HEWLETT-PACKARD

JOURNAL
T E C H N I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N F R O M T H E - h p - L A B O R A T O R I E S
12 No. 10

IBLISHED BY THE HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY, 1501 PAGE MILL ROAD, PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA JUNE, 1961

A Microwave Power Meter with

a Hundredfold Reduction of Thermal Drift
A>asic limitation in bolometer type power stable at this low level than previous meters
meters has been the drift that thermal were at higher levels.
changes cause in the power meter zero reading. The new power meter measures down to 10
microwatts full scale on its lowest range and
Such drift not only sets a practical limit to
up to 10 milliwatts full scale on its highest
the lowest power levels that the meter can range. Its frequency coverage is determined by
measure but has often constituted a consider accessory bolometer mounts which have been
able inconvenience at designed both in waveguide and in coaxial ver
higher levels as well. sions. For waveguide use, a series of mounts
A new microwave has been designed for guide sizes between 2.6
power meter has been developed which has and 40 gc (kmc). For coaxial systems, a single
mount operates over the full range from 10 me
only about a hundredth of the thermal drift
to 10 gc.
susceptibility of uncompensated power meters. The new power meter further includes an
This has permitted the new meter to have a important feature for power-measuring equip
10 times increase in sensitivity and to be more ment. This is an output for operating an ex-

— TWT OUTPUT

(UNLEVELED)

-FREQUENCY

Fig. 1. New -hp- Microwave Power Meter has increased Fig. 2. Comparison of unleveled output of travel
sensitivity and stability, permitting measurements down ing-wave tube amplifier with output when leveled
to 10 microwatts full scale with accessory waveguide and
coaxial bolometer mounts. Instrument also provides out using new power meter in arrangement described
put for operating recorders or for leveling power sources. in text.

P R I N T E D I N U . S . A . C O P Y R I G H T 1 9 6 1 H E W L E T T - P A C K A R D C O .

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.

 RECORDER

-18VDC

Fig. 3. Basic circuit arrangement of -hp- occurs from use of double-bridge technique
431 A Power Meter. High thermal stability u'ith compensated thermistor mounts.

ternal strip-chart or X - Y recorder. range control may be the only con to be measured. The action of the
With this output it becomes con trol used. second thermistor is described below.
venient to obtain permanent rec The power meter circuitry con
ords of microwave power as a CIRCUIT DESIGN APPROACH sists of two bridges which are made
function of temperature, frequency, Fig. 3 shows the effective circuit to be self-balancing through the use
time, etc. In addition, the output arrangement when the new power of feedback loops. Each bridge in
enables the power meter to be used meter is operated with one of its corporates one of the thermistor
in leveling the power produced by companion bolometer (thermistor) elements as one of the bridge arms.
swept-frequency sources and in ob mounts. The mount includes two In loop #1 amplifier #1 supplies
taining a digital readout of power, thermistor elements, one of which 10 kc power to bias the thermistor
as described later. absorbs the rf or microwave power to the resistance necessary to balance
Several other interesting features
are included in the new instrument. THERMISTOR MOUNTS
It has an increased accuracy of ±3% FOR -hp- 431 A POWER METER
which can be made even higher by
a special technique described later.
It is transistorized, achieving re
duced size and weight and permit
ting operation from an optional
internal battery. The battery is re
chargeable in place when the in
strument is operated from a power
line. Finally, the instrument has
considerable convenience of opera
tion. For example, zero setting of
the lowest range carries over to all
higher ranges, while the only con
trols used in usual operation are
the fine zero and range controls.
Indeed, on the higher ranges the "1.3 from 20 me to 7 ge, 1.5 from 10 me to 10 gc.

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.

 Fig. 4. New pou'er
meter is transistor
— ized and can be
operated from op
OI F FF F*
POWER
A TCT
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t l M T T E r r
C H A M E O W
M *
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tional internal
battery. -6 HOURS _
p r
M f J f c A
à €
T H e R M i S T O R
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Fig. 5. Six-hour recording of room-con

'^^^B dition zero-drift on most sensitive range
of new power meter shows high stability
achieved. This drift then becomes attenu
ated by range factor on higher ranges.

bridge #1. An equal amount of this STABILITY sensitive (10 /xw) range of the new
WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES
10 kc power is supplied by ampli power meter for a six-hour period.
fier #1 to the second thermistor That there is very little drift of
For this whole period the total drift
through the two series-connected the power meter zero point when
excursion is only about 1 major
the ambient temperature changes
transformers. Bridge #2 is thus also meter scale division, i.e., about 1
can now be easily demonstrated.
balanced (assuming that the zero microwatt peak-to-peak. Even this
Assume, for example, that there is
control has been adjusted). small drift, since it is for the most
an increase in ambient temperature
When rf power is now applied to sensitive range, will be attenuated
at the thermistors. In such a case a
thermistor #1, an amount of 10 kc by the range factor on higher ranges
decrease in electrical power is needed
power equal to the rf is displaced with the result that it becomes vir
at the thermistors to maintain their
from the thermistor by the self- tually unobservable on any but the
operating resistance constant. This
balancing action of the bridge. Be most sensitive range.
decrease is automatically performed
cause of the series-connected trans
for both thermistors by loop #1 LINEAR OUTPUT
formers, an equal amount of 10 kc FOR RECORDING
which decreases the amount of 10 kc
power is also displaced from therm The recorder output provided at
power by the appropriate amount.
istor #2. Bridge #1 thus remains the back of the instrument produces
The amount of dc power in loop #2
balanced, but bridge #2 must be a current of 1 ma for a full scale
remains fixed, however, and since
rebalanced by its feedback loop. power reading. This current can be
this dc power is the power that is
This balancing occurs automatical delivered to loads of up to 2000
metered it can be seen that the tem
ly, but the balancing is performed ohms. It is linearly related to the
perature change has not affected the
with dc power instead of 10 kc power reading so that not only will
meter reading. This action assumes
power as in the first bridge and this recordings made from this output
that the two thermistors are identi
dc is applied only to bridge #2. The be direct- read ing in power but it
cal as to their temperature character
dc power applied to thermistor #2 also becomes easy to obtain a digital
istics. In practice, these are matched
to balance the bridge is thus equal readout of power. For example,
at -hp- so that the zero point change
to the microwave power originally placing a digital voltmeter shunted
with ambient temperature change is
applied to thermistor #1. The dc by a 1000-ohm resistor across the
extremely small.
power applied to thermistor #2 is recorder terminal will make the
then monitored by transistor B DRIFT CHARACTERISTICS digital voltmeter direct-reading in
which operates the meter circuit. A The practical result of the design power on the power meter's "1" -
squaring circuit makes the meter in approach described above is shown "10" - "100", etc., ranges except for
dication linear in power. The meter in the drift record of Fig. 5. This positioning of decimal point. Simi
circuit also includes an output for record shows the drift under typical larly, a 316-ohm resistor will make
operating an external recorder. laboratory conditions for the most the "3" - "30" - "300", etc., ranges

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.

 system is shown by the curves in
Fig. 2 (first page) which compare the
leveled output with the output be
fore leveling. The leveled output is
essentially constant with frequency
except for the small variation due to
the change in coupling of the direc
tional coupler.
In additional to acting as a leveler,
the system also acts as a power-set
system, because the power produced
at the output of the coupler is con
trolled by the position of the power
meter range switch as well as by the
power set potentiometer. The po
tentiometer gives a continuous ver
nier on power output, while the
range switch on the power meter
Fig. 6. Equipment arrangement used acts as a 5 db step attenuator in con
with new power meter to obtain lev trolling power.
eled, high-power 2-4 gc sweep-fre
quency signal source. The cutoff frequency of the feed
back system indicated in Fig. 6 is
about 10 cps. Therefore, in opera
Because of the excellent thermal tion the sweeper must be set to
and time stability of the new meter, sweep slowly enough so that the fine
power loss alarm and protection sys structure in the unleveled output
tems can be easily formed using the can be removed.
recorder output provision.
IMPROVED
SOURCE SWR
LEVELED POWER
SYSTEMS It should also be noted that the
The recorder output feature has leveling system shown in Fig. 6 im
also proved valuable in other ways. proves the apparent swr of the re
Fig. 6, for example, shows an ar sultant power source. This occurs
rangement in which a leveled, high- because the leveling system holds
power 2 - 4 gc swept frequency constant the wave traveling toward
source is formed using the new the load despite energy reflected
power meter in the feedback loop. back from the load.
In this arrangement the output of
MEASUREMENT ACCURACY
the sweeper is fed to an -hp- 491C CONSIDERATIONS
Fig. 7. -hp- 486 A waveguide thermistor
mount (upper) has been designed in 30 db traveling-wave amplifier. This In microwave power measure
guide sizes from 2.6 to 40 gc. Model produces an output of up to 1 watt ments there are generally considered
47 8 A coaxial mount (lower) operates
from 10 me to W gc. which is monitored by the power to be four major sources of error:
meter operating with a 20 db direc (1) mismatch error or tuner loss,
direct reading. If desired, the digital tional coupler. The power meter (2) bolometer mount efficiency, (3)
voltmeter can be followed with a output is then applied to the modu substitution error, and (4) instru
printer to obtain a printed record lating electrode on the twt through mentation error.
of power measurements. Where a suitable amplifier. By means of a Mismatch loss occurs when the
greater sophistication is required, the shaping network the amplifier char power-absorbing device does not
new power meter can be combined acteristic is designed to be the in present an impedance that is the
with -hp-/Dymec Division automatic verse of the transfer characteristic of complex conjugate of that seen look
data-logging equipment to record the twt so that the system loop gain ing toward the source. If one of the
power readings on punched cards or is about the same at all levels. two impedances corresponds to unity
printed records. The effectiveness of this leveling swr, then mismatch loss can be cal-

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.

culated from the other swr. Usually, and substitution terminal at the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
however, neither swr is unity. In back of the instrument. Use of this The double bridge technique em
such a case the loss can only be ex terminal makes it possible to re ployed in the new power meter was
pressed as lying between two limits. duce instrumentation error to less conceived by George Jung. The
A tuner can be used to minimize the than 1% through the following waveguide thermistor mounts were
mismatch loss, although the tuner de-substitution technique: With mi designed by James Vaughan, while
itself will introduce some loss. crowave power applied to the ap the coaxial mount was designed by
Bolometer mount error occurs be propriate mount, a digital voltmeter E. L. Miller and Robert Mouw. The
cause some of the applied power is or differential voltmeter can be con power meter design team consisted
dissipated within the mount before nected across a resistor which in turn of George Jung, William Hanisch
reaching the bolometer element. In is connected across the power meter and the author. Project leader was
addition, substitution error results recorder output. The voltmeter can Marco R. Negrete.
when the rf power does not affect now obtain a high resolution read — R. F. Pramann
the thermistor element to the same ing related to the power measured
degree as dc power. This error is by the power meter. The microwave SPECIFICATIONS
usually less than 1%. -hp-
power can now be turned off and dc MODEL 431A
Substitution error and mount effi applied to the dc calibration ter POWER METER
ciency are often combined for sim Power Range: 7 ranges with full scale readings
minal on the power meter until an of 10, 30, 100 and 300 //w; 1, 3 and 10 mw.
plicity of measurement into what is indication equal to the previous in Also calibrated in dbm from — 30 to -|-10.
External Bolometer: Temperature-compensated
termed "calibration factor". Typi dication is obtained on the volt thermistor mounts required for operation
(-hp- 478A or 486A).
cally, the calibration factor of the meter. The power is now I?Rt where Accuracy: ±3% of f u
from 20° to 35°C.
scale on all ranges

-hp- X486A waveguide mount for It is dc current applied to the therm  ± 5 % o f f u l l s c a l e ...n
0° to +52-C.
II ranges from

the new power meter is .97 or .98, istor and R, is the resistance of the Recorder Output: Phone jack on rear provides
1 ma maximum into 2000 ohms maximum.
although no efficiency specification thermistor (100 or 200 ohms, de Calibration and Substitution Input: Binding
posts on rear for calibration of bridge with
is quoted. All -hp- mounts are, how pending on the particular mount). precise dc standards or making accurate dc
substitution measurements.
ever, checked against a "house con The resistance of the mount is with Power Supply: 11 5/230 volts ±10%, 50 to 1000
cps, V/2 watts.
trol" mount and those that are in 1% of the nominal value and can Dimensions: óVÃ-z" high, 73/4" wide, 12" deep.
Weight: Net 6'/2 Ibs.; 9'/2 Ibs. with battery.
significantly low in efficiency are be determined to within a few tenths Accessories Furnished: 5-foot cable for -hp-
temperature compensated thermistor mounts
rejected. of a percent if desired. If the dc cur (-hp- 431A-16A).
7-foot power cord set (-hp- 8120-0078).
It is possible to obtain the cali rent is accurately measured this ar Accessories Available: Temperature compen
sated thermistor mounts: See below.
bration factor of an X-band mount rangement will thus give better than Rechargeable battery with installation kit
(-hp- 431A-95A): $100 either factory in
from the National Bureau of Stand 1% accuracy. stalled or as separate kit.
Price: Model 431 A Power Meter: $345.00.
ards to an accuracy of 1%. NBS does
not presently measure this factor in PORTABLE OPERATION -hp-
The optional internal battery is MODEL 478A
mounts in other than X-band nor in COAXIAL THERMISTOR MOUNT
coaxial mounts above 300 me. designed to give up to 24 hours of Frequency Range: 10 me to 10 gc (kmc).
SWR: Less than 1.5; less than 1.3 from 20 me
The fourth source of error is in portable operation without recharge. to 7 gc.
Power Range: 1 /¿w to 10 mw.
strumentation error. This is the The battery can be installed at any Elements: Permanently installed thermistors.
Operating Resistance: 200 ohms, negative tem
inability of the power meter to time and is designed to be recharged perature coefficient.
RF Connecfor: Type N, male.
accurately measure and interpret the in place when the instrument is con Bridge Connecfor: Mates with cable supplied
with -hp- Model 431 A.
information available at the therm nected to a power line. When the Dimensions: 3W long, 1^8" max. diameter.
Weight: Net 5'/2 oz.
istor element. In specifying the panel switch is in the "Charge" posi Price: $145.00.
accuracy of a power meter, instru tion, the battery is charged at a rate -hp-
mentation error is the figure usually (32 ma) that permits indefinite MODEL 486A
used. In the new power meter, this THERMISTOR MOUNTS
charging without damage. In nor Power Range: l^w to 10 mw with -hp- 431A
error is rated at 3% maximum but mal operation the battery, if present, Power Meter.
Elements: Permanently installed thermistors.
can be made smaller, as described receives a trickle charge to assure Operating Resistance: 100 or 200 ohms, de
pending on guide size; see table p. 2. Nega
next. maintenance of full charge. tive temperature coefficient.
Bridge Connecfor: Mates with cable furnished
with -hp- Model 431A Power Meter.
DC CALIBRATION The battery operation feature Price: -hp- Model X486A (8.2 to 12.4 kmc):
$145.00. Prices for other frequency ranges
For situations in which it may be combined with the low thermal drift on request.
For additional data see table elsewhere
desirable to minimize instrumenta of the new power meter make port in this issue.
tion error, the new power meter has able operation practical even under Prices f.o.b. Palo Alto, Calif.
Data subject to change without notice
been equipped with a dc calibration adverse environmental conditions.

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.

