ELEctromagnetic DIAgnostics Lab.

DIT Universit di Trento DIT - Universit di Trento

Via Sommarive 14, I-38050 Trento Italia
E-mail: massmo.donelli@disi.unitn.it E mail: massmo.donelli@disi.unitn.it
Frequency domain representation Frequency domain representation Frequency domain representation q y p q y p q y p
of microwave devices. of microwave devices. of microwave devices.
The Z, Y, Chain, and S matrices The Z, Y, Chain, and S matrices The Z, Y, Chain, and S matrices
Master Master Degree Degree Electronic and Telecommunication Electronic and Telecommunication
A.A. A.A. 2012 2012--2013 2013
Introduction
Frequency Domain Analysis vs. Time Domain
2 P t N t k A l i Th 2-Port Network Analysis Theory
Impedance [Z] and Admittance [Y] Matrices
The [S] Scattering Matrix
Transmission or Chain (ABCD) Matrix Transmission or Chain (ABCD) Matrix
Masons Rule
C di S M t i d V lt T f Cascading S-Matrices and Voltage Transfer
Function
Differential (4-port) Scattering Matrix
Frequency Domain vs. Time Domain
Time Domain signals are hard to analyze, an example is a T-lines.
Many properties, which can dominate performance and behavior of
a microwave device, are frequency dependent (Skin effect,
Dielectric losses, dispersion, resonance) and difficult to directly
observe in the time domain
Frequency Domain Analysis allows discrete characterization of a
li t k t h f linear network at each frequency
Characterization at a single frequency is much easier
Frequency Analysis is beneficial for Three reasons
Ease and accuracy of measurement at microwave
Simplified mathematics
Allows separation of electrical phenomena (loss, resonance etc)
Basics Concepts
In the followthe key concepts that you should known fromthe In the follow the key concepts that you should known from the
electromagnetic field courses:
The input impedance & the input reflection coefficient of a propagating
t t d d t structure are dependent on:
Termination and characteristic impedance of the propagating
structure.
Delay (length of the propagating structure).
Frequency (of the generator)
S-Parameters are used to extract electrical parameters
Transmission line parameters (R,L,C,G, TD and Zo) can be
extractedfromS parameters extracted from S parameters
Vias, connectors, socket s-parameters can be used to create
equivalent circuits
The behavior of S-parameters can be used to gain intuition of signal
integrity problems
Basics Concepts
The impedance looking into a terminated transmission line
changes with frequency and line length changes with frequency and line length
The input reflection coefficient looking into a terminated
transmission line also changes with frequency and line length
If the input reflection of a transmission line is known then the line If the input reflection of a transmission line is known, then the line
length can be determined by observing the periodicity of the
reflection
The peak of the input reflection can be used to determine line and
load impedance values load impedance values
Two Port Network Theory
Network theory is based on the property that a linear system can
be completely characterized by parameters measured ONLY at p y y p
the input & output ports without regard to the content of the
system
Networks can have any number of ports, however, consideration
of a 2-port network is sufficient to explain the theory
A 2-port network has 1 input and 1 output port.
The ports can be characterized with many parameters, each
parameter has a specific advantage parameter has a specific advantage
Each Parameter set is related to 4 variables
2 independent variables for excitation
2 dependent variables for response
The [Z] matrix Port Impedance definition
M i th t i d i t k i th t i li ti d Measuring the port impedance is network is the most simplistic and
intuitive method of characterizing a network
I I I I
Port 1
Port 2
2-port
I
1
I
2
+
V V
+
2-
port
I
1
I
2
+
V V
+
Port 1
Port 2
Network
-
V
1
V
2
-
Networ
k
-
V
1
V
2
-
Case 1 Case 1: Insert a current I
1
into port 1 and measure the open circuit voltage
at port 2 and calculate the resultant impedance from port 1 to port 2
2
V
1
2 ,
21
port
port open
I
V
Z =
C 2 C 2 I t t I i t t 1 d th lt t t 1 Case 2 Case 2: Insert a current I
1
into port 1 and measure the voltage at port 1
and calculate the resultant input impedance
1 port open
V
1
1 ,
11
port
port open
I
Z =
[Z] Impedance Matrix
A set of linear equations can be written to describe the network in
t f it t i d terms of its port impedances
2 12 1 11 1
I Z I Z V + =
1 12 11 1
I Z Z V
2 22 1 21 2
2 12 1 11 1
I Z I Z V
I Z I Z V
+ =
+
2
1
22 21
12 11
2
1
I
I
Z Z
Z Z
V
V
=
Or
Where:
V
Voltage measured Open at Port i
= =
0 0 I I I I
j
i
ij
I
V
Z
Voltage measured Open at Port i
Current Injected at Port j
= = = 0 , 0
2 1 j n
I I I I
j
Z
ii
the impedance looking into port i
Z th i d b t t i dj
If the impedance matrix is known the response of the systemcan be
Z
ij
the impedance between port i and j
If the impedance matrix is known, the response of the system can be
predicted for any input
Impedance Matrix: Example
Calculate the impedance matrix for the following circuit:
R
1
R
2
Port 1 Port 2
R
3
Impedance Matrix: Example
Step 1: Calculate the input impedance
R
1
R
2
) ( R R I V +
1
R I
V
+
1
3 1 1 1
) (
R R
V
Z
R R I V
+ = =
+ =
R
3
I
1
V
1
-
3 1
1
11
R R
I
Z + = =
Step 2: Calculate the impedance across the network
R
1
R
2
3
R
1
R
2
R I
+
3 1
3
1 2
R
R R
R
V V
+
=
R
3
I
1
V
2
-
3 1
3 1
3
1 3 1
) (
V
R I
R R
R
R R I =
+
+ =
3
1
2
21
R
I
V
Z = =
Impedance Matrix: Example
Step 3: Calculate the Impedance matrix
Assume: R1 =R2 =30 ohms Assume: R1 = R2 = 30 ohms
R3=150 ohms
= + = 180
3 1 11
R R Z
30 Z = 30
21
Z
180 30
30 180
=
Matrix
Z
180 30
Matrix
Measuring the impedance matrix g p
Question:
What obstacles are expected when measuring the impedance
matrix of the following transmission line structure assuming that
the micro-probes have the following parasitics?
L
probe
=0.1nH
probe
C
probe
=0.3pF
Assume F=5 GHz
T-line 0.1nH
Port 1
P t 2
0.1nH
Port 2 0.3pF 0.3pF
Zo=50 ohms, length=5 in Zo 50 ohms, length 5 in
Measuring the impedance matrix
AAnswer:
Open circuit voltages are very hard to measure at high frequencies
because they generally do not exist for small dimensions y g y
Open circuit capacitance = impedance at high frequencies
Probe and via impedance not insignificant
Without Probe Capacitance
Zo = 50
Port 1
Port 2
T-line 0.1nH
Port 1
0.1nH
Z
21
= 50 ohms
Port 1
Port 2
T line
Port 1
Port 2
0.3pF 0.3pF
Zo = 50
With Probe Capacitance @ 5 GHz
Zo=50 ohms, length=5 in
= 106
1
Z
= 3 2
_
fL Z
L probe

