ECE 3317

Applied Electromagnetic Waves

Prof. David R. Jackson
Fall 2022

Notes 20
Rectangular Waveguides

1
 Rectangular Waveguide

Rectangular Waveguide
y

b ε,µ
x
a
Cross section

 We assume that the boundary is a perfect electric conductor (PEC).

No TEMz mode can exist!

2
 Rectangular Waveguide (cont.)
Why is there no TEMz mode?
y

TEMz mode: k z= k= ω µε

z=0 Theorem:
E The shape of the fields of a
b TEMz mode do not change with
x frequency (ECE 5317).
a
We need two conductors (a
transmission line) to have a
static electric field.
Faraday cage effect (ECE 3318):
No static electric field can exist inside of a
perfectly closed (shielded) conducting shell. + -

3
 Rectangular Waveguide (cont.)
Rectangular Waveguide

 Two types of modes can exist independently:

TMz: Ez only
TEz: Hz only

4
 Rectangular Waveguide (cont.)
Rectangular Waveguide
y

b ε,µ
x
a
Cross section

 We analyze the problem to solve for Ez or Hz (all other fields come from these).

TMz: Ez only
TEz: Hz only

5
 TMz Modes

H z 0, E z ≠ 0
=

∇2 E z + k 2 E z =
0 (Helmholtz equation)
E z = 0 on boundary (PEC walls)

Guided-wave assumption: E z ( x, y , z ) = E z 0 ( x, y ) e − jk z z

 ∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez  2
0
 ∂x 2 + ∂y 2 + ∂z 2  + k E z =
 

 ∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez 2  2
0
 ∂x 2 + ∂y 2 − k z E z  + k E z =
 
6
 TMz Modes (cont.)

∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez
∂x 2
+
∂y 2
+ ( k 2
− k z ) Ez =
2
0

Define: kc2 ≡ k 2 − k z2

∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez 2 Note that kc is an
We then have: + + k E
c z 0
= unknown at this point.
∂x 2 ∂y 2

∂ 2 Ez 0 ∂ 2 Ez 0 2
Dividing by the exp(-j kz z) term, we have: 2
+ 2
+ k 0
c Ez 0 =
∂x ∂y

We solve the above equation by using the method of separation of variables.

Please see Appendix A for the solution.

7
 TMz Modes (cont.)

Solution from separation of variables method: TMmn mode

 mπ x   nπ y  − jk z(m ,n ) z
E z ( x, y , z ) = Amn sin   sin  e
 a   b 

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
k z(
m ,n )
= k 2 − kc2 = k2 −   − 
 a   b 

2 2
 mπ   nπ  =k ω=
µε k0 µrε r
=kc2   + 
 a   b 
ω 2π
k=
0 ω µ0ε=
0 =
c λ0
m = 1, 2,
n = 1, 2,

Note: If either m or n is zero, the entire field is zero.

8
 TMz Modes (cont.)

Cutoff Frequency for Lossless Waveguide

2 2 Note:
 mπ   nπ 
k z( m n ) Cutoff frequency only has
, 2
We start with =k −   −  a clear meaning in the
 a   b  lossless case (k is real).

Set k z(
m,n )
=0 This defines the cutoff frequency.

2 2
TM  mπ   nπ 
k f = f 2π f c =
= m ,n
µε   + 
c
 a   b 

2 2
TM m , n cd  mπ   nπ  c
( nonmagnetic material )
fc
=   +  cd =
2π  a   b  εr

9
 TMz Modes (cont.)
Summary of TMz Solution: TMmn mode

 mπ x   nπ y  − jk z(m ,n ) z
E z ( x, y , z ) = Amn sin   sin  e
 a   b 
2 2
( m ,n )  mπ   nπ 
k z = k 2 − kc2 = k2 −   − 
 a   b 

m = 1, 2,
n = 1, 2,

Note: If either m or n is zero, the entire field is zero.

2 2
TM m , n cd  mπ   nπ 
fc
=   +  (lossless waveguide)
2π  a   b 
10
 TEz Modes

=E z 0, H z ≠ 0
We now start with

∂2H z ∂2H z
∂x 2
+
∂y 2
+ ( k 2
− k z ) Hz =
2
0

Guided-wave assumption: H z ( x, y, z ) = H z 0 ( x, y ) e − jkz z

Define: kc2 ≡ k 2 − k z2

∂2 H z0 ∂2 H z0 2
2
+ 2
+ k c 0
H z0 =
∂x ∂y

Please see Appendix B for the solution.

