Chapter 2.

Transmission Line Theory

Sept. 29th, 2008

1
2.1 Transmission Lines
• A transmission line is a distributed-parameter
network, where voltages and currents can vary
in magnitude and phase over the length of the l
ine.
Lumped Element Model for a Transmission Line
• Transmission lines usually consist of 2 parallel
conductors.
• A short segment Δz of transmission line can be
modeled as a lumped-element circuit.

2
Figure 2.1
Voltage and current definitions and equivalent circuit for an
incremental length of transmission line. (a) Voltage and 3
current definitions. (b) Lumped-element equivalent circuit.
 • R = series resistance per unit length for both
conductors
• L = series inductance per unit length for both
conductors
• G = shunt conductance per unit length
• C = shunt capacitance per unit length
• Applying KVL and KCL,
i ( z , t )
v( z , t )  Rzi ( z , t )  Lz  v ( z  z , t )  0 (2.1a)
t
v( z  z , t )
i ( z , t )  G zv( z  z , t )  C z  i ( z  z , t )  0 (2.1b)
t
4
• Dividing (2.1) by Δz and Δz  0,
v( z, t ) i ( z , t )
  Ri ( z, t )  L (2.2a)
z t
i ( z, t ) v ( z , t )
 Gv( z, t )  C (2.2b)
z t
 Time-domain form of the transmission line, o
r telegrapher, equation.
• For the sinusoidal steady-state condition with c
osine-based phasors,
dV ( z )
 ( R  j L) I ( z ) (2.3a)
dz
dI ( z )
 (G  jC )V ( z ) (2.3b)
dz 5
Wave Propagation on a Transmission Line
• By eliminating either I(z) or V(z):
d 2V ( z ) d 2
I (z)
2
  2
V ( z ) (2.4 a ) 2
  2
I ( z ) (2.4b)
dz dz

where     j   ( R  j L)(G  jC ) the com

plex propagation constant. (α = attenuation con
stant, β = phase constant)
• Traveling wave solutions to (2.4):
V ( z )  V0 e z +V0e  z , I ( z )  I 0 e  z  I 0e  z (2.6)
Wave propagati Wave propagat
on in +z directo ion in -z direct
n on
6
• Applying (2.3a) to the voltage of (2.6),

I ( z)  V0 e  z +V0e   z 
R  j L

• If a characteristic impedance, Z0, is defined as

R  j L R  j L V0 V0
Z0   , (2.7) 
 Z0   
 G  jC I0 I0

• (2.6) can be rewritten

V0  z V0   z
I (z)  e  e (2.8)
Z0 Z0

7
• Converting the phasor voltage of (2.6) to the ti
me domain:
v( z , t )  V0 cos(t   z   + )e  z  V0 cos(t   z    )e z (2.9)

• The wavelength of the traveling waves:

2
= (2.10)


• The phase velocity of the wave is defined as th

e speed at which a constant phase point travels
down the line,
dz 
vp = = = f (2.11)
dt 
8
Lossless Transmission Lines
• R = G = 0 gives     j   j LC or
   LC ,   0 (2.12)
L
Z0 = (2.13)
C
• The general solutions for voltage and current
on a lossless transmission line:
V ( z )  V0 e  j  z +V0 e j  z ,
I 0  j  z
I ( z)  e  I 0 e j  z (2.14)
Z0

9
 2 2
• The wavelength on the line: = = (2.15)
  LC

 1
• The phase velocity on the line: vp = = (2.16)
 LC

10
 2.2 Field Analysis of Transmission Lines
• Transmission Line Parameters

Figure 2.2 (p. 53)

11
Field lines on an arbitrary TEM transmission line.
• The time-average stored magnetic energy for 1
m section of line:



Wm  H  H ds
4 S
• The circuit theory gives Wm  L | I 0 |2 / 4

 2 S

L  H  H ds
| I0 |


• Similarly, We   E  E ds, We  C | V0 |2 / 4
4 S
C 
| V0 |2 
S
E  E ds

12
• Power loss per unit length due to the finite con
ductivity (from (1.130))
Rs
Pc 
2 
C1  C2
H  H  dl

• Circuit theory  Pc  R | I 0 |2 / 2
Rs (H || S)
R
| I 0 |2 
C1  C2
H  H  dl

• Time-average power dissipated per unit length

in a lossy dielectric (from (1.92))
 


Pd  E  E ds
2 S

13
• Circuit theory  Pd  G | V0 |2 / 2
 
G
| V0 |2 
C1  C2
E  E ds

• Ex 2.1 Transmission line parameters of a

coaxial line

• Table 2.1

14
The Telegrapher Equations Derived form Field
Analysis of a Coaxial Line
• Eq. (2.3) can also be obtained from ME.
• A TEM wave on the coaxial line: Ez = Hz = 0.
• Due to the azimuthal symmetry, no φ-variation
 ə/əφ = 0
• The fields inside the coaxial line will satisfy M
E.
  E   j H
  H  j E

where      j 
15
 E ˆ E 1 
 ˆ  
 zˆ (  E )   j ( ˆ H   ˆH )
z z  
H ˆ H  1 
 ˆ   zˆ (  H )  j ( ˆ E  ˆE )
z z  
Since the z-components must vanish,
f ( z) g (z)
E  , H 
 
From the B.C., Eφ = 0 at ρ = a, b  Eφ = 0 everywhere
H  0
E H h( z )
  j H ,  j E E 
z z 
16
h( z ) g ( z )
  j g ( z ),   j h( z ),
z z
The voltage between 2 conductors
b b d b
V ( z )   E  (  , z ) d   h( z )   h( z ) ln
 a  a  a
The total current on the inner conductor at ρ = a
2
I ( z)   H  (a, z )ad  2 g ( z )
 0

V ( z )  ln b / a I ( z ) 2 V ( z )
j I ( z ),  
  j (  j )
z 2 z ln b / a
V ( z ) I ( z )
  j LI ( z ),  (G  jC )V ( z )
z z
17
Propagation Constant, Impedance, and Power Flow
for the Lossless Coaxial Line
• From Eq. (2.24)
 2 E
   E  0
2
 2   2 
z 2

• For lossless media,       LC

• The wave impedance

E
Zw     /  Ex 2.1
H 

• The characteristic impedance of the coaxial lin

e V0 E ln b / a  ln b / a  ln b / a
Z0    
I0 2 H 2  2 18
• Power flow ( in the z direction) on the coaxial l
ine may be computed from the Poynting vector
as

1 1 2 b V I 1
P   E  H  ds   
 0 0
 d  d   V I
0 0


2 s 2  0   a 2 2 ln b / a 2
• The flow of power in a transmission line takes
place entirely via the E & H fields between th
e 2 conductors; power is not transmitted throu
gh the conductors themselves.

19
2.3 The Terminated Lossless Transmission Lines

The total voltage and current on the line

V ( z )  V0 e  j  z +V0 e j  z ,
V0  j  z V0  j  z
I ( z)  e  e (2.34)
Z0 Z0

20
• The total voltage and current at the load are
related by the load impedance, so at z = 0
V (0) V0  V0  Z L  Z0 
ZL = =  Z0 V 
0 V0
I (0) V0  V0  Z L  Z0

• The voltage reflection coefficient:

V0 Z L  Z 0
   (2.35)
V0 Z L  Z0

• The total voltage and current on the line:

V ( z )  V0  e  j  z +e j  z  ,
V0  j  z
I ( z)  e  e j  z  (2.36)
Z0
21
• It is seen that the voltage and current on the lin
e consist of a superposition of an incident and
reflected wave.  standing waves
• When Γ= 0  matched.
• For the time-average power flow along the line
at the point z:
 2

Pavg
1
2
 
 Re V ( z ) I ( z ) 
1V

2 Z0
0
 2 j  z
Re 1   e  e 2 j z

2

 2


1V
2 Z0
0
 1  
2

22
• When the load is mismatched, not all of the av
ailable power from the generator is delivered t
o the load. This “loss” is return loss (RL):
RL = -20 log|Γ| dB
• If the load is matched to the line, Γ= 0 and |V
(z)| = |V0+| (constant)  “flat”.
• When the load is mismatched,
V ( z )  V0 1  e 2 j  z  V0 1  e 2 j l  V0 1   e j (  2  l ) (2.39)

Vmax  V0  1    , Vmin  V0  1    (2.40)

23
• A measure of the mismatch of a line, called the
voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR)
1 
SWR  (1< VSWR<∞)
1 

• From (2.39), the distance between 2 successive

voltage maxima (or minima) is l = 2π/2β = λ/2
(2βl = 2π), while the distance between a maxi
mum and a minimum is l = π/2β = λ/4.
• From (2.34) with z = -l,
V0 e  j  l
(l )   j  l  (0)e 2 j  l (2.42)
V0 e
24
• At a distance l = -z,
V (l ) V0  e j  l  e  j  l  1  e 2 j l
Z in   Z0   j l  j l 
 Z0 2 j  l
(2.43)
I (l ) V0  e   e  1   e
( Z L  Z 0 ) e j  l  ( Z L  Z 0 )e  j  l
 Z0
( Z L  Z 0 )e j  l  ( Z L  Z 0 )e  j  l
Z L cos  l  jZ 0 sin  l
 Z0
Z 0 cos  l  jZ L sin  l
Z L  jZ 0 tan  l
 Z0 (2.44)
Z 0  jZ L tan  l

 Transmission line impedance equation

25
Special Cases of Terminated Transmission Lines
• Short-circuited line
ZL = 0  Γ= -1
V ( z )  V0 e  j  z  e j  z   2 jV0 sin  z ,
V0  j  z V 
I ( z)  e  e j  z   2 0 cos  z
Z0 Z0

Z in  jZ 0 tan  l (2.45)

26
Figure 2.6
(a) Voltage, (b) curren
t, and (c) impedance
(Rin = 0 or ) variation
along a short-circuited
transmission line.

