Transmission Lines and Waveguides

• Waveguide and other transmission lines for the low-

loss transmission of microwave power.
• Early microwave systems relied on waveguide and
coaxial lines for transmission line media.
• Waveguide: high power-handling capability, low
loss, but bulky and expensive
• Coaxial line: high bandwidth, convenient for test
applications, difficult medium in which to fabricate
complex microwave components.
• Planar transmission lines: stripline, microstrip,
slotline, coplanar waveguide  compact, low cost,
easily integrated with active devices

1
 3.1 General Solutions for TEM, TE and TM waves
• General solutions to Maxwell’s equations for the
specific cases of TEM, TE and TM wave propagation
in cylindrical transmission lines or waveguides.
• Uniform in z direction and infinitely long

Figure 3.1 (p. 92)

(a) General two-conductor transmission line and (b) closed waveguide.
2
• Assume ejωt dependence
ˆ z ( x, y )]e  j  z
E ( x, y, z )  [e ( x, y )  ze
ˆ z ( x, y )]e  j  z
H ( x, y, z )  [h ( x, y )  zh
where e(x,y) and h(x,y): transverse (x,y) E & H field
components, ez and hz: longitudinal E & H field
components.
• Assume source free,
  E   j H
  H  j E

3
 Ez H z
 j  E y   j H x ,  j  H y  j E x ,
y y
Ez H z
 j  Ex    j H y ,  j H x   j E y ,
x x
E y Ex H y H x
   j H z    j Ez
x y x y
kc2  k 2   2

j  Ez H z   j  Ez H z 
H x  2     Ex  2     
kc  y x  kc  x y 
j Ez H z  j  Ez H z 
H y  2     Ey  2     
kc  x y  kc  y x 
4
 where kc: cutoff wavenumber,
k     2 /  : the wavenumber of the material
filling with the transmission line or waveguide
region.
TEM Waves
• TEM waves are characterized by Ez = Hz = 0.
 2 E y (3.3a)
• From   2 and
Ey       k
(3.4b)

 the cutoff wavenumber kc = 0 for TEM waves.

• Helmholtz
 2  2 equation for Ex from (1.42)
2 2
 2  2  2  k  Ex  0
 x y z 
5
• For e-jβz dependence, 2
E x    2
E x   k 2
Ex
z 2

 2 2 
 2  2  Ex  0
 x y 
• Similar result also applies to Ey ( t2   2 / x 2   2 / y 2)
 t2 e ( x, y )  0
Transverse fields e(x,y) of a TEM wave satisfy
Laplace’s equation.
• Similarly, t2 h ( x, y )  0
• In the electrostatic case, E field can be expressed as
e ( x, y )  t  ( x, y )( t  xˆ ( / x)  yˆ ( / y )
6
• In order for (3.13) to be valid, the curl of e must
vanish: t  e   j hz zˆ  0
  D  0  t  e  0  t2 ( x, y )  0

• The voltage between 2 conductors and current flow

on a conductor:
2
V12  1   2   E  dl , I   H  dl
1 C

• TEM waves can exist when 2 or more conductors are

present. (ex: Plane waves)

7
• The wave impedance of a TEM mode
Ex  
ZTEM    
Hy  
Ey  
ZTEM    
Hx  
1
h ( x, y )  zˆ  e ( x, y )
ZTEM

8
• The procedure for analyzing a TEM line:
– Solve Laplace equation, (3.14) for Φ(x,y)
– Find these constants by applying the B.C. for the known
voltages on the conductors
– Compute e and E form (3.13) & (3.1a). Compute h and H
from (3.18) and (3.1b).
– Compute V from (3.15), I from (3.16).
– The propagation constant is given by (3.8), Z0 is given by
Z0 = V/I.

9
TE Waves
• Characterized by Ez = 0, Hz ≠ 0.
 j  H z  j H z
Hx  2 Ex 
kc x kc2 y
 j  H z j H z
Hy  2 Ey  2
kc y kc x
• In this case, kc ≠ 0, and the propagation constant
  k 2  kc2 is generally a function of frequency
and the geometry of the line or
guide.

10
• The Helmholtz equation
 2 2 2 2
 2  2  2  k  Hz  0
 x y z 
• Since Hz(x,y,z) = hz(x,y)e-jβz, and kc2 = k2 – β2
 2 2 2
 2  2  kc  hz  0
 x y 

• TE wave
Ex impedance
 E y can kbe

ZTE    
Hy Hx  

11
TM Waves
• Characterized by Hz = 0, Ez ≠ 0.
j Ez  j Ez
Hx  2 Ex  2
kc y kc x
 j Ez  j Ez
Hy  Ey  2
kc x
2
kc x

 2 2 2 2
 2  2  2  k  Ez  0
 x y z 

 2 2 2 Ex  E y  
 2  2  k c  ez  0 ZTM    
 x y  Hy H x  k
12
• The procedure for analyzing TE and TM
waveguides
1. Solve the reduced Helmholtz equation, (3.21) or
(3.25) for hz or ez. The solution will contain several
unknown constants, and the unknown cutoff
wavenumber, kc.
2. Use (3.19) or (3.23) to find the transverse fields
from hz or ez.
3. Apply the B.C. to the appropriate field components
to find the unknown constants and kc.
4. The propagation constant is given by (3.6) and the
wave impedance by (3.22) or (3.26).
13
Attenuation due to Dielectric Loss
• Using the complex dielectric constant
 2  k 2  kc2
   d  j   kc2  k 2  kc2   2 0 0 r (1  j tan  )

• In practice, most dielectric materials have a very

small loss (tan δ <<1). Using the Taylor expansion,
for x << a
2 1/ 2
 x   1  x 2  1 x2
a  x  a 1   
2 2
 a  1      a 
 a  2a  2 a
   

14
• (3.27) reduces to
jk tan 
2
  k  k  jk tan   k  k 
2
c
2 2 2
c
2

2 kc2  k 2
k 2 tan 
  j
2

• For TE or TM wave k 2 tan 

d 
2
• For TEM line, kc = 0, k = β k tan 
d 
2
15
 3.2 Parallel Plate Waveguide

Figure 3.2 (p. 98)

Geometry of a parallel plate waveguide. 16
• The simplest type of guide that can support TM and
TE modes; can also support a TEM mode.
TEM Modes
• TEM mode solution can be obtained by solving
Laplace’s equation.
t2 ( x, y )  0 for 0  x  W , 0  y  d
• Assume  ( x, 0)  0, ( x, d )  V0
• Since there is no variation in x,
 ( x, y )  A  By  ( x, y )  V0 y / d
• The transverse E-field from (3.13),
e ( x, y )  t  ( x, y )   yV
ˆ 0 /d

 jkz V0  jkz
E ( x , y , z )  e ( x, y )e   yˆ e 17
d
 1 V0  jkz
H ( x, y, z )  zˆ  E ( x, y, z )  xˆ e
 d
The voltage of the top plate with respect to the bottom plate
d
V   E y dy  V0e  jkz
y 0

The total current on the top plate

w w wwV0  jkz
I   J s  zdx
ˆ   ( yˆ  H )  zdx
ˆ   H x dx  e
x 0 x 0 x 0 d
V d
Z0  
I w
 1
vp  
 
18
TM Modes
• Hz = 0, Ez satisfies (3.25) with  / x  0
 2 2
 2  kc  ez ( x, y )  0
 y 
ez ( x, y )  A sin kc y  B cos kc y

• B.C.  ez ( x, y )  0 at y  0, d
B  0 and kc d  n

  k 2  kc2  k 2  (n / d ) 2
n y n y  j  z
ez ( x, y )  An sin , Ez ( x, y, z )  An sin e
d d 19
 j n y  j  z  j n y  j z
Hx  An cos e , Ey  An cos e ,
kc d kc d
Ex  H y  0

TM0 mode = TEM mode

The cutoff frequency fc
kc n
fc  
2  2d 
TM1 mode is the lowest TM mode with a cutoff frequency
1
fc 
2d 

20
• At frequencies below the cutoff frequency of a given
mode, the propagation constant is purely imaginary,
corresponding to a rapid exponential decay of the
fields.  cutoff or evanescent modes.
• TMn mode propagation is analogous to a high-pass
filter response.
• The wave impedance
Ey  
ZTM   
H x  k

pure real for f > fc, pure imaginary for f < fc.
• The guide wavelength is defined 2
 
 the distance between equiphase g 
planes along the z-axis.
21
• λg > λ = 2π/k, the wavelength of a plane wave in the
material.
• The phase velocity and guide wavelength are defined
only for a propagation mode, for which β is real.
• A cutoff wavelength for the TMn mode may be
defined as 2d
c 
n
• Poynting vector
1 w d 1 w d
Po  Re   E  H  zdydx 
ˆ   Re   E y H x dydx
2 x 0 y 0 2 x 0 y 0

w Re(  ) d
2 n y
 2
| An |  cos
2
dy
2kc y 0 d
22
  w Re(  ) d
 2
| An |2
for n  0
 4kc

 w Re(  ) d | A |2 for n  0
 2kc2
n

Consider the dominant TM1 mode, which has a propagation

constant,
1  k    / d  ,
2 2

 y  j  z A1 j[ y / d  1z ]  j[ y / d  1z ]

Ez  A1 sin e  e e 
d 2j

2 plane waves traveling obliquely in the –y, +z and +y, +z

directions.
23
 
2
k sin   , k cos   1  
   1
2
 k 2
d d
 
f  fc: β1  0: 2 plane waves up and down, no real power
flow.

