7G3070

Automatic Measurement of ^ standao.

Network Parameters-A Survey- ^ ^^^m ^ct w

R. W. Beatty / ^ \C\ lb

^.^

Electromagnetics Division

Institute for Basic Standards

National Bureau of Standards

Boulder, Colorado 80302

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Elliot L. Richardson, Secretary

James A. Baker, III, Under Secrefary

Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson, Assisfanf Secrefary for Science and Technology

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Acf/ng Director

Issued June 1976
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Beatty, Robert William, 1917- Automatic measurement of network parameters.

( NBS monograph ; 151

)

Includes bibliographical references. Supt. of Docs. No.: C 13.44:151

1. Electric network analyzes. 2. Electric measurements. 3. Microwave measurements. 1. Title. II. Series: United States. National Bureau of Standards. Monograph; 151. QC100.U556 no. 151 [TK3001 1 602'.ls [621.319'2] 76-12432

National Bureau of Standards Monograph 151

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Monogr. 151, 113 pages (June 1976) CODEN: NBSMA6

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1976

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $4.50 Stock No. 003-003-01621-7
Contents

Page

Acknowledgments vii

1. Introduction 1 1.1. General 1 1.2. Definitions of Network Parameters 1 1.3. Classification of Methods 4 l.h. Relative Importance and Accuracy 6 1.5. Relative Range and Resolution 6

2. Description of Developments 8 2.1. Standing Wave Samplers; Moving Probe 8

a. Slotted Lines 8

(1) Reciprocating Probe Motion 8 b. Slotted Line Recorder 8

c. Circular Slotted Lines 9 d. Sweep-frequency Techniques 10

e. Nodal Shift Techniques to Determine \Sii\ 11

(1) Semi-automatic Method 11

(2) Automatic Method Using Magic T 12

(3) Offset Probe Coupled to Sliding Short 13

2.2. Moving Standing Wave; Fixed Probe 13

a. Single Frequency 13

b. Long Line-sweep Frequency Method 16

c. At Various Discrete Frequencies 17

2.3. Coupling to Auxiliary Waveguides 18

a. Coupling from Rectangular to Circular Waveguide 18

b. Coupling from Rectangular to Rectangulai Waveguide 20

(1) Rotating Slot Coupler 20

(2) Variable Phase Shifter 23

c. Coupling Coaxial Tees to Circular Waveguide 24

2.1+. VSWR, L„, Irl, Is 1, or Is I only 25

R ' ' ' mm '

' nn

a. Magic T 25

b. Non-directional Couplers 27

(1) Ratio of Detected Voltages 27

(2) Difference of Detected Voltages 28

(3) Heterodyne Detection 29

iii
Contents (Continued) \

Page

c. Rectangular Waveguide Directional Couplers 30

(1) High-directivity Rectangular Waveguide Coupler 30

(2) Compensated Directional Coupler 31

(3) Semi-automatic Tuning 32

(h) High Resolution Reflectometer 32

d. Lumped Resistance Bridge 34

2.5. I Sill 1^21 I Versus Frequency 35

a. Rectangular Waveguide 35

b. Coaxial 39 2.6. Gain or Loss Versus Frequency 41

2.7. Display of Complex Z or r 41

a. Multiple Probes 41

(1) Four Fixed Probes 42

(2) Three (or five) Fixed Probes 43

b. Directional Couplers and Hybrids 45

(1) Semi-automatic Diagraph 45

(2) Servo Control 45

(3) Balanced Modulator 49

(h) Hybrid Tees 52

c. Long Line, Variable Frequency 52

(1) Swept Frequency 52

(2) Stepped Frequency 53

d. Rotating Slot Coupler 56

e. Z at 1592 Hz 56

2.8. Phase Shift 57

a. Single Sideband, Suppressed Carrier, Quadrature Method 57

b. Modulated Sub-carrier System 57

c. Balance-modulated Sub-carrier, Quadrature and Ratio Technique 58

d. Two-probe Phase Detector on Slotted Line 60

e. Pulsed Signal Technique 60

2.9. Complex S21 61

a. Fourier Techniques 61

(1) Square Wave Testing 61

(2) Pulse Testing 64

b. Other Applications 64

(1) I-F Substitution 64

(2) Balanced Modulator Circuits 65

iv
Contents (Continued)

Page

2.IO0 Envelope Delay „ . . . 68

^ a. Carrier Phase Shift Versus Frequency 68

b. Phase Shift of Envelope 70

c. Two-tone Method 71

d. Frequency Modulation Technique 72

e. Differentiating Phase Shift with Sawtooth Frequency Sweep 73

2,11. Complex Reflection and/or Transmission Coefficients 73

a. Using Balanced Modulator 73

(1) Hybrid Circuit Operating at r. f 73

(2) I-F Input to Display Unit 74

bo Complex V and I 75

c. I-F Substitution Without Computer Control 75

d. Frequency Translation by Sampling 80

(1) Swept Frequency 80

(2) Computer Controlled 81

e. I-F Substitution with Computer Control 83

3. Trends 85

3.1. Introduction , 85 3.2. Status Through 1972 85

a. I-F Substitution, Comparison by Rapid Switching . 85

b. Frequency Translation by Sampling 86

c. Time Domain to Frequency Domain Transformation ...... 86

d. Six-port Coupler 86

e. Ratio Measurements Without Standards 87

f. Calibration of Automatic Network Analyzers 88

g. Interface Systems 88

3.3. Recent Developments 89

a. I-F Substitution, Comparison of Rapid Svjitching 89

b. Frequency Translation by Sampling 90

c. Time Domain to Frequency Domain Transformation 90

d. Six-port Coupler 93

e. Ratio Measurements Without Standards 93

f . Calibration of Automatic Network Analyzers . 93

g. Interface Systems 95

h. Computer Operated Bridges ...,000.00 » 96

i. Slotted Lines 96

V
Contents (Continued)

Page

3.4, Future Options 96

a. Introduction 96

b. Interface Developments 96

c. Automatic Tuning 97

d. Performance Degradation Diagnosis 97

e. Automatic Calibration 97

f . Extended Range of Operation 98

g. Reduction of Size and Cost 98

h. Improved Resolution and Accuracy 98

!• Unforeseen Developments 98

k. References 99

a. Chronological List ...... 99

vl
Acknowledgments

The personnel and facilities of the Electromagnetics Division's Metrology Information

Center were helpful in collecting pertinent references. The author is grateful for the

assistance of Mr. Wilbur Jo Anson, Mr. Ira S. Berry, and Mrs. Anne Y. Rumfelt of that center.

Reviewers included Mr. Fred R. Clague, Mr. W. E. Little, Mr. C. M. Allred, and

Dr. R. A. Kamper of the National Bureau of Standards, Dr. Gerald D. Haynie of the Bell

Telephone Laboratories, Mr. George R. Kirkpatrick of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and

Mr. Thomas E. MacKenzie of the General Radio Company.

As indicated in the text, various journals granted permission to reproduce certain

figures from published papers. Mrs. F. M. Indorf typed the manuscript and put it into

proper form for publication.

vli

AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF NETWORK PARAMETERS - A SURVEY*

R. W. Beatty**

National Bureau of Standards

Boulder, Colorado

A survey is made of principles, methods, and systems developed for

semi-automatic and automatic measurement of network parameters such as the complex scattering coefficients, impedance, VSWR, return loss,

attenuation, and group delay time. The period covered is from 1922 to 1975 and de'^'elopments range from simple ideas such as a motor driven

probe for a slotted line, to computer-controlled transmission and re- flection measurement systems.

The essential ideas and features of each development are briefly

described and both similarities and differences between various schemes are pointed out. Trends in modern developments are noted and some of

the options open for future work are mentioned. A bibliography of

151 references is included.

Key words: Automatic network analyzers; computer-controlled measurement;

magic tee; microwave measurement methods; multiple probe devices;

ref lectometers ; rotating probe devices; slotted lines; survey of automatic

techniques; swept frequency measurements; Wheatstone Bridge.

1. Introduction

1.1. General

This paper is concerned with the development of automatic methods of measuring basically

the magnitudes and phase difference, or the complex ratio of two sinusoidal voltages; and

applications of this capability to determining complex reflection coefficients and transmission coefficients and group delay times of electrical networks.

1.2. Definitions of Network Parameters

Networks can be characterized by scattering coefficients of the form S where S is the mn mn

complex ratio of the amplitude "b" of a wave emerging from port m to the amplitude "a" of a wave incident upon port n, where there is no interref lection of waves at the ports due to port terminations or sources that might produce reflected waves.

The waves might be voltage or power waves, for example, so more than one type of

scattering coefficient might be designated as S^^. Unless stated otherwise, only voltage

waves using the scheme illustrated in figure 1-1 are used in this paper. There are many re- lationships between different sets of parameters characterizing networks [80].

*A condensed version of this Monograph was published in the Microwave Journal, Vol. 17, No. 4,

(April 1974), pp. 45-49, and 63.

** Dr. R. W. Beatty retired from the National Bureau of Standards July 1974, and is now a Consulting Electronics Engineer at 2110 - 4th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

-1-
^

32

/ <

' 2

'

7 - - 01 ^02

Figure 1-1, Diagram of a 2-port network showing two schemes

for characterization.

^1 = ^1 ^

J

^2 = ^2 + ^2

hi H = ^1 - ^1 1 ^02 ^2 = ^2 - ^2

^11 h ^12 ^2 J

''l = ^11 ^1 + ^12 ^2

^21 h ^22 ^2 r2 = ^21 ^1 + ^22 ^2

1 11

^1

1 a^^ 2

1

(4)^2 = 0 ^(32)3^ = 0

1 \ai/a2 = 0 22 \a^]a^ = 0

^Rl

= 20 log^Q y-^, = = 20 log^Q

(VSWR)^ =

_ j p j i(j2i " Ai^g- (argument of) 82^

For example, if we consider scattering coefficients relating voltage wave amplitudes a^ and

where a^ denotes a wave incident upon port m and denotes a wave emerging from port m, then the voltage reflection coefficient "looking into" port m is

b

rma= -£ , (1) m

The corresponding normalized (actual impedance divided by Z^) impedance is

1 + r

m

-2-
where is the "characteristic impedance" associated with a waveguide mode at port m or simply a normalizing impedance (especially convenient if no waveguides are involved)

If the network has waveguide (or transmission line) ports, the vo±tage standing wave

ratio (VSWR) is

VSWR =

1 +

1 - (3)

The corresponding return loss L is

R

S

= 20 log^Q

^ , (4)

In the case of transmission of energy from port m to port n, one can measure the

transmission coefficient S . The corresponding attenuation A or characteristic insertion nm nm

loss L is

n,m

A = L = 20 log nm nm °10 js r

' nm

(5)

The characteristic phase shift \b is the phase of S n,m nm

The group delay time t is nm

doj (6)

where o) is the angular frequency. For a lossless transmission line of length i,

= = _ 21 ^ = _ 211 ^ _ a)£

, 21 A V V

and

do) V

'

where v = the velocity of propagation.

If V is independent of frequency, then the delay time x is independent of frequency in

this case, and one can see that there will be no delay distortion of the envelope. In order

to determine whether there will be delay distortion produced by a given component or system,

one is interested in the portion of the delay time that is frequency-dependent. Sometimes

the portion of the delay time that is "flat" with frequency is called the absolute group

delay and the portion that varies with frequency (the source of delay distortion of the

modulation envelope) is called relative group delay.
1.3 Classification of Methods

In addition to the above network parameters, various others have been defined and used.

They can usually be expressed in terms of the above parameters and the relationships are given in various texts and articles.

The measurement of each or all of the above network parameters have been automated to some degree. The various developments leading to fully automated systems which measure all

of the above parameters will be classified according to what is measured.

The scheme for classifying methods for automatically measuring network parameters is as follows. This scheme was arbitrarily chosen.

(1) Standing-wave samplers (slotted lines, etc.)

(2) VSWR, Irl, L^, Is I or Is |. (Reflectometers , etc.)

R m,m' n,n

( 3 ) I S I or I S I and I S | or | S |.

' mm' ' nn' m,n' ' n,m'

(Return Loss and Attenuation or Characteristic Insertion Loss.)

(k) S or S , Attenuation or Characteristic Insertion Loss.

' mn '

' nm'

(5) r = |r|eJ'^, S = Is |e S = |S |e

'

' mm ' mm ' nn ' nn

(6) ill or lii (Characteristic Insertion Phase Shift). ^m,n n,m

(T) = l^isl- - ^21 = 1^2ll^ •

(8) (Group or Envelope Delay).

(9) r, S , S , S , S , T.

imn mn nm nn

Other schemes of ordering these developments are also used. For historical interest,

the references are listed in chronological order, and some highlights are shown in

figure 1-2.

-4-
1930

1940

1950

1960 —

1970 —

Automatic Display on

Oscilloscope of Complex Transfer Factor

of Amplifiers, 0. 5 - 30 kHz

Peterson, Kreer

and Ware

BSTJ, 1934, p. 680

Proc. IRE, 1934, p. 1191 | Complex Voltage Gain versus Frequency from Square Wave

Testing

G. Swift

Communications, 1939, p. 22

Circular Slotted Line Rotating

Probe, 250 - 1200 MHz

H. H. Meinke

FTZ, 1949, p. 233 | Automatic Display of Complex Impedance

10 - 500 kHz

Werthe'n and Nils son Trans. Royal Inst. Tech.

Stockholm, 1947, No. 8 | Oscilloscope Display of Complex

Reflection Coefficient Four-probe

Method. Microwave Frequencies

A. L. Samuel

Proc. IRE, 1947, p. 1279

Swept-Frequency Testing

\250 - 10, 000 MHz

J. A. Bauer

RCA Rev. 1947, p. 564 | Servo- Operated Impedance

Recorder, 8. 4 - 9. 9 GHz

W. F. Gabriel

Proc. IRE, 1954, p. 1410 | Sample and Hold

Techniques for

VSWR Indicators

Kollanyi and Verran

Electronic Engineering

1959, p. 666 1 Impedance, Loss & Phase Test

Set uses rapid sampling, calibration, and off-line computer

correction; 5 - 250 MHz

Leed and Kummer

BSTJ, 1961, p. 841

Swept-Frequency VSWR

with Slotted Lines

G. Sorger

IEEE Trans. I&M, 1968, p. 403 1 Comparison Reflectometer

Measures Complex Impedance

D. Hollway

IEEE Trans. MTT, 1967, p. 250 | Automatic Measurement of

Complex Network Parameters

0. 11 - 12. 4 GHz

R. Hackborn

HP Journal, May 1968

Computer Control and

\Correction of Automatic System

S. Adam

IEEE Trans. I&M, 1968, p. 308 1 Computer-Operated Test Set

\50 Hz - 250 MHz

Geldart, Haynie and Schleich

BSTJ, 1969, p. 1339 | Computer-Operated Test Set

\3700 - 4200 MHz

Davis, Hempstead, Leed and Ray

IEEE Trans. I&M, 1972, p. 24 |

Figure l-2o A few highlights in the development of automatic measurement

of network parameters.

-5-
1.4. Relative Importance and Accuracy

In reviewing a large number of developments which took place over a period of more than

40 years in various countries, there tends to be a lack of continuity. It may be difficult

for the reader to assess the relative importance and accuracy of the various methods. It is

hoped that the classification scheme used will be helpful as well as the chronological

arrangement of references. Usually the later developments are built upon experience gained

in earlier developments and thus are more significant. However, there are likely to be

further developments along different lines. For example, instead of automatically correcting

for imperfections of components by a calibration procedure, one might consider the approach

of automatically tuning, adjusting, or trimming components until their performance closely

approaches the ideal. Whatever direction is taken, it is expected that a broad knowledge of

principles previously used in making automatic measurements will be helpful.

The assessment of the relative accuracy of different methods is particularly difficult.

It is generally possible to refine any basic method or modify it in such a way as to improve

the accuracy. In many cases, the development of a particular method is halted when a commercially competitive instrument or system is obtained, even though the technology exists

to make it more accurate. One should not conclude that a particular method is necessarily

or inherently inaccurate, because it is possible that later improvements of components and

techniques may greatly increase the accuracy obtainable. For example, early versions of

automatic impedance measurements using slotted lines were limited in accuracy due to probe

loading effects, mechanical imperfections, and other factors. Many of these problems were

largely overcome within the last 10 years or so, and more developments are in progress.

In cases where the developer of a particular method carefully investigated and stated

accuracies, some information is available. But in many cases, methods have been described

without a study of errors, and one cannot tell without further study what accuracly is obtainable.

A simple statement of percentage accuracy may be of little value since both systematic

and random errors are present. The factors of resolution, stability, and repeatability are limiting ones and may not be necessarily characteristic of a method so much as how it is instrumented. There is always operator error, even with automatic systems.

1.5. Relative Range and Resolution

It is generally possible to increase the range and resolution of measurement obtainable

with any basic measurement method or system by making appropriate refinements and modifications. However, the developer usually reaches a point beyond which he is not willing or

"able to go for reasons of economy or expediency. The range and resolution are often limited

by capabilities of sources and their power supplies and stabilization circuits, and by the

capabilities of detectors, for example. Thus, one expects greater dynamic range (at least

60 dB) when using superheterodyne detection than when using bolometer or crystal detection

of audio modulation envelopes (30-40 dB) . One expects greater resolution when using

frequency synthesizers or phase-locked sources and regulated power supplies than when using

-6-
uncontrolled sources operating with simple and inexpensive power supplies. The objectives

of great dynamic range, good stability, repeatability, resolution and accuracy have led to the development of more complicated systems. However, one cannot conclude in general that

excellence is proportional to the complexity of the system, even though there is a tendency

to achieve better system performance, if not reliability, by adding more components, more

procedural stems and more software to automatic measurement systems.

In trying to evaluate the capabilities of the various methods described in this survey,

one must be guided by the above and other considerations, and must exercise individual

judgment based upon experience. The point at which the development of any method stops is

usually the result of compromises and tradeoffs. As our technology continues to improve,

it will become practical to extend the development of some methods beyond the point at which

they previously stopped.

-7-
2. Description of Developments

2.1. Standing Wave Samplers; Moving Probe

a. Slotted Lines

(1) Reciprocating Probe Motion

Automatic display of a voltage standing wave was accomplished [13] by a motor drive

which gave the slotted line's traveling probe a reciprocating motion as shown in figure 2-1.

WHEEL

Figure 2-1. Reciprocating motion of probe in slotted line.

The rectified probe output was fed to the vertical plates of a cathode ray oscilloscope

(CRO) and the sawtooth sweep on the horizontal plates was synchronized with the probe motion.

A long persistence screen on the oscilloscope permitted simultaneous observation of a calibration curve using a short-circuit termination and the standing wave caused by the test

item. The complex reflection coefficient was calculated in the usual way from the VSWR and

displacement of the voltage minimum as read from the screen of the oscilloscope.

b. Slotted Line Recorder

Instead of rapidly moving the probe back and forth, it may be driven slowly by the same motor that drives a recorder chart in order to store the probe output variation versus position [66]. This has the advantage that repeatable deviations from the ideal response

due to irregularities in probe penetration, for example, can be subtracted out when the

difference between two measurement conditions is of interest. Multiple plots upon the same

chart make comparison of probe outputs easy. It is also easy to subtract a constant voltage

from the probe output and record the difference, obtaining a greatly expanded VSWR scale.

Figure 2-2 shows a sketch of such a system. The substitution technique consists of measuring

the test item first with a A/4 section of air line inserted between it and the slotted line,

then repeating the measurement with the air line removed. Comparison of the two curves takes

advantage of the storage feature of the recording process and makes possible a more accurate

measurement. This technique is strictly for single frequency operation and employs limited

automation not for speeding up data taking, but for increasing accuracy of measurement.