27
• Open-circuited line
ZL = ∞  Γ= 1
V ( z )  V0 e  j  z  e j  z   2V0 cos  z ,
V0  j  z  2 jV 
I (z)  e  e j  z   0
sin  z (2.46)
Z0 Z0
Z in   jZ 0 cot  l

28
Figure 2.8
(a) Voltage, (b) current, an
d
(c) impedance (Rin = 0 or )
variation along an open-cir
cuited transmission line.

29
• Terminated transmission lines with special len
gths.
• If l = λ/2, Zin = ZL.
• If the line is a quarter-wavelength long, or, l =
λ/4+ nλ/2 (n = 1,2,3…), Zin = Z02/ZL.  quarter
-wave transformer

30
Figure 2.9 (p. 63)
Reflection and transmission at the junction of two
transmission lines with different characteristic impedances. 31
2.4 The Smith Chart
• A graphical aid that is very useful for solving t
ransmission line problems.
Derivation of the Smith Chart
• Essentially a polar plot of the Γ(= |Γ|ejθ).
• This can be used to convert from Γto normaliz
ed impedances (or admittances), and vice vers
a, using the impedance (or admittance) circles
printed on the chart.

32
Figure 2.10 (p. 65)
The Smith chart. 33
• If a lossless line of Z0 is terminated with ZL, zL
= ZL/Z0 (normalized load impedance),
zL  1 1   e j
   e j zL 
zL  1 1   e j

• Let Γ= Γr +jΓi, and zL = rL + jxL.

(1   r )  j i 1   2r   i2 2i
rL  jxL  rL  xL 
(1   r )  ji (1   r ) 2  i2 (1   r ) 2   i2

2 2
 rL   1 
 r    i  
2
 ,
 1  rL   1  rL 
2 2
 1   1 
  r  1   i     
2

 xL   xL 
34
• The Smith chart can also be used to graphicall
y solve the transmission line impedance equati
on of (2.44).
1  e 2 j  l
Z in  Z 0 (2.57)
1  e 2 j  l

• If we have plotted |Γ|ejθ at the load, Zin seen loo

king into a length l of transmission line termin
ates with zL can be found by rotating the point
clockwise an amount of 2βl around the center
of the chart.

35
• Smith chart has scales around its periphery cali
brated in electrical lengths, toward and away fr
om the “generator”.
• The scales over a range of 0 to 0.5 λ.

36
 Ex 2.2 ZL = 40+j70, l = 0.3λ, find Γl, Γin and Zin

Figure 2.11 (p. 67)

Smith chart for Example 2.2. 37
The Combined Impedance-Admittance Smith Chart
• Since a complete revolution around the Smith
chart corresponds to a line length of λ/2, a λ/4 t
ransformation is equivalent to rotating the char
t by 180°.
• Imaging a give impedance (or admittance) poi
nt across the center of the chart to obtain the c
orresponding admittance (or impedance) point.

38
 Ex 2.3 ZL = 100+j50, YL, Yin ? when l = 0.15λ

Figure 2.12 (p. 69)

ZY Smith chart with solution for Example 2.3. 39
The Slotted Line
• A transmission line allowing the sampling of E
field amplitude of a standing wave on a
terminated line.
• With this device the SWR and the distance of
the first voltage minimum from the load can be
measured, from this data ZL can be determined.
• ZL is complex  2 distinct quantities must be
measured.
• Replaced by vector network analyzer.

40
Figure 2.13 (p. 70)
An X-band waveguide slotted line. 41
• Assume for a certain terminated line, we have
measured the SWR on the line and lmin , the dist
ance from the load to the first voltage minimu
m on the line.
SWR  1
|  |
SWR  1
• Minimum occurs when e j ( 2  l )  1
• The phase of Γ =     2 lmin
• Load impedance Z L  Z 0 1  
1 

42
Ex 2.4
• With a short circuit load, voltage minima at z
= 0.2, 2.2, 4.2 cm
• With unknown load, voltage minima at z = 0.7
2, 2.72, 4.72 cm
• λ = 4 cm,
• If the load is at 4.2 cm, lmin = 4.2 – 2.72 = 1.48
cm = 0.37 λ
  ?,   ?, Z L  ?

