Adapted from notes by

ECE 5317-6351 Prof. Jeffery T. Williams

Microwave Engineering
Fall 2019
Prof. David R. Jackson
Dept. of ECE

Notes 7
Waveguiding Structures
Part 2: Attenuation

ε , µ ,σ

1
 Attenuation on Waveguiding Structures

For most practical waveguides and transmission lines the loss

associated with dielectric loss and conductor loss is relatively small.

To account for these losses we will make this approximation:

α ≈ αc + αd

Attenuation constant Attenuation constant due

due to conductor loss to dielectric loss
(ignore dielectric loss) (ignore conductor loss)

2
 Attenuation due to Dielectric Loss: αd

Lossy dielectric ⇒ complex permittivity

⇒ complex wavenumber k
σ
ε c= ε − j
ω
=k ω=
µε c k0 =
µrε rc k0 µrε r (1 − j tan δ d ) σ
=ε ′ − jε ′′ − j
ω
k= k ′ − jk ′′ = ε c′ − jε c′′
 ε ′′ 
= ε c′  1 − j c 
 ε c′ 
Note: k ′ = Re {k } = ε c′ (1 − j tan δ d )
= ε 0ε r (1 − j tan δ )

Note : ε rc′ is denoted as ε r .

(e.g., ε r = 2.1 for Teflon).

3
 Dielectric Attenuation for TEM Mode
TEM mode: kz = k

where
=k k0 µrε r (1 − j tan δ d )

Assume a small dielectric loss in medium: tan δ << 1

Use 1− z ≈1− z / 2 for z << 1

⇒ k ≈ k0 µrε r (1 − j ( tan δ d ) / 2 )

k ′ ≈ k0 µ rε r
1
k ≈ k0 µrε r tan δ d
′′
2
4
Summary of Dielectric Attenuation

TEM mode

kz =β − jα d =k

=β Re
= (k ) k′
− Im ( k ) =
αd = k ′′

β ≈ k0 µ rε r
1
α d ≈ k0 µrε r tan δ d
2

k =k ′ − jk ′′ =k0 µrε r 1 − j tan δ d

5
 Dielectric Attenuation for Waveguide Mode

An exact general expression for the dielectric attenuation:

kz =β − jα d = k 2 − kc2

k =k ′ − jk ′′ =k0 µrε r 1 − j tan δ d

Remember: The value kc is always real, regardless of

whether the waveguide filling material is lossy or not.

Note: The radical sign denotes the principal square root:

−π < arg ( z ) < π

6
Dielectric Attenuation for Waveguide Mode (cont.)

Approximation for the wavenumber of a waveguide mode :

kz =β − jα d = k 2 − kc2
= k02 µrε r (1 − j tan δ d ) − kc2

= (k µ ε
2
0 r r − kc2 ) − jk02 µrε r tan δ d

Assume a small dielectric loss:

k02 µrε r tan δ d << k02 µrε r − kc2

Then use:

 1  z  1 z 
a −=
z a 1 − ( z / a ) ≈ a 1 −  =  a−  for z << a
 2  a   2  a 

7
Approximate Dielectric Attenuation (cont.)

Hence, we have:

 2 
1 jk µ ε tan δ
k z ≈ ( k02 µrε r − kc2 ) −  0 r r d  We assume here that we
2  (k 2µ ε − k 2 )  are above cutoff.
 0 r r c 

This gives us:

β≈ (k µ ε
2
0 r r − k c )
2

k02 µrε r tan δ d

αd ≈
2β

8
Summary of Dielectric Attenuation
Waveguide mode (TMz or TEz)

kz =β − jα d = k 2 − kc2

=β Re k 2 − kc2
αd =
− Im k 2 − kc2

β ≈ k02 µrε r − kc2

k02 µrε r tan δ d
αd ≈
2β

k =k ′ − jk ′′ =k0 µrε r 1 − j tan δ d

9
 Attenuation due to Conductor Loss

Assuming a small amount of conductor loss:

We can assume that the fields of the lossy guide are approximately the same
as those for lossless guide, except with a small amount of attenuation.

⇒ We can use a “perturbation” method to determine αc .

Notes:
 Dielectric loss does not change the shape of the fields at all in a waveguide or
transmission line, since the boundary conditions remain the same (PEC).
 Conductor loss does disturb the fields slightly.

