ElecEng4FJ4 Module03 PDF
ElecEng4FJ4 Module03 PDF
MODULE #3
Microwave Detection with a Crystal Detector
I. Objectives
The purpose of this module is to help the students get familiar with the crystal detector, one of
the simplest power detectors at radio, microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. The crystal
detector uses a simple circuit, consisting of a diode, a RF (radio-frequency) choke and a low-pass
filter (often, this is simply a capacitor) to rectify the high-frequency signal.
The lectures of ElecEng 4FJ4 do not cover the general topic of microwave diodes and their
applications. Thus, this laboratory module is complementary to the lectures in both its content
and hands-on experience.
The students must prepare for the 3-hour laboratory beforehand by reading the DISCUSION part
of the Detection of Microwave Signals LabVolt (https://www.labvolt.com/) exercise, which
constitutes MODULE #3. If the students come to the lab unprepared, it is likely that they will not
be able to complete the exercises on time.
II. Preparing the Lab Report
The student is expected to bring along a printout of this guide. The Lab Report consists of simply
filling in the required information. Note that there are REVIEW QUESTIONS at the end of the
exercise. The student must provide answers to these questions, which are closely related to the
DISCUSSION and the PROCEDURE parts of the exercise.
The student is expected to hand in the lab report to the teaching assistant (TA) at the end of the
lab session. Take home work should not be necessary.
PLEASE WRITE DOWN YOUR NAME AND STUDENT ID ON THE TITLE PAGE!
III. Grading the Lab Report
IV. Feedback
We value your opinion. Direct your recommendations, opinions, and criticism to the Instructor
(Prof. Nikolova) at [email protected].
Nikolova
2014
Student Name:
Student ID:
Student Signature:
Date:
TA Name:
TA Signature:
Date:
REPORT GRADE:
(provided no later than one week after report submission)
Nikolova
2014
Exercise
Figure 5-1. Simplified representation of a detection circuit and the symbolic representation of a
crystal detector.
When the microwave signal power remains low, the detector output voltage is
proportional to the square of the microwave signal voltage and, therefore, to the
microwave signal power. In this condition, the detector is said to be operating in
its square-law, or quadratic region.
5-1
When the microwave signal power is higher than about -15 dBm, the detector
output voltage tends to be directly proportional to the microwave signal voltage.
In this condition, the detector is said to be operating in its linear region; that is,
it rectifies the applied signal.
Figure 5-2. Typical output voltage-versus-microwave input power curve of a crystal detector.
Voltage Sensitivity
The voltage sensitivity is an indication of a detector output voltage in the square-law
region when a microwave signal of a given power is applied to its input.
The voltage sensitivity can be calculated by using the equation below.
5-2
The level of the microwave signal is adjusted so that the peak-to-peak voltage of
the 1-kHz detected signal is equal to the peak-to-peak voltage of the noise at the
detector output, as Figure 5-4 shows.
For the measurement setup, an oscilloscope, and an amplifier with a bandwidth wide
enough to prevent distortion of the shape of the 1-kHz square-wave signal are
required.
5-3
Figure 5-4. Oscilloscope screen showing a 1-kHz detected signal for tangential sensitivity
measurements.
Generally, crystal detectors will have a tangential sensitivity in the order of -50 dBm
for a bandwidth of 1 MHz. Since the noise power at the amplifier output is
proportional to the bandwidth of the amplifier, the tangential sensitivity is better when
the bandwidth is reduced.
Procedure Summary
In this exercise, you will measure the power of a microwave signal, using the
Thermistor Mount and the LVDAM-MW Power Meter. This will be the maximum
power used in the exercise, and will be the reference power level.
You will then replace the Thermistor Mount by a Crystal Detector and measure the
detector output voltage with the LVDAM-MW Oscilloscope. You will then attenuate
the microwave signal by steps and measure the Crystal Detector output voltage for
each attenuation setting. This will allow you to plot the sensitivity curve of the Crystal
Detector.