-8-
A__ PROBE

TUNER

Figure 2-2, Sketch of slotted line recorder system.

c. Circular Slotted Lines

Slotted lines of coaxial or rectangular cross-section formed in a circular arc were

constructed as early as 1941.

These circular slotted lines were constructed [10, 16, 21, 40] as shown in figure 2-3

so that a motor driven rotating probe could rapidly sample the voltage standing wave. The

rectified output of the probe was displayed on a CRO whose sweep was synchronized with the

probe rotation. Various refinements were made, such as using a standard piston attenuator

to measure relative voltage levels.

9-
SWEEP SIGNAL

Figure 2-3. Apparatus for measuring impedance with a circular

slotted line and rotating probe.

d. Sweep—frequency Techniques

A semi-automatic method was devised to display on a CRO or X-Y recorder curves of

slotted line probe output versus frequency as the frequency was swept [73, 87], After each

sweep, the probe was moved a small amount, say 0.1 wavelength and a new curve recorded.

After a total movement of a least half wavelength, a time exposure of the oscilloscope or a stored pattern on the recorder looked like figure 2-4. One could then read at any particular

frequency the ratio of maximum to minimum from the envelope of the pattern.

One can see that this procedure gives the same result as though one had set the

frequency to a number of discrete values across the band and moved the probe to give maximum

dnd minimum output at each frequency. If maximum and minimtan values were then connected by

a smooth curve, the same pattern envelope would be obtained.

Of course it is easier to obtain this curve by sweeping the frequency continuously and

tnoving the probe in discrete steps.

If one were to combine this technique with one in which the probe is moved

automatically, the data could be obtained more rapidly.

The method gives only VSWR versus frequency and one cannot obtain any information

about the phase of the voltage reflection coefficient. The VSWR is not read out directly

but must be determined from the plotted pattern's envelope.

It is necessary to level the output of the swept source and to pay attention to reduction of reflections. Some improvement In accuracy can be obtained using a coupled

sliding load technique. -10-
FREQUENCY

Figure 2-4. Multiple traces made by sweeping the source frequency for

various positions of the probe.

Further work has been done to automate the system [140], The frequency is stepped

through 256 increments throughout the range 2-18 GHz, while the slotted line carriage is

moved slowly over a distance of half wavelength at the lowest frequency. The dc output is

digitized and the maximum and minimum values stored in a memory. The ratio of maximum to minimum is determined internally and converted to a linear analog voltage which is displayed

on an oscilloscope or an X-Y recorder. A direct readout of VSWR versus frequency is thus

provided.

e. Nodal Shift Techniques tc Determine l^-^j^l Several ideas have been used to reduce the tedium of determining the residual VSWR of

a lossless 2-port by the nodal shift technique.

(1) Semi-automatic Method

Figure 2-5 shows how a vibrating probe can display on a CRO the probe voltage near a voltage node in a slotted line produced by a short-circuit which terminates the lossless

2-port under investigation. The probe is mechanically coupled to the short-circuit so that

only the nodal shift is measured as the short-circuit is manually slid in the waveguide.

The scale of the CRO is arranged so that one can read the residual VSWR directly [40],

-11-
•SOURCE

ROD FOR MECHANICAL COUPLING

ELECTROMAGNET VIBRATOR

si otted line

LOSSLESS

2-PORT 5

Figure 2-5 o Vibrating probe coupled to sliding short-circuit

automatically shows nodal shift on CRO.

(2) Automatic Method Using Magic T Figure 2-6 shows a basic idea used to automatically plot nodal shift versus position

of a sliding short-circuit terminating the lossless 2-port under investigation 156], The

node-tracking short-circuit connected to the magic T is maintained at a position to give a detector minimum or reference level by one of two possible methods. The difference between

the positions of the two short-circuits is then converted to an electrical signal by a differential servo arrangement and recorded.

One method to control the position of the node- tracking short-circuit compares the

rectified detector output with s dc reference voltage to obtain an error signal used to drive the node-tracking short-circuit.

Another method phase modulates the signal reflected by the node-tracking short-circuit

by means of a ferrite phase modulator. A phase sensitive detector then produces an error signal to drive the node-tracking short-circuit.

Instead of using a magic T, it was suggested that a rotary standing wave indicator

might provide a suitable alternative, but this was not tried [56],

MAGIC Tv

NODE-TRACKIN'G

SHORT-CIRCUIT

T

DETECTOR POSITION OF VOLTAGE NODE —

SOURCE

LOSSLESS

2-PORT

MOTOR

7

DRIVEN

SHORT-CIRCUIT

Figure 2-6, Simplified arrangement for recording nodal shift data

using magic tee.

12-
(3) Offset Probe Coupled to Sliding Short

Figure 2-7 shows a particularly simple method for automatically recording nodal shift

data. The probe in the slotted line is slightly displaced from the nodal position and

mechanically coupled to a motor-driven short-circuit which terminates the lossless 2-port

under investigation. The node position shifts relative to the probe as the short-circuit is

driven in synchronism with the recorder chart. The probe output accurately indicates the

anount of nodal shift and may be calibrated by a run in which the coupling rod is disconnected and the probe remains in one position. The source is made effectively non- reflecting by setting the coupled probe on a maximum position and adjusting the tuner to eliminate cyclical variations in probe output [99],

I recorderI

SIGNAL •*-^I]tuner]Z| slotted lineQ 2-port[ a

SOURCE 1

, COUPLING ROD

STANDING-WAVE

PATTERN

\SLIDING SHORT-CIRCUIT

NODE SHIFT CURVE CALIBRATION RUN DISPLACEMENT OF SHORT-CIRCUIT

Figure 2-7, Offset probe coupled to motor-driven short circuit,

2.2. Moving Standing Wave; Fixed Probe

a. Single Frequency

Instead of moving a probe in a slotted line to sample a standing wave, methods have

been devised to move the standing wave past a fixed probe. One can automatically display

the standing wave on an oscilloscope or recorder. It is only necessary to synchronize the

sweep with the motion of the standing wave. The standing wave is moved by placing a rapidly

varying phase shifter between the probe and the test item. The variable phase shifter may

take a number of forms such as a rapidly vibrating long squeeze section (figure 2-8)

[10, 24] or a rotating dielectric disc (figure 2-9) which dips into a rectangular waveguide

through a slot [10]. A ferrite phase shifter (figure 2-10) permits electrical, rather than

mechanical rapid variation of phase shift [52], Figure 2-11 shows a varying phase shifter

using a trombone line stretcher.

-13-
SOURCE

FIXED

PROBE

SQUEEZE SECTION

TEST

ITEM

VIBRATOR

SYNCHRONIZING

SIGNAL TO

HORIZONTAL SWEEP

OF CRO

Figure 2-8, Rapidly vibrating squeeze section.

OFF-CENTER

TEST

ITEM

SOURCE

Figure 2-9. Rotating dielectric disc dipping into waveguide through

a slot.

-14-
SWEEP SIGNAL

SOURCE TEST

ITEM

PROBE FERRITE PHASE

SHIFTER

Figure 2-10. Ferrite phase shifter.

In coaxial line, a rapidly moving trombone type line stretcher (figure 2-11) may be used.

SOURCE TEST

ITEM

OAXIAL

LINE

TROBE

Figure 2-11. Rapidly moving trombone line stretcher.

-15-
In case that the load to be measured can be rapidly slid back and forth inside the

waveguide, a phase changer is unnecessary, but this situation is not often encountered.

In these techniques, it is iniportant that the variable phase shifter does not

introduce significant reflections, that the source reflections are negligible, and that the

probe loading is small.

b. Long Line-sweep Frequency Method

Instead of sliding a load inside a waveguide or using line stretchers or phase shifters

to move the standing wave past a fixed detector, one may sweep the frequency to change the

phase of the reflected wave. If a long line is used as shown in figure 2-12 then a complete

cycle of phase shift may be obtained with a reasonably small change of frequency. It is

then more likely that the magnitude of the voltage reflection coefficient will remain

reasonably constant over this small frequency change. The accuracy of this technique depends

strongly on the uniformity of the long line and the accuracy with which its characteristic

impedance is known.

U.H F SWEEP

GENERATOR

DETECTOR

COUPLING LOOP ' & TERMINATION

AMPLIFIER CRQ

LENGTH OF COAXIAL CABLE

50 TO 250 FT

UNKNOWN

LOAD

Figure 2-12, Block diagram of equipment for radio-frequency impedance

measuring method, (Reprinted by permission: J. A, Bauer,

"Special Applications of Ultra-High-Frequency Wide-band

Sweep Generators", RCA Rev, 8, no. 3, Sept. 1947.)

An instrument called a panoramic indicator, using this principle, was built to cover

the television channels, operating from 40 to 220 MHz [9]. The interference patterns were

displayed on a CRQ and the vertical scale was calibrated using a short-circuit termination.

The attenuation of the long line was also indicated automatically.

Further investigation of this basic idea [9] led to its use at higher frequencies up

to 1 GHz to measure not only magnitudes of reflection coefficients, but also their phases.

The arrangement of apparatus is shown in figure 2-13. Phase is determined by comparing the

frequencies at which voltage minima occur when the test item is replaced by a shortcircuit [32].

-16-
Figure 2-13, Circuit employed to detennine the reflection coefficient of an unknown

impedance (Z) terminating the line Le (Zq = 300 ohms), W wobbulator

(sweep generator) , N matching network, D detector, 0 oscilloscope

(horizontal deflection synchronized with the frequency variation of

the wobbulator, vertical deflection proportional to the A,C, output

voltage of the detector), M marker, C isolating capacitors (100 pF)

,

R resistors (10,000 ohms), to prevent H.F, voltage from entering

the oscilloscope.

c. At Various Discrete Frequencies

The basic idea of moving the standing wave past a fixed probe was considerably refined

in a method requiring insertion of various lengths of precision waveguide or transmission

line (figure 2-14) between a fixed probe and the test item [94], As each section of waveguide Is inserted, the source frequency is stepped rapidly through many discrete values in

the desired frequency range. The probe output is automatically measured using a digital

voltmeter and the output data is manually punched on cards for computer processing.

Calculated cujrves are fit to the measured data and the impedances of the source and of the

probe are taken into account when calculating the magnitude and phase of the reflection

coefficient of the test item.

PROBE- Ki-H

SOURCE

PROBE

SOURCE -

1 r

\ h- L2 -H

PROBE

1 r

L- »J

ill I L

SOURCE

1 r

TEST

"item

TEST

ITEM

TEST

ITEM

Figure 2-14. Insertion of various lengths of line between probe and

test item.
Although this method has been considerably refined, it is not yet fully automated in

that one must manually insert various lengths of line both in the determination of the

impedances of source and probe as well as in measuring the test item. Also the computer

processing of the data is done at some later time and requires manual feeding of the data to the computer.

The accuracy obtained (using 14 mm standard air lines) with this technique Is very

good, but depends strongly upon the excellence of the connectors one must use to insert

various lengths of line. As the diameter of the air lines and the size of the connector

decreases, one must degrade the accuracy correspondingly.

2.3. Coupling to Auxiliary Waveguides

a. Coupling from Rectangular to Circular Waveguide

The measurement of impedance in a rectangular waveguide by moving a probe along a slot

either by reciprocating or circular motion requires careful mechanical construction. A con- siderable simplification in construction is accomplished by coupling to a circular waveguide

in such a way that the rotation of a probe gives the same output versus angle characteristic

as probe output versus distance in the conventional slotted line. This can be accomplished

as shown in figure 2-15 by coupling at a position off-axis in the rectangular waveguide where

Figure 2-15, Rotating probe coupling to magnetic

fields in a rectangular waveguide,

the magnetic fields of a progressive wave in the TE-j^ q mode are circularly polarized. (The

axial and transverse components of magnetic field are perpendicular and 90" out of phase for

a progressive wave.) A reflected wave then produces an ellipticity in the polarization of

the electric fields in the TE^^]^ mode in the circular waveguide. By means of a rotating

electric field probe, the VSWR and relative angular position of the voltage minimum in the

main waveguide may be determined. Two possible designs for the rotating coupler arte shown

in figure 2-16. This principle is used in non-automatic systems [29, 40, 42] and is also

used in automatic systems.

-18-
CONICAL ^ TERMINATION

ROTARY JOINT —

SIGNAL SOURCE

PROBE AND

CRYSTAL DETECTOR CABLE CONNECTION

TO VSWR INDICATOR

LOAD UNDER TEST

(0)

BEARING COAX-TO-WAVEGUlOE

TRANSITION CHOKE JOINT

RESISTANCE CARDS PERPENDICULAR

TO PROBE

DETECTOR

(b)

PROBE

-CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE

RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDE

Figure 2-16. (a) and (b) Two circular-coupler designs for impedance measurement,

(Reprinted by permission: S. B. Cohn, "Impedance Measurement by Means of

a Broadband Circular-polarization Coupler", Proc. IRE, 42 , no. 10, " October 1954, pp. 1554-1558.)

One automatic system uses a three-slot off-axis coupler [28] from rectangular to circular waveguide and displays the complex F on a CRO [39]. Instead of rotating a magnetic

field probe in the circular waveguide, a circular to rectangular transition feeds a section

of rectangular waveguide containing an electric probe. Rotation of this latter section

gives a response depending upon the ellipticity of polarization of the wave in the circular

waveguide. Square-wave modulation of the source at 3 KHz and 50 Hz rotation of the probe

unit produces a detected 3 KHz square wave with a 100 Hz modulation envelope. The mean

2 I 1

level of the detector output is proportional to (l + |r| ) and is used to level the source voltage V . The 100 Hz signal goes to a 90° phase splitter and produces a circle

on the CRO with a radius proportional to |r|/(l + |r| ). (The error due to this not being

|r| is less than 6.25^ for |r| < 0.25.) A magnetic pickup head produces a signal cor- responding to a certain angular position of the rotating probe. This signal is used to

create a brightness modulation pulse which results in a spot on the CRO. The correct spot

position is determined by calibrating it against a short-circuit termination. This system

operated over a 10^ frequency range at X-band with a total \incertainty in VSWR within

± 3.5^ at 1.7 VSWR.

Another variation on the basic idea is to use a fixed magnetic probe and rotate the

polarization of the field by means of a ferrite Faraday polarization rotator [UU]. The

latter technique shown in figure 2-17 avoided mechanical problems with rotating probes,

but did not yield the phase of F. Such a system operated over a frequency range of

8,550 to 10,000 MHz with errors in VSWR within ± k% for VSWR's up to 2.00.

-19-
FERRITE

ISOLATOR

KLYSTRON

RECTANGULAR GUIDE

CIRCULAR

GUIDE-^'

KLYSTRON

POWER

SUPPLY

MODULATOR

MODULATOR

POWER

SUPPLY

PASS LIMIT

AND FAULT

INDICATOR

CIRCUIT

-® GREEN

-® RED

> ORANGE

SWEEP

GENERATOR

VALVE

VOLTMETER —(m) S.W.R,

METER

i

POWER

SUPPLY

COMPENSATING

AMPLIFIER

LOAD

TO BE _MEASURED

A/VW ^

CIRCULAR

PAD

FERRITE

POLARIZATION

ROTATOR

MODE

SUPPRESSOR

PLANE PAD CIRCULAR-TORECTANGULAR

TRANSITION

CRYSTAL

DETECTOR

Figure 2-17.

MAINS

INPUT

Block diagram of the automatic standing-wave indicator using a ferrite

polarization rotator. (Valve voltmeter = vacuum tube voltmeter.)

Other arrangements vhich were suggested [28] include a rotating coupling loop in the

aioxiliary circular waveguide or a J^-prohe system analogous to that previously developed [ll],

with probes placed at U5-degree intervals around the circumference of the auxiliary circular

waveguide

"d. Coupling from Rectangular to Rectangular Waveguide

(l) Rotating Slot Coupler [63]

If one couples from one rectangular waveguide to an auxiliary rectangular waveguide at the same off-axis position as in figure 2-15, hy means of a rotating dimbhell shaped slot

(figure 2-l8), the phase of the coupled reflected wave depends upon the angular orientation

of the slot, hut the phase of the coupled incident wave is practically independent of the

slot angle. Thus, as one rotates the slot, the phase of the coupled reflected wave varies

with respect to the phase of the coupled incident wave. For one rotation of the slot, the

phase of the coupled wave goes through two complete cycles.

-20-
AUXILIARY GUIDE

MAIN GUIDE

Figure 2-18. The construction of the rotating slot of the coupler, (Reprinted by

permission: S. Tsuchiya, "A Smith-diagram Display Unit of Small Reflection

Coefficients using the Vibrating-dummy Method", Proc. IEEE, _51, no. 11, Nov. 1963, pp. 1444-1454.)

The interference of the incident and reflected waves at the fixed probe in the

auxiliary waveguide produces an output which tollows the standing wave pattern in the main

waveguide [63].

The detected a-c voltage from the probe at twice the frequency of the rotating slot is

proportional to |r| cos where |r| and are respectively the magnitude and phase of the

measured voltage reflection coefficient. This output is divided and the portions are fed to the horizontal and vertical plates of a CRO after shifting the phase of one portion by 90°

(so that it is proportional to |r| sin ij;) . The circle which appears on the screen has a radius proportional to |r| and the phase is marked by a brightening pulse which is synchrnlzed with the slot rotation. The measurement system is illustrated in figure 2-19.

Another feature accompanying this technilque is the elimination of reflections from a load which Is given a reciprocating motion Inside the waveguide. The reciprocating motion

produces a phase modulation of the reflected wave. If one adjusts the amount of this

modulation, one can make the carrier disappear. Then by filtering out the sidebands, one

has eliminated the reflection at the carrier frequency. Thus, one has simulated a non- reflecting load which Is needed to calibrate the system. The arrangement is shown in

figure 2-20.

Although this method Is highly original and Interesting, It has not been widely used.

Methods not requiring mechanical motion and not bandwidth-limited have been subsequently

developed.

-21-
AC AMP

CRT

RA(1)

REFLECTION LESS TERMINATION

IMPEDANCE

UNDER

TEST

2p JUL

100 V

50 cps LINE

90' PHASE SHIFT

SYNCHRONOUS PULSE LINEAR

DELAY

GATE CIRCUIT

MOTOR GENERATOR

BRIGHTNESS

MODULATION

Figure 2-19. The arrangement of the impedance display unit. (Reprinted by permission:

S. Tsuchiya, "A Smith-diagram Display Unit of Small- Reflection Coefficients

using the Vibrating-dummy Method", ProCo IEEE, 51, no. 11, Nov. 1963,

pp. 1444-1454.)

CRYSTAL

DETECTOR

AC AMP

PHASE

SHIFT

2P . JUl

LINEAR

PULSE DELAY

GEN GATE

CIRCUIT

BRIGHTNESS

MODULATION

lOOV

50CPS LINE Figure 2-20. Arrangement for giving a sliding loaa a reciprocating motion to phase modulate

reflection. (BPF = band pass filter.) (Reprinted by permission: S. Tsuchiya,

"A Smith-diagram Display Unit of Small Reflection Coefficients using the

Vibrating-dummy Method", Proc. IEEE, 51, no. 11, Nov. 1963, pp. 1444-1454.?

-22-
(2) Variable Phase Shifter

A logical extension of these ideas that has occurred to the author is shown in

figure 2-21. In a cross-guide coupler, it is known ("but apparently not so well-known [130])

that one can reproduce the usual slotted line response of a traveling probe in the main line

by locating a fixed probe in the auxiliary waveguide on one side of the coupling hole and a sliding short-circuit on the other side [17» ^3, 8l]. The thought naturally occurs that one could achieve an automatic display of the standing wave (or of F) by imparting a reciprocating motion to the short-circuit or by inserting a variable (rotating or ferrite) phase

shifter between a fixed short-circuit and the coupling hole, (it is not known whether this

same idea has been previously proposed by others, although a similar idea has been reported

which uses a motor driven phasable reflecting disc instead of a phasable short-circuit [98].)

