Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

MODULE 2
MICROWAVE PASSIVE COMPONENTS
Microwave passive devices and components are designed using sections of
coaxial lines, waveguides, strip lines and microstrip lines.These components can
be considered as one port or multiport networks characterised by the basic
parameters like the VSWR, reflection coefficient.The basic operating principles
of a number of most commonly used devices such as line sections, connectors,
terminators, attenuators, phase shifters, directional couplers , power dividers ,
T – junctions , hybrids ,etc are described.
Co-axial cables
• Microwave components and devices are interconnected using these co-
axial cables of suitable length and operated at microwave frequencies.
• TEM mode is propagated through the co-axial line and the outer
conductor guides these signals in the dielectric space between itself and
inner conductor.
• The outer conductor also acts as a shield to prevent the external signals
to interfere with the internal signal. It also prevents the internal signal
leakage.
• The co-axial cables usually possess characteristic impedance of either 50
ohms or 75 ohms Based on the structure of shielding.
• coaxial cables are classified into three basic types
• (i) Flexible co-axial Cable (ii) Semi-rigid co-axial cable (iii) Rigid
co-axial cable
Types of cables
(i)Flexible co-axial Cable:
Flexible-type of co-axial cable consisting of low loss solid or foam type
polyethylene dielectric. Electromagnetic shielding is provided for outer single
braid or double braid of the flexible cable as shown by using knitted metal
wire mesh. The centre conductor usually consists of multi strand wire.

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 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Semi-rigid co-axial cable:

Semi rigid co-axial cables make use of thin outer conductor made of copper
and a strong inner conductor also made of copper. The region between the
inner and outer conductor contains a solid dielectric. These cables can bent
for convenient routing and are not as flexible as the first type.

Rigid co-axial cable:

A rigid co-axial cable consisting of inner and outer conductor with air as
dielectric. To support the inner conductor at the centre dielectric spacers are
introduced at regular intervals as shown. The thickness of these dielectric
spacers is made small so that they do not produce significant discontinuities to
the wave propagation. Co-axial cables can be used upto microwave -range of
frequencies. Beyond these frequencies attenuation becomes very large (since
attenuation increases with frequency) which makes co-axial cables unsuitable at
higher frequencies.
Some characteristics of standard coaxial cables with their radio guide (RG) and
universal (U) numbers along with conductor (inner and outer) dimensions

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 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Coaxial Connectors
Coaxial cables are terminated or connected to other cables and components by
means of shielded standard connectors. The outer shield make a 360 degree,
extremely low impedance joint to maintain shielding integrity.These connectors
are of various types depending on the frequency range and the cable diameter.
(a)APC 3.5 (Amphenol Precision Connector - 3.5 mm)
HP (Hewlett - Packard) originally developed this connector, but it is now
being manufactured by Amphenol. This connector can operate up to a
frequency of 34 GHz and has a very low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).
This connector provides repeatable connections and has 50 Q characteristic
impedance.
(b) APC -7 (Amphenol Precision connector -7 mm)
This connector was also developed by HP but improved later by Amphenol.
This connector provides repeatable connections and used for very accurate
50 ohm measurement applications. This connector provides a coupling
mechanism without male or female distinction and its VSWR is extremely
low, less than 1.02 in the frequency range upto 18 GHz.
(c) BNC (Bayonet Navy Connector)
This connector was developed during World War II and used for military
applications. It has characteristic impedance 50 to 75 Q and is connected to
flexible co-axial cable with diameters upto 0.635 cm. It is extensively used in
almost all electronic measuring equipments upto 1 GHz of frequencies. BNC
can be used even upto 4 GHz frequency and beyond that it starts radiating
electromagnetic energy.

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 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

(d) SMA (Sub-Miniature A type)

