EE3120: Microwave Laboratory

Report 6
Raman Pareek (122101031)
Sarthak Garg (122101035)
Sandra (122101033)
Sai Rohan (122101030)

1.) Aim:
Determination of Coupling Factor (C), Insertion Loss (L), Isolation (I) and Directivity (D) of
a Directional Coupler.

2.)Theory:
Coupling coefficient: It is the ratio of power supplied to the main line I/p (P1) to the
power o/p (P3) at the auxiliary line o/p. The coupling coefficient is a high positive
number.

C = (P1 dB – P3 dB) (1)

Directivity: Is a measure of the discrimination property of a directional coupler b/n the

waves travelling in the two directions along the main line. It is measured as the ratio of
the two power o/p from the auxiliary port3 when a given amount of power is
successively applied to each terminal of the main line i.e. through 1 and 2.

D=10 log 10 ( PP33backward

forward
) (2)

Where P3 forward is the power measured at the auxiliary port 3 when main line power
is fed at port 1. P3 backward is measured at port 3 when the power is fed to port 2
(directional coupler is reversed). Theoretically, directivity should be infinite.
 Insertion Loss (L):
This is the signal attenuation introduced in a transmission line by the insertion of the
Directional coupler when the auxiliary arm is ended with a matched termination.
Theoretically, the insertion loss should be minimum.
L=10 log 10 ¿

¿(P 1 db−P2 db) (3)

Isolation (I) is the ratio of signal power fed to the directional coupler to the power
Obtained at its auxiliary port when the directional coupler is reverse connected. Ideally
it should be infinite.

L=10 log 10 ¿
¿(P 1 db−P3 db) (4)
3.) Objective:
To measure Isolation, Coupling and Directivity of a Direction coupler.

4.) Procedure:
a. Connect the directional coupler in forward direction. Connect the detector to the
o/p of the variable attenuator and adjust attenuator and VSWR meter gain control
to get a convenient reference full scale deflection of a 0 db on say 30 db scale.
Record this as reference power level P1 db. Do not disturb this gain setting and
attenuator setting throughout the experiment.
b. Connect the directional coupler in forward direction and terminate port P2 with a
matched load and connect the detector to port 2 and measure port 2 power level in
db. Record this as P2 db.
c. Next interchange the terminations of port 3 and port 2 and measure power level at
port 3 as P3 db and with the above readings calculate coupling coefficient and
insertion loss.
d. Change the direction of the directional coupler. Apply microwave signal to port 2
and measure power level at port 1 as db.
e. Interchange the terminations and measure power at port 3 as db. Calculate
directivity and isolation.
 Backward connection of the directional coupler signal direction is reversed, P2-P1.

P1 = -27 dB
P2 = -29.5 dB
P3 F = -33.5 dB

P3 B = ∞ db

5.) Calculations:
Coupling coefficient(C) = (P1 dB - P3 dB) = -27 - (-31.5) = 4.5db
Insertion or transmission loss (L) = (P1 dB - P2 dB) = -27 - (-29.5) =2.5dB
Isolation (I) = (P1 dB - P3 B dB) = -27 - (-∞ ) = ∞
Directivity (D) = ( P3 F dB - P3 B dB) = -31.5 - (-∞ ) = ∞

6.) Observations & Inferences:

a. The coupling coefficient, indicating signal transfer from the input to the coupled
port, is approximately 4.5 dB, suggesting efficient signal coupling.
b. With an insertion loss of 2.5 dB, there's a reduction in signal power passing through
the coupler from input to output, which is within expected parameters.
c. Infinite isolation between the input and coupled port ( P3 B configuration) implies
complete signal segregation, ensuring no signal leakage back into the input port.
d. The directional coupler's infinite directivity signifies its ability to efficiently discern
signals from forward and backward directions, with minimal internal signal leakage.
e. Experimental results offer valuable insights into the coupler's performance
characteristics.