Microwave Transmission
Line Model
Dr. H. Rahaman, Associate Professor
Department of Electronics and Communication, BKBIET Pilani
Objective
Transmission line model
Concept of modes.
Different types of modes
Features of modes
Recap
We discussed on uniform plane waves and equations.
Different parameters of plane waves – impedance, phase
velocity, phase constant, wavenumber etc.
Different kind of transmission lines.
Concept of modes.
Master/ most generalized equations from Maxwell’s
theory.
TEM- Modes
TEM mode – No longitudinal field components. It means Ez = Hz = 0
(2)
(1)
All terms in (2) becomes 0, if
longitudinal fields are zero.
𝑗𝛽𝐸𝑦 = 𝑘𝑐2 = 𝑘 2 − 𝛽2
2
−𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑥 𝛽 𝐸𝑦 =
𝒌𝒄 = 𝒌 𝟐 − 𝜷𝟐 = 𝟎
𝜔2 𝜇𝜖𝐸𝑦
−𝑗𝛽𝐻𝑥 = 𝑗𝜔𝜖𝐸𝑦 Cutoff wave number is zero
⇒ 𝛽 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜖
𝑘 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜖 = 2𝜋/𝜆 ⇒ 𝒌=𝜷 for TEM waves .
Wave number is equal to the phase constant in TEM modes.
Cutoff wave number means any wave above zero wave number will propagate.
TEM- Modes
𝛻2𝐸 + 𝑘2𝐸 = 0 Helmholtz equation/
𝛻2𝐻 + 𝑘2𝐻 = 0 Wave equation
Helmholtz equation 𝐸 = 𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝛽𝑧 + 𝐸 − 𝑒 𝑗𝛽𝑧
for Ex component is 𝑥
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑥 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑥 = 0 or
𝜕 2 𝐸𝑥 𝜕2 + 𝜕2
= −𝛽 2
𝐸𝑥 = 𝐸 =0
𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝑥
𝛻𝑡2 𝑒 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0
−𝑘 2 𝐸𝑥 𝜕2 𝜕2
+ 𝐸𝑦 = 0 𝝏𝟐 𝝏𝟐
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜵𝒕𝟐 = +
Similarly for Ey is 𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝝏𝒚𝟐
Laplacian operator in two
transverse direction
Similarly for Hx and Hy is 𝛻𝑡2 ℎ 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0
Transverse electric and magnetic fields of a TEM wave satisfy laplace equation.
TEM- Laplace solution
𝛻𝑡2 𝑒 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0 In electrostatic, electric field is a
Laplace equation gradient of a scalar potential
𝛻𝑡2 ℎ 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0
𝑒 𝑥, 𝑦 = −𝛻𝑡 𝜑 𝑥, 𝑦
and 𝛻. 𝐷 = 𝜖𝛻𝑡 . 𝑒 = 0 for source free region Laplace equation
Voltage between two conductors
Φ1 and Φ2 represents potential at conductor
1 and conductor 2, respectively.
Current flow in a C is the contour of the conductor.
given conductor
𝛽 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜖
Wave impedance of TEM mode
is the ratio of transverse electric
and magnetic fields
What is obtained from TEM- solution ?
Given wave equation. Solve and change to laplacian operator.
Given laplacian operation- find transverse E field and H field.
Given E and H fields – find V and I, respectively.
Given V and I values/ E field and H field – find impedance.
The impedance is same as that of a plane wave in a lossless medium.
Plane waves are examples of TEM waves since no field components in
the direction of propagation.
Rest parameters ( propagation/ phase constants, phase velocity, and
wavelength) are same as that of a plane wave.
