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ECE 451

Automated Microwave Measurements Laboratory


Experiment No. 2
Coaxial Transmission Line Measurements Using a Slotted Line
Introduction
In this experiment we will check the response of a crystal detector by using it to detect
energy picked up by the probe in a coaxial slotted line, and in the process explore some of
the problems with slotted line measurements.
We will check the crystal detector by using some basic transmission line theory. Recall that
the voltage at a point on an uniform lossless line at a distance d from a termination ZL, can be
expressed as:
V (d ) = VL+ e j d + VL e j d
where VL+ and VL are the voltage waves, incident upon and reflected from the termination,
evaluated at the termination.
For ZL = 0 (a short), V L = VL+

V (d ) = VL+ ( e j d e j d ) = 2 jVL+ sin d

and
V (d ) in dB = 20 log(2VL+ ) + 20 log sin d
= K + 20 log sin d

If the slotted line is terminated in a short circuit and the amplitude of the field recorded over
at least one quarterwavelength from a minima, a plot of V(d) in dB vs 20log|sind| should be
a straight line, and for a square-law detector the slope of this line should be one. In order to
make the measurements necessary to check our detector, assemble equipment as shown
pictorially in Figure 1 and schematically in Figure 2.
The Slotted Line

The Type 874-LBA Slotted Line is designed to measure the voltage standing wave pattern
produced by any load connected to it. Its characteristic impedance is 50 ohms. The outer
conductor is slotted for a length of approximately 50 centimeters, and a small shielded probe
extends into the region between the two conductors. The probe is mounted on a carriage,
which slides along the outside of the outer conductor. The penetration of the probe into the
line and, hence, the capacitive coupling between the probe and the line, can be adjusted over
a wide range by means of a screw adjustment. Cross-sectional views of the probe
arrangment are shown in Figure 3. Since the probe is capacitively coupled to the line, the
voltage induced in the probe circuit is proportional to the voltage existing between the inner
and outer conductors of the line at the probe position. The RF voltage induced in the probe
circuit is detected by a crystal in the probe carriage.

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Figure 1

Tuning the Crystal Detector

The crystal rectifier built into the carriage is tuned by means of the adjustable stub, which is
effectively connected in parallel with it in order to increase the sensitivity and to provide
selectivity. The stub is adjusted until maximum output is indicated by the detector.

Figure 2

The General Radio Type 874-LBA slotted line and cross-section views of the carriage
showing the crystal mount and the probe are shown in Figure 3.

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Figure 3

Be sure the stub is not tuned to a harmonic of the desired signal rather than to the
fundamental. Confusion may result in some cases if the tuning is done with a high VSWR on
the line, as the minima of the harmonics may not be coincident with the minima of the
fundamental and, consequently, the harmonic content of the signal picked up by the probe
may be greater than that present in the local oscillator output. To minimize the possibility of
mistuning, the probe should be tuned with a low VSWR on the line, for instance, with the
line terminated in a Type 874-WM 50 Ohm Termination. As a check, the distance between
two adjacent voltage mimina when the line is terminated in a short circuit can be measured.
If the stub is tuned correctly, the spacing should be a half wavelength.
Probe Penetration Adjustment (Please do not adjust)

The probe penetration should be adjusted for adequate senstivity as well as insignificant
effect on the measured VSWR. The presence of the probe affects the VSWR because it is a
small admittance in shunt with the line. It has the greatest effect at a voltage maximum,
where the line impedance is high.
To adjust the probe penetration, remove the tuning stub connected to the left-hand connector
and turn the small screw found inside the inner connector (See Figure 3). Clockwise rotation
of the screw increases the coupling. In most cases in which moderate VSWR's are measured,
a penetration of about 30% of the distance between the two conductors gives satisfactory
results. For this experiment, your probe penetration has been initially adjusted to give
approximately 30% coupling as indicated below.