Finally, you will amplitude modulate the Gunn Oscillator's output signal with a 1-kHz
square wave and measure the tangential sensitivity of the Crystal Detector.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Refer to the Equipment Utilization Chart, in Appendix F of this manual, to obtain the
list of equipment required to perform this exercise.
5-4
Nikolova: Please place a "tick" mark in the box of each step of the Procedure once this step is completed.
A missing "tick" mark indicates missed Procedure item, which can result in a penalty of -5 or -10 points.
1. Make sure that all power switches are in the O (off) position. Set up the
modules and assemble the microwave components as shown in Figure 5-5.
Note: Before connecting the Thermistor Mount, unscrew the
matching screws so that they do not penetrate into the
waveguide; the screws do not need to be removed from the
posts.
3. Turn on the Gunn Oscillator Power Supply and the Data Acquisition
Interface (DAI) by setting their POWER switch to the "I" (ON) position.
Set the Gunn Oscillator supply voltage to 8.5 V. Wait for about 5 minutes to
allow the modules to warm up.
5-5
Figure 5-5. Computer and module arrangement (showing electrical connections to microwave
components), and microwave setup.
5-6
5. Wait for about 5 minutes to allow the modules to warm up. In LVDAM-MW,
start the Power Meter and set it to display dBm readings. Enter the power
6. On the Thermistor Mount, loosen the knurled lock-nut that holds the
moveable short circuit into place. Adjust the short circuit to the position
nearest the waveguide which gives a maximum reading on the Power
Meter. Then, adjust each matching screw of the Thermistor Mount to
maximize the power reading. Fine tune if necessary. Finally, lock the
moveable short circuit into position.
7. Note and record the reading of the Power Meter. This will be, in the context
of this exercise, the maximum power of the microwave signal.
Maximum power of the microwave signal =
dBm
G
See Note on p. 5-9 before
item 10.
5-7
Figure 5-6 Computer and module arrangement (showing electrical connections to microwave
components), and microwave setup for attenuations lower than 30 dB.
5-8
Note: It is probable that you will not need the 60-dB Amplifier in
this section of the exercise, since the level of the signal produced
at the output of the Crystal Detector is usually strong enough for
the acquisition process to perform the calculations and display the
proper signal on the Oscilloscope. However, if the signal is too
weak, connect the 60-dB Amplifier between the output of the
Crystal Detector and Multi-Function Input 1 of the Data
Acquisition Interface (as shown in Figure 5-9 of this exercise).
G 10. In LVDAM-MW, select the Data Table function, which will bring up the Data
Table. In this Table, manually enter the column titles and figures already
recorded in Table 5-1 below. Save the Data Table.
Nikolova: You can fill in this table by hand directly in your Report printout. Using the
software to generate the Table is optional.
ATTENUATION
SETTING (dB)
0
ATTENUATOR
BLADE'S
POSITION (mm)
DELIVERED
POWER (dBm)
DETECTOR
VOLTAGE (V)
20 log
DETECTOR
VOLTAGE (dB)
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Table 5-1. Determining the sensitivity curve for the Crystal Detector.
G 11. Fill in the column "ATTENUATOR BLADE'S POSITION" of the Data Table:
Nikolova: A plot of the blade-position
vs. attenuation curve of the attenuator
is provided at your table. We have two
such attenuators and their curves are
also provided at the back of this
guide.
G 12. Fill in the column "DELIVERED POWER" of the Data Table. For each
attenuation setting, calculate and record the power delivered to the Crystal
Detector, using the formula below. Save your work.
where
G 14. Fill in the column "DETECTOR VOLTAGE" for each of the attenuation
settings between 0 and 25 dB listed in the Data Table. To do this, perform
the steps below.
a. Adjust the Variable Attenuator's blade to the position required to obtain
the attenuation setting.
b. Measure the voltage on channel 1 of the Oscilloscope screen and
record it in the column "DETECTOR VOLTAGE".
It will be necessary to increase the sensitivity of Oscilloscope Channel 1
when the vertical deflection becomes too low. This is performed by
changing the Scale of Channel 1, and by increasing Gain Input 1 as
necessary.
Note: Changing the Gain on the Input associated with an
Oscilloscope channel will change the scales available on this
channel:
An Input Gain of 0 dB provides the following scales on the
associated Oscilloscope channel: 1 V/div, 500 mV/div, and
200 mV/div.
An Input Gain of 20 dB provides the following scales on the
associated Oscilloscope channel: 100 mV/div, 50 mV/div,
and 20 mV/div.
5-10
G 15. Fill in the remainder of the column "DETECTOR VOLTAGE" for the
attenuation settings of 30 to 45 dB:
a. In the Settings panel of LVDAM-MW, set the field Gunn Oscillator/VCO
Power to OFF.
b. Insert the 30-dB Fixed Attenuator between the 6-dB Fixed Attenuator
and the Variable Attenuator, as Figure 5-7 shows. Do not modify the
remainder of your setup.
c. In the Settings panel of LVDAM-MW, set the field Gunn Oscillator/VCO
Power to ON.
d. Adjust the Variable Attenuator's blade to the position required to obtain
each of the remaining attenuation settings listed in the Data Table. For
each attenuation setting, measure the voltage on channel 1 of the
Oscilloscope screen and record it in the column "DETECTOR
VOLTAGE".
Note: You may not be able to fill in the last row of the Data Table
due to the very low voltage level measurement required to do so.
Figure 5-7. Microwave setup for attenuations equal to or higher than 30 dB.
5-11
G 17. In LVDAM-MW, select the Graph function of the Data Table and plot the
sensitivity curve of the Crystal Detector by selecting "DELIVERED POWER"
for the X axis and "20 LOG DETECTOR VOLTAGE" for the Y axis.
The obtained curve should resemble that shown in Figure 5-8.
Print your graph. Then, determine the square-law region of the sensitivity
curve by plotting a straight line tangential to this curve.
As Figure 5-8 shows, in the square-law region, a variation of 1 dBm in the
input power to the Crystal Detector produces a variation of approximately
2 dB in the Crystal Detector output voltage.
5-12
G 18. In the Settings panel of LVDAM-MW, set the Gunn Oscillator/VCO Power
to OFF, so that there is no microwave signal injected into the waveguide.
G 19. As Figure 5-9 shows, modify your circuit so as to connect the Crystal
Detector to MULTI-FUNCTION INPUT 1 of the Data Acquisition Interface,
via the 60-dB Amplifier, Model 9593. This will allow you to monitor the
amplified Crystal Detector output voltage on the Oscilloscope.
5-13
Figure 5-9. Computer and module arrangement (showing electrical connections to microwave
components), and microwave setup.
5-14
G 22. Gradually decrease the attenuation provided the Variable Attenuator (turn
its adjustment screw counterclockwise) until you obtain a waveform similar
to that shown in Figure 5-4 of the DISCUSSION on the oscilloscope screen
(that is, a 1-kHz detected signal having a peak-to-peak amplitude
approximately equal to the peak-to-peak voltage of the noise in this signal.)
Figure 5-10 shows an example of signal obtained on the Oscilloscope.
At that point, the level of the 1-kHz detected signal will be very low. You can
switch the 1-kHz MODE switch of the Gunn Oscillator Power Supply
between the "DC" and "1 kHz" positions to better see and evaluate the level
of the noise signal alone and that of the 1-kHz detected signal to see if they
are approximately equal.
5-15
mm
dB
dB
dBm
G 24. Turn off the Gunn Oscillator Power Supply and the Data Acquisition
Interface by setting their POWER switch to the O (OFF) position.
Disassemble the setup and return all components to their storage location.
5-16
5-17
5-18
50
Attenuator #1
45
40
Attenuation (dB)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0.5
1.5
2
2.5
3
Blade Position (mm)
3.5
4.5
50
45
Attenuator #2
40
Attenuation (dB)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0.5
1.5
2
2.5
3
Blade Position (mm)
3.5
4.5