106 ohms
106 ohms
Port 1 Port 2
= 106
2
_
fC
Z
C probe

Z
21
= 63 ohms
Advantages/Disadvantages of Impedance Matrix
Advantages:
The impedance matrix is very intuitive p y
Relates all ports to an impedance
Easy to calculate
Disadvantages:
Requires open circuit voltage measurements Requires open circuit voltage measurements
Difficult to measure
Open circuit reflections cause measurement noise
Open circuit capacitance not trivial at high frequencies
Could be very dangerous if you are testing an high power
device device
Note: The Admittance Matrix is very similar, however, it is characterized
ith short circ it c rrents instead of open circ it oltages with short circuit currents instead of open circuit voltages
[Y] Admittance Matrix
A set of linear equations can be written to describe the network in q
terms of its port admittances
2 12 1 11 1
V Y V Y V + =
1 12 11 1
V Y Y I
2 22 1 21 2
V Y V Y I + = 2
1
22 21
12 11
2
1
V
V
Y Y
Y Y
I
I
=
Or
Where:
P t t d t P t i
I
Port current measured at Port i
Voltage at Port j
= =
= = = 0 0V V V V
j
i
ij
V
I
Y
Y
ii
the admittance looking into port i
Y th d itt b t t i dj
= = = 0 , 0
2 1 j n
V V V V
j
If the admitance matrix is known, the response of the system can be
Y
ij
the admittance between port i and j
predicted for any input
Admittance Matrix: Example
Calculate the admittance matrix for the following circuit:
R
3
Port 1 Port 2
R
1
R
2
Admittance Matrix: Example
Step 1: Calculate the input admittance
3 1 1 1
) ( Y Y V I + =
R
3
V
2
=0
V
+
1
3 1 1 1
) (
Y Y
I
Y
R
1
R
2
V
2
0
V
1
-
3 1
1
1
11
Y Y
V
I
Y + = =
R
1
R
2
Step 2: Calculate the admittance across the network
3
R
R
3
I
3 1
3
1 2
R
R R
R
V V
+
=
R R
I
1
V
2
3 1
3 1
3
1 3 1
) (
V
R I
R R
R
R R I =
+
+ =
R
1
R
2
3
1
2
21
R
I
V
Z = =
Impedance Matrix: Example
Calculate the impedance matrix of the following circuit
Z
1 I
1
I
2
Port 1
Port 2
V
1
V
2
Port 1
Port 2
Admittance Matrix: Example
Calculate the admittance matrix of the following circuit
I
1
I
2
Port 1
Port 2
Y
1
V
1
V
2
Port 1
Port 2
Y
1
Scattering Matrix (S-parameters)
Measuring the powerat each port across a well characterized Measuring the power at each port across a well characterized
impedance avoid the problems of measuring high frequency opens &
shorts
The scattering matrix, or (S-parameters), characterizes the network by
observing transmitted & reflected power waves
2 port 2 port
a
1
a
2
2-port
Network
2-port
Network
Port 1 Port 2
b
2
b
R
R
a
i
represents the square root of the power wave injected into port i
+
2
b
2
b
1
R
V
a P
R
V
P
i
i
+
= = =
2
V