Figure 3.3 (p. 102)

Bouncing plane wave interpretation of the TM1 parallel plate
waveguide mode. 24
• Conductor loss can be treated using the perturbation
method. Pl
c 
2 Po
where Po: the power flow down the guide in the
absence of conductor loss given by (3.54), Pl: the
power dissipated per unit length in the 2 lossy
conductors
 s
R w 2
  Rs w
2 2
Pl  2    | J s | dx  2
| An |2

 2  x  0 kc
2 Rs 2kRs
c   for n  0
d  d
Rs
 for n  0
d 25
TE Modes
• Ez = 0, Hz satisfies (3.21) with  / x  0
 2 2
 2  kc  hz ( x, y )  0
 y 
hz ( x, y )  A sin kc y  B cos kc y

• B.C.  ex ( x, y )  0 at y  0, d
A  0 and kc d  n
 j
E x ( x, y , z )  [ A cos kc y  B sin kc y ]e  j  z ,
kc
n y  j  z
H z ( x, y )  Bn cos e
d 26
 j n y  j  z j n y  j  z
Ex  Bn sin e ,Hy  Bn sin e ,
kc d kc d
Ey  H x  0

The cutoff frequency fc

kc n
fc  
2  2d 
The wave impedance

Ex  
ZTE   
Hy  k

27
 1 w d 1 w d
Po  Re   E  H  zdydx 
ˆ   Re   Ex H y dydx
2 x 0 y 0 2 x 0 y 0

w Re(  )
 2
| Bn |2
for n  0
4kc

If n = 0, Ex = Hy = 0,  P0 = 0  no TE0 mode.

2kc2 Rs 2kc2 Rs
c  
 d k  d

28
Figure 3.4 (p.
105)
Attenuation due to
conductor loss for
the TEM, TM, and
TE1 modes of a
parallel plate
waveguide.

29
Figure 3.5 (p. 106)
Field lines for the (a) TEM, (b) TM1, and (c) TE1 modes of a
parallel plate waveguide. There is no variation across the
30
width of the waveguide.
3.3 Rectangular Waveguide
TE Modes
• Ez = 0
• Hz must satisfy the reduced wave equation (3.21)
 2 2 2
 2  2  kc  hz ( x, y )  0
 x y 

• Can be solved by separation of variables

hz ( x, y )  X ( x)Y ( y )

1 d 2 X 1 d 2Y
2
 2
 k c 0
2

X dx Y dy
31
Figure 3.6 (p. 107)
Photograph of Ka-band (WR-28) rectangular waveguide
components. Clockwise from top: a variable attenuator, and E-
H (magic) tee junction, a directional coupler, an adaptor to
ridge waveguide, an E-plane swept bend, an adjustable short, 32
and a sliding matched load. Courtesy of Agilent Technologies, Santa Rosa, CA
Figure 3.7 (p. 107)
Geometry of a rectangular waveguide. 33
• We define separation constant kx and ky
d2X d 2
Y
2
 k 2
x X  0, 2
 k 2
y Y  0, k 2
x  k 2
y  kc
2

dx dy
hz ( x, y )  ( A cos k x x  B sin k x x)(C cos k y y  B sin k y y )

ex ( x, y )  0 at y  0, b
• Boundary conditions
ey ( x, y )  0 at x  0, a

 j

•ex Using2
(3.19c) x x  B sin k x x )( C sin k y y  D cos k y y )
andk (3.19d)
k y ( A cos
kc
 j
ey  2
k x ( A sin k x x  B cos k x x )(C cos k y y  D sin k y y )
kc 34
• From B.C , D = 0, and ky = nπ/b, B = 0 , and kx = mπ/a

m x n y  j  z
H z ( x, y, z )  Amn cos cos e
a b
• The transverse field components of TEmn mode

j n m x n y  j  z
Ex  2
Amn cos sin e ,
kc b a b
 j m m x n y  j  z
Ey  2
Amn sin cos e ,
kc a a b
j  m m x n y  j  z
H x  2 Amn sin cos e ,
kc a a b
j  n m x n y  j  z
H y  2 Amn cos sin e .
kc b a b 35
 2 2
 m   n  is real when
  k k  k 
2
 
