An Adiabatic Coaxial Line for Microcalorimeter Power Measurements in Wireless Communication for Smart Grid

Abstract

This paper presents the extended results and prototype of the adiabatic copper conductor constructed with two interruption points in the external conductor layer, for use as a microcalorimeter power standard in wireless communication for a smart grid frequency range. Gaps are intended to drive down the thermal transfer from the outer environment into microcalorimeter and to reduce measurement inaccuracies in the microcalorimeter. The proposed design method is based on the combination of thermal and electromagnetic finite-element method simulations by which the desired line performance has been tailored. A prototype of the proposed adiabatic line has been manufactured and measurements on the prototype are presented along with the design procedure. Measured results are in line with the ones predicted by numerical calculations.