Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a voltage standing wave ratio of a base station. The apparatus comprises: a unit for measuring the voltage standing wave ratio of a transmitting terminal by coupling an input signal from the base station, and by comparing the difference of the coupled signal and a signal reflected from a transmitting antenna; and another unit for measuring the voltage standing wave ratio of a receiving terminal by comparing an input signal from a base-station test unit with the signal reflected from a receiving terminal.

Abstract: An automatic test system for microwave components. The test system includes internally switchable calibration references. As part of a calibration routine, incident power from a source is measured. During the measurement, calibration references are switched to change the amount of power reflected back to the source. Changes in the incident power are measured continuously while this change occurs. The resulting measurements allow the source match term to be determined. Correction is made to the source amplitude to adjust for the source match.

Abstract: A recording medium suitable for use in an impedance matching apparatus adapted to a waveguide transmitting a microwave to a load. The apparatus includes detecting diodes and a computer. The recording medium includes a program, which includes predetermined approximate expressions. The predetermined approximate expressions recorded in the program correspond to the detecting diodes. The program causes the computer to compute an approximation value of input power to the waveguide using the respective predetermined approximate expressions and output voltages of the detecting diodes.

Abstract: A self calibrating method and apparatus for measuring butterfat and protein content based on measuring the microwave absorption of a sample of milk at several microwave frequencies. A microwave energy source injects microwave energy into the resonant cavity for absorption and reflection by the sample undergoing evaluation. A sample tube is centrally located in the resonant cavity passing therethrough and exposing the sample to the microwave energy. A portion of the energy is absorbed by the sample while another portion of the microwave energy is reflected back to an evaluation device such as a network analyzer. The frequency at which the reflected radiation is at a minimum within the cavity is combined with the scatter coefficient S.sub.11 as well as a phase change to calculate the butterfat content in the sample. The protein located within the sample may also be calculated in a likewise manner using the frequency, S.sub.11 and phase variables.

Abstract: An error correction method improves measurement accuracy of a vector network analyzer by reducing reflection measurement errors for a broad class of devices, such as filters, switches, cables, couplers, attenuators, and other passive devices tested by vector network analyzers (VNAs) that are reciprocal, having a forward transmission coefficient S.sub.21 and a reverse transmission coefficient S.sub.12 that are equal. Errors due to impedance mismatches at the load port of a transmission/reflection (T/R) test set are corrected without impacting the measurement speed of the VNA. The source port of the T/R test set is calibrated and a reflection measurement is performed while an impedance matched thruline standard of known electrical length is coupled between the source port and load port of the T/R test set. The reflection measurement is corrected for the electrical length of the thruline standard to obtain a reflection measurement of the load port of the T/R test set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics (e.g. current, voltage, phase, etc.) between a power source and a load at a set of harmonic frequencies to determine information about the load (e.g., load impedance, power dissipation, etc). According to one aspect of the invention, a first circuit detects a set of electrical characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, and/or phase) of a signal between the power source and the load. A second circuit, coupled to the first circuit to receive the set of electrical characteristics, provides data representing the set of electrical characteristics at a harmonic frequency associated with the signal. A third circuit, coupled to the second circuit, receives the data and determines information about the load (e.g., impedance, power dissipation, discharge current, etc.) at the harmonic frequency.

Abstract: The thickness of the layers of rubber covering the steel belts within a tire can be measured by transmitting a microwave signal toward the outer surface of the tire and measuring the phase shift of the signal reflected by the tire. In the preferred embodiment, a waveguide is used to direct the microwave signal toward the tire. A standing wave is created within the waveguide by interference between the transmitted microwave signal and the microwave signal reflected from the tire. A series of crystal detectors mounted along the length of the waveguide measure the standing wave. A processor calculates the phase of the reflection coefficient, and determines the thickness of the rubber layer as a predetermined function of the phase. By proper selection of the microwave frequency and the spacing between the waveguide and the tire, the rubber layer thickness can be uniquely determined as a function of phase for any range of rubber thicknesses likely to be encountered in a tire.

Abstract: A millimeter wave sensor is provided for non-destructive inspection of thin sheet dielectric materials. The millimeter wave sensor includes a Gunn diode oscillator (GDO) source generating a mill meter wave electromagnetic energy signal having a single frequency. A heater is coupled to the GDO source for stabilizing the single frequency. A small size antenna is coupled to the GDO source for transmitting the millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal to a sample material and for receiving a reflected millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal from the sample material. Ferrite circulator isolators coupled between the GDO source and the antenna separate the millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal into transmitted and received electromagnetic energy signal components and a detector detects change in both amplitude and phase of the transmitted and received electromagnetic energy signal components.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing transmission coefficient and group delay for a bi-directional two port device under test (DUT) using only one port of a measurement device, such as a vector network analyzer (VNA). The apparatus in one embodiment includes a programmable switch for coupling to one DUT port to selectively provide an open or a short. The measurement device is controlled to measure a reflection coefficient with the open at the DUT port and another reflection coefficient with a short at the DUT port. The measurement device then calculates a transmission coefficient magnitude value and a transmission coefficient phase angle for the DUT using the open reflection coefficient and the short reflection coefficient measurements. Group delay can then also be calculated using phase angle measurements at different frequencies.

Abstract: A handheld vector network analyzer (VNA) providing a wide bandwidth test signal F.sub.O utilizing a narrowband test signal synthesizer which provides the test signal through a frequency divider or harmonic generator. With a 550-1100 MHz narrowband test signal synthesizer, a test signal F.sub.O can range from 25 MHz to 3.3 GHz. To make a tracking synthesizer operate more independent of the test signal synthesizer, a LO signal is produced using the tracking synthesizer with its phase detector input connected through a frequency divider to the output of the test signal synthesizer. Synchronous detectors are further included which provide incident and reflected IF signals to take advantage of the maximum range of an A/D converter. To better enable operation in the presence of external signals, feedback is provided from the synchronous detectors to sweep the frequency of a reference oscillator.

Abstract: In order to measure the amplitude and the phase of the reflection coefficient of a structure (S) such as a radar protection radome, particularly following a repair, a measuring device is proposed, whereof a portable part (10) makes it possible to transform the microwave measuring and reference signals into low frequency signals. These low frequency signals are then transferred by flexible cables (16, 17) to a calculating part (12, 14) without it being possible to create phase distortions by twisting of the cable. The signals are transformed by giving the portable part, in addition to the main microwave generator (18), a second microwave generator (32), whose frequency (f.sub.2) differs from that (f.sub.1) of the main generator by a given low frequency (f.sub.0). Microwave mixers (38, 42) use the radiation emitted by the second generator (32) in order to give the measuring signal and the reference signal, initially at the frequency (f.sub.1), the low frequency (f.sub.0).

Abstract: A return-loss detector for a serial digital signal source uses a return-loss bridge circuit to exploit the broadband spectral characteristics of a serial digital signal from the signal source to monitor the termination conditions of a system being driven. A differential pair of serial digital signals from the source are input to the bridge circuit having a reference termination in one leg and the system termination in the other. A broadband detector is used at the output of the bridge circuit to generate an error signal, which is measured by a detector or metering circuit. The measured signal may be displayed as a value in dB or may be input to a comparator to provide an alarm or warning signal to an operator.

Abstract: In an antenna supervising apparatus for supplying a multiplexed signal comprised of a plurality of carrier wave signals respectively outputted from a plurality of transmitters through a transmission line to an antenna, a directional coupler detects progressive signals of the multiplexed signal to the antenna and the reflected signals thereof from the antenna, and a band-pass filter respectively filters the progressive signal and the reflected signal of one carrier wave signal preselected among those of the detected multiplexed signal. Further, a detector respectively detects the filtered progressive signal and the filtered reflected signal of the one carrier wave signal, and a micro processing unit calculates a standing wave ratio with respect to the preselected one carrier wave signal based on the detected signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the permittivity of a sample is disclosed. The method includes applying an AC electrical signal in the microwave frequency range via a coaxial probe having an end position near the sample and measuring the reflection coefficient of the sample. The complex permittivity of the sample is determined from an admittance parameter of the sample/probe combination and a system constant. The system constant is determined by measuring the reflection coefficients of four standards having known complex permittivity. The admittance parameter of the sample/probe combination is determined from the admittance parameters of two standards/probe combinations and the measured reflection coefficients of the sample and the four standards. The admittance parameters of the two standard/probe combinations are determined from the known complex permittivities of the two standards and the system constant.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in vivo or in vitro sensing of complex dielectric properties of lossy dielectric materials, particularly biological tissue. Configured as a needle-like dielectric sensor, a coaxial cable (1) having a circumferential gap (12) in the shield (2) is wrapped with an electrically thin dielectric substrate (18). The cable center conductor (6) extends immediately past gap (12) and is shorted to cable shield (2). A thin conductive dipole resonator (16) is positioned on substrate (18) and over feed gap (12) to achieve inductive coupling between the cable center conductor (6) and the dipole resonator (16) through gap (12). Superstrate (22), which could be a dielectric catheter, covers the entire sensor assembly (10). By measurement of the resonator resonant frequency and the input impedance matching factor at the resonant frequency, the real and imaginary dielectric components (.epsilon.', .epsilon.") of the test material into which the sensor is inserted are determined.