2
c 
2

 a   b 
2 2
 m   n 
k  kc     
 a   b 
2 2
kc 1  m   n 
f cmn      
2  2   a   b 
The mode with the lowest cutoff frequency is called the
dominant mode;
1
f c10 
2a 

36
• For f < fc, all field components will decay
exponentially  cutoff or evanescent modes
• If more than one mode is propagating, the waveguide
is overmoded.
• The wave impedance
Ex  E y k
ZTE   
Hy Hx 
• The guide wavelength (λ: the wavelength of a plane
wave in the filling medium)
2 2  
g     v p    1/ 
 k  k

37
• For the TE10 mode
 x  j z
H z  A10 cos e ,
a
 j a  x  j z
Ey  A10 sin e ,
 a
j a  x  j z
Hx  A10 sin e ,
 a
Ex  Ez  H y  0.

kc   / a,   k 2  ( / a )2

38
• The power flow down the guide for the TE10 mode:
1 a b 1 a b
Po  Re   E  H  zdydx 
ˆ  Re   E y H xdydx
2 x 0 y 0 2 x 0 y 0

 a 2 Re(  ) | A10 |2 a b 2 x

2 2  
x 0 y 0
sin
a
dydx

 a 3b Re(  ) | A10 |2

4 2
• Attenuation can occur because of dielectric loss or
conductor loss.
Rs
Pl  
2
| J s | dl
2 C

39
• There are surface currents on all 4 walls.
• The surface current on the x = 0 wall is
ˆ 10 e  j  z
J s  nˆ  H x 0  xˆ  zˆ H z x 0   yˆ H z x 0   yA
• The surface current on the y = 0 wall is
J s  nˆ  H y 0 
 yˆ  xˆ H x y 0
 zˆ H z y 0 
j a  x  j z  x  j z
  zˆ A10 sin e  xA
ˆ 10 cos e
 a a
b a
Pl  Rs  | J sy | dy Rs 
2
| J sx |2  | J sz |2  dx
y 0 x 0

2  a  a 
2 3
 Rs A10  b   2 
 2 2 

40
• The attenuation due to conductor loss for TE10 mode
Pl 2 2 Rs  a  2a3 
c   b   2 
2 P10  a 3b  2 2 
Rs
 3 (2b  a k ) Np / m
2 3 2

a b k

41
TM Modes
• Hz = 0
 2  2
2
 2  2  k c  ez ( x , y )  0
 x y 
ez ( x, y )  ( A cos k x x  B sin k x x)(C cos k y y  D sin k y y )

• BC: ez(x,y) = 0 @ x = 0, a and y = 0, b

A  0, k x  m / a
C  0, k y  n / b
m x n y  j  z
Ez ( x, y, z )  Bmn sin sin e
a b
42
  j  m m x n y  j  z
Ex  2
Bmn cos sin e ,
akc a b
 j  n m x n y  j  z
Ey  2
Bmn sin cos e ,
bkc a b
j n m x n y  j  z
Hx  2
Bmn sin cos e ,
bkc a b
 j m m x n y  j  z
Hx  2
Bmn cos sin e
akc a b
2 2
 m   n 
  k k  k 
2 2
c 
2

 a   b 
Ex  E y 
2 2
1    
f c11       , ZTM   
2  a b Hy Hx k 43
Figure 3.8 (p. 112)
Attenuation of various modes in a rectangular brass
waveguide with a = 2.0 cm. 44
Figure 3.9 (p. 114)
Field lines for some of the lower order modes of a rectangular
waveguide. Reprinted from Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics, Ramo et al,45
© Wiley, 1965)
Ex 3.1
• a = 1.07 cm, b = 0.43 cm, f = 15 GHz
• Solution: for Teflon εr = 2.08, tan δ = 0.0004
2 2
c  m   n 
f cmn     
2  r  a   b 
Mode m n fc (GHz)
TE 1 0 9.72
TE 2 0 19.44
TE 0 1 24.19
TE, TM 1 1 26.07
TE, TM 2 1 31.03
46
• At 15 GHz
2
 
  k     345.1
2

a
k 2 tan 
d   0.119np / m  1.03dB / m
2
0
Rs   0.032
2
Rs
c  3 (2b 2  a 3 k 2 )  0.050np / m  0.434dB / m
a b k

47
Figure 3.10 (p. 115)
Geometry of a partially loaded rectangular waveguide. 48
Figure on page 117
Reference: Montgomery, et al., Principles of Microwave Circuits, McGraw-Hill, 1948)
49
3.4 Circular Waveguide

Figure 3.11 (p. 117)

Geometry of a circular
waveguide.

50
  j  Ez  H z   j   Ez H z 
E  2     , E  2    
kc      kc     
j   Ez H z  j Ez  H z 
H  2    , H  2    
kc      kc     

TE Modes
Ez = 0 2 H z  k 2 H z  0
 2 1  1 2 2
 2  2  kc  hz (  ,  )  0
      2

hz (  ,  )  R(  ) P ( )

51
1 d 2R 1 dR 1 d 2P
   k c  0,
2

R d 2
 R d   P d
2 2

 2 d 2 R  dR 1 d 2
P
   kc  
2 2

R d 2
R d P d 2

1 d 2P d 2
P
  k
2
  kP0
2

P d 2
d 2

2
d R dR
 2

d 2
 
d
   2 2
k c  k  R 0
2

The general solution is

P ( )  A sin k  B cos k 

52
• Since hz (  ,  )  hz (  ,   2n )
P( )  A sin n  B cos n
2
d R dR
 2

d 2
 
d
   2 2
k c  n 2
 R0

R(  )  CJ n ( kc  )  DYn (kc  ) But, D = 0

hz (  ,  )   A sin n  B cos n  J n (kc  )
• BC: Since Ez = 0,
E (  ,  )  0 at   a
j
E (  ,  , z )   A sin n  B cos n  n c
J  ( k  ) e  j z

kc
53
 J n (kc a )  0

• If the roots of Jn' (x) are defined as p'nm, so that

Jn'(p'nm) = 0, where p'nm is the mth root of Jn', then kc
must have the value.

pnm
kc 
a
• See Table 3.3
• The Temn modes are defined by the cutoff
wavenumber, kcmn = p'nm/a, where n refers to the
number of circumferential (φ) variations, and m refers
to the number of radial (ρ) variations.

54
 2
 
 pnm kc 
pnm
 nm  k k  k 
2 2
c
2
 , fcnm  
 a  2  2 a 
TE11 mode: dominant mode

 j n
E   A cos n  B sin n  n c
J ( k  ) e  j z

kc 
2

j
E   A sin n  B cos n  n c
J  ( k  ) e  j z

kc
 j
H   A sin n  B cos n  n c
J  ( k  ) e  j z

kc
 j n
H  2  A cos n  B sin n  J n (kc  )e  j  z
kc 
55
The wave impedance
E  E k
ZTE   
H H 
Because of the azimuthal symmetry of the circular waveguide,
both sin nφ and cos nφ are terms are valid solutions, and can be
present in a specific problem to any degree.
The actual amplitudes of these terms will be dependent on the
excitation of the waveguide.
Consider the dominant TE11 mode with an excitation such that B
= 0.

56
H z  A sin  J1 (kc  )e  j  z , Ez  0
 j n j
E  A cos  J 1 ( k c  ) e  j z
, E  A sin n J 
1 ( k c  ) e  j z

kc 
2
kc
 j  j n
H  A sin  J1(kc  )e , H   2 A cos n J1 ( kc  )e  j  z
 j z

kc kc 
The power flow down the guide

57
 1 a 2
Po  Re   E  H   zˆ  d  d
2  0  0

1 a 2
 Re   [ E H  E H  dydx] d  d
2  0  0

 | A |2 Re(  ) a 2  1 
   cos  J1 (kc  )  kc sin  J1 (kc  )   d  d
2 2 2 2 2


4 2
2kc   0   0

 | A |2 Re(  ) a  1 2 
  J (kc  )   kc J1 (kc  )  d 
2 2
 2 1

4
2kc   0

 | A |2 Re(  ) 2
 4
( p 
11  1) J 2
1 ( kc a )
4kc

58
 Rs 2
Pl   ad
2
| J s |
2   0

Rs 2
     ad
2 2
 | H  | | H z |
2  0
| A |2 Rs 2   2 2  2
   4 2 cos   sin   J1 (kc a) ad
2

2   0
 kc a 
| A |2 Rs a  2  2
 1  4 2  J1 ( k c a )
2  kc a 

Pl Rs (kc4 a 2   2 ) Rs k 2
c    ( kc 
2
)
2 Po  k  a ( p11  1)  k  a
2
 1
2
p11

59
TM Modes
 2 1  1 2 2
 2  2  kc  ez (  ,  )  0
      2

ez (  ,  )   A sin n  B cos n  J n ( kc  )