The usefulness of this method has not been explored, but appears to offer the basis

for a broad band technique for applications at frequencies above ko GHz, where there are presently few automatic systems available.

SHORT-CIRCUIT

—DETECTOR

Figure 2-21, Proposed arrangement for automatic display of

standing wave.

-23-
c. Coupling Coaxial Tees to Circular Waveguide

The above ideas which use off-axis coupling from a rectangular to circular waveguide

have not been used in coaxial line because in the TEM mode, the magnetic field is completely

transverse to the axis. However, it is possible to couple a circular waveguide to a Tjunction of coaxial lines in such a way that a similar situation exists.

As shown in figure 2-22, the currents in the center conductors of the coaxial lines at

the T-junction produce magnetic fields equal in magnitude, at right angles in space, and 90°

apart in phase. This is the condition for circular polarization and holds when the test

item is non-reflecting. When it reflects, then elliptical polarization is produced.

Y

=

Figure 2-22, Coaxial Tee Junction for impedance measurement

(20-300 MHz).

The amount and direction associated with the ellipticity correspond to the magnitude and

phase of the reflected wave. An automatic display of the standing-wave pattern may then be

produced on a CRO by rotating the probe and synchronizing the sweep with the probe rotation

while feeding the rectified probe output to the vertical deflecting circuit [33].

A similar idea is shown in figure 2-23, where again, a circularly polarized magnetic

field exists at the probe due to the current I being 90° out of phase with the current

(l^ - which is at right angles in space. The same potential exists for producing an automatic display of the standing-wave pattern [41],

-24-
2.4. VSWR, L , Irl, Is I, or Is I only. R ' ' ' mm '

' nn ' '

In the following, a direct display of VSWR or |r| versus frequency on a CRO is obtained

automatically.

a. Magic T

A multi-frequency bridge was developed for production testing and impedance matching.

Two versions are shown in figure 2-24. The bridges operate on the principle that the ratio

of power, Pjj, delivered to the detector on arm 4 to the power delivered to arm 3 of an ideal magic T is

\

- \ K\'

where T is the voltage reflection coefficient of the test item on arm 1, and a nonIj reflecting termination is on arm 2. After calibration and adjustment, the VSWR's of the test item at 3 frequencies can be simultaneously read from the screen of the CRO [10]. This

bridge is not as accurate as a single frequency bridge because presently available magic

tees do not maintain ideal properties over a large bandwidth.

-25-
Pulse modulator —

Pulse modulator

Pulse modulator

Synchronizer and sweep

generator

Pulse

amplifier

Crystal detector

a) Multifrequency bridge that employs pulse modulation.

C-w oscillators ———

Sawtooth JjJ generator

F m local oscillators

CRT

Coupling network

b) Multifrequency bridge that utilizes a panoramic receiver.

Figure 2-24. Multi-frequency bridges using a Magic T. (Reprinted by permission:

E. M. Purcell, "Measurement of Standing Waves", Chap. 8, pp. 511-512,

and L. B, Young, "Impedance Bridges", Chap. 9, pp. 537-560,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Techniques of Microwave

Measurements, Copyright 1947, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.)

-26-
b. Non-directional Couplers

(1) Ratio of Detected Voltages

A swept frequency impedance indicator which operated over a bandwidth of 6% at around

10 GHz used a wave sampler consisting of 2 cross-guide couplers located at the same coupling

plane in the waveguide [14],

The outputs of the wave sampler are proportional to

|v|^ = A^ + + 2 AB cos (}) oc |l + r|^ (8)

and

|z^i|^ = A^ + B^ - 2 AB cos 4) °^ |l - r|^. (9)

The ratio of these two voltages is displayed on a CRO. The maximum values correspond to

|z|'=

The wave sampler is shown in figure 2-25 and a schematic of the system is shown in

figure 2-26. Although the phase of the impedance is not displayed, it is possible to determine it by calculation after measuring the frequencies at which maximum and minimum

values occurred on the CRO. This is facilitated by calibrating the apparatus against a short-circuit termination.

1 + r

1 - r (10)

Figure 2-25. Wave sampler. (Reprinted by permission: H. J. Riblet, "A Swept- frequency

3-centimeter Impedance Indicator", Proc. IRE, 36, no. 12, Dec. 1948,

ppo 1493-1499.)

-27-
CONSTANT OUTPUT

VARIABLE FREQUENCY

SIGNAL GENERATOR

VOLTAGE CT TO FREQUENCY

WAVE SAMPLER

A**8*t2ABcot(f

KNOWN LENGTH OF TRANSMISSION LINE

LOAD

••B'-2ABeonj

VOLTAGE RATIO COMPUTER

TO HORIZONTAL PLATES

A« 8'»?ABco« >| A«+B«-2Aeco»(f TO VERflCAL PLATES

1

CRT.

Figure 2-26. Schematic of system. (Reprinted by permission: H. J. Riblet, "A sweptfrequency 3-centimeter impedance indicator", Proc. IRE, _36, no. 12,

Dec. 1948, pp. 1493-1499.)

(2) Difference of Detected Voltages

The wave sampler previously described [14] was stated to be equivalent to a waveguide

having two identical short probes X /4 apart. Later [68] i a broadband ref lectometer was

developed which featured two identical broadband probes apart as shown in figure 2-27.

I«v*ler detector measuring

tftttclors unknown

rtflfction

S.2-12.4GC

R «|R|«»p.,y

-*>^1.|Rr»2|Rlco,[<p-2l ^]

Vj^ 1.|R|*.2|R|co« [<p-(59o.2L) ^]

oseillMCOp* votug* v;,- -r 4 |l'|»in^ ^ ..in [^-(ZL*^)^]

10 b« compensated by

Iht Irequercy characteristic ol the leveter 10-20 kc

sine wave

Figure 2-27. Principle of the ref lecto"meter". (Reprinted by permission:

F. C. deRonde, "A Precise and Sensitive X-band Ref lectometer

Providing Automatic Full-band Display of Reflection Coefficient",

IEEE Trans, on MTT, 13, no. 4, July 1965, pp. 435-440.)

-28-
It is interesting to compare these two schemes, which have very similar circuit arrangements,

but treat the probe outputs differently. The wave sampler square law detected outputs were

fed to a ratio computer whose output was an audio voltage having maximum values ideally

2 proportional to |z| . The phase of Z (or F) was not displayed but could be calculated

from the known lengths of waveguide and the frequencies at which the maxima and zeros occurred [14].

The broadband ref lectometer [68] also displays (only the upper half) an audio voltage

on the CRO, but it is derived from the difference, rather than the ratio, of the square law

detected probe voltages. The 1 + |r| terms are eliminated and one observes an audio

frequency voltage whose envelope is ideally proportional to |r|. The phase of T is not displayed and is ignored in this ref lectometer , although it would be possible to determine

phase by calculation if one knew the lengths of waveguide involved. This ref lectometer

operates over an entire waveguide band without serious deterioration of accuracy in contrast

with the earlier technique using a wave sampler, which was limited to approximately a 12%

frequency range.

A special leveling detector, employing lossy material in the leveling detector circuit

compensates for frequency dependence of the two-probe difference output magnitude. This

frequency dependence is given by

where A is the guide wavelength at about mid-frequency or 10.2 GHz. Go

(3) Heterodyne Detection

A sweep-frequency, long line type of meter for displaying |r| versus frequency was developed in 1948 [12] and operated from 30 - 250 MHz. The frequency was swept with a saw- tooth generator and the signal travelled at least 66 feet before being reflected.

Consequently the oscillator frequency changed by the time the reflected signal was received

back at the detector. An audio frequency beat note resulting from mixing these two signals was amplified and displayed on a CRO. The peaks of the audio signal were proportional to

|r|. The phase angle of T was not displayed, but could be obtained by comparing the phase of

the beat notes produced at any frequency when the load was replaced by a short-circuit. A

block diagram of the system is shown in figure 2-28o

-29-
WIDE- RANGE SWEEPING

OSCILLATOR

-] TO HORIZONTAL

I SWEEP OF

1 OSaLLOSCOPE REGULATED POWER SUPPLY r

I KLYSTRON-".

I LOW- LEVEL

iOSCILLATOR r WAVEGUIDE

3CM- KLYSTRON

A HIGH-LEVEL OSOLLATOR SWEEPING

R-F

I OUTPUT BEAT- NOTE

DETECTOR

INTERNALLY- CONTAINED TRANSMISSION LINE SECTIONS

53.5 OHMS Zo 66FTjn

BAND-PASS

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

TO VERTCAL*

INPUT OF OSCILLOSCOPE^^

Figure 2-28. Block diagram of the frequency-scanning impedance meter showing lengths

of transmission line available within the instrument. (Reprinted by

permission: L, L. Libby, "Frequency-Scanning VHF Impedance Meter",

Electronics, 21, no. 6, June 1948, Copyright McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1948.)

c. Rectangular Waveguide Directional Couplers

(1) High-directivity Rectangular Waveguide Coupler

A swept-frequency ref lectometer which displayed |r| versus frequency over a range of

4250 to 6000 MHz incorporated several basic ideas [20]. It was reasoned in a straightforward manner that an ideal swept frequency ref lectometer would incorporate the following

4 perfect components:

1. Power leveler

2. Square-law detector

3. Square-root recorder

4. Hybrid junction.

The swept signal was pulse modulated and the width of the pulse was automatically regulated to keep the incident power constant. As shown in figure 2-29, a barretter detector

POWER MONITOR COUPLES

KLYSTRON

SIGNAL SOURCE 1

BARRETTER

DETECTOR

VARIABLE PULSE WIDTH —GENERATOR CZl

BARRETTER

DETECTOR

TUNED

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

REFERENCE SOURCE

TUNED

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

SIGNAL COMPARATOR

SQUARE ROOT EXTRACTOR

MOTOR

DRIVE CONTROL

FREOUENCT MARKERS

RECOROinC MOTOR

CHART RECORDER

ITEM UNDER

TEST

Figure 2-29. Block diagram of automatic broadband ref lectometer. (Reprinted by permission:

A. L. Witten and R. E. Henning, "A Recording Broadband Waveguide Ref lectometer".

National Electronics Conference Proceedings, 7^, Nov. 1951, pp. 173-180.)

-30-
was used to achieve accurate square-law detection. The square root of the detected voltage

was taken with a servo-controlled squaring circuit which used a vacuum tube harmonic

generator. Instead of a hybrid or magic tee, a directional coupler having a directivity in excess of 40 dB was used.

(2) Compensated Directional Coupler

A different |r| versus frequency display equipment is shown in figure 2-30 [58], The

display is on a CRO and its scale is calibrated by means of a rotary vane attenuator. A

50 MHz bandwidth is swept at 35 GHz. The klystron output was not levelled, but, instead, a compensating signal was applied to control gain of the 12 kHz amplifier following the

12 kHz >qUARE-HAV£ GENERATOR

I

COUPLER

ROTARV

VANE ATTENUATOR

FIXED ATTENUATO

CONTROL UNIT POHER-CORRECTION —• INPUT

KLYSTRON SCAN

INPUT I OUTPUT! TIME-BASE'

VARIABLE PHASE- SHIFTER

FIXED PHASE- SHIFTER

6 dB DIRECTIONAL

COUPLER

6 dB DIRECTIONAL COUPLER J COMPONENT

UNDER

TEST

OsiflLLO

Figure 2-30. Display of [TI versus frequency using a compensated directional coupler.

detector. A complicated scheme was used to compensate for the imperfect directivity of a directional coupler over a 50 MHz band. This was done by using an identical directional

coupler terminated in a non-reflecting load. The signal due to its imperfect directivity was

then subtracted from the corresponding signal from the first directional coupler, by means

of hybrid "B" as shown in figure 2-30. It was claimed that the effective directivity

exceeded 52 dB over at least a 50 MHz bandwidth.

A known |r| of 0.2 was obtained by terminating a 7 dB attenuator in a short-circuit

adjusted to a mean position between minimum and maximum reflected signals. This device is

used to calibrate the reflectometer [58],

-31-
(3) Semi-automatic Tuning

The tedious adjustment of tuners in accurate fixed-frequency ref lectometers was made

semi-automatic by the arrangement shown in figure 2-31 [69]. A motor drive gives sliding

OCTCCTIOK SYSTEM

STANOAMO

UHCn y TUNEH •

REFLECTOMETER

PRE

O.C.RCF.

a

CARRIACE SWEEP MIVE

ADDED EQUIPMENT

Figure 2-31, Block diagram of the ref lectometer system using the semi-automatic

technique. (Reprinted by permission: M. H. Zanboorie, "A Semiautomatic Technique for Tuning a Ref lectometer" , IEEE Trans, on MTT,

13, no. 5, Sept. 1965, pp. 709-710.)

loads in the output waveguide of the ref lectometer a reciprocating motion and also feeds a synchronous sweep signal to a CRO. The ref lectometer output is displayed on the CRO, where

one can instantly see the effect of varying the tuners. The tuning time can thus be

substantially reduced.

(4) High Resolution Ref lectometer

A technique for measuring small reflections or for adjusting a waveguide termination

for non-reflection was developed in 1969 [90], It is related to the comparison

ref lectometer [77] and operates on a simple principle. As shown in figure 2-32, the test termination having a voltage reflection coefficient is placed at the end of a long

(2 meters) section of uniform waveguide. At the input to this waveguide is a taper to a step in the waveguide height which has a frequency-insensitive, calculable voltage reflection

coefficient F^. As the frequency is swept the two reflections go rapidly in and out of

phase, A ref lectometer measuring only the magnitude |F| of the resulting voltage reflection

coefficient has a response shown in figure 2-33. The maxima and minima of this response are approximately proportional to |F^| + |F^| and to |F^| - |r^|, respectively. It is

especially noteworthy that the sinusoidal variations caused by the interference of

reflections vanish when the reflection from the termination vanishes. This effect is useful

in tuning loads for no reflection and is valid even with imperfect reflectometers. As shown

in figure 2-33, one can calibrate the instrument by substituting a standard reflection forthe test item so as to obtain a sinusoid of known amplitude. One can then easily read |F| versus frequency by noting the amplitude versus frequency of the sinusoid produced when the test item is connected.
MARKERS (COM STUBS)

0/C S/C UNIFORM

ACCURATE n WAVEGUIDE 7 C

SIIOINC MATCHED

LOAD

STANDAtD

REFLECTION

•tb

UNKNOWN

Figure 2-32. The high-resolution ref lectometer. (Reprinted by permission:

D. L, Hollway and P. I. Somlo, "A High-resolution Swept-f requency

Reflectometer", IEEE Trans, on MTT, YT_, no. 4, April 1969,

pp. 185-188.)

Figure 2-33. A typical broad-band display. The amplitude of the sinusoid is

proportional to the reflection at the output flange of the "long"

waveguide. (a) A well-matched load, shovm with frequency markers.

(b) A standard reflection iFg] = 0.05, used for calibration.

(c) The input port of an isolator fitted with a broadband matching

device. (Reprinted by permission: D. L. Hollway and P. I. Somlo, "A High-resolution Swept-frequency Ref lectometer", IEEE Trans, on MTT, 17, no. 4, April 1969, pp. 185-188.)

-33-
d. Lumped Resistance Bridge

It is interesting that the magic T and the Wheatstone bridge shown in figure 2-34 have

similar properties regarding the measurement of voltage reflection coefficient T. In each

case the detector response is proportional to F^. Normally, the performance of lumped

NON-REFLECTING

DETECTOR

TEST

ITEM

NON-REFLECTING

LOAD

NON-REFLECTING

SOURCE

a) Magic T b) Wheatstone Bridge

Figure 2-34. Schematic diagrams and detector response equations

for Magic T and Wheatstone bridge.

element bridge circuits at low frequencies does not extend to high frequencies because the

effect of residual impedances such as lead inductance and stray capacitance modifies the

circuit. However, by careful attention to the design of a small bridge circuit, it

has been possible to extend normal bridge performance up through frequencies as high as 12.4 GHz 112U].

A swept frequency system for displaying |r^| versus frequency has been developed

[120, 122], The small bridge circuit includes a detector whose d-c output is fed to the d-c amplifier of an oscilloscope. The VSWR scales are calibrated by inserting standard

attenuators between the source and the bridge when the test item is an open circuit. At

the lower frequencies, (up to 100 MHz) an external standard resistor and length of line can be used to obtain a ripple response useful for measuring small |r^| or high return loss

[122],

Although the detector voltage E^^ carries phase information concerning F^, this has not

been exploited, and is lost when rectification to dc occurs. However, it is conceivable

that techniques might be developed in the future to make phase infomation available.

With the present system, a swept frequency source must be well-leveled and have a low

internal reflection coefficient. The bridge directivity is stated to be in excess of 43 dB

up through 3 GHz. The detector law should be known or calibrated. With these precautions,

the accuracy obtainable is comparable to that of other good swept frequency systems,

-34-
2.5, \^n\ ^^'^ 1^21^ Versus Frequency

In some applications, particularly when one wishes to instantly see the effect of circuit

adjustments upon performance, a simultaneous display of both reflection and transmission data

is very useful.

a. Rectangular Waveguide

An automatic "simultaneous" display on a CRO of both reflection and transmission

characteristics of 2-port devices was produced in 1954 on a swept frequency basis over the

range 8.5 to 9.6 GHz [25]. The purpose was to enable broadband TR (Transmit-Receive) tubes

to be tuned. The investigation of parasitic resonances was also facilitated.

A klystron oscillator was grid-modulated at 262 kHz while its frequency was swept at

12 Hz. Directional couplers and crystal detectors were used in a straight forward manner to monitor reflected and transmitted power associated with a 2-port. On alternate half-cycles

of the frequency sweep, reflection was displayed above baseline on the CRO and transmission

was displayed below the baseline as shown in figure 2-35.

Figure- 2-35. CRT display of the characteristics of a filter. (Reprinted by

permission: H. H. Rickert and D, Dettinger, "An X-band Rapid-sweep

Oscillator", IRE Con. Record, 2^, Part 10, 1954, pp. 7-13.)

A different setup for simultaneously recording the magnitudes of reflection and

transmission characteristics of a network was described in 1960 [49]. The principle of

first recording calibrated grid lines was introduced „ Figure 2-36 shows a setup for making

swept frequency recordings of |r| versus frequency and typical results are shown in

figure 2-37. Figure 2-38 shows a setup for making swept frequency recordings of attenuation

versus frequency and typical results are shown in figure 2-39. Simultaneous separate

recordings of |r| and attenuation are made with the setup shown in figure 2-40. The use of

separate recordings permits one to pre-record calibration grid lines separately for | T \ and

attenuation recordings, so as not to get too many lines on the same chart.

-35-
DETECTOR

FREQUENCY-^

METER \

20 dB COUP 0 dB COUPLER

CALIBRATING SHHORT-1

Figure 2-36. Microwave equipment set-up for making swept-frequency measurements of

reflection coefficient. Use of precision attenuator in reflection arm

enables a calibrated grid to be established for desired range of

reflection coefficient. (Reprinted by permission: J. K, Hunton and

E. Lorence, "Improved Sweep Frequency Techniques for Broadband

Microwave Testing", Hewlett-Packard Journal, 12, no. 4, Dec. 1960.)

12.4 n.2 10.0 9.2 8.2 -— FREQUENCY (GHz)

Figure 2-37, Typical swept-frequency reflection-coefficient measurement.

Measurement can be recorded on transparent paper so that calibration

grid, once made, can serve as an underlay for many measurements. X's

show true value of three largest reflections as measured by singlefrequency set-up. (Reprinted by permission: J, K. Hunton and

E. Lorence, "Improved Sweep Frequency Techniques for Broadband

Microwave Testing", Hewlett-Packard Journal, 12, no. 4, Dec. 1960.)

