CHAPTER 2 33

Chapter 2
Sections 2-1 to 2-4: Transmission-Line Model
Problem 2.1 A transmission line of length l connects a load to a sinusoidal voltage
source with an oscillation frequency f . Assuming the velocity of wave propagation
on the line is c, for which of the following situations is it reasonable to ignore the
presence of the transmission line in the solution of the circuit:
(a) l  20 cm, f  20 kHz,
(b) l  50 km, f  60 Hz,
(c) l  20 cm, f  600 MHz,
(d) l  1 mm, f  100 GHz.
Solution: A transmission line is negligible when l  λ 0 01.
l lf 20  10  2 m  20  103 Hz 
(a)    1 33  10  5
(negligible).
λ up 3  108 m/s
l lf 50  103 m  60  100 Hz 
(b)    0 01 (borderline)
λ up 3  108 m/s
l lf 20  10  2 m  600  106 Hz 
(c)    0 40 (nonnegligible)
λ up 3  108 m/s
l lf 1  10  m  100  109 Hz 
3
(d)    0 33 (nonnegligible)
λ up 3  108 m/s

Problem 2.2 Calculate the line parameters R , L , G , and C for a coaxial line with
an inner conductor diameter of 0 5 cm and an outer conductor diameter of 1 cm,
filled with an insulating material where µ  µ 0 , εr  4 5, and σ  10  3 S/m. The
conductors are made of copper with µc  µ0 and σc  5 8  107 S/m. The operating
frequency is 1 GHz.
Solution: Given

a 0 5  2  cm  0 25  10  2
m

b 1 0  2  cm  0 50  10  2
m

combining Eqs. (2.5) and (2.6) gives


π f µc

1 1 1

b

R
2π σc a

1 π 109 Hz  4π  10  7 H/m  1 1


2π 5 8  107 S/m 0 25  10  2 m 0 50  10  2 m
 0 788 Ω/m
34 CHAPTER 2

From Eq. (2.7),


µ b 4π  10  7 H/m
L  ln
 ln 2  139 nH/m
2π a 2π

From Eq. (2.8),

2πσ 2π  10  3 S/m
G    9 1 mS/m
ln b  a  ln 2

From Eq. (2.9),

2πε 2πεr ε0 2π  4 5  8 854  10  12 F/m 

C     362 pF/m
ln b  a  ln b  a  ln 2

Problem 2.3 A 1-GHz parallel-plate transmission line consists of 1.2-cm-wide

copper strips separated by a 0.15-cm-thick layer of polystyrene. Appendix B gives
µc  µ0  4π  10  7 (H/m) and σc  5 8  107 (S/m) for copper, and εr  2 6 for
polystyrene. Use Table 2-1 to determine the line parameters of the transmission line.
Assume µ  µ0 and σ 0 for polystyrene.
Solution:

π  109  4π  10  7
1 2
2 π f µc

2Rs 2
R   
 1 38 (Ω/m)

w w σc 1 2  10  2 5 8  107
µd 4π  10  7  1 5  10  3
L    1 57  10  7 (H/m)

w 1 2  10  2
G  0 because σ  0

εw w 10  9 1 2  10  2
C   ε0 εr   2 6   1 84  10  10
(F/m)
d d 36π 1 5  10  3

Problem 2.4 Show that the transmission line model shown in Fig. 2-37 (P2.4)
yields the same telegrapher’s equations given by Eqs. (2.14) and (2.16).
Solution: The voltage at the central upper node is the same whether it is calculated
from the left port or the right port:

∂
vz 2 ∆z
1

t  v z
t  1
2R ∆z i z
t  1
2L ∆z i z
t 
  ∂t
∂
 v z ∆z
t  1
2R ∆z i z ∆z
t  1
2L ∆z i z ∆z
t 
∂t
CHAPTER 2 35

R'∆z L'∆z R'∆z L'∆z

i(z, t) 2 2 2 2 i(z+∆z, t)
+ +

v(z, t) G'∆z C'∆z v(z+∆z, t)

- -
∆z

Figure P2.4: Transmission line model.

Recognizing that the current through the G C branch is i z
t  i z ∆z
t  (from

Kirchhoff’s current law), we can conclude that

∂
i z
t  iz ∆z
t  G ∆z v z
v z 12 ∆z
t  2 ∆z
1

t C ∆z
 ∂t
From both of these equations, the proof is completed by following the steps outlined
in the text, ie. rearranging terms, dividing by ∆z, and taking the limit as ∆z 0.