Ez (  ,  )  0 at   a
J n ( kc a )  0 pnm
kc 
a
2
 pnm  kc pnm
 nm  k k  k 
2 2
c  , fcnm 
2

 a  2  2 a 

60
  j
E   A sin n  B cos n  J n (kc  )e j z
kc
 j n
E  2  A cos n  B sin n  J n (kc  )e  j z

kc 
j n
H   2  A cos n  B sin n  J n (kc  )e  j  z
kc 
 j
H   A sin n  B cos n  n c
J  ( k  ) e  j z

kc
E  E 
ZTM   
H H k

61
Figure 3.12 (p. 123)
Attenuation of various modes in a circular copper waveguide
with a = 2.54 cm. 62
 Ex 3.2

Figure 3.13 (p. 123)

Cutoff frequencies of the first few TE and TM modes of a
circular waveguide, relative to the cutoff frequency of the
dominant TE11 mode. 63
Figure 3.14 (p. 125)
Field lines for some of the lower order modes of a circular
waveguide.
Reprinted from Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics, Ramo et al, © Wiley, 1965) 64
3.5 Coaxial Line
TEM Mode
1    (  ,  )  1  2(  ,  )
 (  , )  0
2
  2 0
       2

• Boundary conditions
 (a,  )  V0 ,  (b,  )  0
 (  ,  )  R(  ) P( )
 d  dR  1 d 2 P
  0
R d   d   P d 2

 d  dR  1 d 2
P
     k 2
 ,   k
2
, k 2
  k
2
0
R d  d  P d 2

65
Figure 3.15 (p. 126)
Coaxial line geometry. 66
• The general solution to (3.148)
P( )  A cos n  B sin n
• Since the boundary conditions do not vary with φ, the
potential Φ should not vary with φ.  n = 0  kρ =
0.
d  dR 
 0
d  d 
R(  )  C ln   D   (  ,  )  C ln   D
 (a,  )  V0  C ln a  D
 (b,  )  0  C ln b  D
V0 ln b / 
(  , ) 
ln b / a
67
 Higher Order Modes
• The coaxial line also support TE & TM waveguide
modes in addition to a TEM mode.
• In practice, these modes are usually cutoff (evanescent),
only a reactive effect near discontinuities or sources,
where they are excited.
• For TE modes, Ez = 0, and
 2 1  1 2 2
 2  2  kc  hz (  ,  )  0
      2

• The general solution (from Sec. 3.4),
hz (  ,  )  ( A sin n  B cos n )(CJ n (kc  )  DYn (kc  ))

68
• Boundary conditions:
E (  ,  , z )  0 for   a, b
 j   Ez H z 
E     
kc     
j
  A sin n  B cos n   CJ n (kc  )  DYn(kc  )  e  j z
kc

CJ n (kc a )  DYn(kc a )  0
CJ n (kc b)  DYn(kcb)  0

• Nontrivial solution for C & D 

J n (kc a)Yn(kcb)  J n (k cb)Yn(kc a )
 Characteristic equation for kc
69
Figure 3.16 (p. 129)
Normalized cutoff frequency of the dominant TE11 waveguide
mode for a coaxial line. 70
Figure 3.17 (p. 129)
Field lines for the (a) TEM and (b) TE11 modes of a coaxial
line. 71
Ex 3.3
• a = 0.035”, b = 0.116”, εr = 2.2. What is the highest
usable frequency, before the TE11 waveguide mode
starts to propagate?

72
Photograph on Page 134.
73
Figure 3.18 (p. 131)
Geometry of a grounded dielectric slab. 74
Figure 3.19 (p. 133)
Graphical solution of the transcendental equation for the
cutoff frequency of a TM surface wave mode of the grounded
75
dielectric slab.
Figure 3.20 (p. 135)
Graphical solution of the transcendental equation for the
cutoff frequency of a TE surface wave mode. Figure depicts a 76
mode below cutoff.
Figure 3.21 (p. 136)
Surface wave propagation constants for a grounded dielectric
slab with εr = 2.55. 77
Figure on page 137
Reference: R.W. Hornbeck, Numerical Methods, Quantum Publishers, 1975
78
3.7 Stripline
• A planar-type of transmission line that lends itself
well to microwave integrated circuitry and
photolithographic fabrication.
• Since stripline has 2 conductors and a homogeneous
dielectric, it can support a TEM wave.
• The stripline can also support higher order TM and
TE modes, but these are usually avoided in practice.