-36-
X-Y

RECORDER RATIO METER

DETECTORFREQUENCYMETER

SWEEP

GENERATOR

7

COMPONENT TO

BE TESTED

"7^

20 dB COUPLER STANDARD

ATTENUATORS

DETECTOR

dB PAD

Figure 2-38. Equipment set-up for making swept—frequency measurements of attenuation.

Calibration grid for attenuation measurements can be made by using one attenuator to establish desired attenuation region and second one to add small values to desired level. (Reprinted by permission:

J, K. Hunton and E. Lorence, "Improved Sweep Frequency Techniques for

Broadband Microwave Testing", Hewlett-Packard Journal, no. 4, Pec. 1960.)

CO

T3O

1—

12.4 11.2 10.0 9.2

FREQUENCY (GHz)

8.2

Figure 2-39. Measurement of attenuation of attenuator with dial set for 50 dB.

Measurement can be recorded on transparent paper so that one calibration

grid can serve for many measurements. (Reprinted by permission:

J, K, Hunton and E. Lorence, "Improved Sweep Frequency Techniques for

Broadband Microwave Testing", Hewlett-Packard Journal, _12, no, 4, Dec. I960.")

-37-
Figure 2-40. Equipment set-up for simultaneously measuring reflection and attenuation of

component under test. Separate recorders are used so that grid lines for

reflection coefficient and for attenuation appear on separate charts.

(Reprinted by permission: J. K. Hunton and E. Lorence, "Improved Sweep

Frequency Techniques for Broadband Microwave Testing", Hewlett-Packard

Journal, 12^, no, 4, Dec, I960.)

The ratio meter used in these techniques measures the magnitude of the ratio of two square-law detected 1 kHz voltages. Its principle is shown in figure 2-41. Voltage E^ is

split and the phases of the components are shifted by + 90° and - 90°, respectively.

Figure 2-41, Diagram Illustrating principle of ratio meter. (Reprinted by permission:

Hewlett-Packard Instruction Manual, Hewlect-Packard/Operatlng and Service

Manual, Section IV, 416A Radio Meter, printed Nov, 1961,)

-38-
The phase of voltage is shifted by 90° and added to the two components of E^^. The

resultant voltages and Eg are equal in magnitude and their phase 6 is determined by the

equation

tan 9 = (11)

^1

The voltages A and B are fed to circuits which produce pulses as the voltages go through

zero towards the negative direction. These pulses are applied to a flip flop circuit to produce a rectangular wave, the average value of which is proportional to 9. The output

meter scale is calibrated to read /tan 9 which gives the desired ratio (corrected for

square-law detection) of the microwave voltages before detection.

If the voltages are derived from the same source, variations in level will cause both

voltage magnitudes to vary but the ratio meter Indication will not change.

b. Coaxial

A swept-frequency ref lectometer for the frequency ranges 20-1500 MHz and 0.5-7.0 GHz

has been developed, employing broadband directional couplers having directivities greater

than 40 dB for the lower range and greater than 37 dB for the higher range [89]. The

directional coupler for the lower range is actually a lumped element resistive bridge shown

in figure 2-42. The bridge is driven by a balanced source feeding terminals 1 and 5, and

all other terminals except 7 and 8 are terminated in standard (Z^) resistive loads. The

output voltage of the detector at terminal 7 is proportional to the voltage reflection

coefficient T of the unknown at terminal number 8 [93].

Figure 2-42. Lumped element resistive bridge. (Reprinted by permission:

T. E. MacKenzie, "Some Recent Advances in Coaxial Components for

Sweep-frequency Instrumentation", Microwave Journal, 12_, no. 6,

June 1969, pp. 69-77.)

-39-
In order to be able to simultaneously display reflection and transmission coefficients,

the r-f circuit is arranged as shown in figure 2-43. The first directional coupler is used

SOURCE REFLECTION UNKNOWN TRANSMISSION DETECTOR DETECTOR

TERMINATION

A TERMINATION

Figure 2-A3. Directional-coupler arrangement. (Reprinted by permission:

T. E. MacKenzie, "Some Recent Advances in Coaxial Components for

Sweep-frequency Instrumentation", Microwave Journal, _12^, no. 6,

June 1969, pp. 69-77.)

for source leveling. Resistance- loaded diode detectors operate with square-law characteristics at low and moderate signal levels. Their 10 kHz demodulated output is rectified by a synchronous detector which is gated and holds sampled voltages on a storage capacitor. A

d-c buffer amplifier provides d-c for display and metering. A block diagram is shown in

figure 2-44.

INSERTION-LOSS

INPUT

LOW-NOISE

PREAMP

1 O-kHz

05C modulation "output to source

PREAMP

SWITCH

MAIN AMP

ATTENI UATOR

I CHAIN

lO-kHz TUNED

AMP

OUTPUT

AMP

LOW-NOISE

PREAMP

LOW HIGH

FREO

SYNCH SAMPLE AND HOLD

DETECTOR

TIME CONSTANT

TRIGGER CIRCUIT

TRIGGER INPUT FROM SOURCE

DC BUFFER

AMP

SIGNAL OUTPUT

TO METER S EXTERNAL

DISPLAY

SWR, RETURN-LOSS

INPUT

Figure 2-44. Synchronous detector block diagram. (Reprinted by permission:

T. E. MacKenzie, J. F. Gilmore, and M, Khazam, "The New Sweepfrequency Ref lectometer". General Radio Experimenter, 43,

no's. 3 and 4, March-April 1969, pp. 3-14*.)

-40-
2.6. Gain or Loss Versus Frequency

An early (1933) recording transmission measuring system was developed to operate at audio

frequencies [4]. A motor driven oscillator swept through the frequency range while a strip

chart recorder made a record of the receiver output. The source was leveled and a frequency

marker was automatically put on the record by means of a tuned circuit. A block diagram of

the system is shown in figure 2-45. This system demonstrated some of the advantages of

automatic measurement and was a precursor for the modem sophisticated systems which later

evolved.

SYNCHRONOUS

MOTOR

ADJUSTABLE

FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR

SENDING

PANEL

CIRCUIT

'UNDER TEST'

RECEIVING

PANEL

TUNED CIRCUIT

RECORDING

METER

Figure 2-45. Schematic arrangement of recording system, (Reprinted by permission:

F, H, Best, "A Recording Transmission Measuring System for Telephone

Circuit Testing", Bell System Technical Journal, 12^, no, 1, January

issue, pp. 22-34, Copyright 1933, American Telephone and Telegraph

Company.)

2.7. Display of Complex Z or F

a. Multiple Probes

Up to this point, we have discussed partial automation of measurement of complex Z or F, or of only the magnitude of Z or F by the following techniques. The voltage standing wave

Is sampled by:

(a) Moving a probe along a slot.

(b) Moving the standing wave past a fixed probe.

(c) Moving the standing wave past two fixed probes.

(d) Transforming the standing wave to an elliptlcally polarized magnetic field

and rotating a magnetic field probe.

In contrast to these techniques, we now consider measurement of Z or F by sampling the

standing wave simultaneously at three or more fixed points whose relative positions are known.

-41-
(1) Four Fixed Probes

One of the simplest methods for obtaining a display of complex F on a CRO was reported

in 1947 [11]. As shown in figure 2-46, the differences in the rectified dc outputs of two

FM

OSCILLATOR ATTENUATOR

VERTICAL

AMPLIFIER

HORIZONTAL

AMPLIFIER

Figure 2-46. Schematic drawing of the simple four-probe method, (Reprinted by

permission: A, L. Samuel, "An Oscillographic Method of Presenting

Impedances on the Reflection Coefficient Plane", Proc. IRE, 35 , no. 11, Nov. 1947, pp. 1279-1283.)

pairs of probes (the four probes spaced X /8 apart along the center of the broadwall of a rectangular waveguide) are fed to the vertical and horizontal dc amplifiers, respectively of

an oscilloscope. Suppose that the incident and reflected voltage waves have magnitudes and

V and phase difference

K One of the CRO deflections is proportional to V sin 0, and theK Other is proportional to V cos 0 (in the ideal case) , so that a spot is produced on the R screen in the same relative position that T would have in the complex plane. It is assumed

that probe loading is negligible, that the source is non-reflecting, that the probes and

detectors are identical and square- law. Departures from these conditions will cause errors.

If the frequency is swept, additional errors will be introduced because the probe

spacing will depart from the correct value as the frequency changes from the design

frequency. A change in signal level during sweeping can introduce additional error. If the

frequency is not swept more than 5 percent, it is claimed that one can hold the total

undertainty in |r| within 5 percent.

Instead of using four probes, it is possible to use directional couplers and hybrid

junctions to achieve the same results as shown in figure 2-47.

FM

OSCILLATOR

DIRECTIONAL COUPLER

DIRECTIONAL COUPLER

Figure. 2-47. A circuit employing hybrid junctions to perform the required additions

and substractions. (x denotes detector attached to arm of hybrid

junction.) (Reprinted by permission: A. L. Samuel, "An Oscillographic Method of Presenting Impedances on the Reflection

Coefficient Plane". Proc. IRE. 35_, no. 11, Nov. 1947, pp. 1279-1283.)

-42-
If one desires the transmission coefficient S^j^ of a 2-port, the arrangement in

figure 2-48 is suggested. However, the main advantage of this technique lies in its

simplicity and ease of setting up in the form shown in figure 2-46.

OSCILLATOR

j

2 \ / \ T

Figure 2-48. Transmission-measuring circuit based on the same principles. (Reprinted by

permission: A. L. Samuel, "An Oscillographic Method of Presenting Impedances

on the Reflection Coefficient Plane", Proc„ IRE, _35, no. 11, Nov. 1947,

pp. 1279-1283.)

A later (1958) version of the four-probe technique achieves a 10 percent sweep at X-band by improved source leveling and claims the total uncertainties in |r| are within

± 4 percent, and, in phase of F within ± 2° [39]. The sum of a pair of probe voltages is

proportional to V^^ (1 + |r|^) and is held constant by comparing it to a standard reference

voltage to derive an error signal which is applied to a ferrite attenuator.

A still later (1963) version of the 4-probe technique used wall current detectors and

operated on a swept frequency bandwidth of 10 percent at X-band [60], It was stated that

because of the simplicity of the principle, it could easily be scaled down in size for use

at millimeter waves.

(2) Three ( or five) Fixed Probes

Instead of using four fixed probes and taking the difference of detector outputs from

probe pairs, a more complicated system was developed for combining the square-law detected

outputs from three fixed probes [57], The advantage was stated to be more broadband

operation without introducing inherent error due to incorrect probe spacing at other than

the design frequency.

-43-
The three probes are equally spaced a distance H apart as shown in figure 2-49. The

angular spacing 9 = 2tt£/A . The voltage reflection coefficient of the load referred to

G

REFLECTED WAVE

INCIDENT WAVE

SOURCE

P-j e -J'

LOAD

Figure 2-49. Arrangement of three probes in the measuring section.

probe position B is |r|e"'^. The three square-law detected probe voltages are:

V = K(l + |rr + 2 |r| cos il))

= K(l + |rr + 2 |r| cos + 26))

= K(l + |rr + 2 |r| cos (Tp - 20))

(12)

(13)

(14)

where K is a constant of proportionality depending upon the probe coupling and detector

sensitivity. It is assumed that K is the same for all three probes. It can be shown that

|r| sin ifj = V - V

C A

4K sin 2 6 (15)

and

|r| cos i(j = 4K sin^ 9 (16)

It is evident that the above combinations of detected probe voltages will yield suitable

CRO deflection voltages to produce a visual display of complex F. Calibration is

accomplished by appropriate amplifier gain adjustments when the load is replaced by a non- reflecting termination and by a sliding short-circuit. When operating with swept-frequency

an automatic level control should be used which compensates for variations with frequency

of probe and detector characteristics.

-44-
If two more probes are added and the spacing between probes is chosen to be A /8, G

/ V' + V' \

|r| cos ^ = —j-^ Iv^ - ^ „ ^ ; » (17)

4K sin 2 e ^ ^

where and are voltages from probes at load and source ends, respectively. Then the

gains required for both deflection circuits will vary only moderately with frequency over an appreciable range.

The system diagram shown in figure 2-50 is intended for spot-frequency operation and

modification for swept-frequency use was thought possible, but was not done.

MEASURING

PORT

Figure 2-50. Schematic of reflection coefficient display equipment.

-45-
b. Directional Couplers and Hybrids

(1) Semi-automatic Diagraph

A simple system for visually displaying complex F at a single frequency within the range

30 - 300 MHz is shown in figure 2-51. It was described in 1955 [31],

RENCE

Figure 2-51. Diagram of semi-automatic frequency F-plotter. (Reprinted by

permission: R. C. Hess, "The Diagraph, A Direct Reading Instrument

for Graphic Presentation of Complex Impedances and Admittances",

IRE Con. Record, 2» Part 10, 1955, pp. 23-25.)

The signal is split into two channels, one terminated in the test item and the other

terminated by a sliding short-circuit. Directional couplers (directivity > 50 dB) feed

reflected signal components to mixers and two 10 MHz I-F channels are obtained. A portion of

each I-F signal is detected to give relative levels (one activates a light-spot galvanometer)

and the other portions feed opposite ends of a coiled, circular delay line. A capacitively

coupled probe (mechanically coupled to the Smith Chart Screen) is rotated to the position for

null output to provide phase in formation. Operation is semi-automatic in that the angular

position of the Smith Chart Screen is adjusted manually.

(2) Servo Control

A panoramic impedance plotter was developed in 1952 [22] to plot complex F on a servo- controlled recorder turntable. A variable frequency source operated between 900 and 1300 MHz. A hybrid ring phase comparator operating at 2650 MHz developed an error signal to operate the

turntable servo. A bolometer bridge output fed the recorder pen servo. Broadband

directional couplers were used to separate incident and reflected signal components.

-46-
A somewhat similar system operating from 8.4 to 9.9 GHz was described in 1954 [27], It used directional couplers to separate incident and reflected components of a 60 Hz square- wave modulated signal. As shown in figure 2-52, hybrid junctions were used to split these

square-wave

modulated

r.f. energy

directional

couplers

reference lerrninals (adjustable)

-a- X20 d6 X20d6 n <

test 2\ impedance

length L sets

location of

reference

terminals

barretter

detector

phase

discriminator

magic

tee

C3E

vvv

Figure 2-52. RF impedance circuit schematic. (Reprinted by permission:

W. F. Gabriel, "An Automatic Impedance Recorder for X-band",

Proc. IRE, 42, no. 9, Sept. 1954, pp. 1410-1421.)

signal components so that simultaneously magnitude and phase detectors could be operated.

The magnitude and phase servo loops shown in figures 2-53 and 2-54 operated at 60 Hz and

controlled a turntable and recorder pen. Frequency sweep and frequency indication are performed manually. Approximately 10-15 minutes are required to obtain a plot of T over the

frequency range of the equipment.

-47-.
r.f. input Ej r.f. input Er

A V

linear

potentiometer

buffer

onnplifler

=i^^e:i output "1-^ square-low

potentionaeter ^, ...

gH^reduction

y gear

expand*

1^1 pen drive

5p

Ih O

60 c.p.s.

servo

amplifier

V,w VAX

amplitude

loop

comparator

Figure 2-53, Magnitude servo loop. (Reprinted by permission: W. F. Gabriel

"An Automatic Impedance Recorder for X-band", Proc. IRE, no

Sept. 1954, pp. 1410-1421.)

r.f. signat rotary phase shifter

synchro "U-'

gen. "

phase

angle

signal

to turntable

# 21

reduction gear

phase

discriminator

/-^reduction

! 60

J

servo phase loop

to E amplifier comparator

Figure 2-54. Phase servo loop. (Reprinted by permission: W. F. Gabriel,

"An Automatic Impedance Recorder for X-band", Proc. IRE, 42 , no. 9, Sept. 1954, pp. 1410-1421.)

-48-
(3) Balanced Modulator

An early swept frequency system (8.8 - 10 GHz) for displaying F on a CRO was described

in 1951 [18]. A rotating phase shifter was used to produce a "local oscillator" signal

220 Hz away from the source frequency which was swept mechanically, once every two seconds.

The 220 Hz driving energy for the rotating phase shifter was derived from an oscillator which

also furnished the reference signals for balanced modulator types of phase sensitive

detectors which fed the deflection amplifiers of a CRO. Although details are lacking, this

portion of the circuit appears similar to an earlier system [5]. At fixed frequencies, a null balance method using an audio attenuator and phase shifter were used to obtain increased

accuracy. The circuit is shown in figure 2-55 and incorporated one of the first rotary vane

attenuators. It was noted that the system could also be used to measure complex transmission coefficients by connecting the item under test directly between the output and the

signal input to the mixer.

KLYSTRON

(MECHANICALLY/

SWEPT IN FREQUENCY

)

R.V.A. 3 C j/l C

3 L A —3 C

DIRECTIONAL

COUPLERS

ROTARY PHASE CHANGER

MAGIC T BALANCED

ER

TO COMPONENT

ON TEST

220 c/s GENERATOR V

AC REFERENCE 220 c/s

220 c/s AC AMPLIFIER

PHASE NSITIVE TECTOR^

DC REFERENCE QUADRATURE NETWORK 7 C.R.T.

Figure 2-55. Circuit diagram.

-49-
Another system which appears to use the balanced modulator circuit [1,3,5] was

developed in 1953 [23], It displays F on a CRO which has a Smith Chart overlay. It sweeps

over 100-200 MHz or 200-400 MHz. Two tracking local oscillators produce I-F's of 40 MHz and

5 MHz. As shown in figure 2-56, voltages proportional to the direct and reflected waves are

LOA

K,e A

DIRECTIONAL COUPLER ^

DELAY

LINE

DIRECT

WAVE

E^

40 MHz r{

R-F OSC

1ST LOCAL

"SC

WAVE

TRAP REFLECTED

WAVE

1ST MIXER

1ST MIXER

MOD

1 DETECTOR

•mrX AND

1 D-C AMP

discriminator

d-c^Kmp

I-F AMP

I-F AMP

2ND MIXER

DIR I-F AMP

REACTANCE TUBE AND 2ND LOCAL OSCILLATOR

MARKER GENERATOR INTENSIFIER

AMP

5 MHz

OS 0 AUDIO

AMP

CRO

AUDIO

AMP

Figure 2-56. Automatic Smith Chart impedance plotter.

obtained from a directional coupler. The direct wave is maintained at a constant level by

an AVC circuit so that the reflected wave magnitude is proportional to |r|. It is split into

two channels and applied to two phase-sensitive detectors (probably the balanced modulator

circuit) whose bias signals are obtained from the direct wave and are in quadrature. The

detector outputs are proportional to the rectangular components of F. Instead of operating the balanced modulator circuit at I-F, it was used directly at 8.2-12.4 GHz in a system developed in 1956 1 35 J, The source is swept at 20-50 Hz and a visual display of complex F is obtained on a medium persistence screen of a CRO. The block

diagram shown in figure 2-57 contains a leveling arrangement and a delay line to equalize

the phase shift in the two channels. Calibration (gain adjustment) is accomplished using

either a short-circuit termination in place of the load or a standard mismatch ha"<^ing a calculable VSWR of 2.0 (or close to this figure).