10
 Surface Resistance
This is a very important concept for calculating loss at a metal surface.

x
ε,µ
ε , µ ,σ

z
Note:
The tangential
fields determine the
power going into ε,µ
the metal.

Plane wave in a good conductor

Note: In this figure, z is the direction normal to the metal surface, not the axis of the
waveguide. Also, the electric field is assumed to be in the x direction for simplicity.

11
 Surface Resistance (cont.)
σ
Assume 1 (for the metal)
ωε

The we have (for the metal):

1/2 1/2
 σ  σ µσ  1 − j  ωµσ
k= ω µ  ε − j  ≈ω µ  − j  = ω  = (1 − j )
 ω  ω ω  2  2

Hence
ωµσ
k =k ′ − jk ′′ ≈ (1 − j )
2

Therefore
ωµσ
k ′ ≈ k ′′ ≈
2
12
 Surface Resistance (cont.)

ωµσ
k ′ ≈ k ′′ ≈
2

1
Denote δ ≡ dp = “skin depth” = “depth of penetration”
k ′′
(For z = δ, fields are down to 37%
Note : e −1 ≈ 0.37 of their values at the surface.)

Then we have

2
δ d=
= p
At 3 GHz, the
ωµσ skin depth for
copper is about
1 1.2 microns.
k ′ ≈ k ′′ ≈
δ
13
 Surface Resistance (cont.)

Frequency δ
1 [Hz] 6.6 [cm]
2
δ= 10 [Hz] 2.1 [cm]
ωµσ 100 [Hz] 6.6 [mm]
1 [kHz] 2.1 [mm]
10 [kHz] 0.66 [mm]
Example: copper (pure)
100 [kHz] 0.21 [mm]
µ µ=
= 0 4π ×10−7 [H/m] 1 [MHz] 66 [µm]

σ
= 5.8 ×107 [S/m] 10 [MHz] 20.1 [µm]
100 [MHz] 6.6 [µm]
1 [GHz] 2.1 [µm]
Note: 10 [GHz] 0.66 [µm]
A value of 3.0×107 [S/m] is often
100 [GHz] 0.21 [µm]
assumed for “practical” copper.

14
 Surface Resistance (cont.)
x

S
z

Fields evaluated on this plane

Pd = time-average power dissipated / m2 on S

1 * 1
=
Pd Re ( E × H = ) ⋅ zˆ Re ( Ex H y* ) z =0
2 2
15
 Surface Resistance (cont.)

Inside conductor: Ex = η H y
where
µ µ µ ωµ
η= = ≈ =j
“Surface resistance (Ω)”
εc σ σ σ
ε−j −j
ω ω ωµ
1 + j ωµ Rs ≡
= 2σ
2 σ
ωµ “Surface impedance (Ω)”
= (1 + j )
2σ
= (1 + j ) Rs
Z s= (1 + j ) Rs
= Zs
Note: To be more general:
Note:
Et Z s ( nˆ × H t )
=
Ex Ex
=
Hy
z =0, air
Hy
plane wave in metal
n̂ = outward normal
16
 Surface Resistance (cont.)
J seff n̂

Conductor

Et Z s ( nˆ × H t )
=
Et = tangential electric field at surface
H t = tangential magnetic field at surface
nˆ = outward unit normal to conductor surface

“Effective surface current” Hence we have

J seff ≈ ( nˆ × H t )
Et ≈ Z s J seff
For the “effective” surface
current density we imagine the The surface impedance gives us the ratio of the
actual volume current density to tangential electric field at the surface to the
be collapsed into a planar effective surface current flowing on the object.
surface current.
17
Surface Resistance (cont.)
Summary for a Good Conductor

Et Z s ( nˆ × H t )
= (fields at the surface)

Et ≈ Z s J seff (effective surface current)

Z s= (1 + j ) Rs
ωµ 1
Rs
= =
2σ σδ

2
δ=
ωµσ

18
 Surface Resistance (cont.)

Frequency Rs
1 [Hz] 2.61×10-7 [Ω]
ωµ 1 10 [Hz] 8.25×10-7 [Ω]
Rs
= =
2σ σδ 100 [Hz] 2.61×10-6 [Ω]
1 [kHz] 8.25×10-6 [Ω]

Example: copper (pure) 10 [kHz] 2.61×10-5 [Ω]

