Tutorial 3: Fundamentals of Electrostatics

Q1. Neglecting the fringing fields, prove analytically that for a y-polarised TEM wave prop-
agating in the +z-direction along a parallel-plate transmission line the electric and
magnetic field intensities satisfy the conditions
∂Ey ∂Hx
= 0, =0
∂x ∂y

Q2. The electric and magnetic fields of a general TEM wave travelling in the +z-direction
along a transmission line may have both x- and y-components which may be functions
of the transverse dimensions.

(a) Determine the relations among Ex (x, y), Ey (x, y), Hx (x, y) and Hy (x, y)

(b) Verify that all four field components satisfy the two-dimensional Laplace’s equation for
static fields.

Q3. Consider lossless stripline designs for a given characteristic impedance.

(a) How should the dielectric thickness h be changed for a given plate width W if the
dielectric constant ǫr is doubled?

(b) How should W be changed for a given h if ǫr is doubled?

(c) How should W be changed for a given ǫr if h is doubled?

(d) Will the velocity of propagation remain the same as that of the original line after the
changes specified in parts (a), (b) and (c)? Explain

Q4. Consider a transmission line made of two parallel brass strips of conductivity σ c =
1, 6 × 107 Sm−1 and width 20 mm separated by a lossy dielectric slab with constitutive
parameters µ = µ0 , ǫr = 3, σ = 10−3 Sm−1 and 2, 5 mm thick. If the operating
frequency is 500 M Hz,

(a) Calculate R′ , L′ , C ′ and G′ for this line

(b) Compare the magnitudes of the axial and transverse components of the electric field

(c) Determine γ and Z0 for this line

Q5. Show that for a TEM transmission line,

V+ V− R′ + jωL′
= − =
I+ I− γ
where the quantities carry their usual meaning.

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Q6. Show that the attenuation and phase constants for a transmission line with perfect
conductors separated by a lossy dielectric with a complex permittivity ǫ = ǫ′ − jǫ′′ are
given by

 1/2
′
 ′′ 2
µǫ  ǫ
α=ω 1+ − 1
2 ǫ

and  1/2

 2
µǫ′  1+ ǫ′′
β=ω + 1
2 ǫ

Q7. In the derivation of the approximate formulae of γ and Z0 for low-loss lines, all terms
containing second and higher powers of R′ /ωL′ and G′ /ωC ′ are ignored in comparison
to unity. At lower frequencies this may not be valid and better approximations will be
required. Determine new formulae for γ and Z0 for low-loss lines that retain the terms
(R′ /ωL′ )2 and (G′ /ωC ′ )2 , hence obtain the corresponding expressions for the phase
velocity.

Q8. Obtain the approximate expressions for γ and Z0 for a lossy transmission line operated
at very low frequencies such that ωL′ << R′ and ωC ′ << G′ .

Q9. Measurements on a lossy transmission line at 100 MHz yielded the following charac-
teristics
Z0 = 50 + j0 Ω, α = 0, 01 dBm−1 , β = 0, 8π rad/m
Determine R′ , L′ , G′ and C ′ for the line.

Q10. It is desired to construct uniform transmission line using polystyrene of relative per-
mittivity ǫr = 2, 25 as the dielectric medium. Assuming negligible losses,

(a) Determine the distance of the separation for a 300 Ω two-wire line using conductors of
radius 0, 6 mm

(b) Determine the radius of the outer conductor for a 75 Ω coaxial line with a centre
conductor of radius 0, 6 mm.

Q11. Prove that maximum power is transferred from a voltage source with an internal
impedance Zg to a load ZL over a lossless transmission line when Zi = Zg∗ where Zi
is the input impedance looking into the loaded line. What is the maximum power
transfer efficiency?