Problem 2.5 Find α
β
up , and Z0 for the coaxial line of Problem 2.2.
Solution: From Eq. (2.22),
γ  R

jωL  G

jωC 
 0 788 Ω/m  j 2π  109 s  1  139  10  9 H/m

 9 1  10  3 S/m  j 2π  109 s  1  362  10  12 F/m 

 109  10  3
j44 5  m  1


Thus, from Eqs. (2.25a) and (2.25b), α  0 109 Np/m and β  44 5 rad/m.
From Eq. (2.29),

R jωL 0 788 Ω/m  j 2π  109 s  1  139  10  9 H/m 

Z0  
G jωC 9 1  10  3 S/m  j 2π  109 s  1  362  10  12 F/m 

 19 6 j0 030  Ω

From Eq. (2.33),
ω 2π  109
up    1 41  108 m/s
β 44 5
36 CHAPTER 2

Section 2-5: The Lossless Line

Problem 2.6 In addition to not dissipating power, a lossless line has two important
features: (1) it is dispertionless (µp is independent of frequency) and (2) its
characteristic impedance Z0 is purely real. Sometimes, it is not possible to design
a transmission line such that R
ωL and G
ωC , but it is possible to choose the
dimensions of the line and its material properties so as to satisfy the condition

RC  LG (distortionless line)

Such a line is called a distortionless line because despite the fact that it is not lossless,
it does nonetheless possess the previously mentioned features of the loss line. Show
that for a distortionless line,

C L
α R  RG
β  ω LC
Z0 
L C

Solution: Using the distortionless condition in Eq. (2.22) gives

γ α

jβ   R

jωL  G

jωC




LC
R
L
jω

G
C
jω

 

LC
R
L
jω

R
L
jω



R C
 LC jω
 R jω L C
L L
Hence,

 
ω

C 1
α γ  R
β γ  ω L C
 
L
up
β
LC
Similarly, using the distortionless condition in Eq. (2.29) gives

R L

R jωL L jω L
Z0   
G jωC C GC jω C

Problem 2.7 For a distortionless line with Z 0  50 Ω, α  20 (mNp/m),

up  2 5  108 (m/s), find the line parameters and λ at 100 MHz.
CHAPTER 2 37

Solution: The product of the expressions for α and Z 0 given in Problem 2.6 gives

R  αZ0  20  10  3  50  1 (Ω/m)

and taking the ratio of the expression for Z 0 to that for up  ω β  1
L C gives

Z0 50
L    2  10  7 (H/m)  200 (nH/m)
up 2 5  108

With L known, we use the expression for Z 0 to find C :

L 2  10  7
C    8  10  11
(F/m)  80 (pF/m)
Z02 50  2

The distortionless condition given in Problem 2.6 is then used to find G .

RC 1  80  10  12
G    4  10  4 (S/m)  400 (µS/m)

L 2  10  7
and the wavelength is obtained by applying the relation

µp 2 5  108
λ   2 5 m
f 100  106

Problem 2.8 Find α and Z0 of a distortionless line whose R  2 Ω/m and

G  2  10  4 S/m.
Solution: From the equations given in Problem 2.6,

α
RG  2  2  10  4 1 2

 2  10  2
(Np/m)

 1 2
L R 2
Z0    4

 100 Ω
C G 2 10 

Problem 2.9 A transmission line operating at 125 MHz has Z 0  40 Ω, α  0 02

(Np/m), and β  0 75 rad/m. Find the line parameters R , L , G , and C .
Solution: Given an arbitrary transmission line, f  125 MHz, Z 0  40 Ω,
α  0 02 Np/m, and β  0 75 rad/m. Since Z 0 is real and α  0, the line is
distortionless. From Problem 2.6, β  ω L C and Z0  L  C , therefore,

βZ0 0 75  40
L    38 2 nH/m
ω 2π  125  106
38 CHAPTER 2

Then, from Z0   L C ,

L 38 2 nH/m
C    23 9 pF/m
Z02 402

From α 
R G and R C  LG,

R L
R  RG  RG  αZ0  0 02 Np/m  40 Ω  0 6 Ω/m
G C
and

α2 0 02 Np/m  2
G    0 5 mS/m
R 0 8 Ω/m

Problem 2.10 Using a slotted line, the voltage on a lossless transmission line was
found to have a maximum magnitude of 1.5 V and a minimum magnitude of 0.6 V.
Find the magnitude of the load’s reflection coefficient.
Solution: From the definition of the Standing Wave Ratio given by Eq. (2.59),