79
Figure 3.22 (p. 137)
Stripline transmission line. (a) Geometry. (b) Electric and
magnetic field lines. 80
Figure 3.23 (p. 138)
Photograph of a stripline circuit assembly, showing four
quadrature hybrids, open-circuit tuning stubs, and coaxial
transitions. Courtesy of Harlan Howe, Jr. M/A-COM Inc. 81
Formulas for Propagation Constant, Characteristic
Impedance and Attenuation
• The phase velocity of a TEM mode:
v p  1/ 0 0 r  c /  r
• The propagation constant of the stripline is

   0 0 r   r k0
vp
• The characteristic impedance of a transmission line is
L LC 1
Z0   
C C v pC
• Laplace’s equation can be solved by conformal
mapping to find the capacitance per unit length of the
stripline.  complicated special function
82
• For practical computations simple formulas have
been developed by curve fitting to the exact solution.
30 b
Z0 
 r We  0.441b

where We is the effective width of the center

conductor We  W  0 for W / b  0.35

 (0.35  W / b) for W / b  0.35
2
b b

• Given the characteristic impedance, the strip width is

W 
x for  r Z 0  120

b 
 0.85  0.6  x for  r Z 0  120

where x
30
 0.441
 r Z0
83
• The attenuation due to the dielectric loss is the same
as (3.30).
• The attenuation due to the conductor loss
 2.7 10-3 Rs r Z 0
 A for  r Z 0  120
 30 (b  t )
c  
 0.16 Rs B for  r Z 0  120

 Z 0b
with 2W 1 b  t  2b  t 
A  1  ln  
bt  bt  t 
b  0.414t 1 4 W 
B  1  0.5   ln 
(0.5W  0.7t )  W 2 t 

• Ex 3.5

84
An Approximate Electrostatic Solution
• Modified the geometry truncating the plates beyond
some distance and placing metal walls on the sides.

Figure 3.24 (p. 141) 85

Geometry of enclosed stripline.
3.8 Microstrip
• Microstrip line is one of the most popular types of
transmission lines, primarily because it can be
fabricated by photolithographic process and is easily
integrated with other passive and active microwave
devices.
• Microstrip line cannot support a pure TEM wave.
• In most practical applications, the dielectric substrate
is electrically very thin (d<<λ), and so the fields are
quasi-TEM.
c
vp  ,   k0  e , 1   e   r
e

86
Figure 3.25 (p. 143)
Microstrip transmission line. (a) Geometry. (b) Electric and
magnetic field lines. 87
Figure 3.26 (p. 145)
Equivalent geometry of quasi-TEM microstrip line, where the
dielectric slab of thickness I and relative permittivity εr has
been replaced with a homogeneous medium of effective relative
88
permittivity, εe.
Formulas for Propagation Constant, Characteristic
Impedance and Attenuation
• The effective dielectric constant of a microstrip line:
 r 1  r 1 1
e  
2 2 1  12d / W

• The characteristic impedance of a microstrip line is

 60  8d W 
 ln    for W / d  1
  e  W 4d 
Z0  
 120
for W / d  1
  e  W / d  1.393  0.667 ln(W / d  1.444) 


89
• Given Z0, and εr, the strip width is
 8e A
 for W / d  2
W  e2 A  2

d 2  r 1  0.61 
  B  1  ln(2 B  1)  ln( B  1)  0.39   for W / d  2
  2 r   r 

Z0  r  1  r 1  0.11 
A   0.23  
where 60 2 r 1 r 
377
B
2Z 0  r

• The attenuation due to dielectric loss

k0 r ( e  1) tan 
d 
2  e ( r  1)

90
• The attenuation due to the conductor loss
Rs
c  where Rs  0 / is
2 the surface resistivity of
Z 0W
the conductor.
• Ex 3.7

91
An Approximate Electrostatic Solution

Figure 3.27 (p. 146) 92

Geometry of a microstrip line with conducting sidewalls.
• The potential Φ(x,y) satisfying Laplace’s equation:
t  ( x, y )  0 for x  a / 2, 0  y  

with BC ( x, y )  0 at x  a / 2, y  0, 
• Since there are 2 regions defined by air/dielectric
interface, with a charge discontinuity on the strip, we
will have separate Φ(x,y).

 2 2 
( x, y )  X ( x)Y ( y )   2  2    0
 x y 
X  Y  X  2 Y 
 0  k x ,  k x2
X Y X Y
( x, y )  ( A cos k x x  B sin k x x)(C cosh k x y  B sinh k x y )

93
• Applying BC & even function on x & y,
kxa n
B  0, C  0, A cos  0  kx 
2 a
  n x n y
  An cos
a
sinh
a
for 0  y  d
 n 1,n;odd
 ( x, y )   
 n x  n y / a
  Bn cos
a
e for d  y  
 n 1,n;odd

