Page 1 of 38

Page 2 of 38
Page 3 of 38
Page 4 of 38
Page 5 of 38
Page 6 of 38
Page 7 of 38
Page 8 of 38
Page 9 of 38
Page 10 of 38
Page 11 of 38
Page 12 of 38
Page 13 of 38
Page 14 of 38
Page 15 of 38
Page 16 of 38
Page 17 of 38
Page 18 of 38
Page 19 of 38
Page 20 of 38
Page 21 of 38
Page 22 of 38
Page 23 of 38
Page 24 of 38
Page 25 of 38
Page 26 of 38
Page 27 of 38
Page 28 of 38
Page 29 of 38
Page 30 of 38
Page 31 of 38
Page 32 of 38
 VSWR measurement using slotted line – Experimental set up

A typical setup of equipment used in VSWR measurements is shown in Figure1. The

microwave source (Klystron) should be amplitude modulated at the tuned frequency of the
VSWR meter amplifier. If the klystron of a signal generator is modulated at the grid or repeller,
undesirable harmonics and frequency modulation effects will be present. Square wave
modulation reduces these effects. The generated microwave signal is fed to the frequency meter
via an isolator.

An isolator is a two-port device that transmits microwave or radio frequency power in

one direction only. It is used to shield equipment on its input side, from the effects of conditions
on its output side; for example, to prevent a microwave source being detuned by a mismatched
load.

To measure the frequency of a microwave signal, the Resonant Cavity Frequency

Meter is tuned until it resonates at the signal frequency. If a SWR meter is used as the
indicator, resonance will reflect as a decrease (dip) in the signal level due to the storage of
energy in the cavity at resonance.

The slotted line is one of the basic instruments used in radio frequency test and
measurement at microwave frequencies. It consists of a precision transmission line, usually co-
axial but waveguide implementations are also used, with a movable insulated probe inserted into
a longitudinal slot cut into the line. In a co-axial slotted line, the slot is cut into the outer
conductor of the line. The probe is inserted past the outer conductor, but not so far that it touches
the inner conductor. In a rectangular waveguide, the slot is usually cut along the centre of the
broad wall of the waveguide.

Microwave VSWR meter

power supply

Load (Short circuit,

Microwave Frequency Slotted Open circuit,
Isolator
source meter line matched
termination

CRO

Figure 1. VSWR measurement

Page 33 of 38
 If a transmission lines is terminated in an independence not equal to its characteristic
impedance, the termination is said to be ‘not matched’ to the line. Waves traveling down the line
are partially or wholly reflected from the termination. Total reflection occurs when the
terminal impedance is not dissipative, i.e. a short, open or reactive termination. Standing waves
are the result of two wave trains of equal wavelength incident and reflected along the line in
opposite directions.

The standing wave pattern is obtained by moving the probe along the carriage and
observing the resulting variation in the output. The probe in the slotted co-axial cable is moved
and two consecutive points of the voltage maxima and minima are noted. For circuits that were
extremely mismatched (or open or short circuited), the voltage maxima and minima are the most
noticeable. The ratio of the maximum voltage to the minimum voltage will give the "voltage
standing wave ratio".

Er
1+
E max Ei + E r Ei 1 + K
VSWR = = = = , where K = reflection co-efficient
E min Ei − E r Er 1 − K
1−
Ei

The same equipment and techniques may also be used to measure the wavelength on the line, the
distance between successive voltage or current maxima or minima being equal to a half
wavelength. Such measurements when made on an open line are called Lecher measurements,
after the man who performed many early high frequency-line experiments.

Page 34 of 38
Page 35 of 38
Page 36 of 38
Page 37 of 38
Page 38 of 38