Abstract: The invention described a pocket size antenna VSWR indicator having a self-contained low level wideband RF signal source which is applied to an antenna under test through a four arm RF resistive bridge circuit. The bridge circuit has been designed to be very accurate and reliable and provides a novelly positioned reference against which the reflection co-efficient of the transmission system is compared to reliably indicate the VSWR of the system. The bridge circuit provides a flat response over the desired wideband frequency range and over the range of antenna impedances which may be encountered. The RF null or bridge balance is detected in a radio receiver or transceiver tuned to the desired operating frequency, from which an indication of antenna VSWR may be provided. The antenna VSWR may be indicated in a variety of way, such as by means of a numbered or colored dial, a plurality of LEDs or an audio tone shift against an internal reference.

Abstract: In a reflection-coefficient bridge, the voltage drop across a neutral arm of the bridge is supplied to the indicator via a coaxial cable. The center conductor of the coaxial cable is coupled to the one connecting point of the neutral arm of the bridge while the outer conductor thereof is coupled to the other connecting point thereof. The coaxial cable and a parallel-connected line portion constitute a balanced converter or balun. Both the coaxial cable and the line portion are wound onto at least one ferrite core. A d.c. voltage is fed to a test object, which is connected to the bridge by way of a coaxial line, through a compensating winding wound on at least one of said ferrite cores to the end of the line portion which is r.f. coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the volumetric water content of a mineral and/or organic mixture with dielectric measurements. The apparatus includes a probe body having a hollow cylinder formed of an insulating material with an annular cutting edge at a lower end. Electrodes and a temperature sensor are carried by the probe body. A bottom plate may be disposed adjacent to the lower end of the cylinder so that the cylinder and the plate define a cavity for receiving a liquid coolant. A removable cover is provided for closing the cavity to prevent rain water from entering. The method includes introducing the probe in the mixture, charging the electrodes with a high frequency electromagnetic wave so as to generate an HF field in a region of the electrodes and reflect a wave from the electrodes, measuring a complex reflection factor of the reflected wave at a temperature T.sub.1 of the mixture, cooling the surrounding mixture to a temperature T.sub.

Abstract: A low cost and portable scalar network analyzer for the simultaneous measurement of forward and reflected scalar scattering parameters of devices under test. Plural UHF oscillators of similar construction are mixed to produce a wideband test instrument having good stability characteristics. A dual-diode biased RF detector with feedback, including an in-loop adjustable gain buffer stage, provides enhanced linearity, over a wide dynamic range, and at low cost. The forward transfer parameter measurement arrangement further includes a selectable attenuation/gain PIN-diode switched stage to accommodate the widely varying gain/attenuation characteristics of devices under test.

Abstract: A method of testing the reflectivity of RF absorber materials utilizes an elongated chamber lined with RF absorber material and having a source antenna at one end, with the other end terminating in either a "short circuit", or a piece of RF absorber material which is to be tested. A probe antenna is moved along the axis of the chamber and the standing wave created by the source antenna and the reflection from the other end is recorded, first with the short circuit condition, and then with the test sample in place, and the results are compared to yield a figure for the reflectivity of the test sample.

Abstract: A programmable microwave network test device is capable of establishing a multitude of reflection and transmission coefficients determined by a set of digital inputs. The programmable network enables the collection of groups of measurements which are used to characterize a non-linear or linear device. The microwave structure of the network is comprised of a series of PIN diodes interconnected through microstrip transmission lines. The lengths of the transmission lines between the PIN divide are proportioned so as to allow use of the network over a broad frequency range, with a minimization of repeated reflection coefficients in a use of the network, the device to be characterized would be placed at the input port of the network with the output port of the network terminated in its characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A VSWR meter arrangement with a linear scale. The VSWR display is made linear by inputting the V.sub.forward and V.sub.reverse signals to a first op amp-based circuit to provide a first output=K(V.sub.f -V.sub.r). The signals are also input to a second op amp-based circuit to provide a second output=V.sub.f +V.sub.r. The first output is then coupled to the V.sub.reference input of a conventional voltmeter. The second output is then coupled to the V.sub.signal input of the voltmeter. The voltmeter's display output will then indicate the VSWR as a linear percentage of scale.

Abstract: A test set for use in measuring S-parameters with a network analyzer includes a first directional bridge, a second directional bridge and a single balun with two outputs mounted in an RF housing. A test signal from an RF signal source is transmitted through the test set to a device under test. The first directional bridge separates a signal from the device under test and the test signal, and provides the signal from the device under test to a coupled port. The second directional bridge separates the test signal and the signal from the device under test and provides the test signal to a reference port. The balun includes a coaxial transmission line with its outer conductor grounded at an intermediate location to define first and second balun sections. Ferrite beads are mounted on each of the balun sections. The ends of the first and second balun sections are coupled to the first and second directional bridges, respectively.