Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

This activity is done to Standing wave ratio (SWR) measurements and for launching the recognized features of transmission lines. The main part of activity consists of calculating the highest and the lowest values of current which is being transmitted within the transmission line. Additionally it requires the steps of spotting the tips on the line to determine the space between nodes and anti-nodes which is required gain the wavelength of the signal and estimate the velocity of propagation. As of this activity, we were also proficient to work out the characteristic impedance by drawing SWR against Resistance chart once the value of SWR was obtained which was (maximum current over minimum current ratio). At last it was supposed to evaluate the variations in characteristic impedance values independently during what gained from our research and comparison was done with the conceptual and mathematical values.

Theory Introduction:
The transmission line can be explained by considering it similar to a arrangement of conductors so as to transport wave signals or energy from one node to another one via a line circuit. Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) is a computation of highest voltage or current to its minimum on a transmission line and this determines the excellence of the pause of the line. Additionally, a standing wave ratio of 1:1 explains an ideal characteristic impedance equivalent condition. On the other hand, the lowest value of current in the transmission lines is identified as Nodes and the two contradictory phases of waves append each other to cancel out. But the highest value of current in these lines is identified as anti-nodes and the two waves in the same phases append up to support each other.

Procedure: We utilized the given tools for this activity as explained:

1. HP 8654A Signal Generator 2. EIN Model 310 RF Power Amplifier

Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

3. Wire Air Dielectric Transmission Line 4. Travelling Detector and Ammeter 5. Vernier Calliper 6. Meter Rule

What we exactly did was as the following: As of our initial step, we calculated the length of the transmission with the help of the

meter rule. We recorded the dimensions from where we saw the transmission line matching network in particular (Generator input point) to the (short circuit point) where we saw a piece of metal plate linking the two wires. We traced the length which came to be 747cm long. As of 2nd step, we calculated the two weirs diameter and measured the center to center separation length between the two wires utilizing the Vernier Calliper. We recoded the diameter was d = 1mm and the separation length was D = 39mm. After that we laid the value as ON the HP 8654A Signal Generator, put the frequency to 150 MHz and set the power out to 0 dBm. Just after that we twisted the EIN Model 310 RF Power Amplifier ON and recorded the output level which was 13.6 voltages, 15 Ohms resistance, therefore 12.33 Watts equals 40.9 dBm. While employing the two wires of transmission lines, a travelling detector was utilized on the 2 wires at the same time to detect and examine the highest and the lowest values of the ammeter which was associated to it. The readings were noted down constantly for the highest and the lowest value of current transmitted via the line. Additionally the locations were also pointed to compute the space between two nodes or two anti-nodes in several scenarios of the line circuit. After that we find the half wavelength of the signal which equals the distance of two nodes or

two anti-nodes and measure the velocity of propagation which equals VP = f x . We performed this activity by utilizing all 4 various circuits of transmission line which were as: an open circuit, closed circuit, with an inductance of (Z = 400+j40 ohms) and with a resistance of (850 Ohms). As a last step, we utilized all 4 various circuit currents minutes to compute the Standing Wave Ratio for the line as per the given rule: SWR = Imaximum/ Iminimum.

Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

Results: We have a record of observed outputs of the highest and the lowest values of current passing through the transmission line those we noted down while doing the activity, and we also noted down the remoteness from the input end where is near generator to all nodes and anti-nodes ends.

1. An open circuit Distance (cm) 0 23 72 120 163 214 264 315 2. A shorted line circuit Distance (cm) 0 60 125 158 210 258 313 154 Distance (cm) 0 38 91 142 192

Current (A) 6 0 14 0 12 0 12 0 Current (A) 12 0 12 0 12 0 12 0 Current (A) 7 0 7 0 7

3. A circuit with an impedance of (Z = 400+j40 Ohms)

Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

241
4. A circuit with a resistance of (850 Ohms)

Distance (cm) 0 42 97 140 194 241

Current (A) 8 1 8 1 8 1

Discussion: To get the value of wavelength , I first got the average distance between: two nodes = (101+94+97) / 3 = 97.333 cm two anti-nodes = (101+91+72) / 3 = 88 cm then get the average of the averages to minimize errors = (97.333+88) / 2 = 92.6665 cm That will equal to a half wavelength, therefore = 2 x 92.6665cm = 185.333 cm and as known that the frequency f = 150MHz Now we could easily calculate the velocity of propagation:

VP = f x = 150MHz x 185.333cm = 278x106 m/s

Calculating the standing wave ratio SWR = Imaximum/ Iminimum As of the above explanations, the initial two scenarios above an open circuit and shorted line circuit have no load linked at the end of their line. As a result, the Standing Wave Ratio in these both scenarios is infinite and yet provides an increased currents as well as voltages at different points on the line. However, SWR from the last timetable results where we used a resistance of 850 Ohms would be as the following: SWR = Imaximum/ Iminimum = 8 / 1 = 8 As the value of the characteristic impedance of the transmission lines is concerned, the current signal is reproduced in an open circuit to change its phase by 180 degrees, and leads the value of overall current as 0 amp. In addition to it, the impedance of the transmission line will always be

Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

infinite in an open circuit which formulates the characteristic impedance to be zero and its reflection coefficient will be +1. However, for the shorted line circuit the voltage signal would be reflected by 180 degrees although the current will not have any reflected phase shift. In the short circuit scenario, the impedance of transmission line will always be zero and its reflection coefficient will equal to -1. As time is also considered, if we would have mixed the last two scenarios where we utilized the loaded impedance and resistance independently, we could have coupled both of them in one circuit and would estimate the characteristic impedance from the formula Z0 = ( RL x ZL) . Z0 = (850 x (400+j40)) = 583.095 Ohms

Additionally, we could utilize the smith chart to achieve the exact association between resistance and the SWR. As per Rick Nelsons comments, there is an association between G and SWR in the smith chart and what first motivated Smith in discovering his chart were some calculations concerned the Standing Wave Ratio.

On the other hand, utilizing the given characteristic impedance formula Z0 =

We could compute the impedance and evaluate it with the one we got in our research beforehand. It is known that D is the center to center separation length that we calculated to be D = 39mm, radius of the wires is half the diameter that we obtained 1mm, therefore a = 0.5mm and the relative permittivity of air =1

Z0 =

= 522.2 Ohms.

In comparison, it can be observed that there was availability of the distinguishing impedance from our own research equals to 583.095 Ohms which differs from theoretically calculated value 522.2 Ohms. It is believed that the theoretically calculations would be more correct and that is apparently for the reason that of some physical errors in assessing or understanding values those might have been occurred while performing the above activity. Although, for diminishing such inaccuracies occurred in the above activity, the average values from some analysis were regarded as considerable values for computations.

Laboratory Two: Transmission Lines

Reference:
Emeritus Hans Schroeder & Nick Luther. (2003). MSOE Amateur Radio Club [Standing Wave Ratio]. Retrieved from http://w9hhx.groups.msoe.edu/examstudy/swrintro.pdf Microwave. (19July2009). [Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)]. Retrieved from http://www.microwaves101.com Midmarket CIO Definitions. (2010). [Standing-wave ratio]. Retrieved from http://searchciomidmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci852555,00.html REFLECTIONS AND STANDING WAVE RATIO (SWR). Retrieved from http://www.ycars.org/EFRA/Module%20C/TLSWR.htm Rick Nelson. (July, 2001). [How does a Smith chart work?]. Retrieved from http://www.sssmag.com/pdf/smith_chart_basics.pdf