Microstrip Trainer MST532

INTRODUCTION TO THE MICROWAVE VCO SOURCE AND

DETECTOR AND ACTION OF A 3PORT CIRCULATOR
CONTENT

EQUIPMENT
REQUIRED

ASSIGNMENT 1

A simple microwave test system comprising the microwave

voltage controlled oscillator source, a 3-port circulator and the
crystal detector used as a power meter is set up. The operation
of the VCO source and detector is explained and the nonreciprocal transmission properties of the circulator and its action
as an isolator are investigated.
Qty

Designation

Description

VCO

Voltage controlled oscillator,

microwave source

CIR

3-port circulator

Crystal detector

MT (red spot)

50 ohm coaxial termination

PPC

SMA plug-to-plug coaxial connector

SC (white spot)

Coaxial short-circuit termination

Power Supply for VCO source

Digital voltmeter for diode detector,

1mV to 1.4V

Note:

The power supply should not be used in tracking

mode.

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Microstrip Trainer MST532

INTRODUCTION TO THE MICROWAVE VCO SOURCE AND

DETECTOR AND ACTION OF A 3PORT CIRCULATOR
OBJECTIVES

KNOWLEDGE LEVEL

ASSIGNMENT 1

When you have completed this assignment you will:

Be able to use the VCO oscillator and set its frequency to a

given value within its tuning range

Be able to use the crystal detector for the measurement of

microwave power

Know the basic properties of a circulator and its applications

in microwave systems

No prior microwave knowledge is required to carry out the

assignment. For those interested in knowing how the VCO
source was calibrated in terms of frequency and how the diode
detector was calibrated for use as a power meter, see sections
4.7 and 4.5 respectively in Chapter 4: 'Introduction to
Microwave Measurements'.

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Assignment 1

INTRODUCTION
The VCO Source,
Diode Detector and
Three-Port Circulator
Components

The microwave generator supplied in the MST532 and used as

the microwave source in all assignments is voltage tuneable
allowing the oscillator frequency to be set to any desired value
within its range. It incorporates a silicon transistor operated as a
negative resistance oscillator element which may be tuned by a
varactor diode acting as a voltage controlled capacitor in a thin
film microwave resonator circuit.
The approximate specification of the voltage controlled
oscillator, the VCO, is as follows:
frequency range:
2.4 to 3.7GHz
power output into 50 ohms: 10mW, minimum
power variation:
1.5dB, maximum
tuning voltage limits:
low frequency (2.4GHz), 2V approx.
high frequency (3.7GHz), 30V approx.
dc supply:
15V, maximum
Tuning voltage - microwave frequency output data for the VCO
in the MST532 Microstrip Trainer are provided.
+15V
dc supply

0V
ground

Tuning voltage
(2-30V)

Light emitting
diode (LED)

Microwave
power
output

Black Red
White
2mm sockets
Continuous - CW rf output
Flashing
- 1kHz modulated
rf output

SMA coaxial
connector

Modulator
On-OFF switch

Fig 5.1.1 External connections to VCO Microwave Source

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Assignment 1
Fig 5.1.1 gives the external connections to the VCO unit. Three
2mm sockets mounted on the side casing are available for the
connection of the dc supply and the VCO tuning voltages. The
Connections are:
Black
Red
White

ground
power supply = +15V
tuning voltage +2.0V to 30V

The output from this oscillator unit may be either constant wave
(CW) or switched-keyed (on-off type) modulation at 1kHz.
Switching between CW and modulated output is achieved by
operating the modulator switch. A light-emitting diode, LED,
indicator is used to indicate in which mode (CW or modulated)
the oscillator is operating. In the CW mode the LED indicator
remains on. When switched to 1kHz modulation the LED
flashes at a rate of approximately once every 2 seconds.
The diode crystal detector, see fig 5.1.2, is used in the MST532
Microstrip Trainer to detect (rectify) microwave signals and
measure microwave power. The crystal detector is designed to
effect an excellent match to 50 ohm lines and for CW inputs
produces a dc voltage output which may be accurately
measured by a digital voltmeter and converted to power using
the calibration curves provided. The detector sensitivity is better
than 0.5mV per microwatt at low power levels and is used to
measure power levels over a wide dynamic range, typically
1W to 30mW plus.
Note

The connection of the diode in the crystal detector used

is such as to produce a negative rather than a positive
voltage output. Thus a negative voltage will be
measured on the digital voltmeter. The negative sign is
of no consequence in using the calibration curves and
may be discarded.

