DX University: Smith Charts

2010 August 9

Sponsored by the

Kai Siwiak, [email protected]

Ed Callaway, [email protected]
 2010 Aug 9
Source: http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/smithchart.pdf
Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 2
 2010http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/smithchart.pdf
Source:
Source:
Aug 9
http://rfic.ucsd.edu/files/smith_chart.pdf Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 3
 Contents
• Smith Chart is a graphical aid for impedance
matching using series/parallel Inductors,
Capacitors and Transmission Lines
– The Smith Chart was developed by Phillip H. Smith
during the 1930s
– Others, including Wheeler, developed similar charts
• Smith Chart based on Reflection Coefficient
• Impedance (0 ≤ R ≤ +∞ and −∞ ≤ X ≤ +∞),
admittance, VSWR, voltage reflection coefficient
(Γ), all are in “the chart”
• Live examples
• Some observations
"Smith" was a registered trademark of Analog Instruments Company, cancelled May 22, 2010

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 4

 What is VSWR?
Source: www.fourier-series.com F&Rwaves

VPEAK Slotted lines were used

VSWR = in days of auld to
VMIN
measure Vpeak and Vmin

50Ω

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 5

What is Voltage Refection Coefficient Γ?
“Watt meter” is really a
Directional Volt Meter with
linear Γ scale
0.5
scale reading V2/50 [watts]

In the “SWR” mode …

Add a linear scale marked:
“0 to 1.0”
so ‘half scale’ = ‘half of max V’

Now instead of reading

SWR from 1 to ∞, just read
the reflection coefficient
Γ from 0 to 1 on linear scale!

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 6

 VSWR on the Smith Chart
On chart normalized to “1 ohm”,
the X=0 resistance scale = VSWR
but |Γ| is linear from center to edge

VSWR=1:1 VSWR=3:1 VSWR=∞

(Γ=0) (Γ=0.5) (Γ=1)

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 7

 There are 3 “Circle Charts” for
representing the same point
• Reflection Coefficient grid, Γ for TL
– Radius from center equals reflection
coefficient magnitude and angle
• Impedance grid, Z=R+jX for series LC
– Circles of constant resistance R
– Circle segments of constant reactance X
• Admittance grid, Y=G+jB for parallel LC
– Circles of constant conductance G
– Circle segments of constant susceptance B

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 8

 Constructing a Smith Chart:
transmission line on the Γ grid
clockwise:
increasing
TL length • T.L. maintains
constant |Γ| (and
R2,X2
constant VSWR)
R1,X1
Γ • Impedance is
SC R0 OC transformed

• Full circle = half a

wavelength
sc2 page2
sc3 page 1
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 9
 Example: Match an OCF Dipole
Using a Transmission Line
Half wavelength dipole

1,800 Ω feed
λ/4 parallel line Z0 = 300Ω

point resistance Normalize chart to

the 300 Ω line
impedance

Impedance swings
(transforms)
Γ clockwise along a
R0 = 300Ω constant radius
(same VSWR,
same Γ)
λ/4
Z0 = 50Ω sc2 page 1

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 10

 Constructing a Smith Chart:
constant resistance circles

Z = (constant R) + jX
clockwise:
increasing series
inductances or
series
capacitance
Z = R0+ jX

R axis
Short circuit R R0 Open circuit
R=0
R=∞
sc1 p2

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 11

 Constructing a Smith Chart
constant reactance segments

Inductive Z = R+ j(constant X)
resistance
increases to the
right Every possible passive
impedance can be
represented on the Chart

Short circuit
R axis
R=0 R=∞ Open circuit
R0
ADVANCED TOPICS: active
impedances (amplifiers) are
sc1 p2 represented outside the Chart,
Γ>1 and negative R
2010 Aug 9 Capacitive Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 12
Admittance Y Chart is Mirror Image
of Impedance Z Chart
constant R, constant X constant G, constant B

clockwise: clockwise:
increasing series increasing parallel
inductances or inductances or
series capacitance parallel capacitance

sc1 p2 sc1 p2A

Series resistance and reactance Parallel conductance and susceptance

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 13
 Always Clockwise Movement
• Increasing TL length moves impedance point
clockwise
– Along a constant radius

• Increasing series L(inductance) C(capacitance)

– Moves impedance point clockwise
– Along circles of constant resistance R

• Increasing parallel L(inductance) C(capacitance)

– Moves impedance point clockwise
– Along circles of constant conductance G

FHIGH
• Impedance vs. Frequency
– Frequency (Hz) increases clockwise
FLOW

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 14

 Matching using L, C, TL, with the
aid of a Smith Chart
series L,C move along the Inductive
constant resistance circles,
and

parallel L,C move along the

constant conductance circles,
and SC OC

transmission lines move

along a constant radius,

goal: move clockwise along

the circles to reach the center Capacitive
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 15
Antenna
impedances
are matched
by tuner one Match this
frequency at antenna
a time impedance
AH-4 component range:
0 to 19 µH, 9 inductors
Radio Antenna

6 pF;
6kV With this
network
0–2,400 pF 0, 13 or
by 9.375 pF; 100 pF; 6kV
6 kV 0–75 pF,
3 kV to 590 pF, 1,048,576 Generated by 4nec2
2 kV higher values combinations http://home.ict.nl/~arivoors/
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 16
 Choose a Network Topology
Which way?
Parallel capacitor on load side
or input side?

