TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter discusses waveguides and related components, including hybrid junctions, impedance-matching components, resistive loads and attenuators, directional couplers, ferrite isolators, ferrite circulators, ferrite switches, detectors, mixers, gas-tube switches, duplexers, and cavity resonators. Much of the information presented in this chapter is adapted from [1] [2] [3] [4].
[1]Tatsuo, I., "Waveguides and Resonators," in Reference Data for Engineers, 8th ed., M. E. Van Valkenburg, (ed.), SAMS, Carmel, IN: Prentice Hall Computer Publishing, 1993, pp. 30-1 30-31.
[2]Kennedy, G., Electronic Communication Systems, 3rd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985, pp. 288 347.
[3]Skolnik, M. I., Introduction to Radar Systems, 2nd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill, 1980, pp. 359 366.
[4]Terman, F. E., Electronic and Radio Engineering, 4th ed., New York: McGraw-Hill, 1955, pp. 127 165.
A waveguide is a hollow conducting tube used to transmit electromagnetic waves. Waveguides are an alternative to transmission lines at UHF and higher frequencies, providing much lower losses and much higher power-handling capability than transmission lines. They are not used at lower frequencies because of the very large size that would be required.
Any configuration of electric and magnetic fields that exists inside a waveguide must be a solution of Maxwell's equations. In addition, those fields must satisfy the boundary conditions imposed by the walls of the guide. To the extent that the walls are perfect conductors, there can be no tangential component of electric field at the walls. Many different field configurations can be found that meet those...