Q12. Express the line voltage and current V (z) and I (z) resp. on a line in terms of the
input voltage and current Vi and Ii resp. at the input end of a line with parameters γ
and Z0

(a) In exponential form

(b) Hyperbolic form

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Q13. Consider a section of a uniform transmission line of length l, characteristic impedance
Z0 and propagation constant γ between terminal pairs 1-1′ and 2-2′ shown in Fig.
Q13(a). Let (V1, I1 ) and (V2 , I2 ) be the phasor voltages and currents at the terminals
1-1′ and 2-2′ resp.
(a) Use
V (z ′ ) = IL {ZL cosh γz ′ + Z0 sinh γz ′ }
and
IL
I (z ′ ) = {Z0 cosh γz ′ + ZL sinh γz ′ }
Z0
where z ′ is the location on the line from the load toward the generator to write the
equations relating (V1, I1 ) and (V2 , I2 ) in the form
V1 A B V2
=
I1 C D I2
Determine A, B, C and D and note the following relations
A=D
and
AD − BC = 1

I1 I2
1 2
+ +
V1 γ, Z0 V2
I1 I2 -
- 2’
1’
l
Fig. Q13(a)

(b) Because of the relations in (a), the line section can be replaced by an equivalent two-port
symmetrical T-network shown in Fig. Q13(b). Prove that
2 γl
Z1 = (A − 1) = 2Z0 tanh
C 2
and
sinh γl
Y2 = C =
Z0

Z1/2 Z1/2
I1 I2
1 2

+ +
V1 Y2 V2
- -
I1 I2
1’ 2’
Fig. Q13(b)

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Q14. A DC generator of open-circuit voltage Vg and internal resistance Rg is connected to a
lossy transmission line characterised by a resistance per unit length R′ and conductance
per unit length G′ .

(a) Write the governing voltage and current transmission line equations

(b) Determine the general solution for the line voltage and current

(c) Specialise the solutions in (b) to those for an infinite line

(d) Specialise the solutions in (b) to those of a finite length line of length l terminated in a
load resistance RL

Q15. A generator with an open-circuit voltage vg (t) = 10 sin 8000πt V and internal im-
pedance Zg = 40 + j30 Ω is connected to a 50 m, 50 Ω distortionless line terminated in
a matched load. The line has a resistance of 0, 5 Ωm−1 and its lossy dielectric medium
has a loss tangent of 0, 18%. Determine

(a) The instantaneous expressions for the line voltage and current at an arbitrary location
on the line

(b) The instantaneous expressions for the voltage and current at the load

(c) The average power transmitted to the load

Q16. The input impedance of an open-circuited lossy transmission line has both a resistive
and reactive component. Prove that the input impedance of a very short section of
length l of a slightly lossy line (αl << 1 and βl << 1) is approximately

(a)
Zi = (R′ + jωL′ ) l
for a short-circuit termination and

(b)
G′ − jωC ′
Zi = l
G′2 + (ωC ′ )2
for an open-circuit termination

Q17. Determine the input impedance of a low-loss quarter-wavelength line with αλ << 1

(a) Terminated in a short circuit

(b) Terminated in an open-circuit

Q18. A 2 m, 50 Ω lossless air transmission line is terminated in a 40+j30 Ω load impedance

at an operating frequency of 200 M Hz. Determine the input impedance looking into
the line toward the termination.

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Q19. The open- and short-circuit impedances measured at the input of an air-spaced trans-
mission line 4 m long are 250 − 50◦ Ω and 360 20◦ Ω resp.

(a) Determine Z0 , α, β of the line

(b) Determine R′ , L′ , G′ and C ′

Q20. Measurements on a 0, 6 m lossless coaxial cable at 100 kHz show a capacitance of

54 pF when the cable is open-circuited and an inductance of 0, 30 µH when short-
circuited.

(a) Determine Z0 and the dielectric constant of the insulating medium

(b) Calculate the short- and open-circuit reactances at an operating frequency of 10 M Hz

Q21. Starting from the expression for the input impedance of an open-circuited lossy trans-
mission line, determine the expressions for the half-power bandwidth and Q of a low-loss
line of length l = nλ/2, n an integer.