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Assignment 1

Fig 5.1.2
As well as introducing and using the VCO and detector, this first
assignment serves to investigate the characteristics of a
3-port circulator and in particular its isolation properties.
A circulator is an important microwave component and is
extensively used in microwave systems. It depends on its
operation on the non-reciprocal properties of ferrites nonconducting magnetic materials with high permeability and
permittivity. Fig 5.1.3 shows a simplified diagram of a 3-port
circulator. The ferrite, placed at the centre of the junction
produces non-reciprocal effects on the transmission of energy
between junctions when correctly magnetised. Magnetisation is
usually produced by a permanent magnet, not shown in the
diagram; however, for switching applications current carrying
magnetisation coils are also used. The effect of the magnetised
ferrite on transmission is as follows:
Microwave energy entering at Port 1 leaves at Port 2 with
ideally zero energy reaching Port 3. Energy entering at Port 2
leaves at Port 3 and energy at Port 3 emerges at Port 1.
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Assignment 1

P2
Port 2

Port 1

Ferrite

P1
3

Port 3
P3

Zero

Fig 5.1.3 Action of a 3-port circulator

Typically, the transmission loss between coupled ports is only
about 0.5dB whilst the isolation at the decoupled port is of the
order of 20 to 30dB, i.e with reference to fig 5.1.3 with power
P1 incident at Port 1:
P2
transmission loss, 1 to 2 = 10log10
0. 5dB
P1

isolation, 1 to 3 = 10 log 10

P3
P1

< 20dB

most of the incident power emerges at port 2 and less than 1%

at port 3. The input vswr is typically less than 1.2 and the
bandwidth 15% of the centre frequency.
Circulators are widely used in microwave systems and some
major applications are illustrated in fig 5.1.4.

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Assignment 1

Fig 5.1.4 Some applications of circulators

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Assignment 1

NOTES

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Assignment 1

Fig 5.1.5 Connections for basic test system

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Assignment 1
In Practical 1.1 described below a basic test system is set up
and the operation of the VCO microwave source and detector
to measure microwave power is explained. The transmission
power from the source via the low loss transmission path, port 1
to port 2, of the circulator is measured at a number of different
frequencies in the S-band range centred on 3GHz.
In Practical 1.2 the power to the decoupled or isolated port of
the circulator is measured.
In Practical 1.3 port 2 is terminated in a short circuit and the
power to port 3 remeasured.
Finally in Practical 1.4 the circulator is set up so power is
incident from the source at port 2 and the power transmitted to
port 1 is measured.
From these measurements the non-reciprocal transmission
properties can be quantified for a practical circulator and its
applications as an isolator, diplexer, channel separator
reinforced.
PRACTICAL 1.1
Initial setting-up
and measurement
of transmission
power

Connect up the microwave source (VCO), circulator (CIR)

and crystal detector (D) as shown in fig 5.1.5. The VCO and
circulator at its port 1 input are interconnected using an
SMA plug-to-plug connector, 8 of which are supplied. The
crystal detector input is an SMA plug connector and mates
directly with the circulator at its output port 2. These
connectors can be easily tightened by hand and finally by
the spanner. Do not over-tighten. Terminate port 3 of the
circulator in a 50 ohm coaxial termination (distinguished by
a red spot on its outer casing).

The DC power supply has a dual 0 to 30 volt output. Using

one set of these terminals and the leads provided connect
the positive (+) terminal of the supply to the red 2mm socket
terminal of the VCO unit, connect the negative () terminal
to the black 2mm socket terminal of the VCO.
Strap the negative terminals of the dual supply together.
Connect the positive terminal of the second pair of the
power supply to the white terminal, the tuning voltage
terminal, of the VCO.

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Assignment 1
3

Connect the crystal detector output by means of the coaxial

cable provided to the digital voltmeter. The BNC female
connector on the cable connects directly to the BNC jack
output of the detector. At the voltmeter end connect the
black lead to the terminal marked COM and the red lead to
the terminal marked V. Set the rotary switch to DC volts.
When switched on, the voltmeter is in the auto-ranging
mode and this should not be changed. The DC output
voltage from the crystal detector is displayed directly.The
display also shows the measurement units millivolts (mV) or
volts (V) and the polarity, in this case negative, since the
detector produces a negative output.

If not already done so, switch on the digital voltmeter and

switch on the DC power supply. Set the VCO supply voltage
to +15 volts. Set the VCO tuning voltage to 10 volts or so.
The digital voltmeter will display the crystal detector voltage
corresponding to the power output at port 2 of the circulator.
Ensure the VCO is in its CW mode, i.e LED indicator is on
continuously.

Now complete the following.

Using the tuning voltage frequency data supplied for the
VCO set the oscillator frequency at 2.5GHz. Measure the
transmission power P2 at port 2, i.e record the digital
voltmeter reading and use the detector voltage - power
calibration curves to convert the reading to microwave
power.

Use this procedure to obtain similar measurments for the

frequencies given in Table 5.1.1.
Record the results in a copy of Table 5.1.1, reproduced at the
end of this assignment.