11
 TEz Modes (cont.)

Summary of TEz Solution: TEmn mode

 mπ x   nπ y  − jkz( m ,n) z
H z ( x, y, z ) = Amn cos   cos  e
 a   b 

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
k z( m ,n ) =k 2 −   − 
 a   b 

m = 0,1, 2
( m, n ) ≠ ( 0, 0 )
n = 0,1, 2

2 2
TE m , n cd  mπ   nπ  (lossless waveguide)
=fc   + 
2π  a   b 

Note: Same formula for cutoff frequency as the TMz case!

12
 Summary for Both Modes

 mπ x   nπ y  − jk z(m ,n ) z
TMmn E z ( x, y , z ) = Amn sin   sin  e
 a   b 
 mπ x   nπ y  − jk z(m ,n ) z
TEmn H z ( x, y , z ) = Amn cos   cos  e
 a   b 
2 2
 mπ   nπ 
k z( m ,n ) =k 2 −   −  same formula for both modes
 a   b 

cd  mπ   nπ 
2 2 c
=f c( m ,n ) cd = same formula for both modes
  +  εr
2π  a   b 
(lossless waveguide)
m = 0,1, 2,
m = 1, 2,
TMz TEz n = 0,1, 2,
n = 1, 2,
( m, n ) ≠ ( 0, 0 )
13
 Field Plots

Color denotes magnitude, arrows show direction of electric field.

14
 Wavenumber

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
TMz or TEz mode: =
kz k 2 − kc2 with
= kc   + 
 a   b 

Note: The (m,n) notation is suppressed here on kz.

Lossless waveguide:

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
Above cutoff: kz = β β =k 2 −   − 
 a   b 

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
Below cutoff: k z = − jα α=  +
   − k 2

 a   b 

15
 Wavenumber Plot

β
2
 mπ   nπ 
2 α
kc   +  kc
 a   b  “Light line”
β= k= 2π f µε
f
fc

2 2
 mπ   nπ 
β =k − 
2
 −  , f > fc
 a   b  2 2
cd
( m,n )  mπ   nπ 
=f c f=
c   + 
2π  a   b 
2 2
 mπ   nπ 
α=   +
2
 −k , f < fc c
 a   b  cd =
εr
16
 Guided Wavelength

Recall: The guided wavelength λg is the distance z that it

takes for the wave to repeat itself.

2π
λg =
β
(This assumes that we are above the cutoff frequency – otherwise
guided wavelength makes no sense.)

After some algebra (see next slide):

λd  λ0 
λg =  λd =  (lossless waveguide)
1 − ( fc / f )
2
 ε r 


(Note : λ g > λd )

17
 Guide Wavelength
Derivation of wavelength formula (lossless waveguide):

2π 2π 2π
λg
= = =
β  mπ 
2
 nπ 
2
k 2 − kc2
k2 −   − 
 a   b 

2π 2π 2π λd
=λg = = =
k − kc k 1 − ( kc / k )
2 2 2 2π 1 − ( kc / k )
2
1 − ( kc / k )
2

λd

=k ω=
µε 2π f µε
kc / k = f c / f
=kc ω=
c µε 2π f c µε

λd
λg =
1 − ( fc / f )
2

18
 Dominant Mode

The "dominant" mode is the one with the lowest cutoff frequency.

Assume b < a

y
cd
2
 mπ   nπ 
2
(lossless waveguide)
=fc   + 
2π  a   b 
c b ε,µ
cd =
εr x
a

Lowest TMz mode: TM11

TEz
Lowest TEz mode: TE10 TMz
m = 0,1, 2,
m = 1, 2,
n = 0,1, 2,
n = 1, 2,
The dominant mode is the TE10 mode. ( m, n ) ≠ ( 0, 0 )
19
Dominant Mode (cont.)
Summary (TE10 Mode)

 π x  − jk z z
H z ( x, y , z ) = A10 cos  e
 a 
2
π 
kz
= k2 − 
a

cd c
fc = cd =
2a εr

2
π 
β=
k2 −  , f > fc
a
2
π 
α =   − k2 , f < fc
a
20
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
Fields of the Dominant TE10 Mode

 π x  − jk z z
H z ( x, y , z ) = A10 cos  e
 a 
Find the other fields from these equations:

