VSWR – Voltage Standing Wave Ratio results from an impedance mismatch between a source (an amplifier) and a load (test application). This mismatch can influence the performance of the source. VSWR is not a hard concept to grasp, but its effects on the instrumentation can be more difficult to realize. We focus on RF/Microwave high power amplifiers and how they react to this common physical problem. Amplifiers sometimes need to institute protections to safeguard themselves from being damaged. Let’s better understand VSWR.