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Assignment 1
PRACTICAL 1.2
Measurement of
power transmitted to
decoupled/isolated
Port 3

Interchange the crystal detector D and 50 ohm coaxial

termination as shown in fig 5.1.6 and using the VCO voltage
settings found in Practical 1.1, measure the detector voltage
and hence the power P3 transmitted to port 3 at the five
frequencies, 2.5, 2.75, 3.0, 3.25 and 3.5GHz. Record the
results in a copy of Table 5.1.2, reproduced at the end of this
assignment. Calculate the ratios P3/P2 and 10 log P3/P2, where
P2 is the power transmitted to port 2, measured in Practical 1.1.
Circulator
(CIR)

P1
1

VCO
Microwave Source

PPC
plug-to-plug
connector

Crystal
Detector (D)

2
3

50 Coaxial
Termination (MT)

P3

DVM

Digital
Voltmeter

Fig 5.1.6 Set-up for measuring power P3 at decoupled port 3

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Assignment 1
PRACTICAL 1.3
Measurement at
port 3 with power
reflected at port 2
Circulator
(CIR)

VCO
Microwave Source

PPC
plug-to-plug
connector
Crystal
Detector (D)

2
3

P2

Short-circuit
Termination (SC)

P3

DVM

Digital
Voltmeter

Fig 5.1.7 Set-up with short-circuit at port 2

Replace the 50 ohm co-axial termination at port 2 with the

coaxial short-circuit termination (distinguished by a white spot
on its casing). Make measurements of P3 at the five
frequencies recording the results in a copy of Table 5.1.3,
reproduced at the end of this assignment.
Calculate the ratio P3/P2

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Assignment 1
PRACTICAL 1.4
Measurement of
transmission
power P1 with
circulator reversed
Digital
Voltmeter

50 Coaxial
Termination (MT)

DVM
3
2

VCO
Microwave Source

PPC
plug-to-plug
connector Circulator
(CIR)

P1
D
Crystal
Detector (D)

Fig 5.1.8 Set-up with circulator reversed in direction.

Finally set up the components as shown in fig 5.1.8

with the circulator reversed so that port 2 is now connected to
the VCO output and port 1 to the detector. Terminate port 3 in
the 50 coaxial termination. Measure P1 and record the results
in a copy of Table 5.1.4, reproduced at the end of this
assignment.
Calculate the ratios P1/P2 and 10 log10 P1/P2 where P2 is the
reference power measured in Practical 1.1.

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Assignment 1
PRACTICAL 1.5
Results summary
and observations
on circulator
characteristics

The results obtained in Practicals 1.1-4 and calculations

performed enable a summary of the basic characteristics of the
3-port circulator to be made and its performance specified over
the range 2.5 to 3.5GHz. Use a copy of Table 5.1.5, reproduced
at the end of this assignment, to record its performance.

Exercise 1.1

Comment on the results recorded in the first and third

columns as regards the directional/isolation properties of
the circulator. Explain also the significance of the results
in the second column.

SUMMARY

A basic microwave test system has been set up and the nonreciprocal transmission properties of a 3-port ferrite circulator
have been investigated.
It is observed that with power incident at a given port, the
circulator directs the power with low loss in a given direction but
not in the reverse sense, e.g with power incident at port 1 low
loss transmission occurs to port 2 but little power reaches port 3
when both these ports are terminated in matched (50 ohm)
impedances; if power were to be reflected at port 2 it will be
directed to port 3.
An important application of the circulator is as an isolator a
one-way transmission device which presents low-loss
transmission in one direction but high loss (isolation) in the
reverse. In microwave measurements it is standard practice to
use an isolator to protect the source. Any reflections produced
in the system will be effectively absorbed in the isolator
(see fig 5.1.4b) thus preventing these affecting the source
output. The application of the 3-port circulator as an isolator for
the VCO microwave source is used in most of the following
assignments for this reason.

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Assignment 1
NOTES

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Assignment 1

VCO Frequency
f GHz

VCO Tuning
Voltage

Detector Voltage
Output at Port 2

Transmission
Power P2

2.5
2.75
3.0
3.25
3.5
Table 5.1.1 Results
f GHz

VCO
volts

Port 3
Detector V

Port 3
Power P3

Port 2
Power P2
(from Table
5.1.1)

P3/P2

10log10 P3/P2
dB

P3/P2

10log10 P3/P2
dB

P1/P2

10log10 P1/P2
dB

2.5
2.75
3.0
3.25
3.5
Table 5.1.2 Results
f GHz

VCO
volts

Port 3
Detector V

Port 3
Power P3

Reference
Power P2
(from Table
5.1.1)

2.5
2.75
3.0
3.25
3.5
Table 5.1.3 Results
f GHz

VCO
volts

Port 1
Detector V

Port 1
Power P1

Power P2
(from Table
5.1.1)

2.5
2.75
3.0
3.25
3.5
Table 5.1.4 Results
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Assignment 1

Power input at Port 1

ports 2 and 3
terminated in 50
i.e matched

P2

input

f GHz

port 2 short-circuited
port 3 matched

P2

input
1

2
3

Power input at Port 2

2
3

P3

S/C
P2

ports 3 and 1
terminated in 50
3

input
2

P1
1

P2 = power measured
in Practical 1.1

P2 = power ref.
in Practical 1.1

P2 = power measured
in Practical 1.4

P3 = power measured
in Practical 1.2

P3 = power measured
in Practical 1.3

P3 = power ref.
in Practical 1.1

10log10 P3/P2 dB

10log10 P3/P2 dB

10log10 P1/P2 dB

2.5
2.75
3.0
3.25
3.5
Table 5.1.5 Results

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