Waveguide Short Plate
Waveguide Short Plate provides a precise short-circuit reference for RF calibration and microwave testing. Commonly used in vector network analyzer calibration, radar system testing and high-frequency microwave measurement environments.
Precision Waveguide Short Plates for High-Reflective RF Calibrations
AO Microwave’s high-precision waveguide short plates (reflective terminations) are designed to provide a highly conductive, low-loss short circuit inside waveguide runs. Machined from solid copper and aluminum alloys, our short plates feature hand-polished reflecting surfaces with a surface flatness of < 0.5 microns, finished with high-purity gold or silver plating to ensure high electrical conductivity. Operating up to 110 GHz (WR-90 to WR-10), these short plates deliver a reflection coefficient of nearly 1.0 (with insertion loss of < 0.05 dB), providing an accurate 180-degree phase shift reference.
By establishing a highly reflective boundary, our short plates are critical calibration standards for Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs) using TRL or SOLT methods. They are also used to tune resonant cavities, set up standing wave arrays, and test system shielding.
| Part No | Frequency/GHz | VSWR (Min) | Standard Thickness/mm | Flange Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AO2300-WS23ACG | 0.32-0.49 | ≥60 | X=23 | UDR3 |
| AO2100-WS23ACG | 0.35-0.53 | ≥60 | X=23 | UDR4 |
| AO1800-WS18ACG | 0.41-0.62 | ≥60 | X=18 | UDR5 |
| AO1500-WS18ACG | 0.49-0.75 | ≥60 | X=18 | UDR6 |
| AO1150-WS14ACG | 0.64-0.98 | ≥60 | X=14 | UDR8 |
| AO975-WS14ACG | 0.75-1.15 | ≥60 | X=14 | UDR9 |
| AO770-WS12ACG | 0.96-1.46 | ≥60 | X=12 | UDR12 |
| AO650-WS12ACG | 1.13-1.73 | ≥60 | X=12 | UDR14 |
| AO510-WS12ACG | 1.45-2.20 | ≥60 | X=12 | UDR18 |
| AO430-WS10ACG | 1.72-2.61 | ≥60 | X=10 | UDR22 |
| AO340-WS10ACG | 2.17-3.30 | ≥60 | X=10 | UDR26 |
| AO284-WS8ACG | 2.60-3.95 | ≥60 | X=8 | UDR32 |
| AO229-WS8ACG | 3.22-4.90 | ≥60 | X=8 | UDR40 |
| AO187-WS7ACG | 3.94-5.99 | ≥60 | X=7 | UDR48 |
| AO159-WS7ACG | 4.64-7.05 | ≥60 | X=7 | UDR58 |
| AO137-WS7CSG | 5.38-8.17 | ≥60 | X=7 | UDR70 |
| AO112-WS5CSG | 6.57-9.99 | ≥60 | X=5 | UBR84 |
| AO90-WS5CSG | 8.20-12.5 | ≥60 | X=5 | UBR100 |
| AO75-WS5CSG | 9.84-15.0 | ≥60 | X=5 | UBR120 |
| AO62-WS5CSG | 11.9-18.0 | ≥60 | X=5 | UBR140 |
| AO51-WS5CSG | 14.5-22.0 | ≥60 | X=5 | UBR180 |
| AO42-WS4CSG | 17.6-26.7 | ≥60 | X=4 | UBR220 |
| AO34-WS4CSG | 21.7-33.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UBR260 |
| AO28-WS4CSG | 26.5-40.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UBR320 |
| AO22-WS4CG | 33.0-50.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UG-383/U |
| AO19-WS4CG | 40.0-60.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UG383/UM |
| AO15-WS4CG | 50.0-75.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UG385/U |
| AO12-WS4CG | 60.0-90.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UG-387/U |
| AO10-WS4CG | 75.0-110.0 | ≥60 | X=4 | UG387/UM |
Surface Flatness & Ohmic Losses in Calibration Standards
Waveguide short plates serve as 100% reflective standards. To provide an accurate reference phase, the reflecting metal plane must be physically flat and possess high electrical conductivity.
If the plate surface is uneven or has mechanical scratches, the reflected wavefront will distort, introducing phase errors in your calibration. In addition, high surface roughness increases ohmic losses, causing the reflection coefficient to drop below 1.0. AO Microwave addresses these requirements by precision-lapping our short plates to a surface flatness of < 0.5 microns and plating the reflecting face with high-purity gold, securing highly repeatable phase references.
Target Applications & Operational Advantages
By providing an accurate reflective boundary, our waveguide short plates deliver critical performance in active systems:
VNA Calibration (SOLT & TRL)
Function: Serves as the primary 100% reflective "Short" calibration standard in precision measurement kits.
Advantage: Exceptional surface flatness (<0.5 microns) and gold plating guarantee highly repeatable reference phases, minimizing calibration drift.
Waveguide Cavity & Filter Tuning
Function: Establishes a highly reflective boundary to tune the resonant frequency of internal cavities.
Advantage: Excellent electrical contact prevents energy leaks, preserving high Q-factors in tuned cavity filters.
RF Leakage & Shielding Testing
Function: Reflects all RF energy back to the source to test system impedance matching and shielding.
Advantage: Extremely low loss (<0.05 dB) ensures that all measured attenuation is from the system under test, not the short plate itself.
Waveguide Short Plate FAQs
Need high-reflectivity Waveguide Short Plates?
Specify your WR size, frequency band, plating requirements (Gold/Silver), and flange style — we'll quote in 24 hours.