 − jωµ  ∂H z  jk z  ∂E z
=Ex  2 2 
− 2 2 
 k − k z  ∂y  k − k z  ∂x

 jωµ  ∂H z  jk z  ∂E z
=Ey  2 2 
− 2 2 
 k − k z  ∂x  k − k z  ∂y

 jωε  ∂E z  jk z  ∂H z
=Hx  2 2 
− 2 2 
 k − k z  ∂y  k − k z  ∂x

 − jωε  ∂E z  jk z  ∂H z
=Hy  2 2 
− 2 2 
 k − k z  ∂ x  k − k z  ∂y
21
 Dominant Mode (cont.)

Summary of fields for TE10 mode:

 π x  − jk z z
H z ( x, y , z ) = A10 cos  e
 a 
 π x  − jkz z
E y ( x, y, z ) = E10 sin  e
 a 
 kz   π x  − jkz z
H x ( x, y , z ) = −   E10 sin  e
 ωµ   a 

where
 jωµ   π 
=E10  2 2 
−  A10
 k − kz   a 

22
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
TE10 Mode
y y

z=0
E
b
x
a x
Length of arrows denotes magnitude of field Color denotes magnitude of field

y
E

b H

x
a
Spacing between arrows denotes magnitude of field
23
Dominant Mode (cont.)

TE10 Mode

3D View

24
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
What is the mode with the next highest cutoff frequency?

2 2 2
cd  mπ   nπ  cd  2π 
( 2,0 )cd  1 
=fc =fc =
  +  
2π  a 
 
2 a/2

2π  a   b 
2
cd  π 
( 0,1)cd  1 
=fc =
Assume b < a / 2 y  
2π  b 
 
2 b

Then the next highest is the TE20 mode. c

cd =
εr
f c( 2,0) = 2 f c(1,0) b ε,µ
x
A 2:1 operating band!
a
(lossless waveguide)

Useful operating region

TE01

fc
TE10 TE20
25
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
What is the mode with the next highest cutoff frequency?

2 2
cd  2π 
( 2,0 )cd  1  cd  π 
( 0,1) cd  1 
=fc =     =fc =    
2π  a  2 a/2 2π  b  2 b

c y
cd =
εr
Assume b > a / 2
(lossless waveguide)

Then the next highest is the TE01 mode. b ε,µ

The useable bandwidth is now lower than before.
x
a

Useful operating region TE01

fc
TE10 TE20
26
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
b a
1
=Pz Re ∫ ∫ ( E × H * ) ⋅ zˆ dxdy
Power flow in lossless waveguide (f > fc): 0 0
2
b a
1
 π x  − jkz z
= Re ∫ ∫ −
2
( E y H x* ) dxdy
E y ( x, y, z ) = E10 sin  e
0 0

 a 
a
1
= − b Re ∫ E H dx y
*
x
2
 ab  0

 β E10 [ W ] (watts flowing down the waveguide)

2
Pz = 
 4ωµ 
(The derivation is omitted, but please see the formula box above.)

Note: Above cutoff, there is only watts flowing (no vars). Below cutoff there is no watts flowing (only vars).

 Make b larger to get more power flow for a given value of a.

 Keep b smaller than a/2 to get maximum bandwidth.

The optimum dimension for b is a/2

(gives maximum power flow without sacrificing bandwidth).

27
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
Plane wave interpretation of TE10 mode

 π x  − jk z z  π
E y ( x, y , z ) E=
10 sin   e E10 sin ( k x x ) e − jk z z
k
 x ≡ 
 a   a

 e jk x x − e − jk x x  − jk z z  e jz − e − jz 
= E10  e Note : sin z = 
 2 j   2j 


 E10′ ≡ − E10 / ( 2 j ) 
E y ( x, y , z ) E10′ e − jk x x e − jk z z + E10′′ e jk x x e − jk z z
=  
E
 10′′ ≡ + E10 / ( 2 j ) 
PW #1 PW #2
x
kx π /a
θ
tan= =
(E, H) PW #1 kz π 
2
θ 2
k − 
a
PW #2
z
28
 Dominant Mode (cont.)
Losses in Waveguide (f > fc)
α ≈ αd + αc
Dielectric loss:
2
π 
kz =k02ε r (1 − j tan δ d ) −   =
β − jα d (ε r denotes ε r′ )
a

2
π  Note:
− Im k ε (1 − j tan δ d ) −  
αd = 2
0 r If we are below cutoff,
a attenuation is mainly due to
evanescence, so we don’t
worry about conductor and
dielectric loss then.
Conductor loss:

Rs εr  2b  f  2 
αc 1 +  c   [np/m]
bη0 1 − ( f / f )2  a  f  
c 
(This is derived in ECE 5317.)
29
 Example
Find the single-mode operating frequency region
for air-filled X-band waveguide.