b
j
represents the power wave coming out of port j
R
V
b
j
j
=
The Scattering Matrix
A set of linear equations can be written to describe the network in
terms of injected and transmitted power waves
2 22 1 21 2
2 12 1 11 1
a S a S b
a S a S b
+ =
+ =
1 12 11 1
a
S S
S S
b
b
=
Where:
2 22 1 21 2
a S a S b +
2 22 21 2
a S S b
Where:
i port at measured Power b
S
i
j port at injected Power
p
a
S
j
i
ij
= =
S
ii
= the ratio of the reflected power to the injected power at port i
S
ij
= the ratio of the power measured at port j to the power injected
at port i
S-Parameters The Return Loss
When there is no reflection fromthe load or the line length is zero S When there is no reflection from the load, or the line length is zero, S
11
= Reflection coefficient=0
R=50
R=Zo Zo
R=50
Z=-l Z=0
50
1
1
1

o
reflected
Z
V
V
R
V
b
S
Z l Z 0
50
1
1
1
0 2
1
1
11
+
= = = = = =
+ +
=
o
o
o
incident
reflected
a
Z V
V
R
V
R
a
S
R
S
11
is measure of the power returned to the source,
and is called the Return Loss
S-Parameters Return Loss
When there is a reflection fromthe load S will be composed of When there is a reflection from the load, S
11
will be composed of
multiple reflections due to the standing waves
) ( 1
) ( 1
) (
l
l
Z l Z Z
o in

+
= =
R
L
Zo
) ( 1 l
Z=-l Z=0
If the network is driven with a 50 ohm source, then S11 is calculated
using the input impedance instead of Zo
50 ohms
in
Z
50
11

= =
in
Z
S
S
11
of a transmission line
will exhibit periodic effects
due to the standing waves
in
50
11
+

in
Z
S
due to the standing waves
Interpreting the return loss
Based on the S11 plot shown below calculate both the impedance Based on the S11 plot shown below, calculate both the impedance
and dielectric constant
R=50
L=12 7 cm = 5 inches
Zo
R=50
0.45
L 12.7 cm 5 inches
0 3
0.35
0.4
i
t
u
d
e
0.2
0.25
0.3
1
1
,

M
a
g
n
0.05
0.1
0.15 S
0
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3..0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
Frequency, GHz
Interpreting the return loss
0.35
0.4
0.45
d
e
1.76GHz 2.94GHz
Peak=0.384
0 2
0.25
0.3
,

M
a
g
n
i
t
u
0.1
0.15
0.2
S
1
1
,
0
0.05
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
F GH
Step 1: Calculate the time delay
of the t-line using the peaks
Step 2: Calculate Er using the velocity
/ 10 3 1
8
Frequency, GHz
of the t line using the peaks
inch TD ps TD
TD
GHz GHz f
peaks
/ 7 423
2
1
76 . 1 94 . 2
=
= =
1
/ 10 3 1
8
=

= = =
Er
s m
Er
c
v
TD
inch ps ps inch TD
inch TD ps TD
/ 7 . 84 " 5 / 7 . 423 /
/ 7 . 423
= =
=
0 . 1
) / 37 . 39 / 7 . 84
=

=
Er
m inch inch ps
Interpreting the return loss
Step 3: Calculate the input
impedance to the
transmission line based on
=
+

