Chapter Four

Passive Microwave Components

and Networks

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 Passive Components 
 Waveguides have more in common with plumbing equipment
than they do with standard transmission lines used in radio
communication.
 Most waveguides and their fittings are precision-made so that
the dimensions match perfectly. Any mismatch or misalignment
of pieces that fit together will introduce significant losses and
reflections.
 Waveguides are available in a variety of standard lengths.
 
 
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Choke Joints
It is used to interconnect two sections of waveguide. It
consists of two flanges connected to the waveguide at
the center.
The right-hand flange is flat, and the one in the left is
slotted one-quarter wavelength deep at a distance of
one-quarter wavelength from the point at which the
walls of the guide are joined.

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The choke joint effectively keeps RF inside the
waveguide and it introduces minimum loss, 0.03

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 Bends
Anything that changes the shape or size of a
waveguide has an effect on the electric field and
magnetic fields inside. However, as long as the
bend or twist is gradual, the effect is minimal.
When the radius of the curved section is greater than
2λ at the signal frequency, losses are minimized.

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Tee – Junction
Waveguide Tees are 3-port components.
It is used in microwave technologies when power in a
waveguide need to be splitted (or) combined
In a microwave circuits a waveguide (or) coaxial wire
with 3 independents ports is commonly referred to as
Tee junction.

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They are used to connect a branch (or) section of
the waveguide in serious (or) parallel with the
main waveguide transmission line for providing
means of splitting and also of combining power
is a waveguide system.

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E-Plane Tee
It is also called series Tee.
Axis of its side arm is parallel to the electric
field of main guide. Here:
 port 3 – E arm (or) side arm
 Port 1 & 2 –collinear arm

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H-Plane Tee
It is also called shunt Tee.
Axis of its side arm is shunting the electric
field (or) parallel to the H field of main guide.
Here
port 3 – E arm (or) side arm
Port 1 & 2 –collinear arm

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 If i/p fed into port 3, the wave will split
equally into port 1 and port 2 in-phase and
equal in magnitude.
 The power level of the signals at the output ports is one-half
the input power. A device called Power Divider
 If two input waves are fed into port 1 & port 2,
the o/p wave at port 3 will be In-phase and
additive.

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Magic Tee
It is a 4 port device
Combined version of H-plane tee and E-plane
tee junction
Also called hybrid Tee

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 It produces sum and differences of its 2 i/p signals
simultaneously
 It consists of 4 arms
 One shunt arm
 One series arm
 Two side arms
 No coupling between shunt and series arm
 All four ports are perfectly matched
 If wave fed into port 3, is equally divided into port 1
and port 2 with 180o phase shift (E-arm)

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 If wave is fed into port 4 is equally divided into
port1 and port 2 with in-pahse (H-arm)
 If waves of equal magnitude are fed into port 1
and port 2, the output at port 3 are subtractive and
hence zero and total output will appear additively at
port 4.
 Hence port3 is called difference arm and port 4 is
called sum arm

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Limitations of Magic Tee
Analysis is too complicated

Reflection occur due to mismatch

High power loss

Reflection produces standing waves

Low power handling ability

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Applications of Magic Tee
Measurement of impedance

As duplexer

As mixer

As power combiner

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Terminations
Waveguide transmission systems are not always
perfectly impedance matched to their load devices.
The standing waves that result from a mismatch
cause a
1.Power Loss
2.Reduction in Power-handling Capability
3.Increase in Frequency Sensitivity
Impedance-changing devices are therefore placed in
the waveguide to match the waveguide to the load.

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These prevents:
high reflections
Unfavorable SWR and
loss.
Approaches:
Inserting a pyramid-shaped metallic section in the end
of the line.
Filling the end with a powdered graphite resistive
material. This absorbs the signal and dissipate it as
heat so that no reflections occur.

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 Using a resistive material shaped as a triangle or
wedge at the end of a closed line. It is oriented to
match the orientation of the electric field in the guide.
Types of Terminations
1.Matched Load
A.Lossy Wedge
 This lossy material absorbs all the incident power

 Hence, the reflection is minimum at the end.

B. Tapered Resistive Card
 The tapered high resistive card is inserted into the
waveguide. So that the reflection is avoided.
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2. Variable Short Circuit

In waveguide form, it consists of short circuit, usually

a resistive card. It reflects all the incident power.

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 Directional Couplers
One of the most commonly used waveguide
components is the directional couplers.
Directional couplers are used to facilitate the
measurement of microwave power in a waveguide and
SWR.
They can also be used to tap off a small portion of a
high-power microwave signal to be sent to another circuit
or piece of equipment.
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Directional coupler is a four port device
It consists of primary guide 1-2 and a secondary guide
3-4.
It is made of two connected waveguides
It couples power in an auxiliary waveguide arm in one
direction
The waveguide 1-2 and 3-4 are identical
Any one of them can be used as a primary and other
acts as auxiliary guide.

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When all ports are terminated by characteristic
impedance, there is a free transmission of power
without reflection between port 1 and port 2.
There is no coupling of power between port 1 and port 4
OR port 2 and port 3.

Two types of directional couplers:

I.Forward directional coupler
II. Backward directional coupler

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Applications
Used to:
measure microwave parameters of microwave
devices
Sample the incoming microwave power in
transmission towers
Monitor power
It is used in impedance bridges & Balanced
amplifier circuits

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Classification based on
1.direction of power flow
2. no.of ports
A. direction of power flow B. no.of ports –

Clockwise 3-port
Anticlockwise 4-port

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Applications
It is used in:
matching networks

Tuning networks

When it is used in between a high power source & load,

it prevents possible reflections from source. Hence,
isolator maintains the frequency STABILITY in the
sources.
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