One Decade Microwave Forward Network Analyzer Based on the Multi-Port Technique

Abstract

Abstract-This paper presents a one decade low-cost forward network analyzer based on a modified six-port technique. An instrumentation integrating the hardware and software resources offering advantages such as robustness and compactness is developed. The microwave part of the system is fabricated in planar technology. Associated to this system, a one-step calibration procedure is implemented on an 8-bits microcontroller. The performance, in term of measurement accuracy, is evaluated by comparing the results obtained from the system proposed to those given by a conventional network analyzer in the frequency band 1-10 GHz.

CW radar for monitoring water-to-cellular concrete

“…In this setup, the multi-port network analyzer is connected to a horn antenna. The microwave part of the system realized in microstrip technology consists of a passive multi-port junction with circuits of detection [11]- [12], [14]. A microcontrolor is used for the implementation of the calibration and the inverse problem tasks.…”

“…The knowledge of the MC is very important because water is responsible in a large extent of the physical deterioration of concrete structures [9]- [10]. In [11]- [12], a broadband microwave network analyzer based on a low-cost six-port technology for the measurement of complex reflection and transmission coefficients has been reported. This system associated to a single horn antenna in a monostatic configuration has been successfully applied for the characterization of dielectric materials [13].…”

Geometrical Optics-Based Model for Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent Free-Space Measurement

“…The detection circuits are based on an Agilent Technology HSMS-2850 zero-bias Schottky diode. More information about the principle of operation, calibration task, and measurement performance of the network analyzer can be found in [17]. This solution combines the attributes of low-cost, compactness, simplicity in realization, and is well suited to address new applications.…”

“…In [17], a modified six-port techniquebased one decade microwave forward network analyzer has been proposed for the measurement of S-parameters in the frequency range 1-10 GHz. This latter has been designed in planar technology and fabricated on a FR4 Epoxy substrate (ε = 4.8).…”