This type of connector is also called OSM connector as it is manufactured by
Omni Spectra Inc. SMA connectors are used on components for microwave
systems. The disadvantage with these connectors is that at high frequencies
greater than 24 GHz, it introduces higher ordermodes and hence not used
above 24 GHz.
(e) SMC (Sub-Miniature C-type)
This connector is manufactured by Sealectro Corporation and its size is
smaller than SMA connector. It is a 50 Q connector that connects flexible
cables upto a diameter of 0.317 cm and used upto a frequency of 7 GHz.
(f) TNC (Threaded Navy Connector)
This connector is an improved version of BNC in the sense that it is threaded.
This threading prevents radiation at high frequencies so that it can be used
upto about 12 GHz frequency
(g) Type-N (Type-Navy) connector
It is a 50 Q or 75 Q connector having a very low value of VSWR less than 1.02.
This was developed during World War II and extensively used as a microwave
measurement connector up to a frequency of 18 GHz.
Waveguide Modes
• Electromagnetic waves can travel along waveguides using a number of
different modes.
• The different waveguide modes have different properties and therefore
it is necessary to ensure that the correct mode for any waveguide is
excited and others are suppressed as far as possible, if they are even able
to be supported.
• Looking at waveguide theory it is possible to calculate number of formats
in which an electromagnetic wave can propagate within the waveguide.
These different types of waves correspond to the different elements
within an electromagnetic wave.
• TE mode: This waveguide mode is dependent upon the transverse
electric waves, also sometimes called H waves, characterised by the fact

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

that the electric vector (E) being always perpendicular to the direction of
propagation.
• TM mode: Transverse magnetic waves, also called E waves are
characterised by the fact that the magnetic vector (H vector) is always
perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
• TEM mode: The Transverse electromagnetic wave cannot be propagated
within a waveguide, but is included for completeness. It is the mode that
is commonly used within coaxial and open wire feeders. The TEM wave is
characterised by the fact that both the electric vector (E vector) and the
magnetic vector (H vector) are perpendicular to the direction of
propagation.
• The different types of waveguide modes often indicates the TE and TM
modes with integers after them: TEm,n. The numerals M and N are always
integers that can take on separate values from 0 or 1 to infinity.
• These indicate the wave modes within the waveguide. Only a limited
number of different m, n modes can be propagated along a waveguide
dependent upon the waveguide dimensions and format.
Rectangular waveguide
• Rectangular waveguides guide EM energy between four connected
electrical walls, and there is little current created on the walls. As a result,
resistive losses are quite low, much lower than can be achieved using
coaxial lines for example. One of the major uses of a rectangular
waveguide is when losses must be kept to a minimum, so that a
rectangular waveguide is used in very high-power situations such as radar,
and at a few tens of gigahertz and above.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Rectangular Waveguide Modes

• Signals propagate within waveguides in a number of different ways or
modes: TE, TM, TEM and they have different orders of each mode
• For each waveguide mode there is a definite lower frequency limit.
• This is known as the cut-off frequency. Below this frequency no signals
can propagate along the waveguide.
• As a result the waveguide can be seen as a high pass filter.
It is possible for many waveguide modes to propagate along a waveguide. The
number of possible modes for a given size of waveguide increases with the
frequency. It is also worth noting that there is only one possible mode, called
the dominant mode for the lowest frequency that can be transmitted. It is the
dominant mode in the waveguide that is normally used

Circular waveguide & dominant mode waveguide

Dominant mode in rectangular waveguide is TE10, and circular waveguide
is TE11.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Rectangular to circular waveguide transition convert dominant TE10 mode of

rectangular waveguide to TE11 dominant mode of circular waveguide and vice
versa

Attenuators
Attenuators are passive devices used to control power levels in a microwave
system by partially absorbing the transmitted signal wave. Resistive films
(dielectric glass slab coated with aquadag) are used in the design of both fixed
and variable attenuators.
A coaxial fixed attenuator uses a film with losses on the centre conductor to
absorb some of the power as shown below.

The fixed waveguide type

The fixed waveguide type shown below consists of a thin dielectric strip coated
with resistive film and placed at the centre of the waveguide parallel to the
maximum E field. Induced current on the resistive film due to the incident wave
results in power dissipation, leading to attenuation of microwave energy. The
dielectric strip is tapered at both ends up to a length of more than half
Wavelength to reduce reflections. The resistive vane is supported by two
dielectric rods separated by an odd multiple of quarter wavelength and
perpendicular to the electric field.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Variable type Attenuator

A Variable type Attenuator can be constructed by moving the resistive vane by
means of microwave screw from one side of the narrow wall to the centre where
the E field is maximum or by changing the depth of insertion of a resistive vane
at an E field maximum through a longitudinal slot at the middle of the broad wall
as shown below.A maximum of 90 db attenuation is possible with VSWR of 1.05.

