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    Homebrew SWR Meter

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    moanna
    This document describes the design and components of a homebrew HF SWR/power meter. It discusses the theory behind standing wave ratio calculations and measurement. It provides details on different sensor and coupler designs that can be used, including tandem match couplers and Bruene bridges. It also covers envelope detectors, isolation circuits, calibration, and the use of a microcontroller with a digital display. Accuracy depends mainly on the sensor calibration and factors like frequency, power level, and temperature effects. The document aims to provide guidance for amateur radio operators interested in building their own SWR/power meter.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Homebrew SWR Meter

    Uploaded by

    moanna
    3K views41 pages
    This document describes the design and components of a homebrew HF SWR/power meter. It discusses the theory behind standing wave ratio calculations and measurement. It provides details on different sensor and coupler designs that can be used, including tandem match couplers and Bruene bridges. It also covers envelope detectors, isolation circuits, calibration, and the use of a microcontroller with a digital display. Accuracy depends mainly on the sensor calibration and factors like frequency, power level, and temperature effects. The document aims to provide guidance for amateur radio operators interested in building their own SWR/power meter.

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    swr meter

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    This document describes the design and components of a homebrew HF SWR/power meter. It discusses the theory behind standing wave ratio calculations and measurement. It provides details on different sensor and coupler designs that can be used, including tandem match couplers and Bruene bridges. It also covers envelope detectors, isolation circuits, calibration, and the use of a microcontroller with a digital display. Accuracy depends mainly on the sensor calibration and factors like frequency, power level, and temperature effects. The document aims to provide guidance for amateur radio operators interested in building their own SWR/power meter.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    3K views41 pages

    Homebrew SWR Meter

    Uploaded by

    moanna
    This document describes the design and components of a homebrew HF SWR/power meter. It discusses the theory behind standing wave ratio calculations and measurement. It provides details on different sensor and coupler designs that can be used, including tandem match couplers and Bruene bridges. It also covers envelope detectors, isolation circuits, calibration, and the use of a microcontroller with a digital display. Accuracy depends mainly on the sensor calibration and factors like frequency, power level, and temperature effects. The document aims to provide guidance for amateur radio operators interested in building their own SWR/power meter.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 41
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    The document discusses various methods and components for measuring RF power and SWR accurately at low power levels including building a simple homebrew power meter.

    To measure RF power accurately, a 'TRUE POWER meter' is needed that can measure both the current and voltage of the forward and reflected waves independently.

    The main components of an RF power meter are a directional coupler, envelope detectors to measure the forward and reflected waves, and a meter or digital display to indicate the power and SWR readings.

    Homebrew HF SWR/Power Meter

    Bill Leonard
    NCU

    NATC - 285 TechConnect Radio Club http://www.natc.org/

    5/4/2012

    Theory Standing Waves


    SWR = 3:1

    Dynamic Demo: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/stwaverefl.htm


    5/4/2012

    Theory SWR Calculation


    Not a direct measurement

    1+ SWR = 1-

    PR PF PR PF

    EF + ER EF - ER

    EF = Forward Voltage ER = Reverse Voltage PF = Forward Power PR = Reverse Voltage SWR accuracy is only as good as the power measurement accuracy (both Forward & Reflected)
    5/4/2012

    Theory How should RF Power be measured?


    1. RF voltmeter connected at the output of the transmitter

    5/4/2012

    Theory How should RF Power be measured?


    1. 1. 2. No! RF voltmeter connected at the output of the transmitter Voltage reading is dependent upon load impedance at the point of measurement Power meters on Ameritron Power Amplifiers To determine power, we need independent measurements of voltage and current

    5/4/2012

    Theory How should RF Power be measured?