-50-
VARIABLE

ATTENUATOR

CRO

Figure 2-57. Complete block diagram. (Reprinted by permission: J. P. Vinding,

"The Z-scope, An Automatic Impedance Plotter", IRE Con. Record, 4,

part 5, 1956, pp. 178-183.) ~

-51-
(4) Hybrid Tees

One of the first swept frequency systems employing the balanced modulator circuit at microwave frequencies was described in 1955 [30] and used seven hybrid tees. The required

90° phase shift is accomplished in two 45° steps. A special waveguide section was built in

such a way that the phase shift was insensitive to frequency variations over a 12 percent

bandwidth (8.5-9.6 GHz). The simplified circuit of figure 2-58 shows five hybrid tees and

two more are contained in the product detectors which use the same principle as the

thermionic meter circuit patented in 1926 [1]. It was stated [34] that because of the

complexity of this system it could not be expected to yield results as accurate as the

slotted line.

w = w Z

UNKNOWN

IMPEDANCE

ADJUSTABLE

REFERENCE

MOD RF

SIGNAL

INPUT E

SIGNAL BRANCH

45°

VW

VERT

DEFL

PRODUCT

DETECTOR

PRODUCT DETECTOR

I CHANNELS

PRODUCT

DETECTOR

HORIZ,

DEFL

45'

C

'

REFERENCE BRANCH

Figure 2-58. Waveguide impedance meter. (Reprinted by permission: H. L. Bachman,

"A Waveguide Impedance Meter for the Automatic Display of Complex

Reflection Coefficient", IRE Trans, on MTT, 2» no. 1, Jan. 1955,

pp. 22-30.)

c. Long Line, Variable Frequency

(1) Swept Frequency

A simple swept frequency system developed in 1966 [72] made use of a long line to sweep

the standing wave past a fixed probe. The audio frequency. detected probe output was split

and fed to two phase detectors which also received two detected signals (one shifted 90° in

phase) from a probe in a reference delay line. As shown in figure 2-59, the d-c outputs of

the phase detectors were fed to deflection circuits of a CRD to provide visual display of T or Z with a Smith Chart overlay. The circuit appears to be the familiar [5] balanced

modulator type for obtaining a polar display. A display of T can also be obtained on an

X-Y recorder.

-52-
SWEEP

GENERATOR

POWER

DIVIDE

8.2 1 2.4GHz

REFERENCE DELAY LINE WAVEGUIDE

153 lEC - R 100(WR 90)

ISOLATOR

FILTERS AND

RADIOMETRIC

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

PHASE

DETECTOR

PHASE

DETECTOR

£

10 METERS

DELAY LINE

REFERENCE

SHORT

WAVEGUIDE

153 lEC -

UNKNOWN

COMPONENT

AUDIO —AMPLI FIER

R 100(WR 90)

90° PHASE

SHI FTER

OSCILLOSCOPE OR X-Y-RECORDER

Figure 2-59. Block diagram of the Smith chart plotter. (Reprinted by permission:

C, Mahle and G. Epprecht, "Reflection Measurements with Broadband Frequency

Modulation Using Long Transmission Lines", IEEE Trans, on MTT, 14 , no. 10,

Oct. 1966, pp. 496-497.)

(2) Stepped Frequency

An interesting and original technique called the comparison ref lectometer was developed

in 1967 [77]. Although its main use was to measure the distribution of discontinuities

producing small reflections along a moderate length (1 meter or so) of low- loss waveguide,

it also had the capability to measure the magnitudes and phases of the reflection

coefficients. A number of ideas were incorporated into the system for automatically stepping

the frequency and for obtaining the data on punched paper tape for computer processing.

As shown in figure 2-60, a conventional reflectometer is used to measure the magnitude

|r| of the voltage reflection coefficient of the 2-port reference terminated in the

component under test. The component under test is connected to the reference reflection by

a length of precision waveguide (usually not less than 10 cm for IEC-R-100 or WR-90

waveguide). The 2-port reference consisted of a step in the waveguide height for which the

voltage reflection coefficient is calculable and relatively insensitive to frequency

changes. As the frequency varies, the phases of the various reflections from the component

under test, referred to the plane of the reference reflection, vary full cycle or more, depending upon their distances from the 2-port reference. The resulting data (essentially

|rp versus the wave number v = 1/A ) is a complicated wave having various frequency

G

components. The contributions at different frequencies (depending upon the distance from

the 2-port reference) are determined by Fourier Analysis of the waveform.

-53-
FREQUENCY

CONTROL

76 STEPS

IN RANGE

0-150 V.DC.

SWEEP

GENERATOR

.2-12.4 GHz

in

OPERATIONS

SEQUENCE

CHANGE FREQ PRINT DIGITS

OUTPUT

VOLTAGE E 0-7.77 V.DC,

START READ

' 1' 1

WAVEMETER

MATCHED

LOAD

Figure 2-60. A block diagram of the comparison ref lectometer used for locating and

measuring reflections in X-band waveguide. (Reprinted by permission:

D. L. Hollway, "The Comparison Ref lectometer", IEEE Trans, on MTT 15^, no. 4, April 1967, pp« 250-259.)

There are two methods used to remove background fluctuations from the output trace of the

reflectometer . (Such fluctuations could result from imperfections in the components, for

example, from the finite directivities of the directional couplers.)

1) Since the chief fluctuations usually appear within 20 cm of the reference, in R-lOO

waveguide, a 20 cm waveguide is inserted between the reference reflection and the component.

2) A substitution technique is used in which data is collected during two separate runsone without, and the other with, the 2-port component under test connected to the instrument.

The instrumental reflections are present in both runs and can be removed during computation.

It is assumed that the reflections are small, do not significantly interact, and are independent of frequency. The effect of violations of these assimptions on the accuracy of

measurement has not been thoroughly investigated. One can see that a reflection that varies

slowly with frequency can be measured more accurately with this technique than one which is

strongly frequency dependent. However, it would be difficult to estimate the relative

accuracies. As shown in figure 2-61, results of measurements of of a test item located

30 cm from compared fairly well at various frequencies with slotted line measurements. If

it is desirable to measure components in relatively narrow frequency bands, a sufficiently

long plain guide must be used to obtain at least one complete cycle in the band chosen.

(Usually more cycles are needed in order to get away from additional "noise" in the low

frequency end of the spectrum.

)

-54-
Figure 2-61, The reflection coefficient of an inductive iris shown as a function of

frequency at different distances. The full lines, plotted by the comparison

ref lectometer , agree closely with the standing-wave impedance measurements,

shown dotted. (Reprinted by permission: D, L. Hollway, "The Comparison

Reflectometer", IEEE Trans, on MTT, 15, no. 4, April 1967, pp. 250-259.)

As the computation includes a correction for the waveguide loss and as the calibration can easily be checked, the loss in accuracy is not great. One can see that the smaller the

frequency interval required (the greater the distance), the less will vary, and the more

the assumptions will be satisfied. However, the accuracy of measurement of decreases as the distance between the discontinuity and the reference reflection diminishes.

Within the above stated limitations, the method gives finer resolution than narrow band Time Domain Ref lectometry and for small reflections, the errors do not appear to be serious. If the reflection coefficients do not vary too rapidly, with frequency, it is

possible to obtain both magnitudes and phases of reflection coefficients versus frequency

to acceptable accuracy.

A coaxial version of the comparison reflectometer has not yet been described. Although

it would be somewhat more difficult to construct than in rectangular waveguide, it would

still be quite practical.

-55-
d. Rotating Slot Coupler

This method is described in 2.3.b.(l).

e. Z at 1592 Hz

As has been seen, automatic techniques developed for measurements at low frequencies are

often applicable at high frequencies. Thus, the techniques developed for automatic

impedance measurement at 1592 Hz for the VAST (Versatile Avionic Shop Test) system are of

wider interest [76]

,

The voltage across the device under test and the current through it are sampled at their

peak values and the voltage is sampled at the time when the current passes through zero„ These times Tl, T2, and T3, are determined by using a system "clock" crystal oscillator and

counting the correct number of clock pulses starting from a zero crossing of the wave. One

can determine the impedance from the relationships

The angle by which the voltage leads the current (the phase angle of Z) is determined

by counting the time period between zero crossings of the voltage and current wave forms and

converting to degrees.

Since the times Tl, T2, and T3 are generally different, the sampled voltage and current

must be held until they can be digitized and their ratio determined. This is done in the

conventional way by charging a capacitor during the sampling time. A digital/Analog con- verter is employed which uses ladder circuits with resistors weighted in BCD 8421 code. The

output goes to a comparator having digital readout.

Errors in resistance, inductance, and capacitance are less than 3% over a wide range of

values, and are due to digitizer error and transient noise effects.

E(T2)

I(T1)' (18)

and toL or coc E(T3) -I(Tl)

I(T1)' E(T3) (19)

-56-
2,8. Phase Shift

In the 1960 's and before, interest in microwave automatic phase measurements was stimulated by the development of chirp radar systems, phased array antennas, linear electron

accelerators, etc. [50]. Of particular interest were departures from a linear phase-frequency

characteristic which could cause delay distortion. (See also section 2.10.) A bibliography

of phase measurement techniques was published in 1967 [78].

a. Single Sideband, Suppressed Carrier, Quadrature Method

In 1957, the need to measure phase in microwave antenna systems led to the development of

an automatic phase-measuring circuit [37], A rather complicated microwave circuit was used

to "generate a single sideband plus carrier reference signal. The equal amplitude and 90°

phase adjustments were accomplished manually at each operating frequency. The received

signal whose phase was to be measured was added and subtracted to the reference before

detection by two detectors. The detected audio signal contained the phase information and

this was read out by an audio frequency phase meter. Although this method was not adapted to swept frequency operation, it did give continuous readout of phase difference between two signals and could be used with a recorder for monitoring purposes. The limits of accuracy were stated to be ± 3° in the range 10 to 180°.

b. Modulated Sub-carrier System

In an automatic swept-frequency system, it is desired that the phase difference between

two signals be measured by a method which is insensitive to the relative magnitudes of the

two signals. This was accomplished in the modulated sub-carrier technique in 1960 [48],

using the following principles.

As shown in figure 2-62, certain phase relationships are indicated by a null in the

detected modulation voltage at the fundamental modulation frequency. This null is independent of the relative magnitudes of carrier and sub-carrier signals,

ment for measuring phase shift is shown in figure 2-63.

An arrangement of equip-

-h

-SC

(a)

Figure 2-62. Resultant signal at detector for certain phase relationships between carrier

and amplitude modulated subcarrier Eg^; a) E^ and Eg^, in phase b) Ec and

E in quadrature, c) and d) Eg^, and Er in quadrature, the conditions for no amplitude modulation of the resultant at the fundamental modulation frequency.
SUBCARRIER CHANNEL

SIGNAL

SOURCE ISOLATOR H

MATCHING

SECTION

20 dB LOSS

COMPONENT

UNDER

TEST

LEVEL SET STANDARD

PHASE SHIFTER

1 ATTENUATOR

CARRIER CHANNEL

10 dB

CRYSTAL DETECTOR

A-M

DETECTOR

Figure 2-63, Arrangement of equipment for microwave phase shift measurements, (Reprinted by- permission: G. E. Schafer, "A Modulated Subcarrier Technique of Measuring

Microwave Phase Shift", IRE Trans, on Instr. 9, no. 2, Sept. 1960, pp. 217-219.)

In 1965, an automatic swept- frequency system using the above principles was described

[67], Errors were discussed and performance data was given at a frequency of 9001 MHz. A

null-seeking servo system was used to automatically set the reference microwave phase shifter.

Linear position potentiometers were used to indicate the dial settings of the reference phase

shifter and the device under test, and the outputs were fed to an X-Y recorder. As the device

under test (such as a rotary vane attenuator) was varied, a plot was automatically obtained

of its phase shift. The error limits were claimed to be ± 0.1°. The system was not intended

for swept-frequency operation, but for continuous monitoring of phase changes at one frequency.

c. Balance-modulated Sub-carrier, Quadrature and Ratio Technique

In 1961, a method for sweep-frequency presentation of phase shifts of 2-port components was described [50]. The phase indication was independent of the relative magnitudes of the

signals in the reference and measurement channels. As shown in figures 2-64 and 2-65, a balanced modulator was used to amplitude modulate the sub-carrier in such a way that only

the sidebands appeared. The modulated signal was split and the split portions arrived at the

detectors in quadrature due to the inherent 90° phase difference between a 3 dB directional

coupler output and an E-H Tee, while the carrier signals arrived in phase. As shown in

figure 2-65, the signals at the detector were in general both phase and amplitude modulated,

but the detectors responded only to the amplitude modulation component. Thus one detector

output was proportional to sin 9, and the other to cos 9, where 9 was the phase difference

between the carrier in the reference channel and the subcarrier in the measurement channel.

Upon applying the detector outputs to a ratio meter, an indication proportional to tan 9 was

obtained. This indication is independent of the relative magnitudes of the signals from the

two channels at the detectors.

-58-
a) b)

Figure 2-64. Combination of carrier E^, and modulated subcarrier mEg^ at detectors

a) at detector no. 1, resultant amplitude modulation component at fundamental modulating frequency is mEg^ sin 6, and b) at detector

no, 2, resultant amplitude modulation component at fundamental

modulating frequency is mEgc cos 6.

REFERENCE BRANCH o

10 dB PAD -I SOL

O HOR VERT O

OSCILLOSCOPE

RATIO METER

Figure 2-65. Block diagram of phase measurement system. (Reprinted by permission:

S, B. Cohn and H. G. Oltman, "A Precision Microwave Phase-measurement System

with Sweep Presentation", IRE Intem'l. Con. Record, part 3, March 1961,

pp. 147-150.)

-59-
In order to keep the measured phase difference d small over the frequency band of

interest, a section of transmission line having a known, linear phase versus frequency

characteristic was chosen to have nearly the same total phase variation as the item under

test, and inserted in the reference channel.

In 1964, the above principles were used to construct commercially available automatic

microwave phase measurement systems operating at 1.2 - 1.4 GHz, 3.0 - 3.6 GHz, and

8.5 - 9.6 GHz. A discussion of errors was given and performance data were shown [64],

d. Two-probe Phase Detector on Slotted Line

An automated system for measuring microwave gain and phase versus frequency was described in 1963 [61], It was based upon the spaced pair of probes phase detector introduced in 1961 [51]. The reference and unknown signals are fed into the opposite ends of a slotted line having two spaced probes. The difference in the probe outputs is proportional

to the sine of the phase difference of the two signals at the center position of the two probes. For swept frequency operation where the signal level may be varying substantially, a phase null tracking system is employed as shown in figure 2-66. A servo system automatically

moves the pair of probes to the position for null output, and this is independent of the

relative signal levels. The phase shift versus frequency can be read out on an X-Y recorder.

As in the previous method (2.8.C.), a phase shift unit having known phase-frequency

characteristics is used in the reference channel so that it is only necessary to measure

small differences in phase shift between the reference unit and the unit under test. The measurement system can operate over 10:1 frequency ranges.

REFERENCE —

<

SLOTTED LINE

1 +

MOVING

PH/,SE DETECTOR)

TEST

4

PHASE

INDICATOR SERVO AMPLIFIER

and MOTOR

> * —

PHASE

DATA

Figure 2-66. Null tracking with movable phase detector. (Reprinted by permission:

P. Lacy, "Automated Measurement of the Phase and Transmission Characteristics of Microwave Amplifiers", IEEE Intern'l, Con, Rec, part 3,

March 1963, pp, 119-125),

e. Pulsed Signal Technique

A phase measurement technique for pulsed RF signals was developed to obtain stability

data on pulsed magnetrons, klystrons, traveling wave tube amplifiers, etc. [62], It employed the familiar balanced modulator circuit [1,3,5] with a 90° phase shift in the

signal applied to one of the modulators. A VHF clock oscillator was used to time a blanking

signal to the oscilloscope for a timing reference.

No analysis of errors was made, but the accuracy under CW operation was checked using a stable CW oscillator. Under pulsed operation, the system was capable of distinguishing

between stable pulsed magnetron sources and unstable ones, but no quantitative conclusions

about the accuracy were possible.

-60-
2.9. Complex S^^^

a. Fourier Techniques

The use of pulses or square waves in quickly determining the properties of linear

2-ports was discussed [6,7] in 1939 and 1942. It was stated in 1942:

"It is often desired to determine the characteristics of a circuit,

for example an amplifier, over its entire working frequency range. As often done point by point, this is a rather tedious procedure, and if

various circuit modifications are being tried, considerable time is

consumed in determining the overall effect of each modification."

"It has been seen that pulses contain all frequencies, and

rectangular periodic waves contain many multiple frequencies and hence

offer the possibility, when applied to a circuit to be tested, of indicating at once practically the entire frequency characteristic—at least to the extent to which the user is capable of interpreting the results."

Both magnitudes and phases of the complex amplitudes of the components of an input pulse

or square wave can be obtained by Fourier Analysis of the waveform. A similar analysis of

the output waveform will enable one to determine the transfer characteristics of each

component frequency of a linear network.

(1) Square Wave Testing

An excellent discussion of square wave testing was given in 1939 [6], The work was no doubt stimulated by the development of television receivers at RCA, where the technique was

very useful in adjusting compensating circuits in video amplifiers under operating conditions.

The further value of this technique in determining both magnitudes and phases of transmission

coefficients of 2-ports was well-understood and explained, but not widely exploited. The

required analysis of data was at that time rather time-consuming, but today could be handled more quickly with modem computers. It was stated [6] that: "In general, the frequency characteristic of any circuit, for frequencies

at and above the frequency of the square wave, can be obtained by dividing

each term in the harmonic series which represents the output wave by the

corresponding term of the series which represents the input wave. When the

input can safely be assumed to be square this process takes the form of

multiplying each term at the output series by n. The wave analysis may be

performed by calculation, if an expression for the observed wave form can be obtained, or by graphical methods if an accurate graph of the wave can be plotted. Information on several methods of wave analysis will be found

in standard engineering and mathematic texts. Calculation of the phase

characteristic is similarly determined from the phase angles obtained from

the wave analysis, correcting, if necessary, for any phase differences

between various components of the input wave."

Although point-by-point measurements may have been slow and tedious in 1942, they can now be fast and accurate using computer controlled automatic measuring systems.

-61-
The choice of the input waveform is important in facilitating the analysis. A

symmetrical square wave contains only odd harmonics as shown by the following equation

n=<"

e = — > - sin n (cot 4 (()) . (20)

IT ' -f n n=l

The use of non-symmetrical square waves enables one to introduce more frequency

components as stated [6] below:

"Waves whose time intervals are unequal contain even as well as odd

harmonics. The output wave shapes obtained with input waves of the type

' shown in figures 18, 19 and 20 (of ref . [6]) will in most cases be

similar to the wave shapes obtained by means of symmetrical waves. The

shape of the output wave over the long interval T, being similar to that

obtained by means of a symmetrical wave whose period is 2 T, while the

shape over the short interval 1^ will be similar to that obtained by the use of a symmetrical wave whose period is 2 T2. Thus, changing the

positive and negative time intervals may be considered equivalent to using

square waves of different frequencies at the same time."

"The general expression for a rectangular wave is:

n=oo cos (ncot + 0^)

n=l

E = — sin

^ , where (() = 0 (21) n niT b n

and b is the ratio of the full period to the shorter duration. It can be

seen that the amplitude of any harmonic whose number is an integral

multiple of b will be zero, and that the successive groups of harmonics,

lying between those whose amplitude is zero, are of opposite polarity

(reversed in phase)."

"The wave shown in figure 2-67 is square, having b = 2. In this

special case, the phase of all the components can be made to coincide

by choosing the origin at the beginning of the rise rather than at the

center of the positive portion of the wave and by plotting sine components

rather than cosines. In general, it will be found that most wave analyses

can be considerably simplified by proper choice of origin,"

-62-
to9

6

"D 7

6

a. 5

4. > 3

0 2

at 1 a: O

<2

-<

1—f~l -4 -

/A\ PC b —

1 1 1 1 _i_ _i_

1

I I "T~ TT

A. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 J I 1 1 1 .L 1 1 1 1 I I 1 1 1 1 !

» 3 5 7 9 • I 13 tb n 19 21 23 25 27 29 3( 3i 35 37 39

Harmonic Number

Figure 2-67. Symmetrical square wave.

"Output waves which are symmetrical with respect to time but whose

positive and negative half cycles are unsymmetrical indicate the

presence of non-linear distortion in the circuit. This effect is not

usually noticeable unless oscillations are present in the wave shape.