Standard X-band* waveguide:

a = 0.900 inches (2.286 cm)
b = 0.400 inches (1.016 cm) Note: b < a / 2

Use c
(1,0 )
fc =
2a
Hence, we have:
f c(1,0) = 6.56 [GHz] X-band waveguide

f c( 2,0) = 13.11 [GHz] * X-band: from 8.0 to 12 GHz.

6.56 < f < 13.11 [GHz]

30
 Example (cont.)

 Find the phase constant of the TE10 mode at 9.00 GHz.

 Find the attenuation in dB/m at 5.00 GHz

Recall: f c( ) = 6.56 [GHz]

1,0

X-band waveguide
2
π 
β=
k2 −  , f > fc
a k k=
= 0 ω µ0ε=
0 2π f / =
c 2π / λ0
2
π  At 9.0 GHz : k = 188.62 [rad/m]
α =   − k2 , f < fc
a At 5.0 GHz : k = 104.79 [rad/m]

kc π=
= / a 137.43 [rad/m]

At 9.00 GHz: β = 129.13 [rad/m]

At 5.00 GHz: α = 88.91 [nepers/m]
31
 Example (cont.)

At 5.0 GHz:
α = 88.91 [ nepers/m ]

Recall:
dB/m = 8.68589 α X-band waveguide

Attenuation = 772 dB/m

This is a very rapid attenuation!

32
 Waveguide Components

Straight sections Flexible waveguides Waveguide bends

Waveguide adapters Waveguide couplers Waveguide terminations

https://www.pasternack.com
33
 Waveguide Modes in Transmission Lines

 A transmission line normally operates in the TEMz mode,

where the two conductors have equal and opposite currents.

 At high frequencies, waveguide modes can also propagate on

transmission lines.

 This is undesirable, and limits the high-frequency range of

operation for the transmission line.

34
 Waveguide Modes in Coax

Dominant waveguide mode in coax (derivation omitted):

TE11 c  1  1  Note:
TE11 mode: f c ≈    In this notation, the “11”
a εr  π   1 + b / a  subscript refers to the
angular and radial variation.

Example: RG 142 coax

= = 8.89 × 10−4 [m]
a 0.035 inches
= = 29.46 × 10−4 [m]
b 0.116 inches
ε r = 2.2 εr a
b
/ a 3.31 ⇒ Z 0 = 48.4 [Ω]
b= z

f cTE11 ≈ 16.8 [GHz] L η0 b

Z0
= = ln  
C 2π ε r  a 
This coax cannot be used above 16.8 [GHz]
35
 Appendix A: TMz Modes

∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez
We want to solve:
∂x 2
+
∂y 2
+ ( k 2
− k z ) Ez =
2
0

Define: kc2 ≡ k 2 − k z2

∂ 2 Ez ∂ 2 Ez 2 Note that kc is an
We then have: + + k E
c z 0
= unknown at this point.
∂x 2 ∂y 2

∂ 2 Ez 0 ∂ 2 Ez 0 2
Dividing by the exp(-j kz z) term, we have: 2
+ 2
+ k 0
c Ez 0 =
∂x ∂y

We solve the above equation by using the method of separation of variables.

We assume: E z 0 ( x, y ) = X ( x ) Y ( y )

36
 Appendix A (cont.)
∂ 2 Ez 0 ∂ 2 Ez 0 2
2
+ 2
+ k 0
c Ez 0 =
∂x ∂y

E z 0 ( x, y ) = X ( x ) Y ( y )

Hence X ′′Y + X Y ′′ =
−kc2 XY
X ′′ Y ′′
Divide by XY : + −kc2
=
X Y
X ′′ 2 Y ′′
Hence =− kc −
X Y

This has the form F ( x) = G ( y) Both sides of the equation

must be a constant!

