Graduation Year
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.E.E.
Degree Granting Department
Electrical Engineering
Major Professor
Thomas Weller, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Arthur David Snider, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Gokhan Mumcu, Ph.D.
Keywords
complex impedance, reflection detector, vector sensor, phase mixing, microstrip, permittivity, microwave, Wilkinson power divider, vector addition
Abstract
In the field of applied electromagnetics, there is always a need to create new methods for electrical characterization of materials, systems, devices, etc. Many applications need small and/or inexpensive equipment in performing these characterizations. The current method for making measurements of electrical properties at frequencies above 300 MHz, the transmission/reflection method, has severe limitations in these areas due large size and high price of the necessary equipment for making them. Therefore, presented herein is the conceptualization, design and analysis of a complex reflection coefficient detector which is relatively small, lightweight, and inexpensive.
A reflection coefficient detector is a device designed to isolate and compare a driving signal against a reflected signal. The reflection of the second signal is caused by a mismatch between the device's output impedance and a load's input impedance. By comparing the driving, or transmitted, signal and the reflected signal, the reflection coefficient at the boundary can be calculated. This coefficient can be used to calculate a load's input impedance, or a material's permittivity when combined with an attached probe's characteristics.
The reflection coefficient detector presented is built using microstrip and surface mount components. This makes the device comparably cheap. Its design is based upon five Wilkinson Power Dividers which lends itself to be scaled down for implementation in on-chip, and other micro- and nano- scale systems.
The accuracy and functionality of the device will be demonstrated through the use of S-Parameters measurements and CAD simulations. Through this, it will be shown that the device is a practical form of making measurements in applications which are otherwise restricted to certain limitations. In closing, applications, alternative designs and future advancements of the complex reflection coefficient detector will be discussed.
Scholar Commons Citation
Cooper, James Roger, "A Multi-Wilkinson Power Divider Based Complex Reflection Coefficient Detector" (2010). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/1603
