National Institute of Technology

Rourkela
Scattering Parameters
EE3004 : Electromagnetic Field Theory

Dr. Rakesh Sinha

(Assistant Professor)

Circuit and Electromagnetic Co-Design Lab at NITR

Department of Electrical Engineering
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela

April 27, 2022

 Outline

1 Introduction

2 INCIDENT AND REFLECTED POWER FLOW

3 Two-port S parameters

4 ABCD to S-matrix

5 S-parameters of TL

6 S-parameters of Series and Shunt Elements

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

2/28
Introduction

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

3/28
 Introduction
q Scattering parameters or S-parameters (the elements of a scattering
matrix or S-matrix) describe the electrical behavior of linear electrical
networks when undergoing various steady state stimuli by electrical
signals.
q The S-parameters are members of a family of similar parameters, other
examples being: Y-parameters,[1] Z-parameters,[2] H-parameters,
T-parameters or ABCD-parameters.
q They differ from these, in the sense that S-parameters do not use open or
short circuit conditions to characterize a linear electrical network; instead,
matched loads are used.
q Because of finite load conditions the S-parameters always exist, while
other parameters may not exist for certain network.
q The magnitude square of S-parameters represents power ratio of
reflected wave or transmitted wave to incident wave.
q The phase of S-parameters represents voltage phase difference between
reflected wave or transmitted wave and incident wave.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

4/28
INCIDENT AND REFLECTED POWER FLOW

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

5/28
 Transmission Line Equation
q The telegrapher equation of transmission line can be written as

V (z) = Vi e−γz + Vr eγz (1a)

−γz γz
I(z) = Ii e + Ir e
Vt −γz Vr γz
= e − e (1b)
Z0 Z0
q Solving above equations simultaneously, we obtain explicit expressions
for the incident and reflected waves
1
Vi e−γz = [V (z) + Z0 I(z)] (2a)
2
1
Vr eγz = [V (z) − Z0 I(z)] (2b)
2
q The voltage wave based S-parameters can be written as

Vr eγz = ΓVi e−γz (2c)

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

6/28
 S-parameter of a one port network
q The S-parameter of a one port network is defined as

b = Sa (3)

where b is the reflected wave and a is the incident wave.

q The incident and reflected waves are defined as
Vi e−γx
 
1 V p
a= √ = √ + Z0 I (4)
Z0 2 Z0
Vr eγz
 
1 V p
b=√ = √ − Z0 I (5)
Z0 2 Z0

where Z0 is the real characteristic impedance or port impedance.

q Such definition of a and b are chosen because |a|2 and |b|2 represent
incident and reflected powers.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

7/28
 One port network

q To understand the physical meaning of a and b, consider the power

dissipated by the one-port network
1
P = Re V I ∗ (6)
2
where I ∗ denotes the complex conjugate of I.
q We can write V and I in terms of the incident and reflected parameters as
V = (a + b)
a−b
I= √
Z0
Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

8/28
 One port Network
q Then the power dissipated by the one-port network is
1
P = (aa∗ − bb∗ )
2
1
|a|2 − |b|2


=
2
q The term 2 aa can be interpreted as the power incident, while 12 bb∗ can
1 ∗

be regarded as the power reflected.

q The difference yields the power dissipated by the one-port network.
q The incident parameter a and the reflected parameter b are related by the
equation
b = Sa
where S is called the scattering element or, more commonly, the
reflection coefficient.
q From the definitions of a and b we can make the following substitution:
   
V p V p
√ − R0 I = S √ + R0 I
R0 R0

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

9/28
 One port Network
q Solving for S, we obtain
Z − R0
S=
Z + R0
where Z is the impedance of the one-port network
V
Z=
I
q A further useful result is that when the impedance R0 is set equal to the
impedance Z, the reflected parameter b = 0.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

10/28
Two-port S parameters

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

11/28
 Two-port S parameters

q The incident a1,2 and reflected b1,2 wave at port-1 and port-2 are defined
as  
1 V
√ 1 + R01 I1
p
a1 =
2 R01
 
1 V1 p
b1 = √ − R01 I1
2 R01
 
1 V2 p
a2 = √ + R02 I2
2 R02
 
1 V2 p
b2 = √ − R02 I2
2 R02
where R01 and R02 are the reference impedances at the input and output
ports respectively.
Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

