1. NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Amafel Bldg. Aguinaldo Highway Dasmariñas City, Cavite
ASSIGNMENT 2
MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY
Cauan, Sarah Krystelle P. October 03, 2011
Communications 1/ BSECE 41A1 Score:
Engr. Grace Ramones
Instructor

2. MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with
wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as
short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with
frequencies between 300 MHz (0.3 GHz) and 300 GHz.
This broad definition includes both UHF and EHF
(millimeter waves), and various sources use different
boundaries. In all cases, microwave includes the entire
SHF band (3 to 30 GHz, or 10 to 1 cm) at minimum, with
RF engineering often putting the lower boundary at
1 GHz (30 cm), and the upper around 100 GHz (3mm).
Apparatus and techniques may be described
qualitatively as "microwave" when the wavelengths of
signals are roughly the same as the dimensions of the
equipment, so that lumped-element circuit theory is
inaccurate. As a consequence, practical microwave
technique tends to move away from the discrete resistors, capacitors, and inductors used
with lower frequency radio waves. Instead, distributed circuit elements and transmission-
line theory are more useful methods for design and analysis. Open-wire and coaxial
transmission lines give way to waveguides and stripline, and lumped-element tuned
circuits are replaced by cavity resonators or resonant lines. Effects of reflection,
polarization, scattering, diffraction and atmospheric absorption usually associated with
visible light are of practical significance in the study of microwave propagation. The same
equations of electromagnetic theory apply at all frequencies.
While the name may suggest a micrometer wavelength, it is better understood as indicating
wavelengths much shorter than those used in radio broadcasting. The boundaries between
far infrared light, terahertz radiation, microwaves, and ultra-high-frequency radio waves
are fairly arbitrary and are used variously between different fields of study.
Electromagnetic waves longer (lower frequency) than microwaves are called "radio
waves". Electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelengths may be called "millimeter
waves", terahertz radiation or even T-rays. Definitions differ for millimeter wave band,
which the IEEE defines as 110 GHz to 300 GHz.
Above 300 GHz, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by Earth's atmosphere is so
great that it is effectively opaque, until the atmosphere becomes transparent again in the
so-called infrared and optical window frequency ranges.

3. Microwave sources
Vacuum tube devices operate on the ballistic motion of electrons in a vacuum under the
influence of controlling electric or magnetic fields, and include the magnetron, klystron,
traveling-wave tube (TWT), and gyrotron. These devices work in the density modulated
mode, rather than the current modulated mode. This means that they work on the basis of
clumps of electrons flying ballistically through them, rather than using a continuous
stream.
Low power microwave sources use solid-state devices such as the field-effect transistor (at
least at lower frequencies), tunnel diodes, Gunn diodes, and IMPATT diodes.
A maser is a device similar to a laser, which amplifies light energy by stimulating photons.
The maser, rather than amplifying light energy, amplifies the lower frequency, longer
wavelength microwaves and radio frequency emissions.
The sun also emits microwave radiation, and most of it is blocked by Earth's atmosphere.
The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is a source of microwaves that
supports the science of cosmology's Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe.

