2/17/2005

2_6 Generator and Load Mismatches

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2.6 Generator and Load Mismatches

Reading Assignment: pp. 77-79
Q: How is the incident wave V + ( z ) generated on a

transmission line?
A:
HO: A Transmission Line Connecting Source and Load
Q: So, how can we determine the power delivered by a

source?

A: HO: Delivered Power

Q: So how do we insure that the delivered power is as large as

possible?

A: HO: Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

1/6

A Transmission Line
Connecting Source & Load
We can think of a transmission line as a conduit that allows
power to flow from an output of one device/network to an input
of another.
To simplify our analysis, we can model the input of the device
receiving the power with it input impedance (e.g., ZL), while we
can model the device output delivering the power with its
Thevenins or Nortons equivalent circuit.

Zg

Ii

Ii
+

+
Vg
-

Vi

+
Zg

Ig

Vg =Vi + Z g Ii

Jim Stiles

Vi

Ig =

The Univ. of Kansas

Vi
+ Ii
Zg

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

2/6

Typically, the power source is modeled with its Thevenins

equivalent; however, we will find that the Nortons equivalent
circuit is useful if we express the remainder of the circuit in
terms of its admittance values (e.g., Y0 , YL , Y (z ) ).

Ii

Vg

+
-

Zg

+
Vi
-

ZL

Z0

z = 0

z = A

Recall from the telegraphers equations that the current and

voltage along the transmission line are:

V ( z ) = V0+ e j z + V0 e + j z
V0+ j z V0 + j z
I( z ) =
e

e
Z0
Z0
At z = 0 , we enforced the boundary condition resulting from
Ohms Law:

V0+ + V0 )
(
VL
V ( z = 0)
ZL =
=
=
IL
I ( z = 0)
V0+
V0

Z
Z 0
0

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

3/6

Which resulted in:

ZL Z0
V0
=
 L
V0+
ZL + Z0
So therefore:

V ( z ) = V0+ e j z + L e + j z
V0+ j z
e
I( z ) =
L e + j z
Z0
We are left with the question: just what is the value of complex
constant V0+ ?!?
This constant depends on the signal source! To determine its
exact value, we must now apply boundary conditions at z = A .
We know that at the beginning of the transmission line:

V ( z = A ) = V0+ e + j A + L e j A
V0+ + j A
e
I ( z = A ) =
L e j A
Z0
Likewise, we know that the source must satisfy:

Vg =Vi + Z g Ii

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

4/6

To relate these three expressions, we need to apply boundary

conditions at z = A :

Ii

Vg

+
-

Zg

I ( z = A )
+

Vi V ( z = A )

z = 0

z = A
From KVL we find:

And from KCL:

ZL

Z0

Vi = V ( z = A )
Ii = I ( z = A )

Combining these equations, we find:

Vg =Vi + Z g Ii
Vg =V0 e
+

+j A

+ L e

j A

V0+ + j A
+ Z g
e
L e j A
Z0

One equation one unknown (V0+ )!!

Solving, we find the value of V0+ :

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

V0+ =Vg e j A

where:

5/6

Z0
Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z g (1 in )

in = ( z = A ) = L e j 2 A

Note this result looks different than the equation in your

textbook (eq. 2.71):

Z0
e j A
V =Vg
Z 0 + Z g (1 L g e j 2 A )
+
0

where:

g 

Z g Z0
Z g + Z0

I like my expression better.

Although the two equations are equivalent, my expression is
explicitly written in terms of in = ( z = A ) (a very useful,
precise, and unambiguous value), while the books expression is
written in terms of this so-called source reflection
coefficient g (a misleading, confusing, ambiguous, and mostly
useless value).
Specifically, we might be tempted to equate g with the value

( z = A ) = in , but it is not ( g ( z = A ) )!
Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

A Transmission Line Connecting Source

6/6

There is one very important point that must be made about the
result:

V0+ =Vg e j A

Z0
Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z g (1 in )

And that isthe wave V0+ ( z ) incident on the load ZL is actually

dependent on the value of load ZL !!!!!

Remember:

in = ( z = A ) = L e j 2 A

We tend to think of the incident wave V0+ ( z ) being caused by

the source, and it is certainly true that V0+ ( z ) depends on the

sourceafter all, V0+ ( z ) = 0 if Vg = 0 . However, we find from

the equation above that it likewise depends on the value of the

load!
Remember, this solution is a steady-state solution. Just like
the multiple reflection viewpoint for a 4 transformer, we can
(sort of) view the waves on this transmission line as bouncing
back and forth until the boundary conditions are satisfied at
both ends.

Thus we cannotin generalconsider the incident wave to be

the cause and the reflected wave the effect. Instead, each
wave must obtain the proper amplitude (e.g., V0+ ,V0 ) so that the
boundary conditions are satisfied at both the beginning and end
of the transmission line.
Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/17/2005

Delivered Power

1/3

Delivered Power
Q: If the purpose of a transmission line is to transfer power

from a source to a load, then exactly how much power is

delivered to ZL for the circuit shown below ??
I (z )

Vg

+
-

Zg

Zin

V (z )

ZL

Z0

z = 0

z = A

A: We of course could determine V0+ and V0 , and then

determine the power absorbed by the load (Pabs) as:

Pabs =

1
Re {V ( z = 0 ) I ( z = 0 )}
2

However, if the transmission line is lossless, then we know that

the power delivered to the load must be equal to the power
delivered to the input (Pin) of the transmission line:

Pabs = Pin =

Jim Stiles

1
Re {V ( z = A ) I ( z = A )}
2

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/17/2005

Delivered Power

2/3

However, we can determine this power without having to solve

for V0+ and V0 (i.e., V ( z ) and I ( z ) ). We can simply use our

knowledge of circuit theory!

We can transform load ZL to the beginning of the transmission

line (by direct calculationor with a Smith Chart!), so that we
can replace the transmission line with its input impedance Zin :

I ( z = A )

Vg

+
-

Zg

Zin = Z ( z = A )

V ( z = A )

Note by voltage division we can determine:

V ( z = A ) = Vg

Zin
Z g + Zin

And from Ohms Law we conclude:

I ( z = A ) =

Vg

Z g + Zin

And thus, the power Pin delivered to Zin (and thus the power
Pabs delivered to the load ZL) is:

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/17/2005

Delivered Power

3/3

1
Re {V ( z = A ) I ( z = A )}
2

Vg
1
Zin

= Re Vg

+
2
Z
Z
g
in
Z g + Zin

Pabs = Pin =

Vg

1
2 Z +Z
g
in

1
= Vg
2

Zin

Re {Zin }
2

Z g + Zin

Re {Yin }

Note that we could also determine Pabs from our earlier

expression:

Pabs =

V0+

2 Z0

(1 )
2

But we would of course have to first determine V0+ (! ):

V0+ =Vg e j A

Jim Stiles

Z0
Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z g (1 in )

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

1/9

Special Cases of Source

and Load Impedance
Lets look at specific cases of Zg and ZL, and determine how
they affect V0+ and Pabs.

Z g = Z0

For this case, we find that V0+ simplifies greatly:

V0+ =Vg e j A
=Vg e j A
=Vg e j A

Z0
Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z g (1 in )
Z0

Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z 0 (1 in )
1
1 + in + 1 in

1
= Vg e j A
2

Look at what this says!

It says that the incident wave in this case is independent of
the load attached at the other end!

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

2/9

Thus, for the one case Z g = Z 0 , we in fact can consider V + ( z )

as being the result of the source alone, and then the
reflected wave V ( z ) as being the result of this stimulus.
Remember, the complex value V0+ is the value of the incident

wave evaluated at the end (zL=0) of the transmission line

(V0+ =V + ( z = 0 ) ). We can likewise determine the value of the
incident wave at the beginning of the transmission line (i.e.,
V + ( z = A ) ). For this case, where Z g = Z 0 , we find that this
value is very simply stated (!):

V + ( z = A ) =V0+e j (z = A )
1

= Vg e j A e + j A
2

Vg

Likewise, we find that the delivered power for this case can
be simply stated as:

Pabs =
=

Jim Stiles

V0+

2 Z0

Vg

(1 )

8 Z0

(1 )

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

3/9

ZL = Z0

In this case, we find that L = 0 , and thus in = 0 . As a

result:

V0+ =Vg e j A
=Vg e j A

Z0
Z 0 (1 + in ) + Z g (1 in )
Z0
Z0 + Z g

Likewise, we find that:

Pabs =
=
=

V0+

2 Z0

V0+

1 L

2 Z0

Vg

(Z0 )

2 Z0 Z + Z
0
g

Vg
2

Z0
Z0 + Z g

Note that this result can likewise be found by recognizing

that Zin = Z 0 when Z L = Z 0 :

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

Pabs =

Vg

1
2 Z +Z
g
in

Vg

4/9

Re {Zin }

1
Z0
2 Z +Z 2
0
g

Vg

Z0
Z g + Z0

Zin = Z g

For this case, we find ZL takes on whatever value required to

make Zin = Z g . This is a very important case!
First, using the fact that:

Zin Z 0 Z g Z 0
in =
=
Zin + Z 0 Z g + Z 0

We can show that (trust me!):

V0 =Vg e
+

j A

Z g + Z 0

{ }

4 Re Z g

Not a particularly interesting result, but lets look at the

absorbed power.

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

Pabs =

5/9

Vg

1
2 Z +Z
g
in

Re {Zin }

Vg
1
=
Re Z g
2
2 Z +Z
g
g
Vg

{ }

1
2 2Re Z
g

1
Vg
2

{ }

{ }

Re Z g

{ }

4 Re Z g

Although this result does not look particularly interesting

either, we find the result is very important!
It can be shown thatfor a given Vg and Z g the value of
input impedance Zin that will absorb the largest possible
amount of power is the value Zin = Z g .
This case is known as the conjugate match, and is essentially
the goal of every matching networkafter all, the largest
possible power delivered to Zin is the largest possible power
delivered to ZL!

Zg

Vg

Jim Stiles

+
-

Zin = Z g

Matching
Network

The Univ. of Kansas

ZL

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

6/9

There are two very important things to understand about this

result!
Very Important Thing #1
Consider again the terminated transmission line:

Vg

+
-

Zg
Z0

Zin

ZL

z = 0

z = A

Recall that if Z L = Z 0 , the reflected wave will be zero, and

the absorbed power will be:

Pabs =

Vg
2

Z0
Z0 + Z g

But note if Z L = Z 0 , then the input impedance Zin = Z 0 b ut

then Zin Z g* (generally)! In other words, Z L = Z 0 does not

(generally) result in a conjugate match, and thus setting
Z L = Z 0 does not result in maximum power absorption!

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

7/9

Q: Wait! This makes no sense to me! A load

value of Z L = Z 0 will minimize the reflected

wave ( P = 0 )all of the incident power will

be absorbed. Any other value of Z L = Z 0
will result in some of the incident wave
being reflectedhow in the world could this
increase absorbed power?
After all, just look at the expression for
absorbed power:
Pabs =

V0+

2 Z0

(1 )
2

Clearly, this value is maximized when L = 0

(i.e., when Z L = Z 0 )!!! Isnt it ????

A: You are forgetting one very important fact! Although it is

true that the load impedance Z L affects the reflected wave
power P , the value of Z L as we have shown in this handout

likewise helps determine the value of the incident wave (i.e.,

the value of P + ) as well.
Thus, the value of Z L that minimizes P will not generally
maximize P + , nor will the value of Z L that maximizes P +

likewise minimize P .

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

8/9

Instead, the value of Z L that maximizes the absorbed power

is, by definition, the value that maximizes the difference
P + P .
We find that this value of Z L is the value that makes Zin as
close as possible to the ideal case of Zin = Z g .

Q: Yes, but what about the case where

Z g = Z 0 ? For that case, we determined

that the incident wave is independent of

Z L . Thus, it would seem that at least for
that case, the delivered power would be
maximized when the reflected power was
minimized (i.e., Z L = Z 0 ).

A: True! But think about what the input impedance would be

in that case Zin = Z 0 . Oh by the way, that provides a
conjugate match ( Zin = Z 0 = Z g )!

Thus, in some ways, the case Z g = Z 0 = Z L (i.e., both source

and load impedances are equal to Z0) is ideal. A conjugate
match occurs, the incident wave is independent of Z L , there
is no reflected wave, and all the math simplifies quite nicely:
1
2

V0+ = Vg e j A

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Pabs =

Vg

8 Z0

Dept. of EECS

2/14/2006

Special Cases of Source and Load Impedance

9/9

Very Important Thing #2

Note the conjugate match criteria says:

Given Vg and Z g , maximum power transfer occurs when

Zin = Z g .
It does NOT say:

Given Vg and Z in , maximum power transfer occurs when

Z g = Zin .
This last statement is in fact false!
A factual statement is this:

Given Vg and Z in , maximum power transfer occurs when:

Re {Z g } = 0

and

Im {Z g } = Im {Zin }

A fact that is evident when observing the expression:

Pabs =

Vg

1
2 Z +Z
g
in

Re {Zin }

In other words, given a choice, use a source with the smallest

possible output resistance (given that Vg remains constant).

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS