Rectangular Waveguides

Waveguides
Introduction
 At frequencies higher than 3 GHz, transmission of
electromagnetic energy along the transmission lines
and cables becomes difficult.

 This is due to the losses that occur both in the solid

dielectric needed to support the conductor and in
the conductors themselves.

 A metallic tube can be used to transmit

electromagnetic wave at the above frequencies
 Definition
 A Hollow metallic tube of uniform cross section for transmitting
electromagnetic waves by successive reflections from the inner
walls of the tube is called waveguide.
Basic Features
 Waveguides may be used to carry energy between
pieces of equipment or over longer distances to
carry transmitter power to an antenna or microwave
signals from an antenna to a receiver.
 Waveguides are made from copper, aluminum or
brass. These metals are extruded into long
rectangular or circular pipes.
 An electromagnetic energy to be carried by a
waveguide is injected into one end of the
waveguide.
 The electric and magnetic fields associated with the
signal bounce off the inside walls back and forth as
it progresses down the waveguide.
 Waveguide components

Rectangular Waveguide to coax adapter

waveguide

Waveguide bends E-tee

Figures from: www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/waveguide.cfm

 More waveguides

http://www.tallguide.com/Waveguidelinearity.html
Uses
 To reduce attenuation loss
 High frequencies
 High power
 Can operate only above certain
frequencies
 Acts as a High-pass filter
 Normally circular or rectangular
 We will assume lossless rectangular
TE mode and TM mode
 Rectangular WG
 Need to find the fields components of
the EM wave inside the waveguide
 E H E H E H
z z x x y y
 We’ll find that waveguides don’t
support TEM waves.

http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/D.Jefferies/wguide.html
 Rectangular Waveguides:
Fields inside
Using phasors & assuming waveguide
filled with
 lossless dielectric material and

 walls of perfect conductor,

the wave inside should obey…

2 E  k 2 E 0
2 H  k 2 H 0
where k 2  2  c
 Boudary conditions:
• It refers to the conditions that E-field and H-field within a
waveguide must meet before energy travels down the
waveguide.
There are 2 conditions that must be met:
a) For an electric field to exist at the surface of a conductor, it
must be perpendicular to the conductor. An electric field
CANNOT exist parallel to a perfect conductor.
b) For a varying magnetic field to exist, it must form closed
loops in parallel with the conductors and be perpendicular to
the electric field.
• Energy travelling down a waveguide is similar to the
electromagnetic waves travel in free space. The difference
is that the energy in a waveguide is confined to the physical
limits of the guide.
Cont:
• Since E-field causes a current flow that in turn
produces H-field, both fields always exist at the same
time in a waveguide.
• If one field satisfies one of these boundary
conditions, it must also satisfy the other since neither
field can exist alone.
Then applying on the z-component…

2 2
 E z  k E z 0

2 Ez 2 Ez 2 Ez 2
2
 2  2  k E z 0
x y z
Solving by method of Separation of Variables :
E z ( x, y, z )  X ( x)Y ( y ) Z ( z )
from where we obtain :
X '' Y '' Z ''
   k 2
X Y Z
 Fields inside the waveguide
'' '' ''
X Y Z 2
   k
X Y Z
 k x2  k y2   2  k 2 h 2  2  k 2 k x2  k y2

which results in the expressions :

'' 2
X  k X 0 x X(x) c1 cos k x x  c2 sin k x x
'' 2
Y  k Y 0 y Y(y) c3 cos k y y  c4 sin k y y
Z ''   2 Z 0 Z ( z ) c5ez  c6 e  z
 Substituting
X(x) c1 cos k x x  c2 sin k x x
Y(y) c3 cos k y y  c4 sin k y y
E z ( x, y, z )  X ( x)Y ( y ) Z ( z ) Z ( z ) c5ez  c6 e  z


E z c1 cos k x x  c2 sin k x x c3 cos k y y  c4 sin k y y  c5ez  c6 e  z 
If only looking at the wave traveling in  z - direction :
E z A1 cos k x x  A2 sin k x x A3 cos k y y  A4 sin k y y e  z
Similarly for the magnetic field,
H z B1 cos k x x  B2 sin k x x B3 cos k y y  B4 sin k y y e  z
Other components
From Faraday and Ampere Laws we can find the
remaining four components:
 E z j H z
E x  
h 2 x h 2 y *So once we know
 E z j H z Ez and Hz, we can
E y  2  find all the other
h y h 2 x
fields.
j E z  H z
Hx  2 
h y h 2 x
j E z  H z
H y  2  2
h x h y
where K= intrinsic propagation constant of
h 2  2  k 2 k x2  k y2 dielectric , h= cuttoff wavenumber
Modes of propagation
From these equations we can conclude:
 TEM (E =H =0) can’t propagate.
z z

 TE (Ez=0) transverse electric

 In TE mode, the electric lines of flux are
perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide

 TM (Hz=0) transverse magnetic, Ez exists

 In TM mode, the magnetic lines of flux are
perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide.

 HE hybrid modes in which all components

exists
 TM Mode
E z A1 cos k x x  A2 sin k x x A3 cos k y y  A4 sin k y y e  z
 Boundary E z 0 at y 0 ,b
conditions: E z 0 at x 0,a
From these, we conclude:
X(x) is in the form of sin kxx,
where kx=m/a, m=1,2,3,…
Y(y) is in the form of sin kyy,
where ky=n/b, n=1,2,3,…
So the solution for Ez(x,y,z) is
E z  A2 A4 sin k x x sin k y y e  jz

Figure from: www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~microwave/programs/magnetic/rect/info.htm

TM Mode
 Substituting

 m   n   j  z
E z Eo sin  x  sin  y e
 a   b 
where
2 2
 m   n 
  k2 2
2
h    
 a   b 
  m   n   j  z
E z Eo sin  x  sin  y e
TMmn  a   b 
H z 0
 Other components are
 E z   m   mx   ny   z
E x  E x  2   Eo cos  sin  e
h 2 x h  a   a   b 
 E z   n   mx   ny   z
E y  2 E y  2   Eo sin   cos e
h y h  b   a   b 
j E z j  n   mx   ny   z
Hx  2 Hx  2   Eo sin   cos e
h y h  b   a   b 
j E z j  m   mx   ny   z
H y  2 H y  2   Eo cos  sin  e
h x h  a   a   b 
TM modes
 The m and n represent the mode of propagation
and indicates the number of variations of the
field in the x and y directions
 Note that for the TM mode, if n or m is zero, all

fields are zero.

 See applet by Paul Falstad

http://www.falstad.com/embox/guide.html
   k x2  k y2  k 2
TM Cutoff 2
 m   n 
2

   
2
   
 a   b 
 The cutoff frequency occurs when
2 2
2  m   n 
When c      then    j 0
 a   b 
2 2
1 1  m   n 
or f c     
2   a   b 
 Evanescent:
2 2
 m   n 
When  2         and  0
 a   b 
 Means no propagation, everything is attenuated
2 2
 m   n 
 Propagation: When    
2
     j and  0
 a   b 
 This is the case we are interested since is when the wave is allowed to
travel through the guide.
 attenuatio Propagation

Cutoff n
of mode mn

fc,mn
 The cutoff frequency is the frequency
below which attenuation occurs and above
which propagation takes place. (High Pass)
2 2
u'  m   n 
f c mn     
2  a  b
 The phase constant becomes

2 2 2
 m   n   fc 
     
2
    ' 1   
 a   b   f 
Phase velocity and impedance
 The phase velocity is defined as

 2 up
up   
'  f
 And the intrinsic impedance of the mode
is
2
Ex Ey  fc 
TM    ' 1   
Hy Hx  f 
 Summary of TM modes
Wave in the dielectric Inside the waveguide
medium
2
f 
 '  / u '     ' 1   c 
 f 

2
'  /  f 
TM  ' 1   c 
 f 

up   / 
u '  /  '  f 1 / 
2
f 
 ' 1  c 
 f 

'
 
