An automated microwave measurements experience for undergraduates

Experiments in microwave measurements for an undergraduate laboratory course are described that bridge the gap between point-by-point manual measurements and automatic network analyzer measurements. In the sequence of 10 laboratory experiments, the basic parameters of frequency versus wavelength in a waveguide are explored, first in point-by-point measurements versus frequency. Swept frequency measurements are taken up next in the form of an open-ended design experiment investigating a simple two-pole band pass filter. Following this, scalar transmission and reflection measurements are made using a PC as a controller and data-acquisition unit. Lastly, the Hewlett-Packard 8510B Automatic Network Analyzer is used by the students to perform the measurements on the same device as a verification of the earlier results. This paper concentrates on the design of the computer-aided measurements experiment, describing the requirements for the experimental content as well as the peripheral content, such as the controller language (HP BASIC) and the interface (HPIB-HP Interface Bus)