Q22. A lossless quarter-wave line section of characteristic impedance R0 is terminated in

an inductive impedance ZL = RL + jXL .

(a) Prove that the input impedance is effectively a resistance Ri in parallel with a capacitive
reactance Xi , hence determine Ri and Xi in terms of R0 , RL and XL

(b) Find the ratio of the magnitude of the voltage at the input to that at the load in terms
of R0 and ZL . This is called the voltage transformation ratio

Q23. A 75 Ω lossless line is terminated in a load impedance ZL = RL + jXL .

(a) What must be the relation between RL and XL in order that the standing-wave ratio
on the line be 3?

(b) Find XL if RL = 150 Ω

(c) Where does the voltage minimum nearest to the load occur on the line for the impedance
in (b)?

Q24. Consider a lossless transmission line.

(a) Determine the line’s characteristic resistance so that it will have a minimum possible
standing-wave ratio for a load impedance of 40 + j30 Ω

(b) Find this minimum standing-wave ratio and the corresponding voltage reflection coef-
ficient

(c) Find the location of the voltage minimum nearest the load

Q25. A lossy transmission line with a characteristic impedance Z0 is terminated in an

arbitrary load impedance ZL .

(a) Express the standing-wave ratio S on the line in terms of Z0 and ZL

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(b) Find in terms of S and Z0 , the impedance looking toward the load at the location of a
voltage maximum

(c) Find the impedance looking toward the load at a location of a voltage minimum

Q26. A transmission line of characteristic impedance Z01 = 50 Ω is to be matched to a 40 +

j10 Ω load through a length l′ of another transmission line of a resistive characteristic
impedance Z02 . Find the required length l′ and Z02 that will accomplish matching.

Q27. The standing-wave ratio on a lossless 300 Ω transmission line terminated in an un-
known load ZL , is 2, 0 and the nearest voltage minimum is at 0, 3λ from the load.
Determine

(a) The reflection coefficient ΓL of the load

(b) ZL

(c) The equivalent length and terminating resistance of a line such that the input impedance
is equal to ZL

Q28. Using
Rm + jZ0 tan βlm
Ri + jXi = Z0
Z0 + jRm tan βlm
determine the formulae for finding the length lm and the terminating resistance Rm of
a lossless line having a characteristic impedance Z0 such that the input impedance is
Zi = Ri + jXi

Q29. Obtain an analytical expression for the load impedance ZL connected to a line of
′
characteristic impedance Z0 in terms of the standing-wave ratio S and distance zm /λ
of the voltage minimum closest to the load.

Q30. A sinusoidal voltage generator with open-circuit voltage Vg = 0, 1 0◦ V and internal

impedance Rg = 50 Ω is connected to a load RL = 25 Ω through a 50 Ω lossless
transmission line of length l.

(a) Find Vi , Ii VL and IL

(b) The standing-wave ratio on the line

(c) The average power delivered to the load

Compare the results in (c) with the case where RL = 50 Ω

Q31. Consider a lossless transmission line of characteristic impedance R0 . A time-harmonic

voltage source of amplitude Vg and internal impedance Rg = R0 is connected to the
input terminals of the line which is then terminated in a load ZL = RL + jXL . Let
Pi be the average power incident on the line associated with the wave travelling in the
+z-direction.

(a) Find the expression for Pi in terms of Vg and R0

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(b) Find the expression for the average power PL delivered to the load in terms of Vg and
the reflection coefficient Γ

(c) Express the ratio PL /Pi in terms of the standing-wave ratio S

(d) For Vg = 100 V , Rg = R0 = 50 Ω, ZL = 50 − j25 Ω, determine Pi , Γ, S, PL , |VL | and

|IL |

Q32. A sinusoidal voltage generator of open-circuit voltage vg (t) = 110 sin ωt V and internal
impedance Zg = 50 Ω is connected to a reactive load ZL = j50 Ω through a 50 Ω lossless
quarter-wavelength line section.

