Radharaman Institutes of Research & Technology Bhopal

Department of Electronics and Communication

Experiment No.6

Objective: - To study attenuator fixed and variable type.

Equipment :- Microwave Source(Klystron or Gunn Diode), Isolator,

Frequency Meter, Variable Attenuator, Slotted Line, Tunable Probe,
Detector Mount Matched Termination, Wave guide stand , Cables and
Accessories, VSWR meter, Test attenuators fixed and variable.

Theory: - The attenuator is a bidirectional device which attenuates some

power when inserted into the transmission line.
Attenuation A (dB) = 10log P1
P2
Where P1 is power detected by load without attenuator in line
P2 = power detected by load with attenuator in line.
The attenuators consist of a resistive vane inside the waveguide to absorb
microwave power according to its position w.r.t side wall of the
waveguide .As electric field is max at center in TE 10 mode, the attenuation
will be maximum if the vane is placed at center towards the side wall,
attenuation decreases .In the fixed attenuator the vane position is fixed
whereas in variable attenuator its position can be changed by micrometer.
Following characteristics of attenuators can be studied:
1. Input VSWR.
2. Insertion Loss (in case of variable attenuator.
3. Frequency Sensitivity

Procedure
A. Input VSWR Measurement

1. Set up the equipment as shown in fig

2. Energize the Microwave source for particular frequency source for
particular frequency of operation as described in the procedures given
in the operation of klystron tube/Gunn Oscillator.
3. Follow the procedure as described for VSWR measurement (low and
medium SWR measurement).
4. Repeat the same for other frequency.

B.Insertion loss, Attenuation Measurement

1. Remove the tunable probe, attenuator and matched termination
from slotted section in the above setup.
2. Connect the detector mount also for maximum deflection on
VSWR meter(detector mount output should be connected to
VSWR meter)
3. Set any reference level on VSWR meter with the help of variable
attenuator and gain control knob of VSWR meter. Let it be P 2
.Then the insertion loss of test attenuator will be P1-P2 db.
4. Carefully disconnect the detector mount from the slotted line with
out disturbing any position on the setup .Place the test variable
attenuator. Keep micrometer reading of text variable attenuator to
zero and record reading of VSWR meter .Let it be P2 then
The insertion loss test attenuator will be P1-P2 db.

5. For measurement of attenuation of fixed and variable attenuator.

Place the test variable attenuator and record the reading.
6. In case of variable attenuator change micrometer reading and
record VSWR meter reading. Find out attenuation value for
different position of micrometer reading and plot a graph.