ZL
ZIN ZL Load impedances in the
shaded region can be matched
with the network topology
ZL
shown on the left
ADVANCED TOPICS: the
range of L and C determines
how much of shaded area can
ZIN ZL be matched.
After: V.Iyer, QuickSmith analysis software,
http://www.nathaniyer.com/qsdw.htm

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 17

Tuner uses 2 parallel reactance moves
variable along Admittance Chart along
elements to G=0.2/50
match within constant conductance circle
VSWR<1.5
Goal circle

Radio Antenna

ZIN ZL

add parallel
capacitance
to intersect
R=50 circle
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 18
Tuner uses 2 Series reactance moves
variable along Impedance Chart
elements to R=50 ohm
match within constant resistance circle
VSWR<1.5
Goal circle

Radio Antenna

ZIN ZL
Add series
inductance for
final match
ADVANCED TOPICS: this
answer is not unique! Other
solutions are be possible.

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 19

 Component Values at f=21MHz
• Starting at 1/ZL=1/(200-j100) =
Y=(0.2+j0.1)/50
ZIN
ZL
• Parallel capacitor to get to
Y=(0.2+j0.4)/50
• C=(0.4–0.1)/(50×2πf)= 45 pf
758 nH
• Z=1/Y =(1–j2)50 = (50–j100)
ZIN ZL
• Series L=100/2πf = 758 nH
45 pF
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 20
 Matching over a Bandwidth

• Impedance vs. frequency trace moves in a

clockwise direction
• An ideal match at mid frequency is not the
same as a band – optimized match

ADVANCED TOPICS:
Optimization can be done over
a bandwidth; different criteria
yield different results
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 21
 Mid-band Single-tuning Matching

• Midband match –
FHIGH
FHIGH and FLOW are
outside the white
FMI VSWR goal circle
D
• Mid band is
R0
perfectly matched,
but band edges
are out of spec
FLO
ADVANCED TOPICS: answer
W
not unique: match can be
optimized for best mid band
match or best bandwidth
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 22
Optimum BW Single-tuning Matching

• Midband match –
FHIGH
FHIGH and FLOW are
outside the VSWR
FMI goal circle
D
• Wheeler Band
R0
Edge minimum
VSWR tuning –
FHIGH and FLOW on
vertical axis, has
FLO best BW
W

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 23

Resources: http://www.fourier-series.com
• Reflection.swf
– Reflection and transmission coefficient
• smithchart1.swf
– Mapping resistance and reactance
• smithchart2.swf
– Adding a transmission line
• smithchart_L_C_match.swf
– Parallel and Series equivalent
– Match Circuit with 2 lumped elements
• smithchart3.swf
– Transmission line, and matching stub
• smithchart4.swf
– T.L. and a series/parallel element
– Relation to circuit element
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 24
More Resources:
• QuickSmith, by V. Iyer, Smith Chart based linear circuit
simulation software program for Microsoft Windows
– http://www.nathaniyer.com/qsdw.htm

• "How does a Smith Chart Work?" Rick Nelson, Test and

Measurement World, July 2001
– http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/smith_chart_basics.pdf

• Images of a Smith Charts:

– Impedance: http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/smithchart.pdf
– Immittance: http://rfic.ucsd.edu/files/smith_chart.pdf

• "ARRL Radio Designer and the Circles Utility Part 1:

Smith Chart Basics", W. E. Sabin, WØIYH: QEX,
Sept/Oct 1998, pp.3-9
– http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/arrl_circles.pdf
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 25
 Summary
• Smith Chart – a graphical tool for matching
• Combinations of transmission lines,
series/parallel inductors/capacitors are used
• Examples illustrate some matching uses of the
Smith Chart
• Best match over a bandwidth and perfect match
at one frequency are not the same!
• See ‘Resources’ for additional information
• Advanced topics: –R = amplifier, outside chart;
optimization vs. frequency; range of matching
components; using TL stubs

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 26

 Extra Slides

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 27

 VSWR is an Obsolete Holdover from
the days of slotted line measurements

VPEAK VFORWARD + VREFLECTED

VSWR = =
VMIN VFORWARD − VREFLECTED

VREFLECTED
Γ= We actually measure and
use reflection coefficient Γ
VFORWARD

2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 28

 Impedance Z, Admittance Y and
Reflection Coefficient Γ are Related
• Each point can be expressed in Z − Z 0 Y0 − Y
Γ= =
three ways: Z, Y, and Γ Z + Z 0 Y0 + Y
1
• All impedances and admittances Z=
fall inside Γ=1 circle Y

• VSWR relates to the magnitude of VSWR − 1

Γ=
reflection coefficient |Γ| VSWR + 1

• Reactances (susceptances) C= 1
convert to inductors and capacitors 2π f X CAP
L = 2π f X IND
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 29
 Constructing a Smith Chart:
the reflection coefficient grid
Γ= reflection coefficient
Inductive
= radius
Γ=1
Load

R,X
Open
circuit R0 is any
R0 Γ
convenient
Short value
circuit Γ=0 along T.L.
away from
the load

2010 Aug 9
CapacitiveKai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 30
Impedances and un-tunable range
• A coupler matches any impedance, except
90
120 60

for a crescent shaped region, in the left

extreme of the Smith chart 150 30
• As you operate lower in frequency, this un-
tunable crescent becomes larger; and an
un-tunable region at the outer radius of the 180
3:1
0
Smith chart begins to grow

210 330
AH-4 component range:
0 to 19 µH
240 300
Radio Antenna 270
Smith Chart

6 pF
For the AH-4 parts range:
0–2,400 pF
Not tunable below 7.0 MHz
Not tunable below 4.0 MHz
0, 13 or 100 pF Not tunable below 1.8 MHz
2010 Aug 9 Kai, KE4PT; Ed, N4II 31