4. Uses
Communication
Before the advent of fiber-optic transmission, most long distance telephone calls were
carried via networks of microwave radio relay links run by carriers such as AT&T Long
Lines. Starting in the early 1950s, frequency division multiplex was used to send up to
5,400 telephone channels on each microwave radio channel, with as many as ten radio
channels combined into one antenna for the hop to the next site, up to 70 km away.
Wireless LAN protocols, such as Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.11 specifications, also use
microwaves in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, although 802.11a uses ISM band and U-NII
frequencies in the 5 GHz range. Licensed long-range (up to about 25 km) Wireless Internet
Access services have been used for almost a decade in many countries in the 3.5–4.0 GHz
range. The FCC recently[when?] carved out spectrum for carriers that wish to offer services in
this range in the U.S. — with emphasis on 3.65 GHz. Dozens of service providers across the
country are securing or have already received licenses from the FCC to operate in this band.
The WIMAX service offerings that can be carried on the 3.65 GHz band will give business
customers another option for connectivity.
Metropolitan area network (MAN) protocols, such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access) are based on standards such as IEEE 802.16, designed to operate
between 2 to 11 GHz. Commercial implementations are in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and
5.8 GHz ranges.
Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA) protocols based on standards specifications
such as IEEE 802.20 or ATIS/ANSI HC-SDMA (such as iBurst) operate between 1.6 and
2.3 GHz to give mobility and in-building penetration characteristics similar to mobile
phones but with vastly greater spectral efficiency.[5]
Some mobile phone networks, like GSM, use the low-microwave/high-UHF frequencies
around 1.8 and 1.9 GHz in the Americas and elsewhere, respectively. DVB-SH and S-DMB
use 1.452 to 1.492 GHz, while proprietary/incompatible satellite radio in the U.S. uses
around 2.3 GHz for DARS.
Microwave radio is used in broadcasting and telecommunication transmissions because,
due to their short wavelength, highly directional antennas are smaller and therefore more
practical than they would be at longer wavelengths (lower frequencies). There is also more
bandwidth in the microwave spectrum than in the rest of the radio spectrum; the usable
bandwidth below 300 MHz is less than 300 MHz while many GHz can be used above
300 MHz. Typically, microwaves are used in television news to transmit a signal from a
remote location to a television station from a specially equipped van. See broadcast
auxiliary service (BAS), remote pickup unit (RPU), and studio/transmitter link (STL).

5. Most satellite communications systems operate in the C, X, Ka, or Ku bands of the
microwave spectrum. These frequencies allow large bandwidth while avoiding the
crowded UHF frequencies and staying below the atmospheric absorption of EHF
frequencies. Satellite TV either operates in the C band for the traditional large dish fixed
satellite service or Ku band for direct-broadcast satellite. Military communications run
primarily over X or Ku-band links, with Ka band being used for Milstar.
Radar
Radar uses microwave radiation to detect the range, speed, and other characteristics of
remote objects. Development of radar was accelerated during World War II due to its great
military utility. Now radar is widely used for applications such as air traffic control,
weather forecasting, navigation of ships, and speed limit enforcement.
A Gunn diode oscillator and waveguide are used as a motion detector for automatic door
openers.
Radio astronomy
Most radio astronomy uses microwaves. Usually the naturally-occurring microwave
radiation is observed, but active radar experiments have also been done with objects in the
solar system, such as determining the distance to the Moon or mapping the invisible
surface of Venus through cloud cover.
Navigation
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) including the Chinese Beidou, the American
Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian GLONASS broadcast navigational signals
in various bands between about 1.2 GHz and 1.6 GHz.
Power
A microwave oven passes (non-ionizing) microwave radiation (at a frequency near
2.45 GHz) through food, causing dielectric heating by absorption of energy in the water,
fats, and sugar contained in the food. Microwave ovens became common kitchen appliances
in Western countries in the late 1970s, following development of inexpensive cavity
magnetrons. Water in the liquid state possesses many molecular interactions which
broaden the absorption peak. In the vapor phase, isolated water molecules absorb at
around 22 GHz, almost ten times the frequency of the microwave oven.
Microwave heating is used in industrial processes for drying and curing products.
Many semiconductor processing techniques use microwaves to generate plasma for such
purposes as reactive ion etching and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).

6. Microwave frequencies typically ranging from 110 – 140 GHz are used in stellarators and
more notably in tokamak experimental fusion reactors to help heat the fuel into a plasma
state. The upcoming ITER Thermonuclear Reactoris expected to range from 110–170 GHz
and will employ Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH).
Microwaves can be used to transmit power over long distances, and post-World War II
research was done to examine possibilities. NASA worked in the 1970s and early 1980s to
research the possibilities of using solar power satellite (SPS) systems with large solar
arrays that would beam power down to the Earth's surface via microwaves.
Less-than-lethal weaponry exists that uses millimeter waves to heat a thin layer of human
skin to an intolerable temperature so as to make the targeted person move away. A two-
second burst of the 95 GHz focused beam heats the skin to a temperature of 130 °F (54 °C)
at a depth of 1/64th of an inch (0.4 mm). The United States Air Force and Marines are
currently using this type of active denial system.
Spectroscopy
Microwave radiation is used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR or ESR)
spectroscopy, typically in the X-band region (~9 GHz) in conjunction typically with
magnetic fields of 0.3 T. This technique provides information on unpaired electrons in
chemical systems, such as free radicals or transition metal ions such as Cu(II). The
microwave radiation can also be combined with electrochemistry as in microwave
enhanced electrochemistry.