V 1 5
S   2 5
max
V min 0 6

Solving for the magnitude of the reflection coefficient in terms of S, as in

Example 2-4,
S 1 2 5 1
Γ      0 43
S 1 2 5 1

Problem 2.11 Polyethylene with εr  2 25 is used as the insulating material in a

lossless coaxial line with characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. The radius of the inner
conductor is 1.2 mm.
(a) What is the radius of the outer conductor?
(b) What is the phase velocity of the line?
Solution: Given a lossless coaxial line, Z 0  50 Ω, εr  2 25, a  1 2 mm:


(a) From Table 2-2, Z0  60  εr  ln b  a  which can be rearranged to give

b  aeZ0 εr 60
 1 2 mm  e50 2 25 60


 4 2 mm
CHAPTER 2 39

(b) Also from Table 2-2,

c 3  108 m/s
   2 0  108 m/s
up

εr

2 25

Problem 2.12 A 50-Ω lossless transmission line is terminated in a load with

impedance ZL  30 j50  Ω. The wavelength is 8 cm. Find:

(a) the reflection coefficient at the load,
(b) the standing-wave ratio on the line,
(c) the position of the voltage maximum nearest the load,
(d) the position of the current maximum nearest the load.
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (2.49a),

ZL Z0 30 j50  50 
Γ      0 57e  j79 8
j50 


ZL Z0 30 50

(b) From Eq. (2.59),

1 Γ 1 0 57
S   3 65
1 Γ 1 0 57
 
(c) From Eq. (2.56)

θr λ nλ 79 8   8 cm π rad n  8 cm
lmax   
4π 2 4π 180  2
 0 89 cm 4 0 cm  3 11 cm

(d) A current maximum occurs at a voltage minimum, and from Eq. (2.58),

lmin  lmax λ  4  3 11 cm 8 cm  4  1 11 cm
 

Problem 2.13 On a 150-Ω lossless transmission line, the following observations

were noted: distance of first voltage minimum from the load  3 cm; distance of first
voltage maximum from the load  9 cm; S  3. Find Z L .
Solution: Distance between a minimum and an adjacent maximum  λ  4. Hence,
9 cm 3 cm  6 cm  λ  4


40 CHAPTER 2

or λ  24 cm. Accordingly, the first voltage minimum is at min  3 cm  λ

8.
Application of Eq. (2.57) with n  0 gives

2π λ
θr 2   π

 λ 8 
which gives θr  π  2.

S 1 3 1 2
Γ       0 5
S 1 3 1 4

Hence, Γ  0 5 e  jπ 2  j0 5.
Finally,  1 1 j0 5
ZL  Z0
1

Γ
Γ
  150
1

j0 5
  90

j120  Ω

Problem 2.14 Using a slotted line, the following results were obtained: distance of
first minimum from the load  4 cm; distance of second minimum from the load 
14 cm, voltage standing-wave ratio  1 5. If the line is lossless and Z 0  50 Ω, find
the load impedance.
Solution: Following Example 2.5: Given a lossless line with Z 0  50 Ω, S  1 5,
 
lmin 0  4 cm, lmin 1  14 cm. Then

λ
lmin 1  lmin 0  
2
or

λ 2 lmin 1  lmin 0    20 cm

and
2π 2π rad/cycle
β   10π rad/m
λ 20 cm/cycle
From this we obtain

θr  2βlmin  n  2n 1  π rad  2  10π rad/m  0 04 m π rad

 
 0 2π rad  36 0 
 
Also,
S 1 1 5 1
Γ      0 2
S 1 1 5 1

CHAPTER 2 41

So
 
1 Γ 1 0 2e  j36 0
 Z0
 50  67 0 j16 4  Ω


ZL
1 Γ 1 0 2e  j36 0 
 
 


Problem 2.15 A load with impedance Z L  25 j50  Ω is to be connected to a


lossless transmission line with characteristic impedance Z 0 , with Z0 chosen such that
the standing-wave ratio is the smallest possible. What should Z 0 be?
Solution: Since S is monotonic with Γ (i.e., a plot of S vs. Γ is always increasing),
the value of Z0 which gives the minimum possible S also gives the minimum possible
Γ , and, for that matter, the minimum possible Γ 2 . A necessary condition for a
minimum is that its derivative be equal to zero:
∂ ∂ RL jXL Z0 2
0 Γ2  
∂Z0 ∂Z0 RL jXL Z0 2

∂ RL Z0  2
XL2 4RL Z02 R2L XL2  
  2
 
∂Z0 RL Z0  XL2 RL Z0  2
XL2
2


Therefore, Z02  R2L XL2 or

Z0  ZL  252 50  2
 55 9 Ω

A mathematically precise solution will also demonstrate that this point is a
minimum (by calculating the second derivative, for example). Since the endpoints
of the range may be local minima or maxima without the derivative being zero there,
the endpoints (namely Z0  0 Ω and Z0  ∞ Ω) should be checked also.

Problem 2.16 A 50-Ω lossless line terminated in a purely resistive load has a
voltage standing wave ratio of 3. Find all possible values of Z L .
Solution:
S 1 3 1
Γ      0 5
S 1 3 1

For a purely resistive load, θr
 1 0 or π. For θr  0,
1 0 5
ZL  Z0
1

Γ
Γ
  50
1

0 5
  150 Ω
 
 π, Γ  0 5 and
For θr
 1 0 5
ZL  50
1

0 5
  15 Ω

42 CHAPTER 2

Section 2-6: Input Impedance

Problem 2.17 At an operating frequency of 300 MHz, a lossless 50-Ω air-spaced
transmission line 2.5 m in length is terminated with an impedance Z L  40 j20  Ω.
Find the input impedance.

Solution: Given a lossless transmission line, Z 0  50 Ω, f  300 MHz, l  2 5 m,
and ZL  40 j20  Ω. Since the line is air filled, up  c and therefore, from Eq.
(2.38),

ω 2π  300  106
β   2π rad/m
up 3  108

Since the line is lossless, Eq. (2.69) is valid:

 
ZL jZ0 tan βl 40 j20  j50 tan 2π rad/m  2 5 m 
Zin  Z0
 50

Z0 jZL tan βl 50 j 40 j20  tan 2π rad/m  2 5 m 


40 j20  j50  0
 50
 40 j20  Ω
50 j 40 j20  0

Problem 2.18 A lossless transmission line of electrical length l  0 35λ is

terminated in a load impedance as shown in Fig. 2-38 (P2.18). Find Γ, S, and Z in .

l = 0.35λ

Zin Z0 = 100 Ω ZL = (60 + j30) Ω

Figure P2.18: Loaded transmission line.

Solution: From Eq. (2.49a),

j30 
 0 307e j132 5
ZL Z0 60 100
Γ   
j30 


ZL Z0 60 100

From Eq. (2.59),

1 Γ 1 0 307
S   1 89
1 Γ 1 0 307
 
CHAPTER 2 43

From Eq. (2.63)


ZL jZ0 tan βl
Zin  Z0

Z0 jZL tan βl

60 j30  j100 tan  2π rad
λ 0 35λ 
 100  64 8 j38 3  Ω
100 j 60 j30  tan 
2π rad
λ 0 35λ 


Problem 2.19 Show that the input impedance of a quarter-wavelength long lossless
line terminated in a short circuit appears as an open circuit.
Solution: 
ZL jZ0 tan βl
Zin  Z0

Z0 jZL tan βl

For l  λ
4, βl  2π
λ  λ
4  π
2. With ZL  0, we have

jZ0 tan π  2
Zin  Z0
 j∞ (open circuit)
Z0

Problem 2.20 Show that at the position where the magnitude of the voltage on the
line is a maximum the input impedance is purely real.
Solution: From Eq. (2.56), lmax  θr 2nπ   2β, so from Eq. (2.61), using polar
representation for Γ,

1 Γ e jθr e  j2βlmax
Zin lmax  Z0
 1 Γ e jθr e  j2βlmax


1 Γ e jθr e  
j θr 2nπ  
1 Γ
 Z0
1

Γ e jθr e  
j θr 2nπ 
 Z0
1

Γ



 
which is real, provided Z0 is real.

Problem 2.21 A voltage generator with vg t   5 cos 2π  109 t  V and internal

impedance Zg  50 Ω is connected to a 50-Ω lossless air-spaced transmission
line. The line length is 5 cm and it is terminated in a load with impedance
ZL  100 j100  Ω. Find

(a) Γ at the load.
(b) Zin at the input to the transmission line.
(c) the input voltage Vi and input current I˜i .
44 CHAPTER 2

Solution:
(a) From Eq. (2.49a),
ZL Z0 100 j100  50 
Γ      0 62e  j29 7
j100 


ZL Z0 100 50

(b) All formulae for Zin require knowledge of β  ω  up . Since the line is an air line,
up  c, and from the expression for vg t  we conclude ω  2π  109 rad/s. Therefore

