections of uniform coaxial transmission lines in cascade, each having a different
length and different characteristic impedances. If the characteristic impedances of
the lines are Zi, Z2, and Z2 and the lengths of the lines are h,

h,
and respectively,

It,
derive expressions for the transfer and scattering matrices for the transformer.
Derive (9.31).
6. 6.

Justify (9.60).

SUGGESTED REFERENCES

Montgomery, C. G., R. H. Dicke, and E. M. Purcell: "Principles of Microwave

1.

Circuits," MIT Radiation Laboratory Series, vol. McGraw-Hill Book Company,

8,
Inc., 1948.
Lippman, B. A.: The Theory of Directional Couplers, MIT Rod. Lab. Rept. 860,
2.

Dec. 28, 1945.

Southworth, G. C: "Principles and Applications of Waveguide Transmission,"
3.

D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, N.J., 1950.

4. Marcuvitz, N.: "Waveguide Handbook," MIT Radiation Laboratory Series, vol.
10, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1951.