RF Toolbox

Rectangular Waveguide Calculator

Calculates the cutoff frequency for every TEmn and TMmn mode, the dominant TE10 guide wavelength and wave impedance, phase and group velocities, and conductor loss at the operating frequency.

Equations & Parameters ▸
\(f_{c,mn} = \dfrac{c}{2\sqrt{\varepsilon_r}}\sqrt{\left(\dfrac{m}{a}\right)^2+\left(\dfrac{n}{b}\right)^2} \qquad \beta = \sqrt{k^2 - k_c^2} \qquad \lambda_g = \dfrac{2\pi}{\beta}\) \(Z_{TE_{10}} = \dfrac{\omega\mu_0}{\beta} \qquad v_{ph} = \dfrac{\omega}{\beta} \qquad v_{gr} = \dfrac{\beta c^2}{\omega\varepsilon_r}\)
aBroad-wall dimension (determines TE₁₀ cutoff: f_c = c/(2a√εr))
bNarrow-wall dimension; typically b ≈ a/2 for standard waveguide
λgGuide wavelength; longer than free-space λ (vph > c)
ZTEWave impedance; 377Ω at f → ∞, → ∞ as f → f_c
vph·vgrPhase × group velocity = c²/εr (always)

Standard waveguide bands: WR-90 (a=22.86mm, b=10.16mm, 8.2–12.4 GHz X-band), WR-42 (a=10.67mm, b=4.32mm, 18–26.5 GHz K-band), WR-28 (a=7.11mm, b=3.56mm, 26.5–40 GHz Ka-band).

Inputs
Results
Diagram