Microwave circuitry
For generating microwaves in the X-band region (8−12 GHz) a voltage- controlled oscillator is used, which is capable of producing over 100 mW monochromatic radiation. In order to reduce drift of the frequency a home build temperature controller is attached to the oscillator, which is connected to the antenna via SMA cables. Directly behind the antenna a Faraday isolator is introduced to reduce interference. To separate the reflected from the incident microwaves a circulator is used. Behind the circulator a manual switch is introduced to measure apart from the fast changes, the absolute reflected microwave power.
Connection of the oscillator to the antenna followed by the x-band isolator.