43
Figure 2.14 (p. 71)
Voltage standing wave patterns for Example 2.4. (a) Standing
wave for short-circuit load. (b) Standing wave for unknown 44
load.
Figure 2.15 (p. 72)
Smith chart for Example 2.4. 45
2.5 The Quarterwave Transformer
Impedance Viewpoint
RL  jZ1 tan  l
Z in  Z1
Z1  jRL tan  l
• For βl = (2π/λ)(λ/4) = π/2
Z12
Z in 
RL
• In order for Γ = 0, Zin = Z0

Z1  Z 0 RL
46
Figure 2.16 (p. 73)
The quarter-wave matching transformer. 47
Ex 2.5 Frequency Response of a Quarter-Wave
Transformer
• RL = 100, Z0 = 50
Z1  Z 0 RL  70.71

Z in  Z 0
|  |
Z in  Z 0

 2   0      0      f 
l            
    4   2      2   f0 

48
Figure 2.17 (p. 74)
Reflection coefficient versus normalized frequency for the
quarter-wave transformer of Example 2.5. 49
The Multiple Reflection Viewpoint

Figure 2.18 (p. 75)

Multiple reflection
analysis of the quarter-
wave transformer.

50
 Z1  Z 0 Z 0  Z1 RL  Z1
1  , 2   1 , 3 
Z1  Z 0 Z 0  Z1 RL  Z1
2Z1 2Z 0
T1  , T2 
Z1  Z 0 Z1  Z 0
  1  T1T2 3  T1T2 32  T1T22 32  

 1  T1T2 3  ( 23 ) n
n 0

T1T2 3 1  1 2 3  T1T2 3

 1  
1   2 3 1   23

51
• Numerator
1  1 2 3  T1T2 3  1  3 (12  T1T2 )
( Z1  Z 0 )( RL  Z1 )  ( RL  Z1 )( Z1  Z 0 )
 1  3
( Z1  Z 0 )( RL  Z1 )
2( Z12  Z 0 RL )

( Z1  Z 0 )( RL  Z1 )

52
2.6 Generator and Load Mismatches
• Because both the generator and load are
mismatched, multiple reflections can occur on
the line.
• In the steady state, the net result is a single
wave traveling toward the load, and a single
reflected wave traveling toward the generator.
• In Fig. 2.19, where z = -l,
1  l e 2 j  l Zl  jZ 0 tan  l
Z in  Z 0 2 j  l
 Z0 (2.67)
1  l e Z 0  jZ l tan  l
Zl  Z 0
l  (2.68)
Zl  Z 0
53
Figure 2.19 (p. 77)
Transmission line circuit for mismatched load and generator. 54
• The voltage on the line:
Z in
V (l )  Vg  V0 (e j  l   l e  j  l )
Z in  Z g
 Z in 1 By (2.67)
V  Vg (2.70)
0
Z in  Z g e j  l  l e  j  l &
Z0 e j l Z g  Z0

V  Vg (2.71) g 
Z 0  Z g  1   l  g e 2 j  l  Z g  Z0
0

1  l
SWR 
• Power delivered to the load: 1  l

1  1 
2
1 1  2 1  Z in
2
 

Pl  Re Vin I in  Re | Vin |    Re | Vg |2
2  Z in  2  Z in  Z g  
Z in 
 
1 Rin
 | Vg | 2
(2.39)
2 ( Rin  Rg )  ( X in  X g )
2 2
55
• Case 1: the load is matched to the line, Zl = Z0, Γl =
0, SWR = 1, Zin = Z0,
1 Z0
Pl  | Vg |2
(2.40)
2 ( Z 0  Rg ) 2  X g2

• Case 2: the generator is matched to the input imped

ance of a mismatched line, Zin = Zg
1 Rg
Pl  | Vg |2
(2.41)
2 
4 Rg2  X g2 

• If Zg is fixed, to maximize Pl,

Pl 1 2 Rin ( Rin  Rg )
0  0
Rin ( Rin  Rg )  ( X in  X g )
2 2
( Rin  Rg ) 2  ( X in  X g ) 2 
2

56
 or Rg2  Rin2  ( X in  X g )2  0
Pl 2 X in ( X in  X g )
0 0
X in ( Rin  Rg )  ( X in  X g ) 
2 2 2

or X in ( X in  X g )  0
• Therefore, Rin = Rg and Xin = -Xg, or Zin = Zg*
• Under these conditions
1 1
Pl  | Vg |2 (2.44)
2 4 Rg

• Finally, note that neither matching for zero reflection

(Zl = Z0), nor conjugate matching (Zin = Zg*), necessar
y yields a system with the best efficiency.

57
2.7 Lossy Transmission Lines

58