Module 2

Wave Guide Principles and

Analysis
 Principles of waveguide
 A Hollow metallic tube of a rectangular and circular shape
used for transmitting electromagnetic waves by successive
reflections from the inner walls of the tube is called
waveguide.
 Waveguides may be used to carry energy between pieces of
equipment or over longer distances to transmit transmitter
power to an antenna or microwave signals from an antenna to
a receiver.
 Waveguides are made from copper, aluminum or brass. These
metals are extruded into long rectangular or circular pipes.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 2
 Waveguides are principally used at frequency in microwave
ranges
1. In waveguide the electric and magnetic field are confined to
the space with in the guides
2. No power is lost through radiation and even dielectric loss is
negligible.
3. Since the guides are normally air filled. there is some power
loss at heat in the walls of the guides, but the loss is very
small.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 3
To propagate several modes electro-magnetic waves with in a
waveguide.
 A given waveguide has a definite cut-off frequency for each
allowed mode.
 If the frequency of impressed signal is above the cut-off frequency
for a given mode the electromagnetic energy can be transmitted.
 If the electromagnetic energy with a frequency below the cut-off
frequency for that particular mode will be attenuated to a
negligible.
 Note: The dominant mode in a particular guide is the mode having
the lowest cut-off frequency.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 4
The process of solving the waveguide problems may involve
three steps:
1. The desired waveguide equations are written in the form of
either rectangular or cylindrical co-ordinates systems suitable
to the problem at hand.
2. The boundary conditions are then applied to the wave
equations setup in step 1
3. The resultant equations usually in the form of partial
differential equations in either time or frequency domain.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 5
 Types of waveguide classification
 Rectangular wave guide: is a hollow metallic tube with
rectangular cross section the conducting walls of the guide confined

the electromagnetic fields and there by guides the electromagnetic

waves.

 A number of distinct field configuration or modes can exist in

waveguides.

 When the waves travel longitudinally down the guide the plane

waves are reflected from wall to wall. This process results in a

component of either electric or magnetic field in the direction of

propagation of the resultant wave.

Cont.…
Figure below shows that any uniform plane wave in a lossless
waveguide may be resolved into TE and TM modes. It is clear
that when the wavelength λ is in the direction of propagation
of the incident waves.

There will be one component in the direction normal to the

reflecting plane and an other parallel to the plane.
Cont. …
 Where 𝜃 is angle of incident λ is wave length of the impressed signal
in un bounded medium. A plane wave in a Waveguide results in to two
components. One standing wave in the direction normal to the
reflecting wall of the guide and one travelling wave in the direction
parallel to the reflecting walls. In a lossless waveguide can be
classified as either transverse electric mode (TE) or magnetic
mode(TM).
 In a rectangular waveguide the modes are dissipated as or the integer
‘m’ the number of half-waves of electric or magnetic intensity in the
X-direction and ‘n’ is the number of half-waves in the Y-direction, if
the propagation of the wave is assumed in the positive z-direction.
Note: any shape of cross-section of a waveguide can support
electro magnetic waves.
 Rectangular waveguide is most commonly used.
 Circular waveguide tends to twist the waves.
 Circular waveguides are used in rotating antennas as in
‘RADARS’
Cont. …

 The waveguides can be in air or vacuum depending on the

power levels. For exceptionally high powers pressurised SF6 is
used to suppress plasma discharges.
Components of electric and magnetic field intensities in an EM
wave.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 10
Modes of Propagation
 The pattern of the electromagnetic fields within a waveguide
takes many forms. Each form is called an operating mode.

 Dispersion limits the usefulness of waveguides with pulsed

signals and other types of modulation. Because of dispersion, it
is undesirable to have more than one mode propagating.

 Each mode has a cutoff frequency below which it will not

propagate. Single-mode propagation can be achieved by using
only the mode with the lowest cutoff frequency. This mode is
called the dominant mode.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 11
 TE and TM modes: Electromagnetic waves inside a
waveguide can have an infinite number of patterns which are
called as modes.
 Electromagnetic waves consists of electric fields and magnetic
field which always perpendicular to each other.
 At the surface of conductor the electric field cannot have
component parallel to the surface. Electric field must always
be perpendicular to the conductor and magnetic field is always
parallel to the surface of the conductor.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 12
Note: The knowledge of a plane wave propagation is very
essential to the propagation of the micro plane.

1. A changing electric field produces a magnetic field changing

magnetic field induces a changing electric field in
surrounding region.
2. A plane transverse electromagnetic waves(TEM) is defined as
a wave which both electric(E) and magnetic(H) vectors are at
right angles to the direction of propagation.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 13
3. Both vectors have the same magnitude and direction at all
points in the transverse plane.
4. A transmission line is terminated by a radiating components
called an antenna tees the E/H mutual field radiation into the
space the fields are right angle to reach each other and also to the
direction of propagation.
5. Direction of propagation causing curved wave front in the far
field.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 14
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 15
 TEM / TE / TM Wave Analysis
1. Transverse Electro Magnetic (TEM) wave: Here both electric and magnetic fields are

directed components. (i.e.) E z = 0 and Hz = 0

2. Transverse Electric (TE) wave: Here only the electric field is purely transverse to the

direction of propagation and the magnetic field is not purely transverse. (i.e.) E z = 0, Hz ≠

3. Transverse Magnetic (TM) wave: Here only magnetic field is transverse to the

direction of propagation and the electric field is not purely transverse. (i.e.) E z ≠ 0, Hz = 0.

4. Hybrid (HE) wave: Here neither electric nor magnetic fields are purely transverse to

the direction of propagation. (i.e.) E z ≠ 0, Hz ≠ 0.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 16
Representation of Modes
The general symbol of representation will be TE m, n or TM m, n where

the subscript m indicates the number of half wave variations of the

electric field intensity along the a (wide) dimension of the waveguide.

The second subscript n indicates the number of half wave variations

of the electric field in the b (narrow) dimension of the guide.

The TE1, 0 mode has the longest operating wavelength and is

designated as the dominant mode. It is the mode for the lowest

frequency that can be propagated in a waveguide.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 17
Field pattern for two modes, TE10 and TE20

In both cases, E only varies in the x direction; since n = 0, it is

constant in the y direction. For TE10, the electric field has a half
sine wave pattern, while for TE20 a full sine wave pattern is
observed.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 18
 Location of Modes

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 19
 TE1, 0 - shown voltage varies from 0 to maximum and maximum
to 0 across the wider dimension ‘a ’ this is one half-variation.
Hence m=1, across the narrow dimension there is no variation
in voltage , hence n=0. Therefore, this mode having the highest
cut-off wavelength is known as dominant mode of the
waveguide. And other mode are called higher mode.

 TE1, 0 Mode: is the dominant mode for TE waves. This mode is

used for practically all electromagnetic transmission in a
rectangular guide.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 20
Rectangular Waveguide

 The size of the waveguide determines its operating frequency

range.
 The frequency of operation is determined by the dimension ‘a’.
 This dimension is usually made equal to one-half the
wavelength at the lowest frequency of operation, this frequency
is known as the waveguide cutoff frequency.
 At the cutoff frequency and below, the waveguide will not
transmit energy. At frequencies above the cutoff frequency, the
waveguide will propagate energy.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 21
Cutoff Frequency considerations:
 The exact size of the wave guide is selected based on the desired
operating frequency.
 The size of the waveguide is chosen so that its rectangular width is
greater than one – half the wavelength but less than the one
wavelength at the operating frequency.
 This gives a cutoff frequency that is below the operating frequency,
thereby ensuring that the signal will be propagated down the line.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 22
• For a standard rectangular waveguide, the cutoff wavelength
is given by:
2
c 
2 2
m n
   
 a  b
For a TE10 mode ( dominant mode)
 
c  2a
For a standard rectangular waveguide, the cutoff frequency is
given by: 2 2
c m n
fc     
2  a  b
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 23
 For a TE10 mode (dominant mode):
c
fc 
2a
 Some Standard Rectangular Waveguides