TE- Modes
TE waves also referred as H waves. Recalling Maxwell equation component
wise
TE modes: Ez = 0, Hz 0
(2)
𝛻2𝐸 + 𝑘2𝐸 = 0 Helmholtz equation/
Wave equation 𝛻 2 𝐻𝑧 + 𝑘 2 𝐻𝑧 = 0
𝛻2𝐻 + 𝑘2𝐻 = 0
TE- Modes
𝛻 2 𝐻𝑧 + 𝑘 2 𝐻𝑧 = 0
𝜕2
𝜕2 𝜕2 2
𝜕 2 𝐻𝑧
+ + + 𝑘 𝐻𝑧 = 0 = −𝛽2 𝐻𝑧
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2
𝜔𝜇 𝜇
+ −𝛽 +𝑘 𝐻𝑧 = 𝑘𝑐2 2
=𝑘 −𝛽 2 𝜂= =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝑘 𝜖
0
𝜕2
Two dimensional 𝜕2 2
2
+ 2
+ 𝑘 𝑐 𝐻𝑧 = 0
wave equation. 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
TE wave impedance is
𝐸𝑥 𝜔𝜇 𝑘𝜂
frequency dependent. 𝑍𝑇𝐸 = 𝐻𝑦 = 𝛽 = 𝛽
TM- Modes
TM waves also referred as E waves. Recalling Maxwell equation component
wise
TM modes: Ez 0, Hz =0
(2)
𝛻2𝐸 + 𝑘2𝐸 = 0 Helmholtz equation/ 𝛻 2 𝐸𝑧 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑧 = 0
Wave equation
𝛻2𝐻 + 𝑘2𝐻 = 0
TM- Modes
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑧 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑧 = 0
𝜕2
𝜕2 𝜕2 2
𝜕 2 𝐸𝑧
+ + + 𝑘 𝐸𝑧 = = −𝛽2 𝐸𝑧
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑧 2
0
𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2
𝜔𝜇 𝜇
+ −𝛽 +𝑘 𝐸𝑧 = 𝑘𝑐2 = 𝑘 2 − 𝛽2 𝜂= 𝑘 =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜖
0
𝜕2
Two dimensional 𝜕2 2
wave equation 2
+ 2
+ 𝑘 𝑐 𝐸𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
TM wave impedance is 𝐸 𝛽 𝛽𝜂
𝑍𝑇𝑀 = 𝑥 = =
frequency dependent. 𝐻𝑦 𝜔𝜖 𝑘
Transmission Losses
Transmission losses involve microwave losses in both conductor and medium
𝛻 × 𝐸 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻 Mathematically 𝛻2𝐸 − 𝛾2𝐸 = 0 Helmholtz equation/
𝛻 × 𝐻 = 𝑗𝜔𝜖𝐸 + 𝜎𝐸 solving 𝛻2𝐻 − 𝛾2𝐻 = 0 Wave equation
𝛾 = propagation constant
𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖
𝛼 = attenuation constant
𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽 𝛽 = phase constant
Let us assume E field in x direction
and H field in y direction. Then the
wave equation will be 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2 2
2
+ 2
+ 2
− 𝛾 𝐸𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕2
2
Which reduces to 2
− 𝛾 𝐸𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑧
The solution of the equation
𝐸𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸 − 𝑒 𝛾𝑧
for electric field
𝑗 𝜕𝐸𝑥 = −𝑗𝛾 𝜔𝜇 𝜕𝑧
The associated magnetic field 𝐻𝑦 𝑧 =
𝜔𝜇
𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 −
𝐸 − 𝑒 𝛾𝑧
Transmissio Losses
n 𝐸𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸 − 𝑒 𝛾𝑧
−𝑗𝛾
𝐻𝑦 𝑧 = 𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 − 𝐸 − 𝑒 𝛾𝑧
Electric field and magnetic field 𝜔𝜇
components perpendicular to each other.
The intrinsic impedance of 𝛾
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜂1
the medium is complex 𝜂= 𝐻𝑦 𝑧 = 𝐸 + 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 − 𝐸 − 𝑒 𝛾𝑧
Propagation constant 𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖 or 𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽
Case 1: For good conductor (not perfect) (𝜎 ≫ 𝜔𝜖)
𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇(𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜀) = (1 + 𝑗) 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎 It means 𝛼 = 𝛽 = 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎
𝛼
1 1
𝛿 is called skin depth 𝛿= = Material 𝛔 in mhos/m
𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎
Skin depth: Silver 6.1x108
The penetration depth of microwaves inside the metal Copper 5.8x108
surface during propagation. components.
Higher the f and σ, smaller will be the skin depth.