(a) Obtain the voltage and current phasor expressions V (z) and I (z)

(b) Write the instantaneous voltage and current expressions v (z, t) and i (z, t)

(c) Obtain the instantaneous power and average power delivered to the load

Q33. A DC voltage V0 is applied at t = 0 directly to the input terminals of an open-circuited

lossless transmission line of length l as shown in Fig. Q33. Sketch the voltage and
current waves on the line for the following intervals

(a) 0 < t < T

(b) T < t < 2T

(c) 2T < t < 3T

(d) 3T < t < 4T

where
l
T =
v
is the one-way transit time of the line and v is the phase velocity on the line. What
happens after t = 4T ?

V0 γ, Ζ0

z=0 z=l
Fig. Q33

Q34. A 100 V DC voltage is applied at t = 0 to the input terminals of a 50 Ω lossless coaxial

cable having an insulation of dielectric constant 2, 25 through an internal resistance
Rg = 50 Ω. The cable is 200 m long and is connected to a two-wire lossless air line
of characteristic impedance 200 Ω and length 400 m terminated in its characteristic
impedance.

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(a) Describe the transient behaviour of the system and find the amplitudes of all the reflected
and transmitted voltage and current waves

(b) Sketch the voltage and current as functions of t at the midpoint of the coaxial cable

(c) Repeat (b) at the midpoint of the two-wire line.

Q35. A DC voltage V0 is applied at t = 0 to the input terminals of an open-circuited air-

dielectric line of length l through a series resistance equal to half the characteristic
impedance of the line.

(a) Draw the voltage and current reflection diagrams

(b) Sketch V (0, t) and I (0, t)

(c) Sketch V (l/2, t) and I (l/2, t)

Q36. A DC voltage V0 is applied at t = 0 directly to the input terminals of a lossless air-

dielectric transmission line of characteristic impedance R0 and length l terminated in
a load resistance RL = 2R0

(a) Draw the voltage and current bounce diagrams

(b) Sketch V (l, t) and I (l, t)

(c) Sketch V (z, 2, 5T ) and I (z, 2, 5T ) where T = l/v

Q37. A lossless air-dielectric open-circuited transmission line of characteristic impedance

R0 and length l is initially charged to a voltage V0 . At t = 0, the line is connected to
a resistance R as shown in Fig. Q37. Determine VR (t) and IR (t) for 0 < t < 5l/c

(a) If R = 2R0

(b) If R = R0 /2

+ +
R0 V0 R VR
- -

z=0 z=l
Fig. Q37

Q38. A 900 m long section of a 50 Ω lossless line is terminated in a 10 Ω resistor in series

with a 48 µH inductor. If the line is excited with a 100 V DC source of source resistance
Rg = 50 Ω, then assuming that the phase velocity on the line is c,

(a) Determine the expressions for the current in and the voltage across the loads as functions
of time

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(b) Sketch the current and voltage distributions along the transmission line at t = 4 µs

Q39. A 900 m long section of a 50 Ω lossless line is terminated in a 1000 Ω resistor in

parallel with a 14 nF capacitor. If the line is excited with a 100 V DC source of source
resistance Rg = 50 Ω, then assuming that the phase velocity on the line is c,

(a) Determine the expressions for the current in and the voltage across the loads as functions
of time

(b) Sketch the current and voltage distributions along the transmission line at t = 4 µs

Q40. The Smith chart, constructed on the basis of

 2  2
r 2 1
Γr − + Γi =
1+r 1+r

and  2  2
2 1 1
(Γr − 1) + Γi − =
x x
where Γr and Γi are the real and imaginary parts of the load reflection coefficient and
r +jx is the load impedance normalised to the characteristic impedance Z0 of a lossless
line, is restricted to a unit circle because |Γ| ≤ 1. In the case of a lossy line, Z0 is a
complex quantity and so is the normalised load in general.