    1. 2. RF voltmeter connected at the output of the transmitter Use a TRUE POWER meter that can measure both current and voltage of both the forward and reflected waves

    5/4/2012

    RF Power Meter Components RF Power Meter


    RF OUT

    Sensor
    RF IN Directional Coupler X X

    Envelope Detectors

    *Meter can be: Analog or digital Current or voltage 0-100 uA typical (non-powered) Forward Switch

    Reflected

    Meter*

    5/4/2012

    SWR/Power Meter - Digital Sensor


    RF IN Directional Coupler X X RF OUT

    Envelope Detectors

    Forward Reflected

    Digital Processor

    Digital Display

    5/4/2012

    Alpha 4520 Digital Power/SWR Meter

    5/4/2012

    SWR/Power Meter - Digital Sensor


    RF IN Directional Coupler X X RF OUT

    Envelope Detectors

    Forward

    Reflected

    Processor

    Digital Display

    5/4/2012

    SWR/Power Meter - Digital Sensor


    RF IN Directional Coupler X X RF OUT

    Envelope Detectors

    Forward

    Reflected

    5/4/2012

    My Digital Power Meter

    uV

    Resolution: 100W/40000 uV = 0.025 W/uV

    5/4/2012

    Digital Power/SWR Meters

    What is the main difference?


    Sensor
    Forward

    Alpha 4520

    Reflected

    5/4/2012

    Digital Power/SWR Meters

    Cost!
    Sensor
    Forward

    $30 up

    Alpha 4520

    Reflected

    $800 ~$0-50
    5/4/2012

    Digital Power/SWR Meters Accuracy varies from ~5% to ? Power reading accuracy is very dependent on Sensor calibration accuracy (both Forward & Reflected)
    Sensor
    Forward

    Alpha 4520

    Reflected

    Accuracy: 5-10% achievable


    5/4/2012

    Accuracy Spec = <5%

    Ultimate Limit on Accuracy? Sensor Calibration! Initial CAL accuracy Volts out vs Power In SWR is a calculation, not a measurement Volts out vs Frequency Traceable to NIST? Drift with time Load impedance drift with heating (1-3 KW???) Having a digital readout: Doesnt improve accuracy Improves resolution May improve repeatability Having a digital processor does allow for better calibration of sensor characteristics
    5/4/2012

    Telepost LP-100A Digital Vector Wattmeter

    Accuracy: Same specs as Alpha 4520 5% maximum 3% (typical) NIST traceable factory calibration What does this mean? eHam rating: 5.0/5 (121 reviews) $435 5/4/2012

    Directional Coupler RF Power Meter


    RF OUT

    Sensor
    RF IN Directional Coupler X X

    5/4/2012

    Directional Coupler
    Only couples power flowing in one direction Only couples a small sample of the power flowing in the desired direction
    RF OUT

    RF IN

    X
    Forward Coupler

    Green = desired coupling Red = undesired coupling


    Forward

    Coupling factor represents the primary property of a directional coupler To reduce 100 w to 100 mw => Coupling factor = -30 dB Directivity is the measure of how well a coupler isolates two oppositetravelling (forward and reverse) signals Creates region of uncertainty around all measurements Bird 43: Directivity >30 dB 5/4/2012

    Dual Directional Coupler

    RF IN

    X
    Forward Coupler

    Reverse Coupler

    RF OUT

    Green = desired coupling Red = undesired coupling


    Forward Reflected

    5/4/2012

    Common Directional Couplers


    Coupled Transmission Line Coupler

    Bird 43
    5/4/2012

    Common Directional Couplers

    Tandem Match Coupler

    Bruene Bridge*

    *Most common type found in commercial amateur transmitters

    5/4/2012

    Common Directional Couplers

    Tandem Match Coupler

    Bruene Bridge*

    *Most common type found in commercial amateur transmitters

    How do we get Voltage & Current?


    5/4/2012

    Common Directional Couplers

    Tandem Match Coupler

    Bruene Bridge*

    5/4/2012

    Common Directional Couplers

    Tandem Match Coupler

    Bruene Bridge*

    Null adjustment

    5/4/2012

    Common Sensors Tandem Match Coupler


    This coupler has some nice features: Simplicity, excellent directivity Scalable to other power levels, and 50- load impedances on all ports Covering 1.8-30 MHz requires careful transformer design Input VSWR can degrade rapidly as frequency drops below 7 MHz

    Bruene Bridge

    Requires comparatively little space Most commonly used design by Ham equipment manufacturers Primary challenges with this design: 1. Parasitic lead inductance associated with C2 2. High values for C2 3. Excessive secondary wire length on T1, and 4. Impedance control in the bifilar secondary winding The lead inductance and C2 result in a series resonance that progressively deteriorates bridge balance as the frequency is raised

    5/4/2012

    Tandem Match Coupler


    SWR Sensor (from 2010 ARRL Antenna Handbook)

