Harmonics Effects on Microwave Power Measurement Using Diode Sensors

This paper investigates the influence of second and third harmonic components in the signal on a measured RF power level when diode power sensors are employed. The impact of the harmonic components is first demonstrated through the modeling of diode detectors for the worst case scenario. We proposed an approximate general formula for calculating measurement errors due to the higher harmonic components. A method for the measurement of the sensitivity of diode power sensors on the higher harmonic components is also described. Finally, we validated our model with experimental data for several power sensors.