37
 Appendix A (cont.)
X ′′ 2 Y ′′
=− kc − =constant
X Y
X ′′
Denote =−k x2 =
constant
X
=
General solution: X ( x) A sin(k x x) + B cos(k x x)
y

Boundary conditions:
X (0) = 0 (1)
X (a ) = 0 ( 2) b ε,µ
x
a
(1) 0 ⇒ X ( x) =
B= A sin(k x x)
(2) sin(k x a ) = 0
38
 Appendix A (cont.)

From the last slide:

sin(k x a ) = 0

This gives us the following result:

π , m 1, 2
k x a m=
=
mπ
kx =
a

 mπ x 
Hence X ( x) = A sin  
 a 

Now we turn our attention to the Y (y) function.

39
 Appendix A (cont.)
We have

X ′′ 2 Y ′′
=− kc − =−k x2
X Y

Y ′′
Hence = k x2 − kc2
Y
2 2 2
Denote k=
y k c − k x

Y ′′
Then we have = −k y2
Y

=
General solution: Y ( y) C sin(k y y ) + D cos(k y y )
40
 Appendix A (cont.)

Y ( y ) C sin(k y y ) + D cos(k y y )
=
y
Y (0) = 0 (3)
Boundary conditions:
Y ( b) = 0 ( 4) b ε,µ
x
a
(3) 0 ⇒ Y ( y) =
D= C sin(k y y )
(4) sin(k y b) = 0

kb
Equation (4) gives us the following result: =
y π , n 1, 2
n=

nπ
ky =
b 41
 Appendix A (cont.)

 nπ y 
The Y(y) function is then Y ( y ) = C sin  
 b 
Therefore, we have

 mπ x   nπ y 
E z 0 ( x, y ) X=
= ( x ) Y ( y ) AC sin   sin  
 a   b 
New notation:
 mπ x   nπ y 
E z 0 ( x, y ) = Amn sin   sin  
 a   b 

The Ez field inside the waveguide thus has the following form:

 mπ x   nπ y  − jk z(m ,n ) z
E z ( x, y , z ) = Amn sin   sin  e
 a   b 
42
 Appendix A (cont.)
2 2 2
Recall that k=
y k c − k x

2 2 2
Hence k=
c k x + k y

Therefore the solution for kc is given by

2 2
2  mπ   nπ 
=kc   + 
 a   b 
2 2 2
Next, recall that k=
c k − k z

2 2 2
Hence k=
z k − kc
2 2
( m,n )  mπ   nπ 
kz =
k
z =k 2 −   − 
 a   b 
43
 Appendix B: TEz Modes
=E z 0, H z ≠ 0
We now start with

∂2H z ∂2H z
∂x 2
+
∂y 2
+ ( k 2
− k z ) Hz =
2
0

Using the separation of variables method again, we have

H z 0 ( x, y ) = X ( x ) Y ( y )
where
X ( x) A sin(k x x) + B cos(k x x)
=

Y ( y ) C sin(k y y ) + D cos(k y y )
=

and
2 2 2 2 2 2
k=
c k x + k y k=
z k − k c
44
 Appendix B (cont.)

Boundary conditions: y

E x ( x,0) = 0 E y (0, y ) = 0
E x ( x , b) = 0 E y (a, y ) = 0 b ε,µ
x
a
The result is
 mπ x   nπ y 
H z 0 ( x, y ) = Amn cos   cos  
 a   b 

This can be shown by using the following equations:

 − jωµ  ∂H z  jk z  ∂Ez ∂H z
=Ex  2 2 
− 2 2 
= 0,=y 0, b
 k − k z  ∂y  k − k z  ∂x
∂y

 jωµ  ∂H z  jk z  ∂Ez ∂H z
=Ey  2 2 
− 2 2 
= 0,=x 0, a
 k − k z  ∂x  k − k z  ∂y ∂x
45
 Appendix B (cont.)

The Hz field inside the waveguide thus has the following form:

 mπ x   nπ y  − jkz( m ,n) z
H z ( x, y, z ) = Amn cos   cos  e
 a   b 

2 2
 mπ   nπ  Same formula for cutoff
k z( m ,n ) 2
=k −   −  frequency as the TEz case!
 a   b 

m = 0,1, 2
( m, n ) ≠ ( 0, 0 )
n = 0,1, 2

Note: The (0,0) TEz mode is not valid, since it violates the magnetic Gauss law:

H ( x, y , z ) = zˆ A00 e − jkz ∇ ⋅ H ( x, y , z ) ≠ 0
46