 A NEW LOW-COST DC FAN arrangement that compensates for the
drop in dc-/3 of the switching tran
FOR CABINET COOLING sistors in the inverter at low tempera
tures, while temperature stabilization
Where electronic equipments are
is employed to provide reliable high
intended to operate over a range of
temperature operation.
power line frequencies (50 to 1600 cps
With the exception of the two tran
being a common example), a problem
sistors, all inverter components are
results if the equipment is fan-cooled.
potted inside a transformer type hous
This is that the inexpensive and quiet
ing for maximum resistance to shock,
ac-type fan motor must be replaced
vibration, and humidity. The tran
with an expensive and noisy dc motor
sistors are located on the housing lid
which has the additional disadvantage
so as to be readily available for
of brush wear problems.
servicing. The lid also serves as the
To avoid these disadvantages and to
Fig. 1. New PAECO fan enables long transistor heat sink. The components
achieve much greater economy, -hp-'s lije and quietness of ac jan motor to within the housing operate with low
affiliate, PAECO*, has designed a new be obtained in variable line frequency temperature rise since the potting com
de-operated fan. It consists of a con applications.
pound has been selected for good
ventional ac shaded-pole motor which
The operation is such that a higher thermal conducting properties. Tem
is powered from a simple transistor
air flow is obtained than is customary perature rise of the housing is approxi
ized dc inverter. The new fan thus
with a motor of the size used. This mately 25°C above a 25°C ambient.
overcomes the line-frequency problem
occurs because the fan motor is oper The external field generated by the
and in so doing achieves a 50% or more
ated at a frequency somewhat higher fan motor is comparable to that result
economy over conventional dc fan
than 60 cps. Ratings are still conserva ing when the motor is operated from
arrangements. The unit has a 4" fan
tive, however, and the motor coil tem its standard 115v/60 cps conditions.
blade and delivers 125 cfm in free air.
perature rise is only 15°C above a The new fan can be supplied to
As shown in Fig. 1, the fan motor
25' C ambient. A comparison of torque operate from any supply voltage in the
and inverter are constructed as sepa
characteristics for the motor when 60- range from 12 to 24 vdc.
rate units. This permits the inverter to
cps operated and when inverter oper The inverter itself can be mounted
be mounted in a location where it will
ated appears in Fig. 2 and shows the in any convenient location within a
not interfere with the air flow path.
rpm improvement obtained. cabinet and has dimensions of only
*PAECO (Palo Alto Engineering Co.) is To cover a wide range of conditions, 2i"x2"x2i".
-hp-'s affiliate for the design and manu the unit has been designed to operate The electrical and mechanical de
facture of transformers and other mag sign of the new fan were performed at
netic components. It is located at 620 over the temperature region from
— 20°C to +40°C. Low temperature PAECO by Ned E. Baxter and C. J.
Page Mul Road, Palo Alto, Calif., Tel.
DA 6-5360. operation has been achieved by an Biggerstaff, section head, of the mag
netic applications group.
5000

SPECIFICATIONS
Poeco
MODEL 8-1003
DC FAN
DC Input Voltage Range: 12 to 24 vdc.

Typical operation at 18 vdc ±10%:

DC Input Voltage Permissible Ripple: 1
vrms.
DC Input Current: 3.0 ode ±20%.
Motor RPM (No Load) at 25°C: 4000 rpm.
Motor RPM (Full Load) at 25°C: 3700 rpm.
Operating temperature Range: — 20=C to
- t - 4 0 Â ° C

Fan Motor Type: 5/s" shaded pole.

Starting Voltage at 25 °C: 2v minimum.
Volume of Driver Unit: Approx. 12 cu. in.
0 . 8 1 0 1 . 2 Weight: 0.4 Ibs.
Air Delivery: 125 cim free air.
TORQUE (IN-OZ) Price: Approx. $27.00; depends on quantity.
Prices f.o.b. Palo Alto, Calif.
Fig. 2. Torque characteristic of fan motor as used in new fan
Data subject to change without notice
and as obtained with 110 v, 60 cps operation.

© Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett-Packard Co.