Where the amplitude of the wave trains at top and bottom are unequal,

some non-linear distortion is indicated. Oscillations on only one side

of the wave is usually indicative of saturation or cut-off in the equipment under test."

Although square wave testing was apparently only applied to the determination of

transmission coefficients, it could in principle also be applied to the determination of

reflection coefficients.

-63-
(2) Pulse Testing

The use of a non-periodic pulse is an extension of square-wave testing in which the

pulse is represented by a Fourier Integral

CO

e = J F(a))e^'^*^daj. (22) — oo

This is the sum of an infinite number of components, each of amplitude F((jj)daj spaced

infinitely close together. All frequencies are present in the pulse. With such an input,

the output current of a network is

oo

i = y F(aj)Y(to)e^'^''da). (23) — 00

Thus, one can determine the transfer admittance function if the response is determined

corresponding to a known input pulse [7],

b. Other Applications

Techniques of Fourier Analysis have been used in the comparison ref lectometer

(see 2.7.C [77]) and in time domain automatic network analysis [86, 105, 142, 147, 148, 150]o

It should also be noted that these techniques are employed in obtaining time domain information from frequency domain data, and vice-versa.

(1) I-F Substitution

Some automatic features were provided in a test set developed in 1949 at BTL to measure

complex transmission factors of networks [15]. The system operated over a frequency range

of 50-3600 kHz, and had an intermediate frequency of 31 kHz. Automatic frequency control

featuring combined phase and frequency sensitive control were applied to the master

oscillator. The local oscillator was slave to the master oscillator and maintained the

31 kHz difference frequency.

As shown in figure 2-68, the phase and transmission standards operated only at

(31 kHz = 31 kc) . Line lengths in the channels were balanced so that a frequency insensitive null could be obtained when the unknown was replaced by a "coaxial strap" (a straightthrough connection) . The master oscillator could then be swept through its entire range for

rapid appraisal of network performance by observation of the phase and transmission

difference indicators.

At single-frequency operation, the switching and null adjusting were done manually.

However, this circuit was the precursor of later BTL test sets that were more fully

automated.

-64-
APPARATUS UNDER TEST MEASURING ATTENUATOR

31 kc 0-60 db

D 0.1 db, STEPS

MASTER OSCILLATOR SLAVE OSCILLATOR

RANGE ATTENUATOR I

50 TO

3600 kc

1400 TO 14950 kc

SYNCH

OSC

f + 31 kc

PHASE INDICATOR TRANSMISSION

INDICATOR

PHASE DIFFERENCE

DETECTOR

AMPLITUDE d-c DIFFERENCE DETECTOR

F + 31 kc RANGE ATTENUATOR II

{> MOD -O

MEASURING PHASE SHIHER

CONTINUOUS 0° - 360°

Figure 2-68. Block schematic of the phase and transmission measurement system,

(Reprinted by permission: D. A. Alsberg and D. Leed, "A Precise

Direct Reading Phase and Transmission Measuring System for Video

Frequencies", Bell System Technical Journal, _28^, no, 1, April issue,

pp. 221-238. Copyright 1949, American Telephone and Telegraph

Company.

)

(2) Balanced Modulator Circuits

One of the earliest automatic systems for measuring the complex transmission coefficient

of networks was developed at BTL in 1933 [5], The motivation for the development was to reduce the time and tedium required to measure the complex transfer factor of amplifiers

over a wide range of frequencies in order to verify and apply Nyquist's criterion for

stability. For this reason, an automatic method of visual presentation was developed.

Although it operated mainly at audio frequencies, it introduced basic circuits which have

been used again many times at higher frequencies and is in use today in computer-controlled

automatic network analyzers.

-65-
Figure 2-69. Circuit of a vacuum tube wattmeter used to provide a rectified potential

proportional to the product of the two impressed grid potentials (both

of the same frequency) multiplied by the cosine of the phase angle

between them. (Reprinted by permission: E. Peterson, J. G. Kreer and

L, A. Ware, "Regeneration Theory and Experiment", Bell System Technical

Journal, _13, October issue, pp. 680-700. Copyright 1934, American

Telephone and Telegraph Company.)

Because of their importance, the basic circuits [1,3,5] will be described. As shown in

figure 2-69, a balanced modulator type of circuit is used in which the modulating and

carrier frequencies are the same. It was called a wattmeter [3,5] because it could be used

to measure power. The rectified output was proportional to v v cos 9, where 8 is

in out

the phase angle between the two voltages. The circuit is used in automatic measuring

systems to provide dc voltages which can be used to display on an oscilloscope the magnitude

and phase of a sinusoidal voltage. (In some modern automatic network analyzers, these d-c

voltages are digitized by an interface unit and fed to a computer for storage, analysis,

and error correction.)

In operation, a reference voltage v^^ is the input to the circuit under test and is also

applied in phase to both grids of the modulator tubes, as shown in figure 2-69. The output

voltage v^ of the circuit under test is applied in push-pull to the grids. The rectified

output current (i^) in the plate circuit is then

i = k |v. V I cos 0, (24)

1 ' in o'

where k is a constant of proportionality, and 0 is the phase difference between v^^ and v^.

Another balanced modulator circuit is employed as shown in figure 2-70 and operates

in a similar way except that the input voltage v^^ is shifted in phase minus 90° before

being applied in phase to both grids of the modulator tubes. The rectified output current

(12) in the plate circuit is

i„ = k |v. V I sin 0. (25)

2 ' in o

-66-
FROM

OSCILLATOR

PHASE 1

CIRCUIT

UNDER

TEST

CATHODE RAY

OSCILLOGRAPH

WATT

METER

WATT

METER

FROM

OSCILLATOR

PHASE 2 Pigure 2-70. Schematic diagram of the circuit used to plot the transfer factor

diagram on the screen of a cathode ray oscillograph. (Reprinted by

permission: E. Peterson, J, G, Kreer and L. A. Ware, "Regeneration

Theory and Experiment", Bell System Technical Journal, 13, October

issue, pp. 680-700. Copyright 1934, American Telephone and Telegraph

Company o

)

These two currents can be used to produce a visual display on a cathode ray oscilloscope

of the complex transfer factor T of the circuit under test. We define

T = (26)

The real part of T is

Re (T) = cos 0

,

(27)

and the imaginary part is

Im (T) =

V.xn sm

We note that

and

1, = k V. • Re (T)

,

1 m

(28)

(29)

i- = k V. • Im (T).

Z in (30)

The display on the oscilloscope is then proportional to the transfer factor T and exhibits

its picture in the complex plane.

'^It can be shown that the transfer factor is related to the scattering coefficients of the

circuit under test by T = 82^^/(1 + S^^^) , if the load is non-reflecting.

-67-
MAIN

FRAME

>

>

POLAR

DISPLAY UNIT

REFERENCE

Acos (jot

SIGNAL

BALANCED

MODULATOR

90° PHASE

SHI FTER

Bcos (ojt + e

)

Bcose

BALANCED

MODULATOR

Bs i ne

L . P . FILTER

L . P . FILTER

HORIZONTAL VERTICAL

RECORDER OUTPUTS

Figure 2-71, Block diagram of basic Polar Display Unit which converts polar magnitude

and phase information to be presented to its self-contained CRT. (Reprinted

by permission: R. W, Anderson and 0. T. Dennison, "An Advanced New Network

Analyzer for Sweep-measuring Amplitude and Phase from 0.1 to 12.4 GHz",

Hewlett-Packard Journal, 18, no. 6, Feb. 1967.)

As shown in figure 2-71, the balanced modulator circuit was used in the Polar Display

Unit of a 1967 Network Analyzer [74] and is used today in modern Automatic Network Analyzers,

One notes that correct operation of this circuit requires square-law detection and

matched detectors. Deviations from these requirements produce "detector errors". It is also

essential that an exact 90° phase shift is produced in v^^ before applying it to one of the

balanced modulator circuits. A deviation from this requirement produces what is called

"quadrature error".

2.10. Envelope Delay

a. Carrier Phase Shift Versus Frequency

An automatic measuring system that is capable of measuring transmission phase shift

(arg S^-j^) versus frequency can also measure group delay T^. If one defines

= ~ , where ij;„, = arg S,,, (31) G dco

one can calculate from the slope of the "^2^ "^^^^us frequency curve. If measured

in degrees at closely spaced discrete frequencies f , f , and f in GHz as shown in

L H

figure 2-72, then the calculated at frequency f is

[(H^,,), - (i|;,J„] ZrL -^2rH- ns. (32)

"^G 360 (fjj - fj^)

Although this result Is well-known, it may be unfamiliar to many metrologists who have not

actually had to measure group delay.

-68-
180,-

21 'L 180.5°

160 -

CVI -9-

140

1 20

100 _l

8.0

(f, )

I 8.1

(f)

FREQUENCY - GHz

8.2

(f„)

Figure 2-72. Measured A)2^ at three closely spaced frequencies,

For example, if

and

(^2i)l " 180.5°,

(^2i)h = 113.6°,

f„ = 8.2 GHz,

n

f = 8.1 GHz,

f^ = 8.0 GHz,

= 0.929 ns.

In computer-controlled automatic measuring systems, this calculation is part of the computer

program and the result is printed out automatically.

The assumption is made that the phase shift is linear with frequency over the range

-69-
Phase Shift of Envelope

The phase shift of a modulation envelope at 1.39 MHz was automatically measured in

196^+ [65] in order to measure group delay. A self-halancing phase meter having a servo- controlled phase shifter was used with an X-Y plotter to ohtain a recorded display of time

delay versus frequency from 2 to U GHz. A reference run without the test item gives the

residual time delay of the system.

A straightforward swept-frequency system to measure the phase shift of a sinusoidal

modulating envelope was descrihed in 1972 [ll^]. It used a levelled sweep oscillator operating around h GHz. The modulating frequency of 2.78 MHz resulted in 1° of phase shift for

1 ns of group delay. The modulated signal was sampled and detected before and after passage

through the device under test. As shown in figure 2-73, the phases of the two detected

envelopes were compared in a vector voltmeter and their phase difference displayed on an X-Y recorder.

With the device removed from the system, the phase zero of the vector voltmeter was moved in equal increments to put on calibration lines. The values of group delay at individual frequencies are then obtained by measurements on the plotted curve.

L.P. FILTER MODULATOR COUPLER

SWEEPER

9 9

TIME BASE

9S 20 dB

LEVEL

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

DETECTOR -W

1 .388 MHz

OR

277 KHz

VECTOR VOLTMETER

PHASE SIG.

X-Y

RECORDER

REF.

-I X5 I10 dB COUPLER

ISOLATOR

3 dB ATTENUATOR

TUNER

-I MULTIPLIER t- 3rVIC I

DEVICE

TUNER

3 dB ATTENUATOR

S DETECTOR

Figure 2-73. Group-delay test set,

-70-
In order to check the performance of the system, measurements vere made on a tappedresonator group-delay equalizer, which had calculable group-delay versus frequency characteristics. Agreement to within ± 0.2 ns was obtained between measured and calculated

group delay.

c . Two-tone Method

It was shown in 1930 [2] that one could determine the envelope delay T in seconds by

o measuring the phase M in degrees of a sinusoidal modulating signal having a frequency f, The envelope delay is approximated by

M

360 f, (33)

M

It was shown that the phase shift M is the average phase shift of the two sidebands produced

by the modulating signal if the phase shift is linear with frequency over the range f^ - fj^ to f + f,,, where f is the carrier frequency,

c M c Instead of modulating the carrier to produce sidebands, one can eliminate the carrier

and generate the sidebands separately as a two-tone signal. This scheme was used in I962

[59] to measure envelope delay in the 50 - 60 GHz range. The envelopes were recovered by

detectors before and after passing the two-tone signal through the unknown path as shown in

figure 1-1h, A rapid switching technique and a two-channel circuit permitted one to use a delay standard and a nulling technique to achieve high accuracy and sensitivity.

UNKNOWN

PATH

IF AMPL

n

osc

f,

AFC

OSC

DET

REFERENCE

PATH

DET

DELAY

COMP

^

1

sw

DET

DIFF AMPL

NULL

IND

Figure 2-74, Circuit used in two-tone method to measure envelope delay. (Reprinted by

permission: M. B, Chasek, "An Accurate Millimeter Wave Loss and Delay

Measurement Set", IRE Trans, on MIX, 10, no. 11, Nov. 1962, pp. 521-527.)

Another version was described in 1966 [70] in which the lower sideband was filtered out prior to detection, leaving the carrier and upper sideband. (See section 2.11.d.)

-71-
d. Frequency Modulation Technique

An automatic switching method has been developed for measuring envelope delay in the

50 GHz region [97]. It is based upon the principle of measuring the phase shift of a sinusoidal modulating signal [2], but instead of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation

(fm) is employed. The use of fm permits an increase in sensitivity of phase detection by

multiplication of the envelope frequency. As shown in figure 2-75, the 200 kHz modulating

frequency is multiplied by 49.

TRANSMITTER

50.2 GHz

CARRIER

OSCILLATOR

50 GHz CONVERTOR

i i i i

SWEEP

SIGNAL

SUBCARRIER

200 MHz

200 kHz

REFERENCE

PATH

PATH UNDER

TEST

RECEIVER

MIXER

f 30

LOCAL

OSCILLATOR

50.2 GHz30 MHz

MHz

DEMODULATOR 1

' 200 KHz RECORDER

X 49

L

r

1

PHASE

COMPARATOR

9.8 MHz

X 49

Figure 2-75. Simplified measuring-equipment block diagram. (Reprinted by permission:

M. Shimba and M. Kikushima, "An Accurate Delay-time Measuring Equipment

in the 50 GHz Region", IEEE Trans, on I&M, 19, no. 1, Feb. 1970, pp. 9-14.)

The phase comparator responds to the total phase shift between the modulating signal and

the detected signal, but only the phase shift through the path under test is desired.

Therefore, a reference path of known phase shift is provided and a rapid switching between

the two paths permits one to measure only the difference in the delay times between the two

paths.

-72-
e. Differentiating Phase Shift with Sawtooth Frequency Sweep

A sweep-frequency network analyzer described in 1972 [118] measured group delay by

differentiating the pha^e shift with respect to time d<J)/dt, while the frequency was being

linearly swept at a known constant rate k = df/dt. The group delay -d(})/da) was proportional

to ^(d({)/dt) . The phase detectors operated at the 80 KHz intermediate frequency, and measured the time

between positive-going zero crossings in the reference channel and signal channel.

The phase noise of the signal source limits the range of group delay measurement. No

data was given on range or accuracy. However, the frequency coverage consists of three

sweepable ranges 0.4 to 5, 4 to 50, and 40 to 500 MHz.

2.11. Complex Reflection and/or Transmission Coefficients

a. Using Balanced Modulator

(1) Hybrid Circuit Operating at r.f » In 1957, an automatic impedance plotter was described which introduced a coaxial hybrid

circuit and a polar display unit [36], The hybrid circuit operates like a Wheatstone bridge

[120], or like a magic tee [10], in that the complex ratio of the output to innut voltages is

(34)

where T is the voltage reflection coefficient of the unit under test, and it is assumed

that both signal source and detector are non-reflecting. The corresponding relationship for an ideal magic tee is

(35)

Thus the hybrid circuit has 12.04 decibels loss as compared with a magic tee. However, it

is more broad band in operation (50-250 MHz, and 180-900 MHz).

In order to obtain a display of complex F on a cathode ray oscilloscope, the familiar

two channel circuit with a 90° phase shift and balanced modulators [5,18,30,35, etc.] is

used.

Although the system was developed mainly as an automatic impedance plotter, it can also

display complex transmission coefficients using the circuit shown in figure 2^76.

-73-
REG,

SUPPLY

osc. —

DC. SCOPE

POLAR

DISPLAYER

REF SI6.

MATCHlrJG TEE

Figure 2-76. Arrangement for observing a Transfer Function. (Reprinted by permission:

C. B. Watts, Jr. and A. Alford, "An Automatic Impedance Plotter Based on a Hybrid-like Network with a Very Wide Frequency Range", IRE Con. Record, 5^, 1957, pp. 146-150.)

(2) I-F Input to Display Unit

The automatic swept-frequency impedance meter described in 1958 [381 also had the

capability to measure transmission coefficients by changing two waveguide links. The' diagram of figure 2-77 does not show details of the resolving amplifiers in the display unit,

but they appear to be the familiar 2-channel balanced modulator circuit as shown in

R.F. UNIT

ROTARY ATTENJATORDIRECTIONAL

COUPLER

REFLECTION i

\ 1ST TRANSMISSION

TERMINAL

2ND TRANSMISSION

DISPLAY UNIT

POLAR DISPLAY

OF REFLECTION COEFFICIENT

Figure 2-77. Simplified block diagram of Elliott automatic swept frequency impedance meter.

-74-
figure 2-55 from an earlier reference [18J . The system appears to be the same as that

described in (2.7.b(3) p. 49) with the addition of a line stretcher to vary the position of

the reference plane, and the provision for inserting a 2-port device to measure its transmission coefficient.

b. Complex V and I

A multi-frequency network analyzer was developed at the Leatherhead, Surrey (England)

Research Laboratory of the Electrical Research Association in 1959 [46], It operated at

18 frequencies within the range 0.159 to 15.9 kHz. It measured complex potential difference

V between two selected points in a network and the complex current I through a selected unit.

The direct phase difference (j) between V and I as well as the products VI cos (]) and VI sin (j) could be read out on dials at the control desk.

The measurement of voltage (or current) is made by comparing the selected voltage signal

from the network nodes (or shunt) with a reference signal derived from a servo-controlled

potentiometer and phase shifter, whose shafts are coupled to read out dials on the control

desk.

The multiplying operations are performed on a fixed frequency analog signal by means of

potentiometers and a sine-cosine resolver ganged with the voltage and current bridges.

c. I-F Substitution Without Computer Control

The 5-250 MHz loss and phase set described in 1961 [53] represented Another step towards

the 50 Hz-250 MHz computer-operated transmission measuring set which appeared in 1969 [92], It was based upon i-f substitution techniques used in earlier test sets [15] (2.9.b(l)) but

3 employed a "rapid sampling" technique as illustrated in figure 2-78, Use of rapid comparison and null balancing greatly reduces the effects of drift in the source level or of drift

in the i-f amplifiers and detectors. It also greatly relieves requirements of tracking of

conversion and phase loss of the converters, since they are common to the channels being

compared. "Sample and hold" circuits, in which charges were stored on capacitors, were used

to facilitate the comparison of signals propagating in turn through unknown and standard

paths. It also introduced the measurement of impedance by bridging [19] which extended the

capability of the transmission measuring set to impedance or reflection coefficient

measurements

In 1954, Slonczewski [26] described a transmission measuring circuit incorporating rapid

switching, at a 60 Hz rate, between the unknown and a reference strap; and null balancing

at the detector output.
Figure 2-78. (a) Rapid comparison principle of measurement: alternatively interposing X

and S between generator and load prevents errors from variations of generator

level, detection sensitivity, or shift of detector operating point, (b)

Impedance measurement of bridging. (c) Inversion of high impedance by A/4

line transformer, (Reprinted by permission: D. Leed and 0. Kummer, "A Loss

and Phase Set for Measuring Transistor Parameters and Two-port Networks

Between 5 and 250 mc". Bell System Technical Journal, 40 , no. 3, May issue,

pp. 841-884. Copyright 1961, American Telephone and Telegraph Company.)

Another important innovation was the calibration of the set for Impedance measurements by

measuring the insertion losses and phase shifts corresponding to three different known

impedance standards. It was recognized that the complex transmission coefficient T was

related to the impedance Z by the following linear fractional transformation

I-Hfl. (36)

where a, b, and c are complex coefficients. These coefficients can be evaluated by

measuring the complex values of T corresponding to each of three different known impedances.

