Performance optimization of test facility for coaxial transmission line components based on traveling wave resonator

As part of development program for a high power co-axial transmission line component test facility, an existing traveling wave resonator based test stand is modified to improve power gain and ring return loss. The 10 dB directional coupler in the earlier test stand is replaced with a 14 dB directional coupler to couple radio frequency power with the ring. To achieve an improved isolation and return loss, the 14 dB directional coupler design is equipped with two broadside strip-lines with a tunable gap between them. Detailed design and optimization of the 14 dB directional coupler with and without the traveling wave resonator setup is performed using a high frequency simulator Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio. The low power test of the fabricated directional coupler is performed at several tuning positions to achieve an optimum operating frequency for the traveling wave resonator. Furthermore, after optimization, the maximum power gain of around 18 dB and minimum return loss of about -22 dB inside the ring are obtained. Finally, a preliminary study of the future 3 MW test facility is discussed.