7. Microwave frequency bands
The microwave spectrum is usually defined as electromagnetic energy ranging from
approximately 1 GHz to 100 GHz in frequency, but older usage includes lower frequencies.
Most common applications are within the 1 to 40 GHz range. Microwave frequency bands,
as defined by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), are shown in the table below:
Letter Designation Frequency range
L band 1 to 2 GHz
S band 2 to 4 GHz
C band 4 to 8 GHz
X band 8 to 12 GHz
Ku band 12 to 18 GHz
K band 18 to 26.5 GHz
Ka band 26.5 to 40 GHz
Q band 33 to 50 GHz
U band 40 to 60 GHz
V band 50 to 75 GHz
E band 60 to 90 GHz
W band 75 to 110 GHz
F band 90 to 140 GHz
D band 110 to 170 GHz

8. Microwave frequency measurement
Microwave frequency can be measured by either electronic or mechanical techniques.
Frequency counters or high frequency heterodyne systems can be used. Here the unknown
frequency is compared with harmonics of a known lower frequency by use of a low
frequency generator, a harmonic generator and a mixer. Accuracy of the measurement is
limited by the accuracy and stability of the reference source.
Mechanical methods require a tunable resonator such as an absorption wavemeter, which
has a known relation between a physical dimension and frequency.
Wavemeter for measuring in the Ku band
In a laboratory setting, Lecher lines can be used to directly measure the wavelength on a
transmission line made of parallel wires, the frequency can then be calculated. A similar
technique is to use a slotted waveguide or slotted coaxial line to directly measure the
wavelength. These devices consist of a probe introduced into the line through a
longitudinal slot, so that the probe is free to travel up and down the line. Slotted lines are
primarily intended for measurement of the voltage standing wave ratio on the line.
However, provided a standing wave is present, they may also be used to measure the
distance between the nodes, which is equal to half the wavelength. Precision of this method
is limited by the determination of the nodal locations.

9. History and research
The existence of electromagnetic waves was predicted by James Clerk Maxwell in 1864
from his equations. In 1888, Heinrich Hertz was the first to demonstrate the existence of
electromagnetic waves by building an apparatus that produced and detected microwaves
in the UHF region. The design necessarily used horse-and-buggy materials, including a
horse trough, a wrought iron point spark, Leyden jars, and a length of zinc gutter whose
parabolic cross-section worked as a reflection antenna. In 1894 J. C. Bose publicly
demonstrated radio control of a bell using millimeter wavelengths, and conducted research
into the propagation of microwaves.[12]
Perhaps the first, documented, formal use of the term microwave occurred in 1931:
"When trials with wavelengths as low as 18 cm were made known, there was
undisguised surprise that the problem of the micro-wave had been solved so soon."
Telegraph & Telephone Journal XVII. 179/1
In 1943: the Hungarian engineer Zoltán Bay sent ultra-short radio waves to the moon,
which, reflected from there worked as a radar, and could be used to measure distance, as
well as to study the moon.[13]
Perhaps the first use of the word microwave in an astronomical context occurred in 1946
in an article "Microwave Radiation from the Sun and Moon" by Robert Dicke and Robert
Beringer. This same article also made a showing in the New York Times issued in 1951.
In the history of electromagnetic theory, significant work specifically in the area of
microwaves and their applications was carried out by researchers including:
Specific work on microwaves
Work carried out by Area of work
Barkhausen and Kurz Positive grid oscillators
Hull Smooth bore magnetron
Varian Brothers Velocity modulated electron beam → klystron tube
Randall and Boot Cavity magnetron