= 384 . 0
50
50
11
in
in
Z
Z
S
the peak S11 at 1.76GHz
Note: The phase of the
= 33 . 112
in
in
Z
Note: The phase of the
reflection should be either
+1 or -1 at 1.76 GHz because
it is aligned with the
+

= =
50
50
) (
366 9 84 ) ( 6 1 4 4
4 2
G C fl
LC fl j
o
o
l
o
e
Z
Z
e x

it is aligned with the
incident
Step 4: Calculate the

+

+
= +
= =

) 1 (
50
50
1
) 5 ( 1
1
366 . 9 7 . 84 ) 5 ( 76 . 1 4 4
o
j ps GHz j LC fl j
Z
Z
x
e e e

Step 4: Calculate the
characteristic impedance
based on the input
impedance for x=-5 inches

+

+
= =
=
= +
=
) 1 (
50
50
1
50
33 . 112
) 5 ( 1
) 5 ( 1
o
o
o
o o in
Z
Z
Z
Z
x
x
Z Z
p
= 9 . 74
o
Z
Er=1.0 and Zo=75 ohms
S-Parameters The insertion Loss
When power is injected into Port 1 with source impedance Z0 and When power is injected into Port 1 with source impedance Z0 and
measured at Port 2 with measurement load impedance Z0, the power ratio
reduces to a voltage ratio
V V
Z
V
b

2
incident
d transmitte
o
a
V
V
V
V
V
Z
a
b
S = =
+
= =
+
=
1
2
1 0 2
1
2
21
o
Z
a
1
a
2
=0
2-port
Network
2-port
Network
V
1
b
V
2
Zo Zo
b
2
b
1
S21 is measure of the power transmitted from
port 1 to port 2 and is called the Insertion Loss port 1 to port 2, and is called the Insertion Loss
Lossless networks
For a loss free network, the total power exiting the N ports must
equal the total incident power
exit incident
P P =
If there is no loss in the network, the total power leaving the e e s o oss e e o , e o a po e ea g e
network must be accounted for in the power reflected from the
incident port and the power transmitted through network
1
2 1 _ 1 _
= +

incident
port port d transmitte
incident
port reflected
P
P
P
P
Si t th t f ti th Since s-parameters are the square root of power ratios, the
following is true for loss-free networks
( ) ( ) 1
2 2
S S ( ) ( ) 1
2
21
2
11
= + S S
If the above relationship does not equal 1, then there is loss in the p q ,
network, and the difference is proportional to the power dissipated
by the network
Insertion loss example
Question:
What percentage of the total power is dissipated by the What percentage of the total power is dissipated by the
transmission line?
Estimate the magnitude of Zo (bound it)
S-p ar am et er s ; 5 i n c h m i c r o s t r i p
1.2
0.8
1
d
e
S (1 1)
0.4
0.6
M
a
g
n
i
t
u
dS (1,1)
S (1,2)
0
0.2
0.E +00 2.E +09 4.E +09 6.E +09 8.E +09 1.E +10 1.E +10
Fr eq u en c y , Hz
Insertion loss example
What percentage of the total power is dissipated by the transmission line ? p g p p y
What is the approximate Zo?
How much amplitude degradation will this t-line contribute to a 8 GT/s signal?
If thetransmissionlineisplacedina28ohmsystem(suchasRambus) will If the transmission line is placed in a 28 ohm system (such as Rambus), will
the amplitude degradation estimated above remain constant?
Estimate alpha for 8 GT/s signal
S-parameters; 5 inch microstrip;
1.2
0 8
1
S(1,1)
0 4
0.6
0.8
M
a
g
n
i
t
u
d
e
S(1,1)
S(1,2)
0.2
0.4
0
0.E+00 2.E+09 4.E+09 6.E+09 8.E+09 1.E+10
Frequency, Hz
Insertion loss example
Answer:
Since there are minimal reflections on this line, alpha can be
estimated directly from the insertion loss
S21 0 75 t 4 GH (8 GT/ ) S21~0.75 at 4 GHz (8 GT/s)
When the reflections are minimal, alpha can be estimated
057 . 0 75 . 0
) 5 (
21
= = =

e e S
l
If S
11
< ~ 0.2 (-14 dB), then the above approximation is valid
If the reflections are NOT small, alpha must be extracted
with ABCD parameters (which are reviewed later)
The loss parameter is 1/A for ABCD parameters
ABCE will be discussed later.
Important concepts demonstrated
The impedance can be determined by the magnitude of S11
The electrical delay can be determined by the phase, or
periodicity of S11 p y
The magnitude of the signal degradation can be determined by
observing S21 observing S21
The total power dissipated by the network can be determined by
ddi th f th i ti d t l adding the square of the insertion and return losses
What means Loss
True losses come from physical energy losses
Oh i (I ki ff t) Ohmic (I.e., skin effect)
Field dampening effects (Loss Tangent)
Radiation (EMI) Radiation (EMI)
Insertion and Return losses include effects such as impedance
discontinuities and resonance effects, which are not true losses
Loss free networks can still exhibit significant insertion and return losses Loss free networks can still exhibit significant insertion and return losses
due to impedance discontinuities
Advantages/Disadvantages of S-parameters
Advantages: Advantages:
Ease of measurement
Much easier to measure power at high frequencies than open/short
current and voltage
S-parameters can be used to extract the transmission line parameters
n parameters and n Unknowns n parameters and n Unknowns
Disadvantages:
Most digital circuit operate using voltage thresholds. This suggest that
l i h ld l i l b l d h i d i analysis should ultimately be related to the time domain.
Many silicon loads are non-linear which make the job of converting s-
parameters back into time domain non-trivial. p
Conversion between time and frequency domain introduces errors
Properties of the Z, Y and S matrices
[ ] [ ]
1
= Y Z
You can obtain the impedance matrix fromthe
admittance matrix
[ ] [ ] Y Z
admittance matrix
If the impedance matrix is symmetrical also the scattering matrix is
simmetrycal. This means that the terms outside the diagonal are Sij=Sji and
that you can use the following relation:
[ ] [ ] [ ]

0 0 1
* T
[ ] [ ] [ ]

= =
1 0 0
0 0
*
O U S S
T

1 0 0
Properties of the Z, Y and S matrices
[ ] ( ) [ ] ( )
1
Howto obtain the scattering matrix starting fromthe impedance matrix
[ ] [ ] [ ] ( ) [ ] [ ] ( ) U Z U Z S + =


1
Howto normalize the impedance matrix:
[ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ]

=
i i
Z
diag Z
Z
diag Z
0 0
1 1

j i ij
Z Z Z
0 0
=
Properties of the Z, Y and S matrices
[ ] ( ) [ ] ( )
1
Howto obtain the scattering matrix starting fromthe admittance matrix
[ ] [ ] [ ] ( ) [ ] [ ] ( ) Y U Y U S

1
+ =

Howto normalize the admittance matrix:
[ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ]

=
i i
Y
diag Y
Y
diag Y
0 0
1 1

j i ij
Y Y Y
0 0
=
Example of design of a fixed T-Network attenuator
Design a fixed T-network attenuator with an attenuation of -10dB,
assume to connect Port 1 and Port 2 to propagating structures with a
characteristic impedance of Z0=50 to simplify and to keep the characteristic impedance of Z0=50, to simplify and to keep the
simmetry
R
1
R
2
R
1
2
R
Port 1
Port 2
R
3

+
+
= =
3 3 1 12 11
R R R
R R R
Z Z
Z Z
Z

+
3 2 3 22 21
R R R Z Z
Example of design of a fixed T-Network attenuator
[ ] [ ] [ ] ( ) [ ] [ ] ( ) U Z U Z S + =


1
We start considering this formula and
we derive the scattering matrix starting
[ ] [ ] [ ] ( ) [ ] [ ] ( )
fromthe impedance matrix [Z]
We start considering this formula and we derive the scattering matrix starting

1

1

1
R R R R R R
fromthe impedance matrix [Z]
=

+
+

+ +
+ +
=
1

1
1

1
3 2 3
3 3 1
3 2 3
3 3 1
R R R
R R R
R R R
R R R
S

Were the symbol ^ represent the normalization with respect to the
characteristic impedance Z0

+
=

2 ) 1

(

1
3 3 1 1
R R R R

+ + + + ) 1 ( 2 ) 1 2 )( 1 (
3 2 1 3 3 1 1
R R R R R R R
Example of design of a fixed T-Network attenuator
These are the formulas for the design of a T-network fixed attenuator:
) ( l 20 S L
20
L

) ( log 20
21 10
S L =
20
21
10 S =
21
1 s
21
2s
21
21
0 1
1
1
s
s
Z R
+
=
2
21
21
0 3
1
2
s
s
Z R

=
Example of design of a fixed T-Network attenuator
And these are the formulas for the design of a PI-network fixed attenuator:
RR
3
21
1 s
Z R
+
R
1
R
2
21
21
0 1
1 s
Z R

=
22
21
0 3
2
1
s
s
Z R

=
21
2s