• Φ must be continuous at y = d 
n d
An sinh  Bn e  n d / a
a

94
   n x n y
  An cos
a
sinh
a
for 0  y  d
 n 1,n;odd
 ( x, y )   
 n x n d  n ( y  d ) / a
  An cos
a
sinh
a
e for d  y  
 n 1,n;odd

 
 n  n x n y
 
 An  cos cosh for 0  y  d
  n 1,n;odd  a  a a
Ey    
y   n  n x n d  n ( y  d ) / a
  An  cos sinh e for d  y  
 n 1,n;odd  a  a a

95
• The surface current density at y = d,
 s  D y ( x , y  d  )  Dy ( x, y  d  )
  0 E y ( x , y  d  )   0 r E y ( x, y  d  )

 n  n x  n d n d 
 0 
n 1, n ;odd
An
 a


cos
a 
sinh
a
  r cosh
a 

• By a good guess,  s ( x)  1 for x  W / 2

0 for x  W / 2


• Taking the orthogonalization for both sides of ρs,

a/2 n x  n  a / 2 2 n x  n d n d 
 a / 2 cos a dx   0 An  a   a / 2 cos a sinh a   r cosh a  dx
W /2
a n x  n  a  n d n d 
sin   0 An    sinh   cosh
a 
r
n a W / 2  a 4 a
96
 4a sin n W / 2a
An 
 n d n d 
  0
2
n  sinh   cosh
a 
r
 a

n b
V    E y ( x  0, y )dy   An sinh
d

0
n 1 2a
W /2 Q W
Q    s ( x)dx  W , C   
W /2 V n b
n 1
An sinh
2a
L 1 e
Z0    ,  e  C / C0
C v p C cC
C = capacitance per unit length of the microstrip line with εr ≠ 1
C0 = capacitance per unit length of the microstrip line with εr = 1
HW2. Use MATLAB to calculate the Z0 with εr =
2.2, a = 100d, for W/d = 0 to 10 (step = 0.01) and
97
compare these results with (3.195) & (3.196)
Figure 3.28 (p. 150)
A rectangular waveguide partially filled with dielectric and
the transverse resonance equivalent circuit. 98
3.10 Wave Velocities and Dispersion
• The speed of light in a medium is the velocity at
which a plane wave would propagate in that medium.
• The phase velocity is the speed at which a constant
phase point travels.
• The phase velocity is different for different
frequencies, then the individual frequency
components will not maintain their original phase
relationships as they propagate down the transmission
line or waveguide, and signal distortion will occur. 
dispersion

99
Group Velocity
• The velocity at which a narrow band signal
propagates.

F ( )   f (t )e  jt dt


1 
f (t ) 
2 

F ( )e jt d 

100
• For a lossless, matched transmission line or
waveguide,
Z ( )  Ae  j  z  Z ( ) e  j
• The time-domain output signal,
1 
f 0 (t ) 
2 

F ( ) Z ( ) e j (t  ) d 

• Now if |Z(ω)| = A is a constant, and the phase of ψ is

a linear function of ω (ψ = aω),
1 
f 0 (t ) 
2  
AF ( )e j ( t  a ) d   Af (t  a)

 dispersionless (not distortion for a lossless TEM

wave)

101
• For a lossy TEM line, consider a narrow band input
signal of the form representing an AM modulated
carrier wave of frequency ω0.

s (t )  f (t ) cos 0t  Re f (t )e j0t 

S ( )   f (t )e  j0t e jt dt  F (  0 )


So ( )  AF (  0 )e  j  z
1  1 o m
 So ( )e d  2 
jt
so (t )  AF (  o )e j (t   z ) d
2 o m

102
• In general, β may be a complicated function of ω. But
if F(ω) is narrowband (ωm<<ωo),
d
 ( )   (o )  (  o )    0   0 (  0 )
d  o

d
where  0   ( ),  0 
d  o

• Then, y = ω- ω0,
so (t ) 
A
2
Re e 
j (0t   0 z ) 

F ( y ) e j ( t   0 z ) y

dy

 
 A Re f (t   0 z )e j (0t  0 z )  Af (t   0 z ) cos(0t   0 z )

 a time-shifted replica of the original modulation

envelope f(t).

103
• The velocity of this envelope is the group velocity, vg:
1
1  d 
vg   
0  d    0

• Ex 3.9

104
Figure 3.31 (p. 155)
Cross section of a ridge waveguide. 105
Figure 3.32 (p. 155)
Dielectric waveguide geometry. 106
Figure 3.33 (p. 156)
Geometry of a printed slotline. 107
Figure 3.34 (p. 156)
Coplanar waveguide geometry. 108
Figure 3.35 (p. 157)
Covered microstrip line. 109