100 [kHz] 8.25×10-5 [Ω]
µ µ=
= 4π ×10 [H/m] −7
0 1 [MHz] 2.61×10-4 [Ω]
σ
= 5.8 ×107 [S/m] 10 [MHz] 8.25×10-4 [Ω]
100 [MHz] 0.00261 [Ω]6.6
1 [GHz] 0.00825 [Ω]
Note:
10 [GHz] 0.0261 [Ω]
A value of 3.0×107 [S/m] is often
assumed for “practical” copper. 100 [GHz] 0.0825 [Ω]

19
 Surface Resistance (cont.)
Returning to the power calculation, we have:
1 1 1
( (
Zs H y0 ) H y0 )
* * 2
=Pd = Re ( E x H y ) z =0 Re = Rs H y 0
2 2 2

1 2
In general, Pd = Rs H t 0
2

For a good conductor, J seff ≈ nˆ × H t 0

1 eff 2
This gives us the power dissipated per
Hence Pd = Rs J s square meter of conductor surface, if we
know the effective surface current density
2 flowing on the surface.

PEC limit: J seff → J sPEC Perturbation method : Assume that J seff ≈ J sPEC
20
 Perturbation Method for αc

Power flow along the guide: P( z ) = P0 e −2α z

Power P0 @ z = 0 is calculated from the lossless case.

dP ( z )
Power loss (dissipated) per unit length: Pl = − ( ∆P = −∆Pflow ( z ) )
dz
abs

αz
z ) 2α P0e −2=
⇒ Pl ( = 2α P( z )

Pl ( z ) Pl (0)
⇒=α = Note:
2 P( z ) 2 P0 α = αc for conductor loss

21
 Perturbation Method: Waveguide Mode

Pl (0) There is a single

αc = conducting
2 P0 boundary. S
C
z
  1 *

=P0 Re  ∫ ∫  E × H  ⋅ zˆ dS 
For these calculations, we
 S  2  z =0  neglect loss when we determine
the fields and currents.

Rs 2
Pl (0) =
2 ∫
C
Js d
z =0
J s= nˆ × H
On PEC conductor
Surface resistance of ωµ
metal conductors: Rs =
2σ
22
 Perturbation Method: TEM Mode

P (0) There are two S

αc = l conducting
2 P0 boundaries.
z

  1 *

=P0 Re  ∫ ∫  E × H  ⋅ zˆ dS 
 S  2  z =0  For these calculations, we
1 2 neglect loss when we determine
= Z0 I the fields and currents.
2

1 2 1 2
(Z 0 = Z 0lossless )
Pl (0) ∫
2 C1
Rs1 J s d + ∫
2 C2
Rs1 J s d
=z 0=z 0 J s= nˆ × H
On PEC conductor
Surface resistance of ωµ
metal conductors:= Rs = (σ σ 1 or σ2 )
2σ
23
 Wheeler Incremental Inductance Rule

The Wheeler incremental inductance rule gives an S

alternative method for calculating the conductor
attenuation on a transmission line (TEM mode):
z
It is useful when you have a formula for Z0.

 Rs  ∂Z 0 The formula is applied for each conductor

αc =   ∂ and the conductor attenuation from each of
2 Z
 0  η the two conductors is then added.

In this formula,  (for a given conductor) is the distance by which the

conducting boundary is receded away from the field region.

E E
 The top plate of a PPW line
is shown being receded.

H. Wheeler, “Formulas for the skin-effect,” Proc. IRE, vol. 30, pp. 412-424, 1942.
24
 Calculation of R for TEM Mode

From αc we can calculate R (the resistance

per unit length of the transmission line):

i ( z + ∆z , t )
P (0) i ( z, t ) R ∆z L∆z
αc = l
2 P0 + +

v ( z, t ) G ∆z C ∆z v ( z + ∆z , t )

1 2 - -
P0 = Z 0 I 0 z
2
1 Assume conductor loss only.
Pl ( 0 ) =
2
R I0
2

R
αc = R = 2 Z 0α c
2Z0

25
 Summary of Attenuation Formulas
Transmission Line (TEM Mode)

Method #1 S

α =Re ( R + jω L )( G + jωC ) z
Note: Set R = 0 for αd. Set G = 0 for αc.