2π  109 rad/s 20π

β  rad/m
3  108 m/s 3
Then, using Eq. (2.63),

ZL jZ0 tan βl
Zin  Z0

Z0 jZL tan βl

100 j100  j50 tan  20π
rad/m  5 cm 
 50  3
50 j 100 j100  tan 20π
 3 rad/m  5 cm 


100 j100  j50 tan  π
rad 
 50  3
 12 5 j12 7  Ω
50 j 100 j100  tan  π
rad 

 3

An alternative solution to this part involves the solution to part (a) and Eq. (2.61).
(c) In phasor domain, Vg  5 V e j0  . From Eq. (2.64),

Vg Zin 5 12 5 j12 7  
Vi     1 40e  j34 0
(V)

12 5 j12 7 


Zg Zin 50

and also from Eq. (2.64),

1 4e  j34 0 
 78 4e j11 5
Vi
  (mA)


Ii
12 5 j12 7 


Zin


Problem 2.22 A 6-m section of 150-Ω lossless line is driven by a source with

vg t  5 cos 8π  107 t 30   (V)


and Zg  150 Ω. If the line, which has a relative permittivity ε r  2 25, is terminated
in a load ZL  150 j50  Ω
find
(a) λ on the line,

(b) the reflection coefficient at the load,
(c) the input impedance,
CHAPTER 2 45

(d) the input voltage Vi ,

(e) the time-domain input voltage vi t  .
Solution:

vg t  5 cos 8π  107 t 30   V


Vg  5e  j30
V

150 Ω I~
i Transmission line
Zg +
+ ~
IL
+
~
Vg
~
Vi Zin Z0 = 150 Ω
~
VL ZL (150-j50) Ω
-
- -
Generator l=6m Load
z = -l z=0

~
⇓
Ii
Zg +
+
~ ~ Zin
Vg Vi
-
-
Figure P2.22: Circuit for Problem 2.22.
(a)
c 3  108
   2  108 (m/s)

up

εr
2 25
up 2πup 2π  2  108
λ    5 m

f ω 8π  107
ω 8π  107
β   0 4π (rad/m)

up 2  108
βl  0 4π  6  2 4π (rad)
46 CHAPTER 2

Since this exceeds 2π (rad), we can subtract 2π, which leaves a remainder βl  0 4π
(rad).
ZL Z0 150 j50 150 j50
(b) Γ         0 16 e  j80 54 . 

ZL Z0 150 j50 150 300 j50

(c)  
 Z jZ tan βl
Zin  Z0 L
 0

 150
Z

0 jZ tan βl
j50 
L
j150 tan 0 4π 
 150
150

j 150

j50  tan 0 4π 
  115 70

j27 42  Ω

(d)

Vg Zin 5e  j30 115 7 j27 42 

Vi  
Zg Zin 150 115 7 j27 42

115 7 j27 42
 5e  j30

265 7 j27 42

 5e  j30
 0 44 e j7 44  2 2 e 
 j22 56

(V)

(e)

vi t 

 Vi e jωt


 2 2 e j22 56
e jωt
 2 2 cos 8π  107t 22 56   V



Problem 2.23 Two half-wave dipole antennas, each with impedance of 75 Ω, are
connected in parallel through a pair of transmission lines, and the combination is
connected to a feed transmission line, as shown in Fig. 2.39 (P2.23(a)). All lines are
50 Ω and lossless.
(a) Calculate Zin1 , the input impedance of the antenna-terminated line, at the
parallel juncture.
(b) Combine Zin1 and Zin2 in parallel to obtain ZL , the effective load impedance of
the feedline.
(c) Calculate Zin of the feedline.
Solution:
(a)
Z
Zin1  Z0
jZ0 tan βl1
L1
Z0 jZL1 tan βl1


75 j50 tan 2π  λ  0 2λ 

 50  35 20 j8 62  Ω
50 j75 tan 2π  λ  0 2λ 



CHAPTER 2 47

75 Ω
λ
0.2 (Antenna)

0.3λ
Zin1
Zin Zin2

0.2
λ
75 Ω
(Antenna)

Figure P2.23: (a) Circuit for Problem 2.23.

(b)
Zin1 Zin2 35 20 j8 62  2
ZL     17 60 j4 31  Ω
Zin1 Zin2 2 35 20 j8 62  

(c)

l = 0.3 λ

Zin ZL'

Figure P2.23: (b) Equivalent circuit.


17 60 j4 31  j50 tan 2π  λ  0 3λ 

Zin  50   107 57 j56 7  Ω
50 j 17 60 j4 31  tan 2π  λ  0 3λ