12/28
 Two-port S parameters
q The scattering parameters Sij for the two-port network are given by the
equations
b1 = S11 a1 + S12 a2
b2 = S21 a1 + S22 a2
q In matrix form the set of above equations becomes
    
b1 S11 S12 a1
=
b2 S21 S22 a2

where the matrix  

S11 S12
[S] =
S21 S22
is called the scattering matrix of the two-port network.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

13/28
 Two-port S parameters
q The scattering parameters of the two-port network can be expressed in
terms of the incident and reflected parameters as
 
b1  b1 
S11 = S12 =
a1 a2 =0 a2 a1 =0
 
b2  b2 
S21 = S22 =
a1  a2 =0 a2  a1 =0

q S11 indicates reflection coefficient at port-1

q S22 is the reflection coefficient at port-2.
q S21 is the transmission coefficients from port-1 to port-2.
q S12 represents the transmission (or isolation) coefficients from port-2 to
port-1.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

14/28
ABCD to S-matrix

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

15/28
 ABCD to S-matrix
q The ABCD parameters of a two-port network is defined as
V1 =AV2 − BI2 (7)
I1 =CV2 − DI2 (8)
q To measure S11 and S21 , we need to set a2 = 0 or port-2 terminated by
matched load, which leads to following
V2 = −R02 I2 (9)
q S11 can be expressed as

b1  V1 − R01 I1
S11 = =
a1 a2 =0
 V1 + R01 I1
AV2 − BI2 − R01 (CV2 − DI2 ) −AR02 − B − R01 (−CR02 − D)
= =
AV2 − BI2 + R01 (CV2 − DI2 ) −AR02 − B + R01 (−CR02 − D)
AR02 − DR01 + B − R01 R02 C
=
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

16/28
 ABCD to S-matrix
q S21 can be expressed as
 √
b2  R01 V2 − R02 I2
S21 = =√
a1 a2 =0 R02 V1 + R01 I1
√
R −R02 I2 − R02 I2
= √ 01
R02 AV2 − BI2 + R01 (CV2 − DI2 )
√
−2 R01 R02
=
−AR02 − B + R01 (−CR02 − D)
√
2 R01 R02
=
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C
q To measure S22 and S12 , we need to set a1 = 0 or port-1 terminated by
matched load, which leads to following

V1 = −R01 I1 (10)

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

17/28
 ABCD to S-matrix
q The inv-ABCD parameters of a two-port network is defined as
1
V2 = (DV1 − BI1 ) (11)
∆A
1
I2 = (CV1 − AI1 ) (12)
∆A
where ∆A = AD − BC
q S22 can be expressed as

b2  V2 − R02 I2
S22 = =
a2 a1 =0
 V2 + R02 I2
DV1 − BI1 − R02 (CV1 − AI1 ) −DR01 − B − R02 (−CR01 − A)
= =
DV1 − BI1 + R02 (CV1 − AI1 ) −DR01 − B + R02 (−CR01 − D)
−AR02 + DR01 + B − R01 R02 C
=
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

18/28
 ABCD to S-matrix
q S12 can be expressed as
 √
b1  R02 V1 − R01 I1
S12 = =√
a2 a1 =0 R01 V2 + R02 I2
√
R −2∆AR01 I1
= √ 02
R01 DV1 − BI1 + R02 (CV1 − AI1 )
√
−2∆A R01 R02
=
−DR01 − B + R02 (−CR01 − D)
√
2(AD − BC) R01 R02
=
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

19/28
S-parameters of TL

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

20/28
 S-parameters of TL
Zc , θ

Z0 Z0

q The ABCD parameters of TL {Zc , θ} is

   
A B cos θ jZc sin θ
= (13)
C D jYc sin θ cos θ
q If we consider that R01 = R02 = Z0 , then reflection coefficient S11 is
AR02 − DR01 + B − R01 R02 C
S11 =
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C
(A − D)Z0 + B − CZ02 j(Zc Y0 − Yc Z0 ) sin θ
= 2 =
(A + D)Z0 + B + CZ0 2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

