Using the Monte Carlo approach to study effects of power measurement uncertainties on six-port reflectometer performance

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations have been employed to evaluate the effects of power-measurement uncertainties on the performance of six-port reflectometers (even when known to operate under less-than-optimum specifications). The numerical results compiled in the present study provide additional insights that are useful for the design of six-port reflectometers. The practical utility of the simulation software has also been demonstrated for a prototype reflectometer (implemented in microstrip form with modified branch-line couplers) which is able to yield measurement accuracies of 0.01 and 2° for the magnitude and phase, respectively, of a planar component's reflection coefficient from 4.6 GHz to 5.9 GHz. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.