The simplest known impedances are a short-circuit (Z = 0) , an open-circuit (Z = °°) , and a resistive non-reflecting load (Z = 50 ohms for the given coaxial line in use)

-76-
An off-line computer was used to do the required calculations.

Two techniques were used to check on errors.

1) Insertion loss and phase shift were measured by individual pads, and then the pads were cascade-connected and remeasured as a unit. The sums of the losses and the sums of the

phase shifts were compared with the latter measurement.

2) The insertion phase shift was measured at a large number, of frequencies of a precision section of coaxial line. The measured results are compared v/ith calculated

values.

The simultaneous switching of the r-f and i-f portions of the circuit are shown in

figure 2-79 and the mercury relays used in the r-f portion of the circuit are shown in

figure 2-80.

Figure 2-79. Block diagram of measurement set. Parameters of unknown are heterodyned to

a constant detection frequency, where their magnitudes are read out on nullbalanced, calibrated loss and phase standards, (Reprinted by permission:

D. Leed and 0. Kummer, "A Loss and Phase Set for Measuring Transistor

Parameters and Two-port Networks Between 5 and 250 mc". Bell System

Technical Journal, no. 3, May issue, pp. 841-884o Copyright 1961,

American Telephone and Telegraph Company.)

-77-
1

Figure 2-80, 5 to 250 mc comparison switch unit. Glass-encapsulated mercury relays are enclosed within coaxial cavities to provide 50-ohm transmission paths,

(Reprinted by permission: D. Leed and 0, Kummer, "A Loss and Phase Set for

Measuring Transistor Parameters and Two-port Networks Between 5 and 250 mc". Bell System Technical Journal, 4_0, no. 3, May issue, ppi 841-884,

Copyright 1961, American Telephone and Telegraph Company,)

The local oscillator was automatically controlled to maintain the i-f (1 MHz) to within

1 kHz. The loss standard was a calibrated resistive step attenuator and the phase shift

standard consisted of a phase splitting network and a four-quadrant sine condenser.

The test frequency was set manually and the loss and phase shift standards were adjusted

and read by the operator. A considerable measure of automatic operation using relays was introduced to make signal path changes when transferring among the various measurement modes.

The modes included operation at 50 or 75 ohm impedance levels and transistor S-parameter

measurements

-78-.
60MC

,

5.55MC AM

60MC AND

65.55HC

f

5.55I1C

squake'i

' '. 6 . 6bMC

rl'l'' L FILTER r ;deM0DU-| • CONVERTER [M

° I I LATOR • *

REFERENCE PATH

BALANCED BALANCED

CONVERTER CONVERTER

60MC SELF-TRACKING DOUBLE -CON VE RS I ON RECEIVER SAMPLE AND HOLD DIFFERENTIAL PHASE DETECTOR

Figure 2-81. Block diagram of test set showing rapid comparison, IF substitution

technique of measurement. (Reprinted by permission: D. Leed, "An Insertion Loss, Phase and Delay Measuring Set for Characterizing

Transistors and Two-port Networks Between 0,25 and 4.2 gc", Bell

System Technical Journal, _45^, no. 3, March issue, pp. 397-440.

Copyright 1966, American Telephone and Telegraph Company.)

In 1966, another test set using the I-F substitution principle was described [70], A

simplified block diagram is shown in figure 2-81. This set was similar to the previous one

[53], but extended the frequency range from 250 MHz to 4.2 GHz. A number of new features were incorporated, including the measurement of non-coaxial devices including rectangular

waveguide components and transistors with pig tail leads. Double conversion was employed

with IF's of 60 MHz and 1.1 MHz. Envelope delay was determined by measuring the phase shift experienced by a sinusoidal

modulation envelope in its transit through the 2-port under test. Before detection the

lower sideband was eliminated by filtering, so as to make the phase of the beat frequency

product independent of the beating signal levels. This also reduced the "aperture error"

due to non-linearity of phase shift between the sideband frequencies. The concept of

"aperture error" in envelope delay measurement is illustrated in figure 2-82.

-79-
Figure 2-82. "Aperture error" in envelope delay measurement. (Reprinted by

permission: D. Leed, "An Insertion Loss, Phase and Delay Measuring

Set for Characterizing Transistors and Two-port Networks Between 0.25

and 4.2 gc". Bell System Technical Journal, _4_5, no. 3, March issue,

pp. 397-440. Copyright 1966, American Telephone and Telegraph

Company .

)

d. Frequency Translation by Sampling

(1) Swept Frequency

In 1967, a network analyzer was described which sweep-measured the magnitude and phase

of reflection and transmission coefficients over the range from 110 MHz to 12.4 GHz [74],

Double heterodyne detection was employed with I-F's of 20 MHz and 278 kHz. A technique of

frequency translation by sampling was used to obtain the first I-F. In this technique, the

local oscillator in the conventional heterodyne system is replaced by a pulse train

generator of variable pulse repetition rate (prf ) . The pulses are narrow so that there is

significant harmonic content at frequencies high enough to beat with the incoming signals

to the mixer.

As shown in figure 2-83, a phase lock loop controls the pulse repetition frequency so that harmonic mixing occurs automatically as the source frequency is swept. As the frequency

sweeps over the entire range, the phase lock loop must continually search for new harmonics

of the prf and lock on for part of the sweep. The prf is variable from 60-150 MHz.

-80-
PHASE-GAIN

INDICATOR PLUG-IN

A(REF. )

60-1 50 MHz

SAMPLING

GATE

t

ELECTRO

TUNED

GENER

NICALLY

GATE ATOR

SAMPLING

GATE

ph; LO SYS

CKTEM

i

1

MI XER

|ag^>»

2nd

L .0.

MI XER

20 MHz

SUBSTITUTION ATTENUATOR

LIHITER

278 kHz

DETECTOR

PHASE DETECTOR

PHASE OFFSET

MAGNITUDE

OUTPUT

LOG CONVERTER

LOG-MAGNITUDE

OUTPUT

PHASE OUTPUT

Figure 2-83, Basic system used to achieve frequency translation by a sampling technique.,

(Reprinted by permission: R, W, Anderson and 0. T, Dennison, "An Advanced

New Network Analyzer for Sweep-measuring Amplitude and Phase from Ool to 12.4 GHz", Hewlett-Packard Journal, 18, no. 6, Feb. 1967.)

The test and reference channels at 278 kHz are fed to the polar display unit shown in

figure 2-71. It incorporates the familiar balanced modulator circuit, with a 90° phase shift

in one channel [5]. This yields d-c signals proportional to the real and imaginary

components of the signal in the test channel as compared with that in the reference channel.

These signals can give a display on an oscilloscope or x-y recorder.

This network analyzer was the precursor of the computer-controlled automatic network

analyzer, prophesied by Ely [75, 79], and described by Hackborn [8A].

(2) Computer Controlled

The computer-controlled network analyzer described in 1968 [84] was an extremely

significant advancement. Although it made use of previously known techniques, several

functions formerly performed by a human operator were taken over by an on-line instrumentation computer. Manual adjustment of variable standards, reading of dials, and processing

of data by an operator were eliminated. In addition, the calibration process by which errors were corrected, was extended.

-81-
Previously [53], calibration of a test set for impeaance measurements consisted of

determining the three complex parameters a, b, and c, of eq. <36) , at each frequency. With

the computer-controlled network analyzer, additional complex parameters are determined in

order to make corrections in transmission measurements. If one asstmes a flow graph model

as shown in figure 2-84. one measures 5 complex factors by making

(1) reflection coefficient measurements of three known loads; a non-reflecting

termination (simulated by sliding a load having low reflection), a short-circuit, and an

offset short-circuit, and

(2) transmission coefficient measurements in each direction with the measurement ports

joined together [85].

Figure 2-84. Two-port error measurement, (Reprinted by permission: S. F. Adam, "A New

Precision Automatic Microwave Measurement System", IEEE Trans, on I6eM, 17 ,

. no. 4, Dec. 1968, pp. 308-313.)

The entire process is speeded up because correction data is stored in the computer memory

while stepping through the desired frequencies at each stage in the calibration process.

The corrections are then calculated after the measurements are made, and this is done rapidly

and automatically. It is extremely important that the frequency is set to the same value

during the calibration and during the corresponding measurement. Since corrections are often

very frequency dependent, a correction determined at one frequency would not be valid for a measurement made at a slightly different frequency.

The subject of error analysis and correction in computer-controlled network analyzers is

a complicated one, although additional work has been done [83, 96, 101, 102, 103, 119, 126,

129, 131, 132, 141, 143, 145] the last word has not been said. For example, more complicated

flow graph models, such as that shown in figures 2-85, 3-7, and 3-8, have been used to analyze the errors in automatic network analyzer systems [96,129]. Six complex error parameters are determined during the calibration procedure.

-82-
•30

INCIDENT

SIGNAL

(REFERENCE) —>

REFLECTED

SIGNAL

(TEST)

<5-0

01 '1 2

<3-0

'22 ®-o

0-&-

0-6

'32

-®-

•22

TRANSMITTED

SIGNAL

(TEST)

Figure 2-85. Flowgraph model of system.

e. I-F Substitution with Computer Control

In 1969, a computer-operated transmission measuring set (COTMS) for the 50 Hz - 250 MHz

frequency range was described [92], Although its development profited from previous work

[53,83], considerably more automation was accomplished. Some of the features distinguishing

this set from previous sets were the following:

(1) Instead of controlling the local (beat) oscillator to follow the signal oscillator,

each oscillator was composed of a frequency synthesizer and a frequency multiplier, and they

could be controlled with digital signals. Absolute accuracies of the output frequency,

frequency changes of either oscillator, and frequency differences between the two oscillators

Q were all within 3 parts in 10 .

(2) Instead of manually adjusting and reading dials of loss and phase standards, relay

switched precision attenuators and quadrant selectors were used. The smallest attenuator

steps were 0.01 dB, and additional resolution was obtained by feeding the differential d-c

detector output to the computer via an analog-digital converter. Phase measurement was accomplished by measuring the time intervals between pulses produced by zero crossings of the IF signals. The time intervals were measured by counting pulses from a gated 100 MHz source. This digital information was fed to the computer for readout.

(3) Instead of manually connecting the network for each of four measurements required in

calibration techniques associated with transistor measurements, considerable coaxial relay

switching was developed. In addition, "small bore" standards were developed to apply to the

transistor connection terminals.

(4) Automatic measurement and monitoring of some error sources was provided. For

example, spurious products such as crosstalk, noise, 60 Hz harmonic pickup, and IF carrier

leakage can be automatically measured and plotted as a function of frequency and level

configuration.

-83-
(5) Improved calibration procedures and data processing techniques were developed [83].

Variation with frequency of short-circuit and open-circuit standards were taken into account.

Similarly the variation of phase shift and attenuation with frequency of precision coaxial

line sections was considered.

Errors due to mismatch or mis termination were avoided by measuring scattering coefficients

defined with respect to the terminal impedances which prevail in the test set rather than to the nominal design Impedances. If one then measures the equivalent source and load

impedances at the insertion point, it is possible to transform to scattering parameters which

are referred to the nominal design impedance (for example, 50 ohms).

An alternate method of correcting for test set imperfections, not requiring an iterative

computational technique, has also been developed [102],

Methods of evaluating individual sources or error in COTMS by using its own automatic

capability were discussed [119]. The measurement of known, stable transmission standards was proposed as a complementary way of verifying the accuracy.

-84-
3, Trends

3.1. Introduction

In order to note the trends in the development of automatic systems to measure network

parameters, the status through 1972 is summarized, then more recent work is reviewed, and

finally, some of the options open for future developments are mentioned. In making a survey

of a rapidly developing field, one must stop at a point in time, knowing that the complete

story has not, and cannot be told. However, it may be helpful, before rushing onward, to pause and look back in order to obtain perspective.

It is difficult to accurately predict future developments. Usually, one tends to extrapolate, knowing that many recent developments will be pursued further. The introduction

of a new technique, or the revival of an old one may be unforeseen. Thus, the listing of

options open for future developments is expected to be of limited value, and may only provide

some "food for thought."

In the following, the considerations of precision and accuracy have been given the

greatest priority in contrast to speed of data acquisition and low cost per measurement.

The potential of automatic techniques to improve the accuracy of measurement systems continues

to be of great interest to the National Bureau of Standards.

3.2. Status Through 1972

a. I-F Substitution, Comparison by Rapid Switching

A number of computer-operated transmission measurement systems (COTMS) were developed

and built prior to 1973 for use by the Bell Telephone System. By careful attention to all sources of error, excellent performance was obtained. For example, some systems [107] could

provide resolutions and accuracies of + 0.002 dB, 0,01°, and 0.01 ns at frequencies from

3.7 to 4.2 GHz. A similar system had been developed for frequencies from 50-250 MHz [92].

By means of "appliques", the frequency range was extended through 12 GHz [123]. One

applique covered the 1-4 GHz range and the other covered 3.6 to 12.4 GHz*.

These computer operated systems could measure network parameters with greater resolution

and accuracy than any of the other automatic systems developed up to that time. In fact, the

accuracy of phase measurement was as good as one could expect to do with fixed frequency,

manually tuned and operated systems. This was due in part to the limitations imposed by

mechanical instabilities in microwave circuitry. Somewhat greater resolution and accuracy

(approximately ± 0.0001 dB) , had been achieved in microwave attenuation measurements with

manually tuned and operated fixed frequency measurement systems [47, 128].

*Private communication from C. F. Hempstead, Supervisor, MW Measurement Center, Bell

Laboratories, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845.

-85-
b. Frequency Translation hy Sampling

The automatic network analyzers developed for commercial use up to 1973 could measure

mangitude and phase of network parameters at frequencies from 100 kHz to 18 GHl. The

resolution of readout data was 0.01 dB, 0.1°, and 0.01 nanosecond. A set of complex error coefficients could be measured and stored and corrections made by the computer to reduce

errors. The magnitude only of reflection and transmission coefficients could be measured with an automatic spectrum analyzer over the frequency range 10 kHz to 18 GHz. The resolution was

0.03 dB and the readout resolution was 0.1 dB [108],

c. Time Domain to Frequency Domain Transformation

Based upon work described in 1968 [86], Nlcolson and others developed a measurement

system in 1972 using a pulse generator, sampling oscilloscope, and computer [105], Fourier

transforms were taken of the input impulse and the response to obtain frequency domain data

and the ratio could give complex reflection or transmission coefficients. Up to frequencies

as high as 12 GHz, the resolution was approximately ± 0.1 dB and ± 1° over ranges up to almost 20 dB. The theory has been known for a long time [7], but the technology has only

recently advanced sufficiently to obtain such results. The method gives better accuracy

when measuring broadband networks whose impulse response is relatively short-lived, than

with narrow band components (because of the excessive nimber of samples required)

,

The time required to process data over two frequency decades may be 4 to 5 minutes

compared with a few seconds for frequency domain automatic network analyzers. However, the

instrumentation is simpler and less costly (no microwave source is required), the ability

to carry out frequency analysis of only certain regions of the time domain waveform allows

the reduction of effects from unwanted reflections, and it is possible' to obtain simultaneous

display of time and frequency domain responses of a network.

d. Six-port Coupler

An interesting study of the possibilities of measurements of voltage, current, power,

and network parameters using a six-port coupler was reported in 1972 [112],

Considerable attention was given to analysis of an arbitrary six-port having a source connected to port 1, a power meter or load connected to port 2, and power level detectors

connected to arms 3, 4, 5, and 6, as shown in figure 3-1. However, it was noted that there

Figure 3-lo A 6-port coupler.

-86-
were several other possible measurement applications, including building an automated

system around six-port couplers instead of 3 or 4-port directional couplers. Such an automated system should provide increased accuracy for measurements of Z or F for which

|r| > 0.4> for example. In contrast to IF substitution techniques, only a single source would be required and only power level detectors would be required, not having any phase

measurement capability. It was anticipated that Josephson junction detectors might prove

extremely suitable for use with six-port couplers in automatic measurement systems.

e. Ratio Measurements Without Standards

Principles of measuring complex ratios without the use of standards were developed prior

to 1973 and were referenced by Allred and Manney [1241. Additional work was reported by

Somlo, Hollway, and Morgan in 1972 [111]. Although it was not at first anticipated that

these techniques would be applied to automatic measurement systems, later developments

have included such applications.

The technique of Somlo, Hollway, and Morgan employs a highly reproducible phase-shift

step of an initially unknown value. Although this is not a "standard" in the usual sense,

it is a special component which is critical to the technique. The phase shifter under test

is cascade-connected with the step phase shifter or "flap" as shown in figure 3-2, and the

SLIDE scuw

TUNEK WITH SMALL PENETRATION (SHIELDED) •y cmcuiT

NULL DCnCTOR

PHASE SHIFTED UNDER TEST

TWO fOSITION OIELECTHIC FLAP

(SHIELDED)

Figure 3-2. Apparatus for phase-shifter calibration, (Reprinted by permission: P. I. Somlo,

D. L. Hollway, and I. G. Morgan, "The Absolute Calibration of Periodic Microwave

Phase Shifter", IEEE Trans, on MTT, 20, no. 8, Aug. 1972, pp. 532-537.")

change of phase shift produced by switching the 2-position flap is measured with the phase

shifter under test (PSUT) . An auxiliary phase shifter is adjusted between sets of readings

so that the PSUT can repeat measurements of the flap at other portions of the dial of the

PSUT. Two methods of computing the error curve from the string of pairs of readings are

used: Fourier analysis and interpolation. The Fourier spectrum of the computed correction

curve can be used to deduce sources of error that are either electrical or mechanical in

nature.

-87-
f. Calibration of Automatic Network Analyzers

In 1961, Leed and Kummer [53] introduced a calibration procedure for their 50-250 MHz

loss and phase measuring set. They measured both magnitude and phase of the transmission

coefficient of a 50-ohm transmission path with three known impedance standards successively

bridged across it. After evaluation of the parameters in the linear equation to correct the

measurements, a fourth standard impedance was bridged across the transmission path and its

impedance measured as a check on the procedure. This was the forerunner of slightly more

complicated calibration techniques used later with computer-controlled automatic network

analyzers.

In 1968 Adam [85] described an error network whose parameters were evaluated by making

measurements of both magnitude and phase of reflection and transmission coetticients with

various standards connected in place. The error network was shown in figure 2-84 and did

not contain the leakage path e^Q introduced later. In 1970, Hand [96], described a calibration process using the model shown in figure 2-85. The calibration involved six

measurements and the solution of the six equations and the subsequent correction of the

measurement were done by the computer using an iterative process.

In 1971,1 Kruppa and Sodomsky [102] obtained an explicit solution to correct the measurements, making unnecessary the use of an iterative technique. Their solution applied to the

network not having the leakage path. However, the leakage path was needed to take into

account errors due to crosstalk between channels.

g. Interface Systems

Digitally coupled instrument systems began in the mid 1950' s with the "marriage" of the

frequency counter to a digital recorder. Digital data was presented in parallel form and

information flow was unidirectional. Later, programmable digital voltmeters having digital

inputs and outputs were introduced. Other digitally controlled instruments followed, and a variety of signal levels and logic conventions were encountered, making interconnection a difficult problem in many cases. In the late 1960 's computer control of measurement systems brought some uniformity to the

interface hardware, but the overall interface network remained a star pattern with each

instrument connected to the central processor or controller by its own cable and plug in I/O

(Input-Output) card. Around 1970, the plug in I/O cards were included in the processor

mainframe and an instrument bus structure began to take form [116 J. Connecting instruments

into a digitally controlled measurement system finally became simply a matter of plugging in

cables [115], The interface bus system which evolved In 1972 is illustrated in figure 3-3.

-88-
.rtm tTT

Figure 3-3. A practical Interface system for electric

instruments. (Reprinted by permission:

Hewlett-Packard Journal, 26_, no. 5,

January 1975, p. 3.)