    5/4/2012

    Tandem Match Coupler


    Shield on coax used as a Faraday shield (grounded on one end only)

    SWR Sensor (from 2010 ARRL Antenna Handbook)

    Any small signal diode will work (Germaniums are best for QRP) At 100 watts, IFWDOUT (into a short) > 6 mA At 100 watts, VFWDOUT (into an open) > 2.0 vdc

    5/4/2012

    Tandem Match Coupler


    Caution: Germanium diodes dont like heat

    5/4/2012

    Tandem Match Coupler Using Balun Core


    DX Zone.com Digital QRP SWR/ Power Meter by KD1JV

    Compensation Diodes (I dont recommend)

    5/4/2012

    Processor/Display
    DX Zone.com Digital QRP SWR/ Power Meter by KD1JV

    Whitmans Sampler tin http://kd1jv.qrpradio.com/ http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=18048


    5/4/2012

    Envelope Detector RF Power Meter


    RF OUT X X

    Sensor
    RF IN

    Envelope Detectors

    5/4/2012

    Common Envelope Detector

    Forward
    51

    Diode
    0.01 uF

    100K

    Diodes: Type not critical Germanium best for QRP Matched is desirable, but not required

    Reflected
    51

    Diode
    0.01 uF

    100K

    5/4/2012

    Diode Options
    Silicon: 1N3600 => VD ~0.7 volt Germanium: 1N34, 1N60, 1N270 => VD ~ 0.3 volt

    5/4/2012

    Diode Matching -Tandem Match Coupler


    No matching attempted
    2.5

    1.5

    Diode type dependent


    1N34A-1 1N34A-2

    VDC
    1

    0.5

    ?
    0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

    Watts
    5/4/2012

    Isolated Meter Circuit


    +X VDC 1 uF 780X 1 uF +VIN

    Forward
    51

    Diode
    3

    4 1 1 11

    0.01 uF

    100K

    Forward OUT

    LM324 or equivalent Reflected


    51 Diode
    5

    0.01 uF

    100K

    Reflected OUT

    Source
    ~ 300 ohm 2 vdc

    5/4/2012

    Meter Adjustment
    +X VDC 1 uF 780X 1 uF +VIN

    Forward
    51

    Diode
    3

    4 1 11

    0.01 uF

    100K

    FWD Level Adjust

    Forward OUT

    Reflected
    51

    Diode
    5

    0.01 uF

    100K

    REF Level Adjust

    Reflected OUT

    5/4/2012

    A SIMPLE SWR METER FOR QRP (1 WATT) LEVELS

    X X X

    Not required

    5/4/2012

    Performance Power Measurement


    Homebrew (Tandem Match)
    VDC
    2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 0 2 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 95 100 50 40 30

    Diode type dependent

    Bird (Coupled Line/Digital)


    mVDC

    20 10 0 2 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 95

    Pride (Breune)
    Watts

    100 80 60 40 20 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

    5/4/2012

    Watts

    Performance SWR Measurement


    25 ohm Load @ PF = 60 watts
    3.0

    2.5

    Tandem 2.0 Bird Breune

    1.8 MHz
    1.5

    14 MHz 28 MHz

    1.0

    5/4/2012

    SWR Protection Circuit


    +8 VDC 1 uF 7808 +13.5 VDC 1 uF
    100 3 +4 VDC

    15K LM324
    1

    4 1 11

    15K

    0.1 uF 0.1 uF

    Latch Relay1
    1

    +12 VDC

    1N3600
    17 mA 16

    150K 200K

    1.21M

    ~1 sec Delay to Latch


    1N3600
    10

    2N3501
    Latch Relay1
    11 6 4 9 8

    Latch Treshold

    1.0 uF

    1.0 uF

    10K

    To +8 VDC

    Reflected
    100K

    REF
    Reflected Power

    12

    5.1K
    4 Reset 14

    13

    13

    1K

    To +4 VDC

    2N3501 1N3600
    To SWR Shutdown

    Forward
    100K

    FWD

    0.1 uF

    15K

    5.1K

    2N3501

    390 W

    +1.6 VDC

    To +13.5 VDC

    5/4/2012

    Foldback Treshold

    10K

    1.1K

    2N3501

    SWR LED Radio Shack 276-0017

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