Less conducting material is required for microwave
Mica 10-15
Quartz 10-17
Transmission Losses
𝑗𝜔𝜇
The intrinsic impedance 𝜂= 𝛾
Case 1: For good conductor (not perfect) (𝜎 ≫ 𝜔𝜖)
𝜋𝑓𝜇 𝜋𝑓𝜇 𝑅𝑠 is called
𝜂 = 1+𝑗 𝜎
= (1 + 𝑗)𝑅𝑠 𝑅𝑠 =
𝜎 surface resistance
Thin plate of good conductor is necessary for low loss microwave propagation.
Skin depth and surface resistance both are low for a good conductor.
Case 2: For good dielectric (not perfect) (𝜎 ≪ 𝜔𝜀)
𝜇 1−𝑗 𝜎 −1/2
𝜂=
𝜖 𝜔𝜖
The 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 is loss tangent 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 = 𝜎 𝛿
of the material 𝜔𝜖
Low tangent loss is necessary for a good dielectric material.
Transmission Losses
Case 2: For good dielectric (not perfect) (𝜎 ≪ 𝜔𝜀)
−1/2
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜇 1−𝑗 𝜎 𝜎
𝜂= 𝜂= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 =
𝛾 𝜖 𝜔𝜖 𝜔𝜀
Propagation constant 𝜎
𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖 𝛾 = 𝑗𝜔 𝜇𝜖 1 − 𝑗
𝜔𝜖
𝛾 = 𝑗𝜔 𝜇𝜖 ∕ 1 − 𝑗𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 Compare with 𝛾 = 𝑗𝜔 𝜇𝜖
𝜖 is a complex quantity 𝜖 = 𝜖 / − 𝑗𝜖 ∕∕ 𝜖 = 𝜖0 𝜖𝑟 1 − 𝑗𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿
For TE/ TM modes, the propagation is complex 𝜔𝜇 𝜇
𝑘𝑐2 = 𝑘 2 − 𝛽2 𝜂= =
and defined as 𝑘 𝜖
𝛾= 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝑘 2 = 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝜔 2 𝜇𝜖 𝛾= 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝜔 2 𝜇𝜖0 𝜖𝑟 1 − 𝑗𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿
𝛾= 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝑘 2 + 𝑗𝑘 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝛿 Without loss
2
𝑗𝑘 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 𝑘 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 Dielectric loss
= 𝑐2
𝑘 − 𝑘2 + = 2𝛽 + 𝑗𝛽
2 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝑘 2
Transmission Losses
For TE/ TM modes, the propagation is complex and defined as
2
𝑗𝑘 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 𝑘 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿
𝛾= 𝑐2 = 2𝛽 + 𝑗𝛽 𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽
𝑘 − 𝑘2 +
2 𝑘𝑐2 − 𝑘 2
The attenuation constant for the dielectric loss is
𝑘 2 𝑡 𝑛𝛿
𝛼𝑑 = Np/m Applies to TE/ TM wave, as long as the guide
2𝛽𝑎 is filled with dielectric material.
For TEM mode, 𝑘𝑐 = 0 and 𝑘 = 𝛽
𝑘𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 Applies to TEM wave.
𝛼𝑑 = 2 Np/m
The attenuation constant for the conductor loss, considering dimensions, is
Np/m
For rectangular waveguide
Transmission Losses
The attenuation constant for the conductor loss, considering dimensions, is
N p/m 𝜌11′=1.841
For circular waveguide
The total attenuation constant in single transmission line waveguide is
𝛼 = 𝛼 𝐶 + 𝛼𝑑
Material 𝛔 in S/m
Silver 6.1 X 108
Copper 5.8 X 108
Gold
4.1 X 108
Brass
1.5 X 108
For rectangular waveguide with a For circular waveguide with a =
= 2.00 cm, brass coated. 2.54 cm, copper coated.
Summary
Concept of modes.
Different modes: TEM, TE and TM modes of propagation.
Different parameters calculation like impedance, V and I.
Different losses in transmission lines: Conductor and
dielectric losses.
The concept of modes will help us to extend the theory of
microwaves for the next unit and design microwave
components and devices.
Thank you !
