Smith chart

The Smith Chart: allows to compute the input impedance to a transmission line
( )
( )
( )
0 0

1 0 1

0

1 0 1
in
in in
in
Z z Z Z Z
( (
+ +

= = = =
( (


The load reflection coefficient and the input coefficient are related as
4
2

j
j
in L L
e e

= =

We write the normalized input impedance

0

1
in
in
in
in
Z
z r jx
Z
(
+

= = = +
(

And the reflection coefficient as
4

j
in L
e p jq

= = +

Combining both equations

1

1
in
p jq
z r jx
p jq
+ +
= + =

Solving the real and imaginary parts
( )
2
2
2
1
1
1
r
p q
r
r
| |
+ =
|
+
\ +
( )
2
2
2
1 1
1 p q
x x
| |
+ =
|
\
Circles of radius
( )
1
1 r +
centered at
0
1
r
p q
r
= =
+
Circles of radius
1
x
centered at
1
1 p and q
x
= =
EE 342Spring 2010 #115
( )
2
2
2
1
1
1
r
p q
r
r
| |
+ =
|
+
\ +
Circles of radius
( )
1
1 r +
centered at 0
1
r
p and q
r
= =
+
( )
2
2
2
1 1
1 p q
x x
| |
+ =
|
\
Circles of radius
1
x
centered at
1
1 p and q
x
= =
EE 342Spring 2010 #116
Smith chart
The graphs relate the real and imaginary part of the reflection coefficient at a point (p,q)
with the real and imaginary part of the normalized input impedance (r,x)
EE 342Spring 2010 #117
Smith chart
Relation between the normalized input impedance to the line and the reflection coefficient
We plot the normalized input impedance

in
z r jx = +
The point defines the magnitude and
the angle of the reflection coefficient
2 2

in
p q = +
( )
2 4
in

= =

EE 342Spring 2010 #118

Smith chart
1

1
in
p jq
z r jx
p jq
+ +
= + =

4

j
in L
e p jq

= = +

How determine the input

impedance
We plot the normalized load impedance
0

L
L L L
Z
z r j x
Z
= = +
Rotate (with a compass) an angle
( )
2 4
in

= =

Clockwise TG (towards generator)

If we know the input impedance we calculate
0

in
in in in
Z
z r jx
Z
= = +
Rotate (with a compass) an angle
( )
2 4
in

= =

Counterclockwise TL (towards load)

EE 342Spring 2010 #119
Smith chart
Example: a coaxial cable (
r
= 2.25), length 10m. Frequency source 34 MHz. The
characteristic impedance is Z
0
= 50 . The line is terminated with a load Z
L
= (50+j100) .
Determine the input impedance
Propagation velocity
8
0
2 10
r
v
m
v
s

= =
Wavelength
5.882 1.7
v
m
f
= = =
Normalized load impedance
50 100
1 2
50
L
j
z j
+
= = +
Rotate 1.7 TG (3 turns plus 0.2 )
0.29 0.82
in
z j =
And unnormalizing
0

14.5 41
in in
Z z Z j = =
EE 342Spring 2010 #120
Smith chart
A B
C
D
E
Exercise:
Match the following
normalized impedances
with points A,B,C,D and E
on the Smith chart
i) 0+j0
ii) 1+j0
iii) 0-j1
iv) 0+j1
v) +j
vi)
vii)
viii) Matched load
min
in
C
Z
Z
(
(

max
in
C
Z
Z
(
(

( ) 0 =
i) D
ii) A
iii) E
iv) C
v) B
vi) D
vii) B
viii) A
EE 342Spring 2010 #121
Smith chart
Example:
( )

20 40
in
Z j =
( )

20 40
L
Z j = +
0

100 Z =
( )
0.2 0.4
in
z j =
We calculate
( )
0.2 0.4
L
z j = +
Determine the length
of the line in
wavelengths
0.062 TG
0.436 TG
0.436 0.062 0.374 = =
0.438 TL
0.064 TL
0.438 0.064 0.374 = =
EE 342Spring 2010 #122
Smith chart
Exercise: Determine Z
L
attached to
a line with Z
0
= 100 . Removing
the load yields an input impedance
Z
in
= -j80.With the unknown
impedance attached the input
impedance is (30 + j 40) .
Determine Z
L
With open circuit
80
0.8
100
L
in
Z
j
z j
=

= =

0.107 TL
0.393 TG

L
z =
0.25 TL
0.25 TG
( )
0.393 0.25 0.143 = =
( )
0.25 0.107 0.143 = =
With the load attached
( )
30 40
0.30 0.40
100
L
in
Z
j
z j
+
= = +

0.065 TG
0.435 TL
Rotate TL 0.143
0.435 + 0.143 = 0.578 = 0.078
0.32 0.49 32 49
L L
z j Z j = =
EE 342Spring 2010 #123
Smith chart
Exercise: Determine the load
impedance, VSWR and load
reflection coefficient for :
( )

50 100
in
Z j =
0

50 Z = 0.4 =
1 2
in
z j =
0.187 TL
45
0
Rotate TL (CCW)
0.187 0.4 0.587 0.087 + = =
0.22 0.58
L
z j =
( )

11 29
L
Z j =
-118
0
0
0.73 118
L
=
7 VSWR =
EE 342Spring 2010 #124
Smith chart