Broadband reflectometry: Theoretical background

In this chapter, the basic approaches of broadband microwave reflectometry are described in detail. More specifically, time domain reflectometry (TDR) and frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) are presented and the involved instrumentation is fully described. Successively, the FDR/TDR combined approach is described in detail: this approach can help exploit the benefits of both TDR and FDR, without necessarily employing two different measurement setups. Additionally, since the sensing element (or probe) plays a major role in all the aforementioned approaches, a comprehensive description of its design and of the corresponding performance is given. Finally, the basic principles leading to the possibilities of enhancing accuracy in BMR measurements are presented. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg