Chapter 6

DESIGN OF IMPEDANCE MATCHING CIRCUITS

6.1

6.2
6.3

Impedance Matching using Lumped Elements and Transmission Lines

6.1.1 Single stub design/Lumped element-transmission line matching
6.1.2 Double stub design
6.1.3 Single transmission line section matching
6.1.4 Lumped element matching circuits
Impedance Matching using Quarter-wave Transformers
6.2.1 Single section quarter-wave transformers
6.2.2 Multiple section transformers
Multisection Quarter-wave Transformers
6.3.1 Maximally-flat transformers
6.3.2 Chebyshev transformers

Chapter 6
DESIGN OF IMPEDANCE MATCHING CIRCUITS
One of the circuit functions commonly needed at microwave frequencies is that of
impedance matching between a transmission line of characteristic impedance Z 0 and
arbitrary load impedance Z 0 terminating the line. The purpose of impedance
matching is to ensure that there is no reflected wave on the line after the impedance
matching circuit has been incorporated. This situation is illustrated in Fig. 6.1. The
impedance matching circuit ensures that all the power traveling down the line is
delivered to the load Z L and is not reflected back towards the source. For this
purpose input impedance Z in looking from the input port of the impedance matching
circuit should be equal to Z 0 . Then, according to (1.24), the reflection coefficient
would be zero.
6.1
Impedance Matching using Lumped Elements and Transmission Lines
One of the popupar configurations for impedance matching circuits uses stubs. The
stub is a short section of a transmission line connected to the main line in a shunt or a
series configuration as in Fig. 6.2. The far end of the stub line may be open-circuited,
short-circuited, or even terminated in a load. For stripline and microstrip circuits,
shunt-connected open-circuited stubs are commonly used principally because of ease
of fabrication. The arrangements shown in Fig. 6.2 are called the single stub circuits
as only one stub is used. Two-stubs circuits are also common and would be discussed
later. For the single stub circuits, it can be shown that by choosing the location of the
stub (the distance d) and the stub length s suitably, any load* Z L can be matched to
the line.
6.1.1 Single stub design/ Lumped element-transmission line matching
The design of a single stub matching circuit may be carried out graphically by using
Smith chart. For shunt-connected stubs, the use of Smith chart as an admittance chart
is more convenient. The procedure may be understood by referring to Fig. 6.3. The
input admittance Yin at the plane 1,1 on the left side of the stub (Fig. 6.2) should be
equal to Y0 . The corresponding normalized admittance Y0 is located at the origin of
the admittance chart (point O in Fig. 6.3). Since the stub can add only a pure
susceptance jB S , the normalized admittance on the immediate right of the stub
(plane 2,2 in Fig. 6.2) must lie on g = 1 circle on the admittance chart. The distance d
between the stub and the load is selected to ensure this. The admittance at plane 2,2
corresponds to the point A, where constant VSWR circle passing through YL
intersects g = 1 circle. If the normalized admittance at A is 1+jb, the admittance
contributed by the stub should be jb. The length of the stub required may be found
by using (1.33) or Z in jZ 0 tan( ) for a shorted stub and Z in jZ 0 cot( ) for an
open stub. Alternatively, admittance Smith chart may be used for determining s . One
starts from y = 0 at point OC in Fig. 6.3 (for open circuited
__________________
*Except when the load is purely reactive.

stubs) or from y at point Sc (for shorted stubs) and moves clockwise

(towards the generator) till the required normalized susceptance (-jb) is reached. It
may be noted that if Z S is different from Z 0 , a renormalization of jb would be

needed before using the admittance chart for finding s . The renormalized value
is jb Yo / YS .
The graphical procedure outlined above is not convenient for computer-aided
design. However, an analytical solution for single stub design is also available*.
The first step in the analytical design is to find a location (distance d 0 from the
load) where y L transforms into a real number. For the load reflection coefficient
expressed as e j , d 0 is given by / 2 . However, if (or negative
and > )
d 0 / 2
d 0 / 2
or
(6.1)
The smaller value of d 0 is preferred since it yields less frequency sensitivity. The
transformed value of y L at this location, obtained from (1.38), is given by
y Lt

1
g L (say)
1

(6.2)

The rest of the design is carried out with reference to g L as load. Since we want
the admittance on the immediate right of the stub (plane 2,2 in Fig. 6.2) to be
1+jb, the distance d between g L and the stub should be selected such that, from
(1.35),
g j tan d
1 jb L
(6.3)
1 jg L tan d
Equating the real and imaginary parts gives
1 bg L tan( d ) g L , and
b g L tan( d ) tan( d )
These simultaneous equations yield
tan( d ) 1 / g L ,
b (1 g L ) tan( d ) (1 g L ) / g L
and
(6.4)
The corresponding length of the open-circuited stub (to yield the stub susceptance
b) is given by (Chapter 1)
bY0

s
tan 1
(6.5)
2
YS
6.1.2 Double stub design
Use of two stubs in an impedance matching circuit results in design flexibility. The
spacing between the stubs and their locations on the main line can now be fixed and
any arbitrary load impedance can be matched by a suitable selection of two stub
lengths. Since it is easier experimentally to change the stub lengths rather than the
location of stubs, the double-stub design is a preferred configuration for impedance
matching circuits.
--------------*R.E. Collin, Foundations for Microwave Engineering, New York: McGraw Hill,
1966, p. 208.

In this case also, either a graphical or an analytical approach may be used for the
design. The procedure is illustrated for the case when the distance between the
two stubs is 3 / 8 and the first stub is located at the load itself. For discussing this
design, we start from the plane OO (Fig. 6.4) where the normalized admittance
should be unity. Since the stub II can add only a pure susceptance to the
admittance at the junction, the normalized admittance at the plane aa should lie on
g = 1 circle. By moving a distance 3 / 8 towards the load anticlockwise, g = 1
circle gets transformed into another circle shown dotted in the upper-half of the
admittance chart. The parallel combination of y L and the susceptance jb1 of
stub I should lie on this circle. This is possible only when y L lies on any one of
the constant conductance circles intersecting (or touching) the transformed g = 1
circle. Consequently, any load admittance located within the shaded area A cannot
be matched with this arrangement (stub I at load plus 3 / 8 spacing). In order to
match an admittance within the area A, stub I should be located at some distance
from the load. It may be noted that the area A corresponds to the load conductance
gL 2 .
An analytical procedure is also available for the double-stub circuit design*.
ABCD-matrix representation is used for this analysis. We recall that for a shunt
stub of normalized input susceptance b, ABCD-matrix may be written as
1
AS
jb

0
1

(6.6)

And the ABCD-matrix for a transmission line section is given by

j sin( )
cos( )
A
(6.7)

j sin( ) cos( )
Therefore, ABCD-matrix of a combination of two stubs and an intervening line
length (Fig. 6.5) that is, with reference to planes 1,1 and 2,2 is given by
0 cos( )
j sin( ) 1 0
1
A

jb2 1 j sin( ) cos( ) jb1 1
cos( ) b1 sin( )
j sin( )

j (b1 b2 ) cos( ) j (1 b1b2 ) sin( ) cos( ) b2 sin( )

(6.8)
Let the normalized admittance at the plane 2,2 looking towards the load be
y L g ' L jb' L
(6.9)
The input admittance at the plane 1,1 is then

y in

Yin Dy L C

Y0 By L A

(6.10)

In order to have a perfect impedance match we set

y in 1 j 0

(6.11)

The above equations may be combined together to yield the following

simultaneous equations:
______________
*D.K. Cheng, and C.H. Liang, Computer solution of double stub impedance
matching proble, IEEE Trans. Education, vol. E-25, no. 4, 1982, pp. 120-123.

 cos b2 sin( ) g L sin( )bL cos b1 sin( )

and

sin( ) g L cos b2 sin( ) bL (b1 b2 ) cos (1 b1b2 ) sin( )

These equations are solved for g' L and b' L to obtain

1
g L
cos b2 sin( ) 2 sin 2 ( )

bL

(6.12)

b1 1 b2 sin(2 ) b22 cos b1 sin sin cos(2 )

cos b2 sin 2 sin 2

(6.13)

Equation (6.12) shows that no matter what the value of b2 (the susceptance of the
second stub) is, g' L cannot be larger than 1 / sin 2 ( ) , that is, for a possible
match
max g ' L = 1 / sin 2 ( )
(6.14)
If the spacing is chosen to be 3 / 8 , sin 2 ( ) 0.5 and (6.14) yield max
g ' L = 2. When stub I ia placed at the load itself g ' L g L . In this case, a match
therefore cannot be obtained if g L 2 . This verifies the result obtained earlier
using the graphical procedure.
When stub I is at the load itself and g L 2 , we can solve (6.12) and (6.13) for
stub susceptances b1 and b2 . From (6.12),
b2 cot( )

1
1
g L sin 2 ( )

(6.15)

and from (6.13)

b22 cos sin b2 cos 2 sin 2 bL / g L

b1
1 2b2 cos sin b2 sin 2

(6.16)

The corresponding stub lengths 1 and 2 may be obtained using (6.5).

When g L 1 / sin 2 ( ) , a transmission line of length L must be provided between
the first stub and the load in order to transform y L g L jbL to y L g L jbL such
that g L 1 / sin 2 ( ) . The minimum value of L may be obtained as follows. From
the transmission line transformation we can write
z j tan L
z L L
1 jz L tan
which gives

g L
and

bL

rL 1 x L tan L x L tan L rL tan L

rL2 x L tan L

x L tan 2 L rL2 x L2 1 1 x L tan L x L

r x L tan L
2
L

(6.17a)

(6.17b)

Setting g L 1 / sin 2 ( ) , we can solve (6.17a) for tan( L ) as

tan L

x L 1 rL2 x L2 rL sin 2 L rL2 (1 sin 4 L )

(6.18)
rL sin 2 L 1
Two values of L are obtained from (6.18), the smaller of the two gives us the
minimum distance between the load and the first stub. Next we discuss some
impedance matching techniques to match a complex load impedance to a real
impedance. These techniques are also useful in transistor amplifier and oscillator
design.
6.1.3 Single Transmission Line Section Matching
This technique is very well suited for microwave integrated circuits due to the
reduction in the size of the circuit. However, it can be used to match only a certain
range of complex impedance values.
The schematic of a single section impedance matching is shown in Fig. 6.6. Using the
transmission line transformation of Z L we can write
Z jZ tan( )
Z0 Z L
Z L R L jX L
,
(6.19)
Z jZ L tan( )
This equation can be solved to obtain Z and tan( ) in terms of Z 0 and Z L , to
obtain

X L2
Z 2 Z 0 RL
(6.20)

RL Z 0

and
Z RL
tan Z 0
(6.21)
Z0 X L
Since the characteristic impedance Z should be a positive real number, the right side
of (6.20) should always be positive. This results in the limitation on the values of
impedances that can be matched. The condition on Z L is found to be
Either

RL Z 0

(6.22)

or

RL Z 0

ZL

for R L Z 0

(6.23)
Equation (6.23) may also be written as

XL

RL

1 R L

(6.24)
The allowed regions specified by (6.22) and (6.24) are plotted in Fig. 6.7.
The expression for (6.21) shows that tan( ) is positive when X L is inductive and

R L Z 0 , or

R L Z 0 . Therefore,
quarter wavelength for these sets of values of R L and X .
X L is capacitive and

will be less than

10

11

The values of characteristic impedance Z and the length / of the matching section
are plotted in Figs 6.8 and 6.9, respectively. One can observe from these graphs and
(6.20) that for

RL Z 0

the value of Z for the matching section is always less than

that for a quarter wave transformer. The opposite is true for values of

RL Z 0 .

Also, for X L 1 ohm, the value of Z is very nearly equal to Z 0 RL , the value
obtained for a quarter-wave matching section. If the realizable value of Z for the
transmission line is taken to be 20 Z 100 then this matching technique is useful
for

R L 10

and

X L 20 .

Equation (6.19) can be re-arranged to yield

Z jZ tan( )
Z L* Z 0
Z jZ 0 tan( )
This equation tells us that transmission line transformation of

(6.25)

Z0

is equal to Z L* ,

and the condition for complex conjugate matching for power transfer is satisfied.
6.1.4 Lumped Element Matching Circuits
The eight L-sections, shown in Fig. 6.10, each using two elements only, are quite
practical for narrow bandwidth application and are easy to design. These L-sections
can be implemented with either lumped elements only, or a combination of lumped
elements and transmission line section. If we restrict ourselves to only transmission
line realization of lumped elements only, the last four solutions can be realized
because series capacitance is difficult to implement in microstrip or strip line
configuration without added insertion loss.
The matching network can be designed either analytically or graphically using Smith
chart. The Smith chart construction usually gives the best insight into the design.
Here, we shall use Smith chart as an impedance chart as well as admittance chart. The
design becomes easy if the following properties of the Smith chart are utilized:
(i)

Series elements are better handled in the impedance Smith chart. Adding a
series reactance to the given Z produces a movement along a constantresistance circle in the impedance Smith chart. Series inductance gives rise to
a movement in the clockwise direction, while series capacitance produces
movement in the counter-clockwise direction. This procedure is illustrated in
Fig. 6.11{a).

(ii)

Shunt elements are easier to deal with in the admittance Smith chart.
Adding a shunt susceptance to the given YL produces a movement along
the constant-conductance circle in the admittance Smith chart. Shunt
capacitance/ inductance produces a movement in the clockwise/ counterclockwise direction in the admittance Smith chart. It is shown in Fig.
6.11( b).

Each of the eight L-sections shown in Fig. 6.10 involves one series element and one
shunt element. Therefore, part of the matching is done in the Z-Smith chart and the
rest of it is carried out in the Y-Smith chart.
Starting from the load ZL or the corresponding Y L we move either along a constantresistance circle or constant-conductance circle till we hit either unit-resistance or

12

unit-conductance circle. This movement provides the value of the element closest to
the load.

13

14

15

16

17

Next, we move from this point along the unit-resistance or unit-conductance circle to
reach the origin. This movement will provide the value of the other element. For
convenience, unit-conductance circle (the mirror image of R=1 circle) should also be
drawn in the impedance Smith chart*.
Example: Let Z L 10 j 25 ohm. The first solution is obtained when we move in the
counter-clockwise direction to reach point A on G 1 circle, Fig. 6.12. This
movement provides a series reactance equal to the difference in the reactive values of
point A and Z L . Next, the movement along the unit conductance circle in the
clockwise direction takes us to the origin. This movement is equivalent to adding a
shunt capacitance equal to the negative of the susceptance value of point A. This
solution is labeled (A) in Fig. 6.13. The utility of unit conductance circle in the ZSmith chart can be appreciated if we carry out the impedance matching in the Z-Smith
chart alone. For this, the next step from point A is to transform the impedance value of
point A to the corresponding admittance value. This is done by joining A and the
centre O of the Smith chart and extending it by the distance equal to AO. The
corresponding point is A and it lies on the unit conductance circle in the Y-Smith
chart. Movement from A to O provides the value of shunt element B1 . Therefore,
if the unit conductance circle is also drawn in the Z-Smith chart it not only shortens
the procedure for the calculation of B1 but more important is that it helps in
determining the location of point A at which the transition to Y-Smith is to be made.
The next solution is obtained by moving from Z L to point B on the real axis and then
from B to the origin by means of a quarter-wave transformer. Similarly, solution (C)
corresponds to a series capacitor followed by a shunt inductor. The other three
solutions (D), (E) and (F) are obtained by beginning with YL and consist of a shunt
capacitor followed by a series capacitor (D) or a quarter-wave transformer (E), or a
series inductor (F), as shown in Fig. 6.13.
The value of lumped elements needed to transform a real impedance Z 0 to match
a given impedance Z L can be obtained analytically also. For example, if we
choose the L-section shown in Fig. 6.13(A) and (C) the values of B1 and X 1
required to match the impedance Z L RL jX L are obtained from circuit
analysis. These are given by
B1

1
1
RL

(6.26)

and
X 1 X L B1 R L
(6.27)
The above solution fails for R L 1 and the corresponding region is shown hatched in
Fig. 6.14. For these values of R L one cannot reach the unit-conductance circle.

Similarly, for the matching L-section shown in Fig. 6.13(D) and (F) we have
_______
* G.Gonzalez, Microwave Transistor Amplifiers, Analysis and Design, Prentice Hall,
New Jersey, 1984, Ch. 2.

18

19

20

X1

1
1
GL

(6.28)

and
B1 B L X 1G L

(6.29)
where GL j BL Y L . The above solution does not hold for GL 1. The reason is the
same as stated earlier. However, approach (A) or (C) can be used for GL 1 because
the corresponding RL 1. Similarly, approach (D) or (F) can be used whenever RL 1.
For the lumped element quarter-wave transformer combination the quarter-wave
transformer is designed first and the reactive/susceptive part is then added to it. This
gives for the quarter-wave transformer the characteristic impedance
Z Z 0 RL
(6.30)
6.1.5 Lumped element-transmission line matching circuits (may be combined
with 6.1.1)
Here, we consider the matching circuit to consist of a 50 ohm line and a lumped
element. The complete matching problem is shown in Fig. 6.15. First, a circle of
constant L is drawn through Z L or YL to determine the length of the
transmission line. For this, we move along the constant L circle in a clockwise
direction to reach point A where this circle meets R 1 circle. The distance between
Z L and A provides the electrical length of the line. From A we move on R 1 circle
to reach the origin. This movement provides the value of lumped element. The second
solution is obtained when constant L circle meets real axis at point B. In this way
we can obtain six solutions corresponding to points A, B, C, D, E and F.
The lumped element-transmission line matching network can be designed
analytically also. The matching problems can be expressed mathematically as:
for the circuits in Fig. 6.16(A) and (C)
Z jZ 0 tan( )
Z0 Z0 L
jX
Z 0 jZ L tan( )
for the circuits in Fig. 6.16(D) and (F)
Y jY0 tan( )
Y0 Y0 L
jB
Y0 jYL tan( )
for the circuit in Fig. 6.16(B)
Z 02T
Z jZ 0 tan( )
Z0 L
Z0
Z 0 jZ L tan( )
for the circuit in Fig. 6.16(E)
Y02T
Y jY0 tan( )
Y0 L
Y0
Y0 jYL tan( )
The solutions of the above equations are obtained as:
Solution for (6.31)
X L2 R L 1 2

R
L

1/ 2

and

tan

(6.31)

(6.32)

(6.33)

(6.34)

1 RL
X L XR L

(6.35)

Solution for (6.32)

21

 BL2 G L 1 2
B

GL

Solution for (6.33)

Z

2
0T

R L2 X L2 1

and

G L2 B L2 1

2
L

tan

2G L

(6.36)

and

(6.37)

and

tan

Y02T G L
Y02T B L

(6.38)

B L2 1 4G L2

1 GL
BL B G L

Z 02T RL
tan 2
Z 0T X L

X L2 1 4 R L2

2
L

2RL

Solution for (6.34)

2
0T

1/ 2

where X , R L , X L and Z 0T are normalized with respect to Z 0 ; and B , G L , B L and

Y0T are normalized with respect to Y0 .
In all the matching sections designed above the lumped elements can be replaced by
equivalent lengths of transmission lines. This relationship is described in Chapter 1.
6.1
Impedance Matching using Quarter-wave Transformers
6.1.1 Single section quarter-wave transformers
As pointed out in Chapter 1, a quarter-wave section of a transmission line of suitable
characteristic impedance may be used for matching a resistive load R L to any other
resistive impedance R I . Using (1.34)
R jZ t tan( / 4) Z t2
Z1 Z t L

RI
Z t jRL tan( / 4) RL
The characteristic impedance of the matching section is, therefore, given by
Z t R L R I . Since any complex impedance Z L can be transformed into a real
impedance R L by means of a suitable length of transmission line, a quarter wave
section provides a method for generalized impedance matching as shown in Fig. 6.17.
Z 1 and 1 pertain to the transmission line section used for transforming Z L to a
resistive impedance R L .
One of the difficulties with the arrangement shown in Fig. 6.17 is its limited
bandwidth. For impedance matching circuits the bandwidth is defined as the
frequency range over which the input reflection coefficient (at the plane aa in Fig.
6.17) is less than a certain specified value m . For the circuit of Fig. 6.17, input
reflection coefficient is given by

R L RI

R L RI j 2 tan R I R L

and

22

1
1 2 R I R L sec / R L R I

(6.39)

23

where . When is nearly / 2 , the first term in the denominator may be

ignored and (6.39) may be approximated by

Since

R L R I cos

(6.40)

2 RI R L

at the band-edge specified by m , and from (6.39) we have

m cos 1

2m

RL

RI RL

(6.41)

R I 1 m2

The impedance matching bandwidth f can now be expressed as

2f

f 2 f 0 f m 2 f 0 0 m
(6.42)

where f 0 is the frequency at which / 2 . The fractional bandwidth is given by

2 m R I RL
f
4
2 cos 1
f0

RL RI 1 m2

(6.43)

6.2.2 Multiple section transformers

There are a number of situations where the bandwidth given by (6.43) is not adequate.
The bandwidth can be increased by using more than one quarter-wave section
cascaded together as in Fig. 6.18. In such an arrangement, the impedance values of
quarter-wave sectiona increase (or decrease) monotonically from Z 1 to Z N and the
impedance ratios at various junctions are kept small. Thus small reflection
approximation may be used for expressing the total reflection coefficient (at the input)
in terms of partial reflection coefficients at various junction discontinuities.
Small reflection approximation
Consider two partial reflections S11 and S11n originating from different locations as
shown in Fig. 6.19(a). The total reflection S11T can be expressed as the sum of
successive partial reflections as(see Fig. 6.19(b)):
S11T S11 S12 S 21 S11n e j 2 S12 S 21 S11n ( S 22 S11n )e j 4
S12 S 21 S11n ( S 22 S11n )e j 6
n

S11 S12 S 21 S11n e j 2 S 22 S11n e j 2 n

n 0

S11

j 2

S12 S 21 S11n e
S11 S12 S 21 S11n e j 2
j 2
1 S 22 S11n e

(6.44)
In the last step S 22 S11n term in the denominator is ignored since
Equation (6.44) can be simplified further in the following way:
S12 S 21

S11 S 22 1 .

2 Z1 Z 2 2 Z1 Z 2

(6.45)

Z1 Z 2 Z1 Z 2

Since
1 S11 1

Z 2 Z1
2Z1

Z 1 Z 2 Z1 Z 2

(6.46)

1 S11 1

Z 2 Z1
2Z 2

Z1 Z 2 Z1 Z 2

(6.47)

and

24

We may write

So S11T

S12 S 21 (1 S11 )(1 S11 )

1 S112 1 for S11 1

may be approximated as
S11T S11 S11n e j 2

(6.48)
This result is known as small reflection approximation and states that, for small
reflections, the resultant reflection coefficient is obtained by taking only the first order
reflections into account.
6.2
Multisection Quarter-wave Transformers
The theory of small reflections described in the previous section may be used to
analyze multisection quarter-wave transformers, shown in Fig. 6.20. The partial
reflection coefficient between nth and (n+1)th sections may be written as
Z Zn
n n 1
(6.49)
Z n 1 Z n
The last (Nth) reflection coefficient is
Z ZN
N L
(6.50)
ZL ZN
where Z L is the load impedance. All sections have equal electrical length
which is / 2 (quarter-wave long) at the centre frequency f 0 . The load Z L is
assumed to be real and may be greater than Z 0 so that all n are positive real
numbers. If Z L Z 0 , all n are negative real numbers, and the only modification in
the analysis is to replace n by
(- n ).
Using small reflections approximation ( n 1 ) discussed in the previous section,
the total reflection coefficient, obtained as the sum of first order reflected waves only
is given by
0 1e 2 j 2 e 4 j N e j 2 N
(6.51)
j 2 n
where the phase factors e
account for the phase delays introduced by various
sections of the transformer.
A solution for the n(Z ) can thus be obtained. Since these values are proportional to
the binomial coefficients, the transformer is called a binomial transformer. Since the
above theory is approximate, the range of Z L is restricted to about 12 Z 0 Z L 2Z 0 for
accurate results.

25

26

Example: Consider a two-section transformer shown in Fig. 6.21. Using (6.62) we

have,
Z
1 Z
n 1 n L
Z 1 Z 1L/ 4 Z 03 / 4
(6.63)
Z0 4 Z0
and
Z
1 Z
n 2 n L
Z 2 Z L3 / 4 Z 01 / 4
(6.64)
Z1 2 Z 0
It can be easily seen that the above values of Z 1 and Z 2 result in a perfect match at
the centre frequency f 0 .
The type of passband characteristic obtained with a maximally flat transformer is
shown in Fig. 6.22. Let m be the maximum value of that can be tolerated in the
passband. The angle m that gives m is obtained from (6.64) and may be
written as
m cos 1

2 m
n( Z L / Z 0 )

1/ N

(6.65)

In the case of TEM mode transmission line sections, f / 2 f 0 , and hence the
fractional bandwidth is given by, refer (6.42),
2( f 0 f m )
2 m
f
4

2 cos 1
f0
f0

n( Z L / Z 0 )

1/ N

(6.66)

Note that the solution to the inverse cosine function is chosen such that m is less
than / 2 . From the above expression it is found that a multi-section maximally flat
transformer can provide a much greater useful bandwidth than a single section
transformer. As an example, for m 0.2 , the fractional bandwidth obtained for a
single section transformer, (6.43), designed for matching an 18 ohms load to a 50
ohms line, is 0.5 whereas for a two-section maximally flat transformer the
corresponding bandwidth, (6.66), is 0.861(that is 72% larger).
6.3.2 Chebyshev transformers
Instead of a maximally flat passband characteristic, an equally useful
characteristic is one that may permit the total reflection coefficient to vary
between 0 and m in an oscillatory manner over the passband as shown in
Fig.6.23. An equal-ripple characteristic of this type provides a considerable
increase in bandwidth over the binomial transformer design. The equi-ripple
characteristic is obtained by making the reflection vary according to a
Chebyshev polynomial, and hence the name Chebyshev transformer. It is possible
to have the reflection coefficient become zero at as many different frequencies
in the passband as there are transformer sections. To see how Chebyshev
polynomials may be used in design, it is necessary to consider the basic properties
of these polynomials first.
A Chebyshev polynomial of degree n, denoted by Tn (x) , is nth degree
polynomial in x. The first four Chebyshev polynomials may be written as
T1 ( x) x
(6.67a)
2
T2 ( x) 2 x 1
(6.67b)
3
T3 ( x) 4 x 3 x
(6.67c)
27

T4 ( x ) 8 x 4 8 x 2 1
(6.67d)
A recurrence relation useful for finding the nth degree polynomial from (n-1)th
and (n-2)th degree polynomials is
Tn ( x ) 2 xTn 1 ( x ) Tn 2 ( x )

(6.68)
As shown in Fig. 6.24, the polynomials Tn (x) oscillate between 1 for x in the
range x 1 and increase in magnitude monotonically for x outside this range.
The Chebyshev polynomials satisfy the relation
Tn (cos ) cos( n )
(6.69)
which clearly shows that Tn ( x) 1 for 1 x 1 . As varies from 0 to ,
the corresponding range of variation in x is from -1 to +1. Since we want to
have the equi-ripple characteristics only over the range m to m we cannot
use Tn (cos ) directly. If we consider instead
cos
cos m

cos
cos n cos 1

(6.70)
cos m

we see that the argument of Tn (.) becomes unity when m , and less than
unity for m m . This function would therefore confine the equi-ripple
oscillations of the polynomial Tn (.) to the desired passband only.
Tn

For a symmetrical N section transformer the reflection coefficient is given by

(6.53). For a Chebyshev transformer we choose,
Ae jN TN sec m cos
(6.71)
where A is a constant and is given by 0 , that is,
Z Z0
0 L
ATN sec m
(6.72)
Z L Z0
and therefore,
ZL Z0
A
(6.73)
Z L Z 0 TN sec m
Consequently,

Z L Z 0 TN sec m cos
(6.74)
Z L Z 0 TN sec m
In the passband, TN sec m cos can attain a maximum value of unity, and
hence the maximum value of in the passband is
ZL Z0
m
(6.75)
( Z L Z 0 )TN sec m

e jN

If the passband, and hence m is specified, the passband tolerance m gets fixed
and vice versa. From (6.75), we obtain
ZL Z0
TN sec m
(6.76)
(Z L Z 0 ) m

28

1
Using (6.70) we can write TN sec m cos N cos sec m . Therefore,

29

 1
Z L Z0

cos 1
(6.77)
N
(
Z

Z
)

L
0
m

which gives m in terms of m , the passband tolerance on . It may be noted

that the argument of cosine function on the right side of (6.77) turns out to be an
imaginary quantity.
sec m cos

Using the expression for TN x , given in (6.69), we can write the first four
polynomials as:
T1 (sec m cos ) sec m cos
(6.78a)
2
2
(6.78b)
T2 (sec m cos ) 2(sec m cos ) 1 sec m 1 cos 2 1
T3 (sec m cos ) sec 3 m cos 3 3 cos 3 sec m cos

(6.78c)
(6.78d)

T4 (sec m cos ) sec m cos 4 4 cos 2 3 4 sec m (cos 2 1)

4

These results are sufficient for designing transformers of up to four sections. A

higher number of sections would rarely be required in practice. Values of n are
obtained by comparing (6.53) with (6.71) with TN given by (6.79), (6.80) and
(6.81) for two, three and four sections, respectively.
Example: Consider the design of a two-section transformer to match a line with
Z 0 1 to a line or load with Z L 2 . Let the maximum tolerance value of be
m 0.05 . Using (6.76) we obtain,
1
6.67
(6.79)
3 0.05
1.035 . Thus the fractional bandwidth is

TN sec m 2 sec 2 m 1

and hence sec m 1.958 and m

given by

f
4

1.04 0.675
/2
f0 2

From (6.53) and (6.79)

2 0 cos 2 1 mT2 (sec m cos ) m sec 2 m cos 2 m sec 2 m 1 (6.80)
and hence
0 12 m sec 2 m 2 0.096

1 m (sec 2 m 1) 0.142
The impedances Z 1 and Z 2 are given by
1 0
1 1
Z1
Z 0 1.21Z 0 ,
Z2
Z 1 1.62 Z 0
1 0
1 1
A plot of the passband characteristic of the transformer is shown in Fig. 6.25.

30

Problems for Chapter 6

6.1 Design an L-section impedance matching network for a load whose reflection
coefficient for a good match, in a 50 system, is 0.6745 . Calculate the
lumped element values for two possible choices of matching circuits.
6.2
with
as a

For Prob. 6.1, realize the lumped elements using transmission line sections
10 Z 0 150 . Compare the frequency response by calculating input VSWR
function of normalized frequency f n (defined as the ratio of the operating
frequency to the design frequency) for f n extending from 0.5 to 2.0 at an
interval of 0.1.

Show that a transmission line of impedance Z and electrical length l may be

used to match a load Z L RL jX L to Z 0 . The matching section is
designed as
6.3

X L2
Z 2 Z 0 RL
,
RL Z 0

tan( l ) Z

Z 0 RL
Z0 X L

Determine the allowed values of Z L RL jX L that can be matched to Z 0 and

plot these values on the Smith chart.
6.2

A 50 ohm transmission line is to be matched to a 100 ohm resistive load. Use a

single open circuited stub of 50 ohm line. Plot the frequency response
by
calculating input VSWR as a function of normalized frequency f n
(defined as the
ratio of the operating frequency to the design frequency)
for f n extending from
0.5 to 2.0 at an interval of 0.1.

6.9
Design a two-section impedance matching circuit with maximally flat
response
for matching a 50 ohm line to a 100 ohm restive load. Calculate the
bandwidth of this circuit when the maximum allowable VSWR is; (a) 1.2, and (b)
1.5.

31