Abstract:
RF and microwave measurements are crucial to validate the performance of any
microwave component or network. Such characterization is carried out using a
sophisticated and complex instrument namely Vector Network Analyzer (VNA).
Typically, the VNAs are available in two port and four port configurations. To extend
the VNA capability to characterize multi-port measurements, the switch matrices are
used which are quite expensive and bulky. This thesis focuses on design & development
of low-cost switch matrices for multiport VNA measurements. In particular, the switch
matrices are developed for characterization of four port and eight port microwave
devices. As an application, the switch matrices are used to characterize the performance
of X-band transmit receive modules (TRMs) integrated in an Active Electronic Scanned
Array (AESA) system. The LabVIEW is used for automation and to acquire magnitude
and phase response of transmit receive (TR) modules.