Precision variable Attenuator

A precision type attenuator makes use of a circular waveguide section (C)
containing a very thin tapered resistive card (R2) to both sides of which are
converted axis symmetric sections of circular to rectangular waveguide tapererd
transitions (RC1 and RC2).The center circular section with the resisitive card can
be precisely rotated by 360 degrees wrt two fixed sections of circular to
rectangular waveguide transitions.The induced current on the resistive card Rb
due to the incident signal is dissipated as heat and produces attenuation of the
transmitted signal.
The incident TE 10 dominant mode in the rectangular waveguide is converted
into dominant TE11 mode in the circular waveguide.A very thin tapered resistive
card is placed perpendicular to the E field at the circular end of each transition
section so that it has a negligible effect on the field perpendicular to it but
absorbs any component parallel to it. Therefore a pure TE11 mode is excited in
the middle section.If the resisitive card in the center section is kept at an angle,
relative to E field direction of the TE11 mode, the component Ecos Ɵ parallel to
the card gets absorbed while the component Esin Ɵ is transmitted without
attenuation.This component appears as electric field component square of E sin
Ɵ in the rectangular output guide.
• Attenuators are normally matched reciprocal devices. S12 = S21

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 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

• S11 or S22 = VSWR -1 / VSWR + 1 << 0.1

• Where the VSWR is measured at the input or output port concerned.

The S matrix of an ideal precision attenuator is [S] = 0 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ 0

Ra, Rb, Rc : tapererd resistive cards

RCT and CTR – rectangular to circular waveguide transitions
PHASE SHIFTERS
A microwave phase shifter is a two port device which produces a variable shift
in phase of the incoming microwave signal. A lossless dielectric slab when placed
inside the rectangular waveguide produces a phase shift. They are also called as
dielectric phase shifters or ferrite phase shifters.PHASE shifters have low
insertion loss and low VSWR.
Types
• Dielectric phase shifters- Precision dielectric rotary phase shifter

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

• Ferrite phase shifters – MIC ferrite phase shifters , Reciprocal & Non
Reciprocal phase shifters.
Dielectric phase shifters
A dielectric phase shifter can be realized by placing a lossless dielectric slab
within a waveguide parallel to and at the position of maximum E field.
• A differential phase change is produced due to the change of wave
velocity
1 1
• 𝑢𝑝 = through the dielectric slab compared to that
√µ0 Ɛ0 Ɛ𝑟 √1 −(fc/f)2
through an empty waveguide in which Ɛ𝑟 = 1.
Two ports are matched by reducing the reflections of the wave from the
dielectric slab tapered at both ends as shown below :

The propagation constant through a length l of a dieletric slab and of an empty

guide excited in dominant mode TE10 are
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝛽1 = and 𝛽0 =
𝜆𝑔1 𝜆𝑔0

Thus the differential phase shift produced by the phase shifter is Δ Ø = (𝛽1 - 𝛽0 )
l
Different phase shifts can be produced by adjusting length l.
The S matrix of an ideal phase shifter can be expressed by, [S] =
0 𝑒 −𝑗Δ Ø
𝑒 −𝑗Δ Ø 0

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Precision dielectric rotary PHASE SHIFTERS

A precision phase shifter can be designed as a rotary type

Precision dielectric rotary PHASE SHIFTERS

• When TEIO mode is propagated through the input rectangular waveguide
of the rectangular to circular transition, then it is converted into TEll in the
circular waveguide section. Let E; be the maximum electric field strength
of this mode which is resolved into components, EI parallel to the plate
and E2 perpendicular to El .
• After propagation through the plate these components are given by

The length I is adjusted such that these two components E1 and E2 have equal
amplitude but differing in phase by = 90°.

The quarter wave sections convert a linearly polarized TEll wave into a circularly
polarized wave and vice-versa. After emerging out of the half-wave section, the

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

electric field components parallel and perpendicular to the half-wave plate are
given by

After emerging out of the half-wave section, the field components E3 and E4 as
given by equations (5.19) and (5.20), may again be resolved into two TEll modes,
polarized parallel and perpendicular to the output quarterwave plate. At the
output end of this quarterwave plate, the field components parallel and
perpendicular to the quarter wave plate, can be expressed as

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Comparison of equation (5.21) and (5.22) yields that the components E5 and E6
are identical in both magnitude and phase and the resultant electric field
strength at the output is given by

FERRITE PHASE SHIFTERS

Ferrite phase shifters have relative dielectric constants in the range 9 to 16.The
permeability of the ferrite depends on the RF magnetic field configuration in the
medium relative to the static magnetization state.The phase shift in a ferrite
device is generated by magnetizing the ferrite inside the waveguide by RF
current such that the phase constant in the propagating line alters due to change
in permeability with magnetization.
The below figure shows a twin toroid phase shifter.

the twin toroid phase shifter is a latching non reciprocal device.It uses a closed
magnetic circuit or a magnetic circuit with very small air gaps.The relative
permeability of the ferrite is controlled by adjusting the magnetic flux level
existing in the closed magnetic circuit.The dielectric spacer is used to
concentrate the rf energy in the center of the waveguide. The walls of the ferrite
toroids, which contact with dielctric spacer are located in those regions of the
waveguide which support a circularly polarized magnetic field.

If β+ is the propagation constant when a positive bias field saturates the ferrite
and β− is the propagation constant when a negative bias field saturates the
ferrite . The maximum amount of the phase shift per unit length is (β+ − β− ).

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

The variable phase shift less than this can be achieved by reducing the bias field
level.𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 β+ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 β− interchanges when the direction of
propoagation changes.The conductive and dielectric losses are directly
proportional to the length or inversely proportional to the saturation
magnetization while the magnetic loss varies approximately directly with the
saturation magnetization.
The sum of these two losses a minimum value in the frequency range is given by
𝑤𝑚
0.2 ≤ ≤ 0.6
𝑤

Where 𝑤𝑚 = 2 π ℽ ( 4 π 𝑀𝑠 ) and ℽ = 2.8 , 4 π 𝑀𝑠 is the saturation

magnetization and w is the microwave radian frequency.
The latching phase shifters have been realized from about 2 GHZ to 94 GHZ.
MIC FERRITE PHASE SHIFTERS
Passsive MIC phase shifters are constructed with ferrite substrate using the
property that the propagation constant of microwave along the microstrip line
on ferrite substrate can be changed by varying the magnitude and / or the
direction of the static magnetic field H0 .Thus the phase shift for a fixed length
of the microstrip line can be controlled electrically leading to low cost, small and
highly reliable component

Analog : the phase is controlled by varying either the magnitude or the direction
of the magnetization vector M using applied static magnetic field H0 .
Digital : the phase is controlled by using high remanence ferrite materials and
latching the substrate by a current pulse to change direction of DC magnetic
field.
The remanence of magnetic materials is defined in terms of a magnetic
induction when an externally applied magnetizing current is reduced to zero as

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

explained in the B-H curve.A pulse current of sufficient amplitude, through a

single turn wire threading the ferrite, is used to magnetize the ferrite substrate.
3600
If n is the number of bits, then the least significant bit will have a Ø shift of .
2𝑛

A digital phase shifter of n bits consists of n separately actuated sections giving

3600 3600 3600
, , …. .
21 22 2𝑛

A series of different ΔØ = 1800 , 900 and 450 can be cascaded in a single

housing to form a 3 bit digital ΔØ shifter.

RECIPROCAL PHASE SHIFTERS

When a ferrite substrate is magnetized to saturation in a direction perpendicular
to the microstrip lines,as depicted by H𝑑𝑐 shown below, there is a very small
interaction between the ferrite and the RF magnetic field.As a result the
effective RF relative permeability is approximately unity.
When the ferrite sample is magnetized to saturation in its plane parallel to the
strip line, maximum interaction is obtained between the ferrite substrate and
the RF magnetic field. Then
µreff= µ2 - K 2 / µ
Where µ and K are the component of the permeability tensor µ= B/H and K =ℽ
4 π M/ w , where M is magnetic dipole moment per unit volume.
The µreff , when the applied magnetic field is small,
wm 2
µreff = 1- ( ) for w > ℽ 4 π M = wm
𝑤

Where 4 π M is ferrite magnetization, ℽ is gyromagnetic ratio

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

The propagation constant of the TEM mode on the ferrite substrate is given by
β= w√Ɛ𝑜 µ𝑜 Ɛ𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓 µ𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓

NON RECIPROCAL PHASE SHIFTERS

A circularly polarized magnetic field region is obtained by using a meander
microstrip configiuration with light coupling between the lines as shown in fig.

