Measurement of microwave power - A review of techniques used for measurement of high-frequency RF power

Measurement of the signal amplitude of radio frequency (RF) waves is an important function in a wide range of applications. Some of these applications are signal-level adjustment and verification for radar and communication radio and measurements made to control and ensure safety in industrial and home microwave heating processes. Frequencies that are normally considered to be "microwave" are typically those above 1 GHz, although the same power measurement techniques used at 1 GHz are successfully applied at lower frequencies. Common commercial coaxial RF power instruments will, for example, often be calibrated over a range of 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz, with calibrations at frequencies as low as 9 kHz and as high as 50 GHz used at times. This article introduces and reviews the techniques used for measurement of high-frequency RF power and for establishing traceability of the measurements to national standard units