Method #2 k =k ′ − jk ′′ =k0 µrε r 1 − j tan δ d

α
= αd + αc 1
P0 = Z 0 I 0
2

2
1
α=
d k ′′ ≈ k0 µrε r tan δ d Rs1 Rs 2
2 2 2

2 C∫1 2 C∫2
=Pl (0) J s d + J s d
R P (0) =z 0=z 0
αc = l
=
2 Z 0 2 P0

26
Summary of Attenuation Formulas (cont.)
Waveguide (TMz or TEz Mode)

α
= αd + αc S ( µ,ε c )
C
z
αd =
− Im k 2 − kc2
k =k ′ − jk ′′ =k0 µrε r 1 − j tan δ d

Pl (0)
αc =
2 P0   1 
*
=P0 Re  ∫ ∫  E × H  ⋅ zˆ dS 
 S  2  z =0 

Rs 2
Pl (0) =
2 ∫
C
Js d
z =0

27
 Comparison of Attenuation
Approximate attenuation in dB per meter
Waveguides are getting smaller

Frequency RG59 WR975 WR159 WR90 WR42 WR19 WR10

Coax WG WG WG WG WG WG
1 [MHz] 0.01 NA NA NA NA NA NA
10 [MHz] 0.03 NA NA NA NA NA NA
100 [MHz] 0.11 NA NA NA NA NA NA
1 [GHz] 0.4 0.004 NA NA NA NA NA
5 [GHz] 1.0 OM 0.04 NA NA NA NA
10 [GHz] 1.5 OM OM 0.11 NA NA NA
20 [GHz] 2.3 OM OM OM 0.37 NA NA
50 [GHz] OM OM OM OM OM 1.0 NA
100 [GHz] OM OM OM OM OM OM 3.0

OM = overmoded

NA = below cutoff
Typical single-mode fiber optic cable: 0.3 dB/km
Typical multimode fiber optic cable: 3 dB/km
28
 Comparison of Waveguide with
Wireless System (Two Antennas)

Waveguide: P ( z ) = P ( 0 ) e −2 α z (attenuating wave)

A
Antenna: P (r) = 2 (spreading spherical wave)
r

 For small distances, the waveguide delivers more power (no spreading).
 For large distances, the antenna (wireless) system will deliver more power.

29
 Wireless System (Two Antennas)
Here we examine a wireless system in more detail.

Two antennas (transmit and receive):

Pt Pt = power transmitted
Pr = Gt Aer
4π r 2
Pr = power received

 λ02 
Matched receive antenna: Aer = Gr   (from antenna theory)
 4π 
Aer = effective area of receive antenna

Hence, we have:
Gt Gr λ02
Pr = Pt
4π r 2 4π
30
Wireless System (Two Antennas) (cont.)
2
Pr  λ0 
= Gt Gr   Friis transmission formula
Pt  4π r 

Total dB of attenuation:
 Pr 
dB = −10log10  
 Pt 
Hence, we have:

 λ0 
−10log10 ( Gt Gr ) − 20log10 
dB =  + 20log10 ( r )
 4π 

The dB attenuation increases slowly with distance

31
 dB Attenuation:
Comparison of Waveguiding system with Wireless System

Waveguiding system: dB = 8.686 (α z )

 λ0 
Wireless system: −10log10 ( Gt Gr ) − 20log10 
dB =  + 20log10 ( r )
 4π 

Examples:

(a) Two Half - Wavelength Dipole Antennas: G=

t G=
r 1.64

 4π 
( )
2
(b) Dish antenna +Dipole antenna: Gt =Aet  2  , Aet ≈ π D / 2 Gr =1.64
transmit receive  λ0 
D = diameter of dish (choose 34 meters)
(large dish in NASA Deep Space Network)
32
 dB Attenuation:
Comparison of Waveguiding System with Wireless System

1 GHz RG59 Single Mode Two Dipoles 34m Dish+Dipole

Distance Coax Fiber Wireless Wireless
1m 0.4 0.0003 28.2 -
10 m 4 0.003 48.2 -
100 m 40 0.03 68.2 -
1 km 400 0.3 88.2 39.3
10 km 4000 3 108.2 59.3
100 km - 30 128.2 79.3
1000 km - 300 148.2 99.3
10,000 km - 3000 168.2 119.3
100,000 km - - 188.2 139.3
1,000,000 km - - 208.2 159.3
10,000,000 km - - 228.2 179.3
100,000,000 km - - 248.2 199.3
33