3.3. Recent Developments

a. I-F Substitution, Comparison of Rapid Switching

The number of computer operated transmission measurement systems (COTMS) has greatly increased and they have been installed at various locations including New Jersey, Georgia,

North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri [123]. The basic transmission measuring system covers the frequency range 50 Hz to 1 GHz. Additional test

terminals in this range can be provided by remotely located test equipment called "appliques,"

connected to COTMS by computer-controlled applique switches and transmission lines.

Microwave appliques cover frequencies up to 20 GHz.* They operate by accepting a signal in

the frequency band below 1 GHz from the central transmission measuring system and translate

it up to the desired microwave test frequency. The applique then passes the microwave test signal through the network and translates it down to the band below 1 GHz for transmission

to the central measuring system which measures the insertion loss and phase. Appliques for

the 0.9 - 12„4 GHz range have been described [151]. Advantages of appliques include the

sharing of centrally located equipment such as a computer and I-F standards, and the reduction of effects of drifts and instabilities in microwave transmission paths by the use of

rapid comparison switching.

*Private communication from C. F. Hempstead.

-89-
b. Frequency Translation by Sampling

Lowered costs of core memory plus experience in the operation of many automatic measurement systems has led to improvements in software. Stored programs on paper tape have given

way to magnetic tape cassettes. One can choose between 26 output parameters calculated from

the measured S-parameters. Output data can be in tabular form or may appear almost instantaneously on a graphics terminal with the option to obtain a hard copy within 11 seconds [125].

Other improvements are covered in section 3.3.f. Some hardware improvements have also been

made, but have not been fully described in the literature. A recent improvement in the

quadrature detector results in more accurate measurements of low-loss devices, such as short sections of transmission line.

c. Time Domain to Frequency Domain Transformation

Using basically the same technique described by Nicholson et al [86,105], a time domain

automatic network analyzer having greatly improved performance has been developed by Gans and

Andrews [147,148,150]. It measures S-parameter versus frequency from 0 to beyond 18 GHz. The

signal source is typically a tunnel diode pulse generator having a risetime of less than

20 ps. The receiver is a sampling oscilloscope having a risetime of 20 ps. A minicomputer controls the oscilloscope and stores and processes the data. The data is averaged to improve signal to noise ratio, Fourier transformed from time domain to frequency domain, and manipulated

to output S-parameters. The range of power ratios measured is 60 dB for frequencies up to

4 GHz and 40 dB up to 18 GHz. Accuracy of attenuation measurements was determined to be within

± 2% over a range of 10-40 dB at frequencies between 0.5 and 12.5 GHz. (Agreement within 1.5% was obtained with an IF substitution technique.) The accuracies obtainable in return loss

measurements and in the measurement of phase have not yet been determined.

The elements of the measuring system are shown in the block diagram of figure 3-4 and a comparison of insertion loss measurements at microwave frequencies is given in figure 3-5.

Recently, Cronson, Nicholson, and Mitchel [142] have extended time domain metrology above

10 GHz to materials measurement. Actually, the S-parameters of a microwave circuit containing

a sample of the material under investigation were measured, and the complex permittivity and

permeability were then calculated. In order to avoid producing non-linear effects in the

materials, it was necessary to employ a more complex waveform than a step or a pulse. The peak

voltage was held below 0.8 v, and a short RF burst using a step recovery diode was found to provide sufficient spectral amplitude in the 9-16 GHz range. The RF burst was 400 ps wide.

-90-
Insertion Planes

Sampling Oscilloscope

Pulse

Air 1 Line , riicrowave Component

Under

Test

1 Air Sampler Generator h

1

I

1

Minicomputer

ure 3-4. Time domain automatic network

analyzer (TDANA) basic block

diagram.

-91-
10.2

dB

10. 1

10.0,

9.9

9.8

.5 1.5

(a)

U

A ^ A

J L J I L J I 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 GHz—

,5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5

40.8

40. 4

dB

40.01

39.6

39 .2

A

. 5

(b)

1%

_L _L

NBS TDANA COMMERCIAL ANA NBS FIXED FREQUENCY

SYSTEMS

A

_L _L 1.5 2 5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5

GHz —

1.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5

Figure 3-5. Comparison of NBS TDNA measurements A with commercial ANA (FDANA) 0,

and NBS fixed frequency tuned systems , for (a) 10 dB attenuator

and (b) 40 dB attenuator.

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d. Six-port Coupler

Recently, Hoer and Roe [146] have shown how an arbitrary six-port coupler may be used to measure complex ratios. They have calibrated a six-port coupler using a technique similar

to that described by Allred and Manney [124], and have measured the magnitude and phase shift

of an attenuator at frequencies from 8 to 12 GHz. A programmable calculator was used to control the measurements and process the data. The results were within 0.2 dB at 8 dB and

within 1° at 35° of measurements made on the same attenuator using a commercially available

automatic network analyzer.

This preliminary work demonstrates the validity of the techniques developed and provides

a basis for further work that could lead to a different automatic system to measure the

S-parameters of networks.

e. Ratio Measurements Without Standards

Techniques described by Allred and Manney [124] for measuring complex ratios without

standards do employ a highly reproducible insertion device which need not be initially known,

but is subsequently determined. In this respect, they resemble the independently developed

technique of Somlo, Hollway, and Morgan [111], However, the work of Allred and Manney is of

potentially wider application, although not carried through to as great a degree of practical

utility.

A number of so-called "self-calibrating" techniques have been developed, but have not

been widely applied because of the awkward procedures and tedious calculations required.

During the taking of the large amount of data required, errors could be large due to drifts

and instabilities. In addition, data processing was a tedious and expensive task. Recently,

the development of frequency agile sources, digitally controlled measuring equipment and com- puter control and data processing capabilities, has encouraged some metrologists to take

another look at the "self-calibrating" techniques.

f . Calibration of Automatic Network Analyzers

Prior to 1973, the model for the error network at the insertion point was evaluated at each frequency by sending energy through the insertion point in turn in each direction with

a straight through connection, then measuring the reflection coefficient with a short-circuit,

an offset short, and a non-reflecting load terminating each port in turn. From six measurements of both magnitude and phase, it was possible to determine the six complex parameters of

the error network and make the necessary corrections.

The non-reflecting load was simulated by using a sliding load, moving it successively to three positions, and then calculating the center of the reflection coefficient circle which

corresponded to a perfectly non-reflecting load. As computer memories became less expensive,

the software was modified to increase the number of positions of the sliding load beyond three

(the absolute minimum to determine the center of the circle) , so as to increase the accuracy

of the calibration [125]. Additional software was developed by B. C. Yates* at NBS to use additional positions of the sliding load, and to account for erroneous phase shifts of other

than 90° in the detector, in making more accurate calibrations.

*Private communication from W. E. Little. -93-
In 1974, Rehmnark [129] presented explicit formulas for computing the scattering

parameters of a 2-port measured by an imperfect network analyzer. By using explicit

formulas rather than an iterative technique, the computing time could be significantly reduced. As shown in figure 3-6, a switch may be used to reverse the direction of energy flow

Device under test rCZ>i

Sweep

Oscillator E

Network

Analyzer

Figure 3-6. Switching arrangement in Automatic Network Analyzer. (Reprinted

by permission: Stlg Rehnmark, "On the Calibration Process of

Automatic Network Analyzer Systems",. IEEE Trans, on MTT, MTT-22 , no. 4, April 1974, pp. 457-458.)

through the test item. If the switch is used, then the system model shown in figure 3-7

Reference ^0 ^21 '^32

S22 ^22 '33

Wx2l "^01 ^12 ^23 (Reterenc

Figure 3-7. Signal flowgraph of system model (switch Sg included in test unit)

(Reprinted by permission: Stlg Rehnmark, "On the Calibration

Process of Automatic Network Analyzer Systems", IEEE Trans, on

MTT, MTT-22, no. 4, April 1974, pp. 457-458.)

is employed in the calibration and correction process. If the switch is not used, then the

device under test must be manually turned to be measured from both directions. In this case, the system model shown in figure 3-8 is used. Rehmark modified the error circuit based

Rellection

Transmission

t Return

Figure 3-8. Signal flowgraph of system model (switch S^ not included in

test unit) . (Reprinted by permission: Stlg Rehnmark, "On the

Calibration Process of Automatic Network Analyzer Systems",

IEEE Trans, on MTT, MTT-22, no. 4, April 1974, pp. 457-458.)

-94-
upon a switching arrangement (described by Hackborn [84] so as to Include a leakage path.

He obtained explicit solutions in this case also, and the result should not only reduce time

but also improve accuracy. The latter result was similar to the explicit expression obtained

by Davies et al [127], In 1973 for a slightly less complicated circuit model.

In 1974, Ridella [131] considered additional error sources in the calibration of A.N.A's

for measurements of reflection coefficient. He considered errors due to non-repeatibility

,

noise, calibration components errors, and Instrumentation error (in particular the polar

conversion). Working in the U. S. at NBS, Kasa [141] also considered the problem of A.N, A. calibration for the measurement of reflection coefficiento He derived expressions for the

complex parameters a, b, and c in the equation

a r + b w = -^YTT ' (37)

where T is the reflection coefficient of a termination and W is the A.N. A, uncorrected re- flection coefficient measurement. The parameters a, b, and c were to be determined by

connecting three standards in turn and measuring the corresponding W's. In one case, two fixed standards and one sliding load were used and in the other case one fixed standard and

two sliding loads were connected. It was not required to know the reflection coefficients of

the sliding loads, only their positions. Thus, in the second case, one required only one known standard, but a somewhat more lengthy calibration procedure was needed. Kasa did not

solve the problem of obtaining T from W once a, b, and c were determined, since such a solution is straight-forward.

Later, Engen [143] addressed the above problem and his analysis was similar to that of

Kasa, but with the difference that the sliding load positions did not need to be measured,

and that the attenuation of the waveguide in which the loads were sliding was taken into

account.

Engen also described a technique for obtaining the scattering coefficients of a reciprocal, linear 2-port from the calibration parameters a, b, and c of the A.N. A., plus a new set of calibration parameters a', b', and c'. The new set of parameters were obtained

in the same way as the old set when the 2-port under test was connected to the A.N. A. output

and the standard and sliding loads were then connected in turn to the output of the 2-port,

A computer program was developed to handle the calculations. Increased accuracy can be

obtained by substituting a different test set in which a pair of power meters measure the

magnitude |w| of the complex ratio. The phase is determined by the unmodified complex ratio

detector of the A.N. A. This technique is particularly well suited for measuring efficiencies

of low- loss 2-port devices.

g. Interface Systems

The increased development of programmable digital instruments by various manufacturers

and their increased use in measurements of all kinds led to a general recognition of the

need to standardize interface systems. The standard developed by one of the leading U.S,A,

instrumentation companies for their own use was proposed for consideration as the basis for an international standard, and was widely supported. It has been adopted as an IEEE
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard (No, 488-1975, SH04887) and is

expected to become an lEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard after minor

modifications.

The above standard defines physical details of an interface cable and connectors, the

logic conventions, format, and timing of control and data signals plus protocol and procedures

to be used in the interconnection of digital instruments, computers, and peripheral equipment.

The complicated details are the subject of several articles, notably (Ricci and

Nelson, 1974 [139], (Loughry 1974 [138]), and (Knob lock and Loughry, 1975 [149]. In anticipation of general adoption of this standard, many companies are developing

compatible instruments. Thus, the automation of all sorts of measurements is expected to become easier, less expensive, and more widespread.

h. Computer Operated Bridges

Both dc and ac bridges have been automated and computer-controlled (Hall, June 1974

[134]), (Coons, et al. , June 1974 [133]), Different bridge configurations can be chosen by

computer-controlled automatic switching, and the data can be presented in various optional

forms. Accuracy is preserved and in some cases enhanced due to minimizing instability or

drift effects. The ac bridge has a frequency range from 200 Hz to 30 MHz and a single point

in a frequency run is obtained in 10 seconds. A wide range of immittances are measured with

an optimum accuracy of better than 0.05% and 100 microradians, (0.006**),

i. Slotted Lines

At a small sacrifice in accuracy, direct readout of VSWR versus frequency has been automatically accomplished with a 7 mm slotted line system (Stauffer, et al., December 1974 [140]).

Automatic slope correction can be made, but information on the phase of the unknown impedance

is not obtained automatically. The system operates on a swept-frequency basis from 2-18 GHz.

3.4, Future Options

a. Introduction

It is felt to be valuable to look ahead to future developments. If we can judge which

direction is the most profitable, and likely to be most successful, present efforts can be more efficiently channeled. It is recognized that such an approach is limited in value because some events turn out as predicted and others do not. Predictions based upon extrapolation are likely to have short range success, but may fail in the long run.

If one tries to avoid any predictions, but only attempts to list the options available

to researchers, this approach is also likely to have success mainly in the short range.

In the following, both the listing of options and prediction will be attempted.

b. Interface Developments

The advances in solid state integrated circuit technology will be further exploited. It has been stated (Grossman 1974 [136]) that almost any test or measuring instrument today is

fair game for redesign around microprocessors. They are less expensive and slower than minicomputers, but can be incorporated almost Invisibly into instruments of all kinds to automatically select ranges, store and process data, make logical decisions based upon incoming

data, and assist fault diagnosis and self-testing (Falk 1974 [137]). The increased use of

microprocessors will result in less traffic on the interface bus. While the job of the system

-96-
designer will become easier, that of the instrument designer will become more difficult.

The designer of an instrument will need to be competent in hardware, software, and

instrumentation technology. For applications in which high-speed data transfer is required,

low-loss optical fibers may come into use as data bases. Advantages include 100 MHz bandwidths, immunity from ground currents and inductive pickup of interference, and independence

from logic levels used at either end (Oliver, 1974 [135]).

In addition to a data bus consisting of a cable, data communication via radio may make

remote control of measurements via laser beam, satellite, or deep-space probe feasible.

c. Automatic Tuning

It may come to pass that any measurement system that was previously manually controlled

will be fully automated. Some manual functions such as adjustment of tuners, connection of

standards and unknowns alternately to the measuring system, and fault detection and correction

are difficult to perform automatically under computer control. Servo control of mechanical

motion has been applied in the past, but it is slow and clumsy compared with electrical con- trol of electronic devices. The calibration of present automatic systems is a slow process,

requiring manual connection and adjustment of standards such as sliding shorts and sliding

loads. One could conceivably speed this up by employing electronically variable phase

shifters and fixed loads or short circuits. This is presently difficult, but when it becomes

easier, one can also introduce electronically controlled tuning to reduce the need for calibration (Wang 1974 [144]).

It has long been recognized that higher accuracy can be obtained by comparing the unknown

with a known standard whose value is close to that of the unknown. Thus, an automatic system

might contain as stored data the responses to a number of standards. It would remain for the

measuring system to measure only the differences between responses to a device under test and

the stored response to the standard nearest in value to the unknown.

d. Performance Degradation Diagnosis

An automatic measuring system is very complex and subject to degradation of performance

which may occur without warning and without complete breakdown of the system. One way to detect such degradation of performance is to routinely measure broadband, calculable 2-port

standards (Beatty 1974 [145]). However, this does not pinpoint the difficulty or correct it.

Some progress has been made in diagnostics, but more remains to be accomplished. Economics

will force attention to this problem because it is expensive for an automatic system to be

"down" or to be giving inaccurate results. Self-testing techniques will be extensively developed and internal standards will be employed. Perhaps even automatic fault correction

will be developed.

e. Automatic Calibration

The elimination of calibration runs in automatic measurement is a future development

which will save time and reduce operator errors. The operator does not always perform the

calibration correctly, and the operating frequency is in general slightly different when

testing than when calibrating. Systems which quickly compare the DUT with internal standards

already exist and where higher accuracy is desired, the trend will be in this direction.

Automatic tuning of the system, as previously mentioned should also reduce the need for

system calibration.

-97-
f. Extended Range of Operation

The heterodyne or IF substitution technique has remained for many years the one yielding

the greatest dynamic range along with excellent, proven linearity. Whether other detection

methods, such as the Josephson junction, Fourier transformation of time domain data, frequency

translation by sampling, or other techniques, will prove superior remains to be seen. Extension of the freauencv range of present automatic measurement systems has been accom- plished with "appliques" [123, 1511, in which the frequency is translated upwards

to the DUT and downwards to the automatic measurement system. It would appear that this

technique will be extensively applied in the future. When using coaxial components, extension to frequencies higher than 18 GHz will require the development of components in smaller

sizes of coaxial line. (Working in 1.5 mm line could extend the frequency range to 40 GHz.)

g. Reduction of Size and Cost

The great reductions in size and cost of solid state integrated circuit components has had

its Impact on computers, minicomputers, microprocessors, and electronic calculators. Oliver

[135] has stated that the cost of a modern computer or calculator is almost entirely in its

bulk memory and input-output (I/O) devices. In the future, not only the cathode ray tube

graphic display will be miniaturized and reduced in cost, but the measurement hardware such

as directional couplers, isolators, switches, etc., will undergo a corresponding reduction

in size and cost. The application of so-called "six-port" techniques (Hoer and Roe, May 1975 [146]) to automatic measurement systems could reduce the cost since only one signal source is re- quired. Similarly, the time domain automatic network analyzer (Gans and Andrews, 1975

[150]) promises a more economical system,

h. Improved Resolution and Accuracy

It was mentioned in section 3.3c that improved accuracy and resolution can be achieved

in principle by measuring only small differences between known standards and DUT's whose

values are close to those of known standards. Unless the research on calculable standards is

accelerated, the realization of this approach may be far off. In the meantime, the measurement of phase differences to ± 0.01° appears to be approaching the limit dictated by

mechanical instabilities of measurement systems. The measurement of magnitude ratios to

± 0.001 dB appears to be approaching the limits of connector non-repeatability, which is a critical, limiting factor in all electromagnetic measurements.

i. Unforeseen Developments

The extension to higher frequencies up into the optical range of the measurement of

network parameters, and the automation of such measurements is presently unforeseen, but may

occur in the future. The remote control of, and communication with distant measurement

systems located perhaps on other planets, might be desirable and would not be impossible.

Additional miniaturization of components and measurement systems is likely to occur. Advances

in short pulse and electro-optical techniques may produce unforeseen capabilities with measurement applications, just as cryogenic techniques and the Josephson junction are remaining to be

exploited. The unknown and the unforeseen await around some future corner to yield someday to the curiosity and Ingenuity of the researcher,

-98-
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U .S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SH EFT

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO.

WRC! iMJjO—ivna iXliXI— TCI J. J J.

2. Gov't Accession

No.

3. Recipient's Accession No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE i'

Automatic Measurement of Network Parameters - A Survey

5. Publication Date June 1976

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

R. W„ Beattv

8. Performing Organ. Report No.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NAIIUNAL BUKtAU Or ilANDAKUb

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organizat-ion Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP) 13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-12432

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less [actual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) A survey is made of principles, methods, and systems developed for semi-automatic

and automatic measurement of network parameters, such as the complex scattering

coefficients, impedance, VSWR, return loss, attenuation, and group delay time. The

period covered is from 1922 to 1975 and developments range from simple ideas such as

a motor driven probe for a slotted line, to computer-controlled transmission and

reflection measurement systems.

The essential ideas and features of each development are briefly described and

both similarities and differences between various schemes are pointed outo Trends

in modern developments are noted and some of the options open for future work are mentionedo A bibliography of 151 references is included.

17. KEY WORDS fsiie to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons) Automatic network analyzers; computer-controlled measurement;

nagic tee; microwave measurement methods; multiple probe devices; reflectometers ; rotatir^g

5robe devices; slotted lines; survey of automatic techniques; swept frequency

neasurements ; Wheatstone Bridge.

18. AVAILABILITY Q Unlimited

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