This is achieved by closely spacing the lines of length λ/4 at the center
frequency.The two magnetic field components at a center point P between two
adjacent lines becomes spatially orthogonal as they a closely spaced.Lines are
λ/4 long, the RF current flowing at the center of line2 is delayed by 90 degree
relative to the current flowing at the center of line 1, thus the resulting RF
magnetic field at P is circularly polarized.At points away from the center of the
lines, the polarization changes from circular to elliptical and then to linear at the
ends.
By magnetizing the ferrite along the direction of the lines and reversing the
direction of the magnetization, a non reciprocal differential interaction is
obtained resulting in a non reciprocal differential phase shift.Digital ferrite
phase shifters can be obtained by suing thin ferrite and small wires through
holes in the substrate for dc currents.The magnetization and direction of
magnetization can be altered by current pulses.
Typical parameters for such a phase shifter is
Phase shift - 3600 + 100

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Substarte size = 1” X 1”
Substrate height = 0.254 / 2 mm
Insertion loss = 2.4 db over 10% bandwidth
Center frequency = 5.75 GHZ
Waveguide Tees
Waveguide tees are three port components.They are used to connect a branch
or section of the waveguide in series or parallel with the main waveguide
transmission line for providing means of splitting, and also of combining power
in a waveguide system.
There are basically 2 types of tees namely
1.H- plane Tee junction
2.E-plane Tee junctio.
These are named according to the axis of the side arm which is parallel to the E
field or the H field in the collinear arms respectively.
The S matrix is symmetric : 𝑆𝑖𝑗 = 𝑆𝑗𝑖 ; I = 1,2 and j = 1,2
E-plane Tee
E-plane Tee(series tee):
An E-plane tee is a waveguide tee in which the axis of its side arm is parallel to
the E field of the main guide . if the collinear arms are symmetric about the side
arm. If the E-plane tee is perfectly matched with the aid of screw tuners at the
junction , the diagonal components of the scattering matrix are zero because
there will be no reflection.
When the waves are fed into side arm, the waves appearing at port 1 and port
2 of the collinear arm will be in opposite phase and in same magnitude that is
𝑆31 = 𝑆13 = - 𝑆23 = - 𝑆32 , 𝑆21 = 𝑆12 .
If two in-phase waves are fed into ports 1 and 2 of the collinear arm, the output
waves at port 3 will be in opppsite in phase and subtractive. This third port is
called difference arm.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

H-plane Tee
An H-Plane Tee junction is formed by attaching a simple waveguide to a
rectangular waveguide which already has two ports. The arms of rectangular
waveguides make two ports called collinear ports i.e., Port1 and Port2, while
the new one, Port3 is called as Side arm or H-arm. This H-plane Tee is also called
as Shunt Tee.
As the axis of the side arm is parallel to the magnetic field, this junction is called
H-Plane Tee junction. This is also called as Current junction, as the magnetic
field divides itself into arms.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru

 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

Magic T or Hybrid T
A hybrid Tee is formed with the combination of the E plane and H plane tees is
called a magic T.
It has 4 ports.
When all the ports are terminated with matched loads.
1. If two waves of equal magnitude and equal phase are fed into ports 1 and
2, the output at port 3 is subtractive and becomes zero and total output
will appear additively at the port 4. hence port 3 is called the difference
or E arm and 4. the sum or H-arm.
2. A wave incident at port 3 (E-arm) divides equally between ports 1 and 2
but is opposite in phase with no coupling to port 4 (H-arm).
Thus, 𝑆13 = - 𝑆23 , 𝑆43 = 0.
3. A wave incident at port 4 (H-arm) divides equally between ports 1 and 2 in
phase with no coupling to port 3 (E arm).

Thus 𝑆14 = 𝑆41 = 1 /√2 = 𝑆24 = 𝑆42 and 𝑆34 = 0 .

4. A wave fed into one collinear port, 1 or 2 , will not appear in the other collinear
Ports 2 or 1, respectively.
Hence two collinear ports 1 and 2 are isolated from each other, 𝑆12 = 𝑆21 = 0

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 Microwave & Antenna 18EC63

A magic tee can be matched by putting tuning screws suitably in the E and H
arms without destroying the symmetry of the junctions.
For an ideal lossless magic T matched at ports 3 and 4,
𝑆33 = 𝑆44 = 0.
The procedure of derivation of the S matrix considers the symmetry property at
the junction for which
𝑆14 = 𝑆41 = 𝑆24 = 𝑆42
𝑆13 = 𝑆31 = - 𝑆23 = - 𝑆32
𝑆34 = 𝑆43 = 0
𝑆12 = 𝑆21 = 0.

Divya T.M Asst.prof., Department of ECE SVIT, Bengaluru