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 24
 Examples 1:
1. A rectangular waveguide has a width of 1.2 in and a height of 0.7
in. The waveguide will pass all signals above what frequency?
Answer: 4.92 GHz
2. Find the cutoff frequency for the TE10 mode in an air-dielectric
waveguide with an inside cross section of 2 cm by 4 cm. Over what
frequency range is the dominant mode the only one that will
propagate?
Answer: fc = 3.75 GHz; range = 3.75-7.5 GHz
3. The dimensions of the waveguide are 2.5 cm  1 cm. The frequency
is 8.6 GHz. Find (a) possible modes and (b) cut – off frequency for TE
waves.
Answer: (a) The possible mode is TE10 mode.
(b) The cut – off frequency = 6 GHz

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 25
 Group Velocities
 The actual speed at which a signal travels down the guide is
called the group velocity, and is considerably less than the
speed of light. This lower velocity is caused by the zigzag
path taken by the wave front.
 The group velocity in a rectangular waveguide is given by the
equation:
 In terms of Waveguide Dimension:
2
  
vG  c 1   
 2a 
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 26
 In terms of Critical Frequency:
2
 fc 
vG  c 1   
 f

 The group velocity is a function of frequency and becomes

zero at the cutoff frequency.
 At frequencies below cutoff, there is no propagation.
 The physical explanation of the variation of group velocity is
that the angle the wave makes with the wall of the guide varies
with frequency.

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 27
 Example 2 :
1. Find the group velocity for the waveguide with an inside
cross section of 2 cm by 4 cm, at a frequency of 5 GHz.
Answer: 198 x 106 m/s
2. A waveguide has a cutoff frequency for the dominant mode
of 10 GHz. Two signals with frequencies of 12 and 17 GHz
propagate down a 50m length of the guide. Calculate the group
velocity for each and the difference in arrival time for the two.
Answer: Vg(12) = 165.8 x 106 m/s; Vg(17) = 242.6 x 106 m/s;
Tdiff = 95.5 ns

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 28
 Phase Velocities
Phase velocity: is the rate at which the wave appears to move
along the wall of the guide, based on the way the phase angle
varies along the walls.
c
In terms of cutoff frequency: vP 
2
 f 
1  c 
 f 
In terms of waveguide dimensions:
c
vP 
2
  
1  
 2a 

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 29
Example 3: An air- filled waveguide of inside
dimension 7 x 3.5cm operate in the dominant TE10 mod
e as shown in figure below.

a) Find the cut-off frequency

b) Determine the phase velocity of the wave in the guide at a
frequency of 3.5GHz.
c) Determine the guided wavelength at the same frequency.
03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 30
Solution:
a). = = = 2.14GHz
b). = = =
C). = = = 10.8cm

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 31
 Example 4:

1. Determine the group and phase velocities within a

rectangular waveguide with an internal dimension of 1.52 x 0.9
in and is fed by a 12 GHz carrier using a coaxial probe.

Answer: vG = 283.84x106 m/s

vP = 335.15x106 m/s

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 32
 Waveguide Impedance
 Like any transmission line, a waveguide has a characteristic
impedance. Unlike wire lines, however, the impedance is a
function of frequency.
 The actual impedance Zo of a waveguide is given by: 
In terms of Waveguide Dimensions:

377
Zo  
2
  
1  
 2a 

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M. 33
In terms of Cutoff Frequency:
377
Zo  
2
 f 
1  c 
 f 

Example 5 :
1. Find the characteristic impedance of the waveguide for the
TE10 mode with an inside cross section of 2 cm by 4 cm
operating at a frequency of 5 GHz.
Answer: Zo = 570 Ω

03/01/2022 By Tsegaye M 34