ECE 5317-6351

Microwave Engineering
Fall 2012
Prof. David R. Jackson
Dept. of ECE

Notes 7
Waveguides Part 4:
Rectangular and Circular
Waveguide

Rectangular Waveguide
One of the earliest waveguides.
Still common for high power and high
microwave / millimeter-wave applications.

PEC

y
b

, ,
o
z

It is essentially an electromagnetic pipe

with a rectangular cross-section.
Single conductor No TEM mode

x
o

For convenience
a b.
the long dimension
lies along x.

TEz Modes
Recall

H z x, y, z hz x, y e

jk z z

where

k
c hz x, y 0
2
2
x y

PEC

, ,

o
z

x
o

kc k 2 k z2

1/2

Subject to B.C.s:

and

H z
Ex 0
y

@ y 0, b

H z
Ey 0
x

@ x 0, a
3

TEz Modes (cont.)

2 2
2

h
x
,
y

k
hz x, y

z
c
2
2
x y

(eigenvalue problem)

Using separation of variables, let hz x, y X x Y y

d2X
d 2Y
2
Y

k
c XY
2
2
dx
dy

Must be a constant

1 d 2 X 1 d 2Y
2

k
c
X dx 2 Y dy 2

1 d2X
2

k
x
X dx 2

and

where k x2 k y2 kc2

1 d 2Y
2

k
y
Y dy 2
dispersion relationship
4

TEz Modes (cont.)

Hence,
X ( x)

Y ( y)

hz x, y ( A cos k x x B sin k x x)(C cos k y y D sin k y y )

Boundary Conditions:

D0

and

B0

and

hz
0
y
hz
0
x
n
ky
b
m
kx
a

m x n y
hz x, y Amn cos
cos

@ y 0, b

@ x 0, a

n 0,1, 2,...
m 0,1, 2,...
m n
kc2

a

b
2

and

TEz Modes (cont.)

Therefore,

m
H z Amn cos
a

n
x cos
b

y e

jk z z

k z k 2 kc2
m n
k

a b
2

From the previous field-representation equations,

we can show
n jkz z
x sin
y e
b
j m
m n jkz z
Ey
A
sin
x cos
y e
mn

2
kc a
a b
Ex

j n
m
A
cos
mn

kc2b
a

jk z m
m
A
sin
mn

kc2 a
a

n
x cos
y e
b

jk n
m n
H y z2 Amn cos
x sin
y e
kc b
a b
Hx

jk z z

jk z z

Note:
m = 0,1,2,
n = 0,1,2,

But m = n = 0
is not allowed!
(non-physical solution)
H z A00e

jkz

; H 0
6

TEz Modes (cont.)

Lossless Case c
k zmn k 2 k

mn 2
c

m n
k2

a b
2

TEmn mode is at cutoff when k kcmn

f cmn

m n

2 a b
1

Lowest cutoff frequency is for TE10 mode (a > b)

We will
revisit this
mode.

10
c

1
2a

Dominant TE mode
(lowest fc)
7

TEz Modes (cont.)

At the cutoff frequency of the TE10 mode (lossless waveguide):

10
c

1
2a

cd cd
10
f
fc

f fc

cd
1

2a

2a

d / 2

For a given operating wavelength (corresponding to f > fc) , the dimension

a must be at least this big in order for the TE10 mode to propagate.
Example: Air-filled waveguide, f = 10 GHz. We have that a > 3.0 cm/2 = 1.5 cm.
8

TMz Modes
Recall

PEC

E z x , y , z ez x , y e

jk z z
b

, ,
o

where

2
2
2 2
y
x

2
e
x
,
y

c ez x , y
z

Subject to B.C.s:

Ez 0

x
o

kc k k
2

2 1/2
z

(eigenvalue problem)

@ x 0, a
@ y 0, b

Thus, following same procedure as before, we have the following result:

9

TMz Modes (cont.)

X ( x)

Y ( y)

ez x, y ( A cos k x x B sin k x x)(C cos k y y D sin k y y )

Boundary Conditions:

C 0

and

A0

and

m
ez Bmn sin
a

ez 0

n
b
m
kx
a
ky

n
x sin
y
b

@ y 0, b

@ x 0, a

n 0,1, 2,...

m 0,1, 2,...
m n
kc2

a b
2

and

10

TMz Modes (cont.)

Therefore

m
Ez Bmn sin
a

n
x sin
b

y e

k z k 2 kc2
jk z z

m n
k

a

b
2

From the previous field-representation equations,

we can show
j c n
m
B
sin
mn

kc2b
a

n jk z z
x cos
y e
b

j c m
m n jkz z
Hy
B
cos
x sin
y e
mn

2
kc a
a b
Hx

jk z m
m
B
cos
mn

kc2 a
a

n
x sin
y e
b
jk n
m n
E y z2 Bmn sin
x cos
y e
kc b
a b
Ex

m=1,2,3,
n =1,2,3,

jk z z

Note: If either m or n is
zero, the field becomes
a trivial one in the TMz
case.

jk z z

11

TMz Modes (cont.)

Lossless Case c
mn k k
2

f cmn

mn 2
c

m n
k2

a b
2

m n

2 a b
1

(same as for
TE modes)

Lowest cutoff frequency is for the TM11 mode

2

1 1
f c11

2 a b
1

Dominant TM mode
(lowest fc)
12

Mode Chart
PEC

Two cases are considered:

b

, ,
o

b < a/2

x
o

a>b

Single mode operation

TE10

TE 20 TE 01 TE11
TM11

f
The maximum band for single
mode operation is 2 fc10.

b a/2

b > a/2
Single mode operation

TE10 TE 01 TE 20

f
TE11
TM11

f cmn

m n

2 a b
1

13

Dominant Mode: TE10 Mode

For this mode we have

m 1, n 0, kc

, ,

a
o

Hence we have

H z A10 cos
a

xe

z
jk z z

A10 sin x e jkz z

a
j a

Ey
A10 sin x e jk z z

Hx j

PEC

kz a

E10

x
o

kz k
a

E y E10 sin
a

A10

j a

xe

jk z z

E10

Ex Ez H y 0
14

Dispersion Diagram for TE10 Mode

Lossless Case c
f fc

vg slope

c10

kz k
a
2
g
2

(Light line)

v p slope

d
Group velocity: vg
d

Phase velocity: v p

Velocities are slopes on the

dispersion plot.
15

Field Plots for TE10 Mode

PEC

Top view
b

, ,
o
z

x
o

a
End view

x
z

Side view
16

Field Plots for TE10 Mode (cont.)

PEC

y
b

, ,

Top view
o
z

Js
H

b
a
End view

z
Side view
17

Power Flow for TE10 Mode

Time-average power flow in the z direction:
a b

1
*
P Re E H z dydx
2 0 0

Note:

10

ab
2x
sin
dydx

2
a
0 0
a b

a b

1
Re E y H x* dydx
2 0 0

a 3 A10 b

Re k z
2
4
2

In terms of amplitude of the field amplitude, we have

ab
2
P
Re k z E10

10

A10

j a

E10

For a given maximum electric field level (e.g., the

breakdown field), the power is increased by
increasing the cross-sectional area (ab).
18

Attenuation for TE10 Mode

Pl (0)
Recall c
2 P0

Pl (0)

Rs
2

P0 P10

(calculated on previous slide)

PEC

Js d
b

J s n H on conductor

, ,
o
z

Side walls
@ x 0 : J sside x H

x 0

@ x a : J sside x H

z yA
10 e jkz z
yH

x a

x
o

H z A10 cos x e jk z z
a
ka

H x j z A10 sin x e jk z z

z yA
10 e jkz z
yH

J syside A10 e jkz z

19

Attenuation for TE10 Mode (cont.)

Top and bottom walls
@ y 0 : J sbot y H

y 0

@ y b : J stop y H

, ,

y b

J stop J sbot

(since fields of this mode

are independent of y)

R
Pl (0) 2 s
2
b

side 2
s

R
dy s
2
a

k z2 a 3 a
2
Rs A10 b

2
2
2

x
C

H z A10 cos x e jk z z
a
ka

H x j z A10 sin x e jk z z

2
J stop dx

Rs J syside dy Rs J sxtop J sztop

0

PEC

dx

J sztop H x
J sztop j

J sxtop H z

kz a

A10 sin

J sxtop A10 cos

a

x e jkz z

x e jkz z

20

Attenuation for TE10 Mode (cont.)

Assume f > fc

kz

(The wavenumber is taken as that

of a guide with perfect walls.)

PEC

y
b

Pl (0) Rs A10

, ,

2 a3 a

b
2
2

o
z

ab
2
P10

E
10

E10

x
o

j aA10

Simplify, using 2 k 2 kc2

Pl (0)
2 P10

kc10

Final result:

Rs

a 3b k

2
3 2
2
b

a
k [np/m]

21

Attenuation in dB/m
Let z = distance down the guide in meters.

c dB/m 20log10 e

c z

/ z

c z 20log10 (e) / z

Attenuation
[dB/m]

PEC

y
b

, ,
o
z

x
o

8.686 c

Hence

dB/m = 8.686 [np/m]

22

Attenuation for TE10 Mode (cont.)

Brass X-band air-filled waveguide

2.6 10

[S/m]

X band : 8 12 [GHz]
(See the table on the next slide.)

23

Attenuation for TE10 Mode (cont.)

Microwave Frequency Bands
Letter Designation

Frequency range

L band

1 to 2 GHz

S band

2 to 4 GHz

C band

4 to 8 GHz

X band

8 to 12 GHz

Ku band

12 to 18 GHz

K band

18 to 26.5 GHz

Ka band

26.5 to 40 GHz

Q band

33 to 50 GHz

U band

40 to 60 GHz

V band

50 to 75 GHz

E band

60 to 90 GHz

W band

75 to 110 GHz

F band

90 to 140 GHz

D band

110 to 170 GHz

(from Wikipedia)
24

Modes in an X-Band Waveguide

a 2.29cm (0.90")
b 1.02cm (0.40")

Mode
TE10

fc [GHz]

TE20

13.10

TE01

14.71

Standard X-band waveguide (WR90)

X band : 8 12 [GHz]

6.55

TE11

16.10

TM 11

16.10

TE30

19.65

TE21

19.69

TM 21

19.69

1"
b
a

0.5"

50 mil (0.05) thickness

25

Example: X-Band Waveguide

Determine and g at 10 GHz and
6 GHz for the TE10 mode in an airfilled waveguide.

a = 2.29cm

0 , 0

b = 1.02cm

@ 10 GHz
2

2 1010

2

8
3

10
0.0229
a

158.25 [rad/m]

2
g

0.0397
158.25

g 3.97 [cm]
26

Example: X-Band Waveguide (cont.)

@ 6 GHz

2 6 10
2
k z

8
3

10
0.0
22
9
a

j 55.04 [1/m]
2

55.04 [np/m]

478.08 [dB/m]

Evanescent mode: = 0; g is not defined!

27

Circular Waveguide
TMz mode:

2 Ez 0 , kc2 Ez 0 , 0
k z2 k 2 kc2

The solution in cylindrical coordinates is:

J n (kc ) sin(n )
Ez 0 ,

Y
(
k

)
cos(
n

n c
Note: The value n must be an integer to have unique fields.
28

Plot of Bessel Functions

1

0.8

J n (0) is finite

n=0
0.6

n=1
0.4

Jn (x)

n=2

J0( x)
J1( x)

0.2

Jn( 2 x)
0

0.2

0.4

0.403 0.6

J n ( x) ~

2
n

cos x
,
x
2 4

5
x

x
x

10
10

1
J n ( x) ~ x n n n 0,1, 2,...., x 0
2 n!
29

Plot of Bessel Functions (cont.)

0.521

n=0
n=1

n=2

Yn (0) is infinite

Yn (x)

Y0( x)
Y1( x)

Yn( 2 x)
4

6.206

0
0

Yn ( x) ~

2
n

sin x
, x
x
2 4

10

10

Y0 ( x) ~

2 x
ln , 0.5772156, x 0

2
n

2
Yn ( x) ~ (n 1)! , n 1, 2,3,....., x 0

x
1

30

Circular Waveguide (cont.)

Choose (somewhat arbitrarily)

cos(n )

J n ( kc )
Ez , , z
cos(n ) e
Yn (kc )

jk z z

The field should be finite on the z axis

Yn (kc ) is not allowed

Ez , , z cos(n ) J n (kc ) e

jkz z

31

Circular Waveguide (cont.)

B.C.s:

Jn(x)

Ez a,, z 0

Hence

J n ( kc a ) 0

Sketch for a typical value of n (n 0).

Note: Pozar uses
the notation pmn.

xn3
xn1

kc a xnp
Note: The value xn0 = 0 is not included
since this would yield a trivial solution:

xn2

kc

xnp
a

J n xn 0 J n 0 0
a

This is true unless n = 0,

in which case we cannot
have p = 0.
32

Circular Waveguide (cont.)

TMnp mode:

Ez , , z cos(n ) J n xnp e
a

xnp
2
kz k

jk z z

n 0,1, 2

p 1, 2,3,.........

33

Cutoff Frequency: TMz

k z2 k 2 kc2
At f = fc :

k kc

kz 0

2 f c

fc

TM

xnp
a

xnp
a

cd

xnp
2 a

cd

34

Cutoff Frequency: TMz (cont.)

xnp values
p\n

2.405

3.832

5.136

6.380

7.588

8.771

5.520

7.016

8.417

9.761

11.065 12.339

8.654

10.173 11.620 13.015 14.372

11.792 13.324 14.796

TM01, TM11, TM21, TM02, ..

35

TEz Modes
Proceeding as before, we now have that

H z , , z cos(n ) J n (kc ) e
Set

jkz z

E a, , z 0
E

j H z
k c2

(From Amperes law)

H z
0

Hence

J n (kc a) 0
36

TEz Modes (cont.)

J n (kc a) 0
Jn' (x)

Sketch for a typical value of n (n 1).

x'n3
x'n1

x'n2

kc a xnp
kc

xnp
a

p 1, 2,3,.....

We dont need to consider

p = 0; this is explained on
the next slide.

37

TEz Modes (cont.)

H z , , z cos(n ) J n xnp e
a

Note: If p = 0
We then have, for p = 0:

jk z z

0
xnp

n0

J n xnp
J n 0 0
a

n0

J 0 xnp
J0 0 1
a

H z e

jk z z

p 1, 2,

z e

jkz

(trivial solution)

(nonphysical solution)

(The TE00 mode is not physical.)

38

Cutoff Frequency: TEz

k z2 k 2 kc2

kz 0

kc k
2 f c

Hence

fc

TE

xnp
a

xnp
a

cd

xnp
2 a

cd

39

Cutoff Frequency: TEz

xnp values
p\n

3.832

1.841

3.054

4.201

5.317

5.416

7.016

5.331

6.706

8.015

9.282

10.520

10.173 8.536

9.969

11.346 12.682 13.987

13.324 11.706 13.170

TE11, TE21, TE01, TE31, ..

40

TE11 Mode
The dominant mode of circular waveguide is the TE11 mode.
Electric field
Magnetic field

(From Wikipedia)

TE10 mode of
rectangular waveguide

TE11 mode of
circular waveguide

The mode can be thought of as an evolution of the TE10 mode of

rectangular waveguide as the boundary changes shape.
41

TE01 Mode
The TE01 mode has the unusual property that the conductor attenuation
decreases with frequency. (With most waveguide modes, the conductor
attenuation increases with frequency.)

The TE01 mode was studied extensively as a candidate for longrange communications but eventually fiber-optic cables became
available with even lower loss. It is still useful for some high-power
applications.

42

TE01 Mode (cont.)

c

TE11

TM01

TE21

Pl (0)
c
2 P0

TM11

P0 = 0 at cutoff

TE01

fc, TE11

fc, TM01

fc, TE21 fc, TE01

43

TE01 Mode (cont.)

Practical Note:
The TE01 mode has only an azimuthal ( - directed) surface current on the
wall of the waveguide. Therefore, it can be supported by a set of
conducting rings, while the lower modes (TE11 ,TM01, TE21, TM11) will not
propagate on such a structure.

(A helical spring will also work fine.)

44

TE01 Mode (cont.)

From the beginning, the most obvious application of waveguides had been as a
communications medium. It had been determined by both Schelkunoff and Mead,
independently, in July 1933, that an axially symmetric electric wave (TE01) in circular
waveguide would have an attenuation factor that decreased with increasing frequency
[44]. This unique characteristic was believed to offer a great potential for wide-band,
multichannel systems, and for many years to come the development of such a system
was a major focus of work within the waveguide group at BTL. It is important to note,
however, that the use of waveguide as a long transmission line never did prove to be
practical, and Southworth eventually began to realize that the role of waveguide would
be somewhat different than originally expected. In a memorandum dated October 23,
1939, he concluded that microwave radio with highly directive antennas was to be
preferred to long transmission lines. "Thus," he wrote, we come to the conclusion that
the hollow, cylindrical conductor is to be valued primarily as a new circuit element, but
not yet as a new type of toll cable [45]. It was as a circuit element in military radar that
waveguide technology was to find its first major application and to receive an enormous
stimulus to both practical and theoretical advance.

K. S. Packard, The Origins of Waveguide: A Case of Multiple Rediscovery,

IEEE Trans. MTT, pp. 961-969, Sept. 1984.
45