21/28
 S-parameters of TL
q The transmission coefficient S21 is
√
2 R01 R02
S21 =
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C
2Z0
=
(A + D)Z0 + B + CZ02
2
=
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ
q Because of symmetry (A = D) and reciprocity (AD − BC = 1), we can
write S22 = S11 and S12 = S21 .
q If the line impedance Zc is equal to port impedance Z0 or Zc = Z0 , then
j(Z0 Y0 − Y0 Z0 ) sin θ
S11 = =0
2 cos θ + j(Z0 Y0 + Y0 Z0 ) sin θ
2
S21 = = e−jθ = 1∠ − θ
2 cos θ + j(Z0 Y0 + Y0 Z0 ) sin θ
q The line is matched and transmission is 1 with a phase shift of θ.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

22/28
 S-parameters of TL
q If θ = 90◦ , then
j(Zc Y0 − Yc Z0 ) sin θ Zc Y0 − Yc Z0
S11 = =
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ Zc Y0 + Yc Z0
2 2
S21 = = −j
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ Zc Y0 + Yc Z0
q The line is not matched and transmission is less than one with phase shift
of 90◦
q If θ = 180◦ , then
j(Zc Y0 − Yc Z0 ) sin θ
S11 = =0
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ
2
S21 = = −1
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ
q Even though Zc 6= Z0 , the line is matched and provides a phase shift of
180◦

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

23/28
 S-parameters of TL
q Consider that Zc = 2Z0 and θ = 45◦ , then

j(Zc Y0 − Yc Z0 ) sin θ j(2 − 12 )

S11 = = = 0.46852∠38.66◦
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ 2 + j(2 + 12 )
√
2 2 2
S21 = = = 0.88345∠ − 51.34
2 cos θ + j(Zc Y0 + Yc Z0 ) sin θ 2 + j(2 + 12 )

q Please note that |S11 |2 + |S21 |2 = 1 and ∠S21 6= −θ.

q The additional phase delay is due to multiple reflections.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

24/28
 S-parameter of Quarter Wave Transformer
q Consider a quarter wave transformer (QWT) matches ZL = 100 Ω to
source Z
√S = 50 Ω, then
√ the characteristic impedance of the transformer
is Zc = ZS ZL = 50 2 = 70.7 Ω with electrical length
◦
θ = βl = 2π λ π
λ 4 = 2 = 90 .
q The ABCD parameters of the line is
   
A B 0 jZc
= (14)
C D jYc 0
q The S-parameters of QWT calculated with √
R01 = ZS ,R02√= ZL ,A = D = 0 B = jZc = j ZS ZL and
C = jYc = j/ ZS ZL
AR02 − DR01 + B − R01 R02 C 0 + jZc − jYc ZS ZL
S11 = = =0
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C 0 + jZc + jYc ZS ZL
√ √
2 R01 R02 2 ZS ZL
S21 = = = 1∠ − 90◦
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C jZc + jYc ZS ZL
q Quarter wave transformer provides a phase delay of 90◦

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

25/28
S-parameters of Series and Shunt Elements

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

26/28
 Series Elements
q The ABCD parameters of series element is
   
A B 1 Z
= (15)
C D 0 1

q The S-parameters are

AR02 − DR01 + B − R01 R02 C R02 − R01 + Z
S11 = = (16)
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C R02 + R01 + Z
√ √
2 R01 R02 2 R01 R02
S21 = = (17)
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C R02 + R01 + Z
1
q By substituting R01 = R02 = Z0 and Z = jωL or Z = jωC , we can explain
the filtering behavior of inductor or capacitor in series connections.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

27/28
 Shunt Elements
q The ABCD parameters of shunt element is
   
A B 1 0
= (18)
C D Y 1

q The S-parameters are

AR02 − DR01 + B − R01 R02 C R02 − R01 − Y R01 R02
S11 = = (19)
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C R02 + R01 + Y R01 R02
√ √
2 R01 R02 2 R01 R02
S21 = = (20)
AR02 + DR01 + B + R01 R02 C R02 + R01 + Y R01 R02
1
q By substituting R01 = R02 = Z0 and Y = jωC or Y = jωL , we can explain
the filtering behavior of capacitor or inductor in shunt connections.

Circuit-EM Co-Design Lab

28/28
National Institute of Technology
Rourkela

Thanks.