 ' u ' / f  f 
2

1  c 
 f 
 Related example of how fields look:
Parallel plate waveguide - TM modes
 m x  e jt  z 
Ez  A sin 
 a 
Ez
m=1
0 a x

m=2

m=3
z a x
 TE Mode
H z B1 cos k x x  B2 sin k x x B3 cos k y y  B4 sin k y y e  z
 Boundary E x 0 at y 0 ,b
conditions: E y 0 at x 0,a
From these, we conclude:
X(x) is in the form of cos kxx,
where kx=m/a, m=0,1,2,3,…
Y(y) is in the form of cos kyy,
where ky=n/b, n=0,1,2,3,…
So the solution for Ez(x,y,z) is
H z B1 B3 cos k x x cos k y y e  jz
Figure from: www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~microwave/programs/magnetic/rect/info.htm
TE Mode
 Substituting

 mx   n   jz
H z H o cos  cos y e
 a   b 
where again
2 2
 m   n 
h 2    
 a   b 

 Note that n and m cannot be both zero

because the fields will all be zero.
  m   n   j  z
H z H o cos x  cos y e
TEmn  a   b 
E z 0
 Other components are
j H z j  n   mx   ny   z
E x  Ex  2   H o cos  sin  e
h 2 y h  b   a   b 
j H z j  m   mx   ny   z
E y  E y  2   H o sin   cos e
h 2 x h  a   a   b 
 H z j  m   mx   ny   z
H x  Hx  2   H o sin   cos e
h 2 x h  a   a   b 
 H z
H y  j   n   mx   ny   z
h 2 y Hy  2   H o cos  sin  e
h  b   a   b 
 attenuatio Propagation

Cutoff n
of mode mn

fc,mn
 The cutoff frequency is the same
expression as for the TM mode
2 2
u'  m   n 
f c mn     
2  a  b

 But the lowest attainable frequencies are

lowest because here n or m can be zero.
Dominant Mode
 The dominant mode is the mode with
lowest cutoff frequency.
 It’s always TE10
 The order of the next modes change
depending on the dimensions of the
guide.
Calculations for TE mode:
 For X-band rectangular waveguide, the
cross sectional dimensions are
a=2.286cm and b=1.016cm.
m n fc, mn (GHz)
1 0 6.526
2 0 13.123
0 1 14.746
1 1 16.156
Calculations for TM mode:
 For X-band rectangular waveguide, the
cross sectional dimensions are
a=2.286cm and b=1.016cm.
m n fc, mn (GHz)
1 1 16.156
1 2 30.248
2 1 19.753
Field Configuration for TM21
Field configurations of TE32
 Standard Rectangular waveguides
Waveguide a b t fc10 freq range
Designation (in) (in) (in) (GHz) (GHz)

WR975 9.750 4.875 .125 .605 .75 – 1.12

WR650 6.500 3.250 .080 .908 1.12 – 1.70
WR430 4.300 2.150 .080 1.375 1.70 – 2.60
WR284 2.84 1.34 .080 2.08 2.60 – 3.95
WR187 1.872 .872 .064 3.16 3.95 – 5.85
WR137 1.372 .622 .064 4.29 5.85 – 8.20
WR90 .900 .450 .050 6.56 8.2 – 12.4
WR62 .622 .311 .040 9.49 12.4 - 18
 Summary of TE modes
Wave in the dielectric Inside the waveguide
medium
2
f 
 '  / u '     ' 1   c 
 f 

'
TE 
'  /  f 
1  c 
2

 f 


up   / 
u '  /  '  f 1 / 
2
f 
 ' 1  c 
 f 

'
 ' u ' / f 
 f 
2

1  c 
 f 
Variation of wave impedance
 Wave impedance varies with
frequency and mode

TE

’
TM

 fc,mn
Example:
Consider a length of air-filled copper X-band waveguide, with
dimensions a=2.286cm, b=1.016cm operating at 10GHz.
Find the cutoff frequencies of all possible propagating
modes.
Solution:
 From the formula for the cut-off frequency

2 2
u'  m   n 
f c mn     
2  a  b
Example

An air-filled 5-by 2-cm waveguide has

E z 20 sin 40x sin 50y e  jz V/m

at 15GHz
 What mode is being propagated?

 Find 

 Determine E /E
y x
 Group velocity, ug

 Is the velocity at which

the energy travels.
2 j     mx   z
1  fc  E y    H sin  e
 rad/s   m  h2  a 
o
 a 
ug  u ' 1     rad/m   s 
 /   f     

 It is always less than u’

u p u g u '
2

http://www.tpub.com/content/et/14092/css/14092_71.htm
 Group Velocity

 As frequency is increased,
the group velocity increases.
 Power transmission
 The average Poynting vector for the waveguide
fields is 1

* 1 *
*
Pave  Re E H  Re E x H y  E y H x
2 2
 
2 2
Ex  E y [W/m2]
 zˆ
2
 where  = TE or TM depending on the mode
2 2
a b
Ex  E y
Pave Pave dS    dy dx [W]
x 0 y 0
2
Attenuation in Lossy
waveguide
 When dielectric inside guide is lossy, and walls
are not perfect conductors, power is lost as it
travels along guide.
Pave Po e  2z
dPave
 The loss power is PL  2Pave
dz
 Where c+d are the attenuation due to ohmic
(conduction) and dielectric losses
 Usually c >> d
Attenuation for TE10

 Dielectric attenuation, Np/m Dielectric

conductivity!
 '
 d  2
 f 
2 1   c 
 f 

 Conductor attenuation, Np/m

2 Rs  b  f 
2

 c   0.5   c ,10  
2  a  f  
 f c ,10     
b ' 1   
 f 
Waveguide Cavities
 Cavities, or resonators, are
used for storing energy
 Used in klystron tubes,
band-pass filters and
frequency meters
 It’s equivalent to a RLC
circuit at high frequency
 Their shape is that of a
cavity, either cylindrical or
cubical.
Cavity TM Mode to z
Solving by Separation of Variables :
E z ( x, y, z )  X ( x)Y ( y ) Z ( z )
from where we obtain :
X(x) c1 cos k x x  c2 sin k x x
Y(y) c3 cos k y y  c4 sin k y y
Z ( z ) c5 cos k z z  c6 sin k z z

2
where k 2 k x2  k y2  k z
 TMmnp Boundary Conditions
E z 0 at y 0 ,b
From these, we conclude: E z 0 at x 0 ,a
kx=m/a
E y E x 0, at z 0 ,c
ky=n/b
kz=p/c
where c is the dimension in z-axis

 mx   ny   pz 

E z Eo sin   sin   sin   c
 a   b   c 
where
2 2 2
 m   n   p 
k 2    
2
   
 a   b   c 
Resonant frequency
 The resonant frequency is the same
for TM or TE modes, except that the
lowest-order TM is TM111 and the
lowest-order in TE is TE101.
2 2 2
u'  m   n   p 
fr       
2  a  b  c 
 Cavity TE Mode to z
Solving by Separation of Variables :
H z ( x, y, z )  X ( x)Y ( y ) Z ( z )
from where we obtain :
X(x) c1 cos k x x  c2 sin k x x
Y(y) c3 cos k y y  c4 sin k y y
Z ( z ) c5 cos k z z  c6 sin k z z

2 2 2 2
where k k  k  k zx y
 TEmnp Boundary Conditions
H z 0 at z 0 ,c
From these, we conclude: E y 0 at x 0 ,a
kx=m/a
E x 0, at y 0 ,b
ky=n/b
kz=p/c
where c is the dimension in z-axis

c
 mx   ny   py 
H z H o cos  cos  sin 
 a   b   c 
Quality Factor, Q
 The cavity has walls with finite
conductivity and is therefore losing
stored energy.
 The quality factor, Q, characterized the
loss and also the bandwidth of the
cavity resonator.
 Dielectric cavities are used for
resonators, amplifiers and oscillators at
microwave frequencies.
A dielectric resonator antenna
with a cap for measuring the
radiation efficiency

Univ. of Mississippi
 Quality Factor, Q
 Is defined as
Time avera ge energy stored
Q 2π
loss energ y per cycle of oscillation
W
2
PL

For the dominant mode TE101 where

QTE101 
a 2
 c 2 abc 
1

   
 2b a 3  c 3  ac a 2  c 2  f101 o c
 Example
For a cavity of dimensions; 3cm x 2cm x 7cm filled with
air and made of copper (c=5.8 x 107)
 Find the resonant frequency and the quality factor
for the dominant mode. 2 2
3 1010  1   1   0 
2

f r110          9GHz
Answer: 2  3  2  7 
2 2 2
3 1010  1   0   1 
fr          5.44GHz
2  3  2  7 
1
 1.6 10  6
(5.44 109 )  o c

QTE101 
3
 7 2 3 2 7
2
568,378

 2 23  7  3 73  7 
3 3 2 2
