Insertion Loss Admittance Tunnels

Precise & Cost-Effective Non-Destructive Testing of Critical Materials

Users and developers of non-metallic composite materials need to understand fully their material’s uniformity and isotropy.

To do so requires the ability to scan for material defects by measuring the interaction of the material (dielectric and magnetic properties) with RF, either over a broad range of frequency or within a specific narrow frequency band of interest.

MWI Laboratories provide a range of Insertion Loss Admittance Tunnel solutions that utilize the company’s Gaussian Beam polyrod antennas. The systems are used in applications such as dielectric material characterization, measuring the energy reduction of RF absorbers, determining the level and angle of signal scattering, measuring moisture content, material wear and detection of anisotropic/uniformity defects within a larger sample as well as inspecting repairs to existing structures.

The MWI_LAT48 is a Standard Gaussian Beam Admittance Tunnel with table dimensions of 48”x48”. It uses the MWI PRA_0716 antenna and has a frequency range of 0.7-16 GHz, The beam’s size is 12.5 inches in diameter at 2 GHz and can be adjusted for aligning the E-field in Transverse Electric (TE) or Transverse Magnetic (TM) for off angle measurements. The table can be used to measure off-angle insertion from 0 to 60 degrees.

The MWI_MAT24 is a Gaussian Beam Mini Admittance Tunnel for samples with dimensions of 24”x24”x6”. It uses the MWI_PRAXX antenna with a frequency range of 7-50 GHz and a beam size of 2.5 inches in diameter at 7 GHz. Its single polarity can be adjusted for aligning the E-field for (TE) or (TM) directions or for making off angle insertion loss measurement up to 70 degrees. The system can also be provided in a dual polarity configuration.

•  Non-destructive testing of critical materials
•  Adjustable for aligning horizontal or perpendicular E-field direction.
•  Beam size of 12.5 inches diameter at 10 GHz, or 2.5 inches at 7 GHz
•  Frequency range 0.7 - 16 GHz or 7-50GHz (banded)
•  Used with Keysight’s Vector Network Analyzers
•  Cost effective solution.

Insertion Loss Admittance Tunnels

MWI Laboratories’ Gaussian Beam Polyrod antennas provide a planar wave within 1 inch of the tip and produce a collimating beam (without a focal point) to inspect composite materials.

Similar to a laser, MWI’s collimating RF beam is very directional, narrow and prevents over-illumination of the sample. This makes it very easy for the user to determine where the energy is located in performing non-destructive testing for material characterization, uniformity and defect detection measurements over a wide range of frequencies and applications.

The systems are light-weight and easy to operate without the need for an RF engineer. Mechanical and software noise reduction improvements increase dynamic range greater than 70dB while reducing signal scattering and sample wrap-a-round.

MWI’s Insertion Loss Admittance Tunnels when combined with a Keysight’s Vector/Performance Network Analyzer allow customers to save time on testing, reduces manpower cost, while increasing product quality if inspected in a Laboratory Quality Assurance or during manufacturing via an in-process Quality Control environment.