(a) Show that the phase angle θL of the normalised load lies between ±3π/4

(b) Show that |Γ| may be greater than unity

(c) Prove that |Γ|max = 2, 414

Q41. The characteristic impedance of a given lossless transmission line is 75 Ω. Use a Smith
chart to find the input impedance at 200 M Hz of such a line that is

(a) 1 m long and open-circuited

(b) 0, 8 m long and short-circuited

(c) Determine the corresponding input admittances for the lines in (a) and (b)

Q42. A 30 + j10 Ω load is connected to a 50 Ω lossless transmission line of length 0, 101λ.

Use the Smith chart to find

(a) The standing-wave ratio

(b) The voltage reflection coefficient

(c) The input impedance

(d) The input admittance

(e) The location of the voltage minimum on the line

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Q43. A 30 − j10 Ω load is connected to a 50 Ω lossless transmission line of length 0, 101λ.
Use the Smith chart to find

(a) The standing-wave ratio

(b) The voltage reflection coefficient

(c) The input impedance

(d) The input admittance

(e) The location of the voltage minimum on the line

Q44. In a laboratory experiment conducted on a 50 Ω lossless line terminated in an unknown

load impedance, it is found that the standing-wave ratio is 2, 0. The successive voltage
minima are 250 mm apart with the first minimum occurring at 50 mm from the load.
Find

(a) The value of the load impedance

(b) The reflection coefficient of the load

(c) Where would the first voltage minimum be located if this load were replaced by a short-
circuit?

Q45. The input impedance looking into a short-circuited lossy transmission line of length
1, 5 m < λ/2 and characteristic impedance of 100 Ω, approximately real, is 40−j280 Ω.

(a) Find α and β of the line

(b) Determine the input impedance if the short-circuit is replaced by a 50 + j50 Ω load

(c) Find the input impedance of the short-circuited line section of length 0, 15λ

Q46. A dipole antenna having an input impedance of 73 Ω is fed by a 200 MHz source
through a 300 Ω two-wire transmission line. Design a quarter-wave two-wire air line
with a 2 cm wire separation to match the antenna to the 300 Ω line.

Q47. The single-stub method is used to match a 25 + j25 Ω load to a 50 Ω line.

(a) Find the required length and position of a short-circuited stub made of a section of the
same 50 Ω line

(b) Repeat (a) assuming that the short-circuited stub is made of a section of a 75 Ω line

Q48. A load impedance can be matched ti a transmission line by using a single stub placed
in series with the load at an appropriate location as shown in Fig. Q48. Assuming
that ZL = 25 + j25 Ω, R0 = 50 Ω and R0′ = 35 Ω, find d and l required for matching.

10
 l R’0

d
R0 ZL

Fig. Q48

Q49. The double-stub method is used to a 100 + j100 Ω load to a lossless transmission line
of characteristic impedance 300 Ω. The spacing between the stubs is 3λ/8 with one
stub connected in parallel with the load directly. Determine the lengths of the stub
tuners

(a) If they are both short-circuited

(b) If they are both open-circuited

Q50. If the load in Q49 is changed to 100 + j50 Ω, one discovers that a perfect match using
the double-stub method with d0 = 3λ/8 and one stub connected directly across the
load is not possible. However, the modified arrangement of Fig. Q50 can be used to
match this load to the line.
B d0 A dL

ysA
yi ysB
R0 ZL
R0 R0

B’ A’
lB lA

Fig. Q50

(a) Find the minimum required additional length dL of line

(b) Find the required lengths of the short-circuited stub tuners using the minimum length
dL found in (a)

Q51. The double-stub method shown in Fig. Q51 cannot be used to match certain loads
to a line with a given characteristic impedance. Determine the regions of the load
admittances on the Smith admittance chart for which the double-stub arrangement
will not lead to a match for

(a) d0 = λ/16

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(b) d0 = λ/4

(c) d0 = 3λ/8

(d) d0 = 7λ/16
B d0 A

yB yA ysA
yi ysB
R0
ZL

B’ A’
lB lA

Fig. Q51

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