Hybrid Tee (Magic-T) with Matched Ports In the ideal hybrid tee shown (all ports matched): if 100 mW is fed into port 1 (an input arm), how much power is reflected back into port 1?
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A0
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B25 mW
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C50 mW
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D100 mW
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E12.5 mW
Answer
Correct Answer: 0
Explanation
Introduction / Context:The hybrid tee (magic-T) is a 4-port waveguide component combining an E-plane tee and an H-plane tee. It splits and combines power with specific phase relations and, when properly matched, provides isolation between certain ports.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- All four ports are perfectly matched (no reflections at terminations).
- Port 1 is used as the input (either E-arm or H-arm, depending on the convention of the figure).
- Ideal, lossless device.
Concept / Approach:
In an ideal matched hybrid tee, S11 = 0 at each port, meaning there is no reflection back into the excited port. Power applied to an E- or H-arm splits equally between the two collinear arms (with 180° relative phase for the E-arm and 0° for the H-arm) and does not appear at the isolated complementary arm. Therefore, the power reflected back into the source at the driven port is zero.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Use the magic-T scattering matrix: S11 = 0 for a matched device.2) With an input at port 1, the device divides power to the appropriate output ports; none returns to port 1.3) Hence, reflected power at port 1 is 0 mW, independent of the input level (in the ideal case).Verification / Alternative check:
Laboratory measurements of a well-matched hybrid tee show deep return loss at each port (e.g., > 20–25 dB), approximating S11 ≈ 0, so reflected power is negligible.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Any nonzero reflected power implies mismatch or internal loss, contradicting the ideal matched assumption.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing isolation between E and H arms with return loss; isolation relates to cross-coupling, while return loss concerns reflections at the excited port.
Final Answer:
0