10. Microwave transmission
Microwave transmission refers to the technology of transmitting information or power by
the use of radio waves whose wavelengths are conveniently measured in small numbers of
centimeters; these are called microwaves. This part of the radio spectrum ranges across
frequencies of roughly 1.0 gigahertz (GHz) to 30 GHz. These correspond to wavelengths
from 30 centimeters down to 1.0 cm.
Microwaves are widely used for point-to-point communications because their small
wavelength allows conveniently-sized antennas to direct them in narrow beams, which can
be pointed directly at the receiving antenna. This allows nearby microwave equipment to
use the same frequencies without interfering with each other, as lower frequency radio
waves do. Another advantage is that the high frequency of microwaves gives the
microwave band a very large information-carrying capacity; the microwave band has a
bandwidth 30 times that of all the rest of the radio spectrum below it. A disadvantage is
that microwaves are limited to line of sight propagation; they cannot pass around hills or
mountains as lower frequency radio waves can.
Microwave radio transmission is commonly used in point-to-point communication systems
on the surface of the Earth, in satellite communications, and in deep space radio
communications. Other parts of the microwave radio band are used for radars, radio
navigation systems, sensor systems, and radio astronomy.
The next higher part of the radio electromagnetic spectrum, where the frequencies are
above 30 GHz and below 100 GHz, are called "millimeter waves" because their wavelengths
are conveniently measured in millimeters, and their wavelengths range from 10 mm down
to 3.0 mm. Radio waves in this band are usually strongly attenuated by the Earthly
atmosphere and particles contained in it, especially during wet weather. Also, in wide band
of frequencies around 60 GHz, the radio waves are strongly attenuated by molecular
oxygen in the atmosphere. The electronic technologies needed in the millimeter wave band
are also much more difficult to utilize than those of the microwave band.
Properties
Suitable over line-of-sight transmission links without obstacles
Provides large useful bandwidth when compared to lower frequencies (HF, VHF,
UHF)
Affected by the refractive index (temperature, pressure and humidity) of the
atmosphere, rain (see rain fade), snow and hail, sand storms, clouds, mist and fog,
strongly depending on the frequency.

11. Uses
[Wireless]] transmission of information
One-way (e.g. television broadcasting) and two-way telecommunication using
communications satellite
Terrestrial microwave radio broadcasting relay links in telecommunications
networks including e.g. backbone or backhaul carriers in cellular networks linking
BTS-BSC and BSC-MSC.
Wireless transmission of power
Proposed systems e.g. for connecting solar power collecting satellites to terrestrial
power grids
To direct microwaves in narrow beams for point-to-point communication links or
radiolocation (radar, a parabolic antenna is usually used. This is an antenna that uses a
parabolic reflector to direct the microwaves. To achieve narrow beamwidths, the reflector
must be much larger than the wavelength of the radio waves. The relatively short
wavelength of microwaves allows reasonably sized dishes to exhibit the desired highly
directional response for both receiving and transmitting.
A parabolic antenna for Erdfunkstelle Raisting, based in Raisting, Bavaria, Germany.

12. Microwave power transmission
Microwave power transmission (MPT) is the use of microwaves to transmit power through
outer space or the atmosphere without the need for wires. It is a sub-type of the more
general wireless energy transfer methods.
History
Following World War II, which saw the development of high-power microwave emitters
known as cavity magnetrons, the idea of using microwaves to transmit power was
researched. In 1964, William C. Brown demonstrated a miniature helicopter equipped with
a combination antenna and rectifier device called a rectenna. The rectenna converted
microwave power into electricity, allowing the helicopter to fly.[1] In principle, the rectenna
is capable of very high conversion efficiencies - over 90% in optimal circumstances.
Most proposed MPT systems now usually include a phased array microwave transmitter.
While these have lower efficiency levels they have the advantage of being electrically
steered using no moving parts, and are easier to scale to the necessary levels that a
practical MPT system requires.
Using microwave power transmission to deliver electricity to communities without having
to build cable-based infrastructure is being studied at Grand Bassin on Reunion Island in
the Indian Ocean.
During the Cold War, the US intelligence agencies, such as NSA, were reportedly able to
intercept Soviet microwave messages using satellites such as Rhyolite.[2] Microwave also
used in mobile communication.
Common safety concerns
The common reaction to microwave transmission is one of concern, as microwaves are
generally perceived by the public as dangerous forms of radiation - stemming from the fact
that they are used in microwave ovens. While high power microwaves can be painful and
dangerous as in the United States Military's Active Denial System, MPT systems are
generally proposed to have only low intensity at the rectenna.
Though this would be extremely safe as the power levels would be about equal to the
leakage from a microwave oven, and only slightly more than a cell phone, the relatively
diffuse microwave beam necessitates a large rectenna area for a significant amount of
energy to be transmitted.
Research has involved exposing multiple generations of animals to microwave radiation of
this or higher intensity, and no health issues have been found

13. Proposed uses
MPT is the most commonly proposed method for transferring energy to the surface of the
Earth from solar power satellites or other in-orbit power sources. MPT is occasionally
proposed for the power supply in [beam-powered propulsion] for orbital lift space ships.
Even though lasers are more commonly proposed, their low efficiency in light generation
and reception has led some designers to opt for microwave based systems.
Microwave spying
Current status
Wireless Power Transmission (using microwaves) is well proven. Experiments in the tens
of kilowatts have been performed at Goldstone in California in 1975 and more recently
(1997) at Grand Bassin on Reunion Island. In 2008 a long range transmission experiment
successfully transmitted 20 watts 92 miles (148 km) from a mountain on Maui to the main
island of Hawaii

14. Microwave radio relay
Microwave radio relay is a technology for transmitting digital and analog signals, such as
long-distance telephone calls and the relay of television programs to transmitters, between
two locations on a line of sight radio path. In microwave radio relay, radio waves are
transmitted between the two locations with directional antennas, forming a fixed radio
connection between the two points. Long daisy-chained series of such links form
transcontinental telephone and/or television communication systems.
How microwave radio relay links are formed
Relay towers on Frazier Mountain, Southern California
Because a line of sight radio link is made, the radio frequencies used occupy only a narrow
path between stations (with the exception of a certain radius of each station). Antennas
used must have a high directive effect; these antennas are installed in elevated locations
such as large radio towers in order to be able to transmit across long distances. Typical
types of antenna used in radio relay link installations are parabolic reflectors, shell
antennas and horn radiators, which have a diameter of up to 4 meters. Highly directive
antennas permit an economical use of the available frequency spectrum, despite long
transmission distances.

15. Danish military radio relay node
Planning considerations
Because of the high frequencies used, a quasi-optical line of sight between the stations is
generally required. Additionally, in order to form the line of sight connection between the
two stations, the first Fresnel zone must be free from obstacles so the radio waves can
propagate across a nearly uninterrupted path. Obstacles in the signal field cause unwanted
attenuation, and are as a result only acceptable in exceptional cases. High mountain peak or
ridge positions are often ideal: Europe's highest radio relay station, the Richtfunkstation
Jungfraujoch, is situated atop the Jungfraujoch ridge at an altitude of 3,705 meters
(12,156 ft) above sea level.
Obstacles, the curvature of the Earth, the geography of the area and reception issues arising
from the use of nearby land (such as in manufacturing and forestry) are important issues
to consider when planning radio links. In the planning process, it is essential that "path
profiles" are produced, which provide information about the terrain and Fresnel zones
affecting the transmission path. The presence of a water surface, such as a lake or river, in
the mid-path region also must be taken into consideration as it can result in a near-perfect
reflection (even modulated by wave or tide motions), creating multipath distortion as the
two received signals ("wanted" and "unwanted") swing in and out of phase. Multipath
fades are usually deep only in a small spot and a narrow frequency band, so space and/or
frequency diversity schemes would be applied to mitigate these effects.
The effects of atmospheric stratification cause the radio path to bend downward in a
typical situation so a major distance is possible as the earth equivalent curvature increases
from 6370 km to about 8500 km (a 4/3 equivalent radius effect). Rare events of
temperature, humidity and pressure profile versus height, may produce large deviations
and distortion of the propagation and affect transmission quality. High intensity rain and
snow must also be considered as an impairment factor, especially at frequencies above
10 GHz. All previous factors, collectively known as path loss, make it necessary to compute
suitable power margins, in order to maintain the link operative for a high percentage of
time, like the standard 99.99% or 99.999% used in 'carrier class' services of most
telecommunication operators. [[File:TV remote pickup Pier 88 jeh.JPG|thumb|left|Portable
microwave rig for Electronic news gathering (ENG) for television news

16. Over-horizon microwave radio relay
In over-horizon, or tropospheric scatter, microwave radio relay, unlike a standard
microwave radio relay link, the sending and receiving antennas do not use a line of sight
transmission path. Instead, the stray signal transmission, known as "tropo - scatter" or
simply "scatter," from the sent signal is picked up by the receiving station. Signal clarity
obtained by this method depends on the weather and other factors, and as a result a high
level of technical difficulty is involved in the creation of a reliable over horizon radio relay
link. Over horizon radio relay links are therefore only used where standard radio relay
links are unsuitable (for example, in providing a microwave link to an island).
Usage of microwave radio relay systems
During the 1950s the AT&T Communications system of microwave radio grew to carry the
majority of US Long Distance telephone traffic, as well as intercontinental television
network signals. The prototype was called TDX and was tested with a connection between
New York City and Murray Hill, the location of Bell Laboratories in 1946. The TDX system
was set up between New York and Boston in 1947. The TDX was improved to the TD2,
which still used klystrons, and then later to the TD3 that used solid state electronics. The
main motivation in 1946 to use microwave radio instead of cable was that a large capacity
could be installed quickly and at less cost. It was expected at that time that the annual
operating costs for microwave radio would be greater than for cable. There were two main
reasons that a large capacity had to be introduced suddenly: Pent up demand for long
distance telephone service, because of the hiatus during the war years, and the new
medium of television, which needed more bandwidth than radio.
Similar systems were soon built in many countries, until the 1980s when the technology
lost its share of fixed operation to newer technologies such as fiber-optic cable and optical
radio relay links, both of which offer larger data capacities at lower cost per bit.
Communication satellites, which are also microwave radio relays, better retained their
market share, especially for television.
At the turn of the century, microwave radio relay systems are being used increasingly in
portable radio applications. The technology is particularly suited to this application
because of lower operating costs, a more efficient infrastructure, and provision of direct
hardware access to the portable radio operator.
Microwave link
A microwave link is a communications system that uses a beam of radio waves in the
microwave frequency range to transmit video, audio, or data between two locations, which
can be from just a few feet or meters to several miles or kilometers apart. Microwave links
are commonly used by television broadcasters to transmit programmes across a country,
for instance, or from an outside broadcast back to a studio.

17. Mobile units can be camera mounted, allowing cameras the freedom to move around
without trailing cables. These are often seen on the touchlines of sports fields on Steadicam
systems.
Properties of microwave links
Involve line of sight (LOS) communication technology
Affected greatly by environmental constraints, including rain fade
Have very limited penetration capabilities through obstacles such as hills, buildings
and trees
Sensitive to high pollen count[citation needed]
Signals can be degraded[citation needed]during Solar proton events [9]
Uses of microwave links
In communications between satellites and base stations
As backbone carriers for cellular systems
In short range indoor communications
Tunable microwave device
A tunable microwave device is a device that works at radio frequency range with the
dynamic tunable capabilities, especially an electric field. The material systems for such a
device usually have multilayer structure. Usually, magnetic or ferroelectric film on ferrite
or superconducting film is adopted. The former two are used as the property tunable
component to control the working frequency of the whole system. Devices of this type
include tunable varators, tunable microwave filters, tunable phase shifters, and tunable
resonators. The main application of them is re-configurable microwave networks, for
example, reconfigurable wireless communication, wireless network, and reconfigurable
phase array antenna