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To adjust the coupling to 30%, increase the coupling until the probe strikes the center
conductor of the slotted line; then back it off six full turns of the screw. The point of contact
between the probe and the center conductor is most easily measured by connecting an
ohmmeter between the inner and outer conductors of the line with the standing wave
indicator connected as shown in Figure 1. Using the 2000 ohm range on the ohmmeter, note
the point at which the resistance suddenly drops from a very high value to a reasonably low
value. The crystal is in series with this circuit, so the resistance will not drop to zero. No
indication will be obtained if the crystal has been removed. Do not screw the probe down
tight against the center conductor, as it will damage the probe.
The amount of the probe penetration can be visually checked by looking at the probe though
the slot from one end of the line.
The effect of the probe coupling on the VSWR can be determined by measurement of the
VSWR at two different degrees of coupling. If the measured VSWR is the same in both
cases, the probe coupling used has no significant effect on the measurement. If the measured
VSWR's are different, additional measurements should be made with decreasing amounts of
probe penetration until no difference occurs. However, as pointed out in the previous
paragraph, a 30% coupling usually gives satisfactory results except when the VSWR is
high, which usually requires a large coupling.
The SWR Meter

The standing wave indicator, or SWR meter, is a low-noise tuned amplifier-voltmeter


calibrated in dB and SWR. The amplifier has a 3 dB bandwidth of approximately 25 Hz
centered at approximately 1000 Hz. The RF source must be modulated with a square wave
having a frequency which corresponds to the center of the bandpass of the SWR meter. The
SWR meter is a linear amplifier and linear voltmeter with the meter scales calibrated for use
with a square-law detector. Hence a two to one change in voltage to the SWR meter is
shown as a 3 dB change; this would be a 6dB change on a conventional voltmeter.
Procedure

A) Perform the following seven measurements at each frequency setting. ULUT=Unknown


Load Under Test.
1)

Location of nulls with slotted line (SL) terminated by a short

2)

Location of nulls with SL terminated by unknown load under test (ULUT)

3)

VSWR with SL terminated by unknown load under test (ULUT)

4)

Location of nulls with SL terminated by 15 ft cable + short

5)

VSWR with SL terminated by 15 ft cable + short

6)

Location of nulls with SL terminated by 15 ft cable + (ULUT)

7)

VSWR with SL terminated by 15 ft cable + ULUT

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B) You now have all the data you need for the following calculations:
Calc#1: Impedance of ULUT measured at the SL
Calc#2: Impedance of ULUT + cable combined measured at SL
Calc#3: Impedance of load with the effect of the 15 ft cable removed
Calc#4: Return loss and cable loss
Note: Think carefully about the reference plane for each calculation

C) Compare the results of Calculations #1 and #3 by plotting all the points on the same Smith
Chart
D) The velocity of propagation in RG 8/U is less than the velocity of propagation in free
space. One way of finding the relative velocity of propagation of a given coaxial cable is
to compare the number of half wavelengths at a given frequency in the cable to the
number of half wavelengths in the same cable when the velocity of free space (0.3m/nsec)
is assumed. Attach the male end of the 15 foot coaxial cable to the slotted line and
terminate the female end of the cable with a male (Type N) short. At a frequency of 600
MHz, find and record the location of the first null from the 15 foot cable end of the slotted
line. Then increase the frequency slowly until again a null appears at the same point on
the slotted line (remember to retune the stub). From knowing that at 600 MHz (f1), you
have (N) half wavelengths from the short at the end of the cable to the first null on the
slotted line; and at a second frequency (f2), you have (N+1) half wavelengths over the
same distance, you can calculate the value of N (an integer).
f1
N=
( f 2 f1 )
This is the total number of half wavelengths in the slotted line and coaxial cable at 600
MHz. You now have to determine the number of half wavelengths in the cable. To do
that, terminate the slotted line with the same short (Type N) that was used on the end of
the cable. Again at 600 MHz, find and record the location of the first null on the slotted
line (don't forget to retune the stub). Calculate the distance between the two nulls (L) in
centimeters. The relative velocity of propagation in the coaxial cable is given by the
following formula:
[15 ft ][12in][2.54cm]
3 x1010 cm / sec
[( N 1)
L]
[2][600 MHz ]
If the null with the slotted line shorted is nearer to the end of the slotted line than the null
with the cable shorted, use the negative sign. If the opposite is true, use the positive sign.
Vr =

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