EKT 441

MICROWAVE COMMUNICATIONS

CHAPTER 3:
MICROWAVE NETWORK ANALYSIS (PART II)
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ Consider an n – port network:
Each port is considered to be
connected to a Tline with
specific Z0.
Reference plane Port 1
for local z-axis Z01
(z = 0) Port n
Z0n

Port 2
Linear
Z02 n - port
network

T-line or
waveguide
 The Scattering Matrix
⚫ There is a voltage and current on each port.
⚫ This voltage (or current) can be decomposed into the incident (+) and
reflected component (-).
+ V1+
V (z ) = V2+ e − jz + V2− e jz V1+ V 1-
Port 1 I1 V1 = +
V (0) = V2 = V2+ + V2−
- V1-
I (z ) = I 2+ e − jz − I 2− e jz Port
V1 n
I (0 ) = I 2 = I 2+ − I 2− V1 = V1+ + V1−
+z
z=0
I1 = I1+ − I1−
Port 2
Linear
n - port
Port 1
= 1
Z01 (V 1
+
− V1− )
Network
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ The port voltage and current can be normalized with respect to the
impedance connected to it.
⚫ It is customary to define normalized voltage waves at each port as:
Vi +
Normalized ai =
incident waves Z 0i (4.3a) i = 1, 2, 3 … n
+
ai = I i
Z 0i

Vi − Normalized
bi =
Z 0i reflected waves
− (4.3b)
bi = I i Z 0i
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ Thus in general:
V1+, a1 V1-, b1
Port 1
Z01
Vn+,an
Vn-,bn
Port n

Z0n Vi+ and Vi- are propagating

Port 2 voltage waves, which can
Linear
+,
V2 a2 be the actual voltage for TEM
n - port
V2-, b2 modes or the equivalent
Z02 Network
voltages for non-TEM modes.
(for non-TEM, V is defined
T-line or proportional to transverse E
waveguide field while I is defined propor-
tional to transverse H field, see
[1] for details).
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ If the n – port network is linear (make sure you know what this
means!), there is a linear relationship between the normalized waves.
⚫ For instance if we energize port 2:
V1-
Port 1
V =sV
− +

Z01 Vn- 1 12 2
Port n
V =s V
− +

2 22 2

Z0n
Port 2 Linear
=s V
− +

V2+ n - port V n n2 2

Network
Z02
V2 -
Constant that
depends on the
network construction
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ Considering that we can send energy into all ports, this can be
generalized to: V = s V + s V + s V +  + s V
− + + + +

1 11 1 12 2 13 3 1n n

V = s V + s V + s V ++ s V
− + + + +

2 21 1 22 2 23 3 2n n

(4.4a)
V = s V + s V + s V ++ s V
− + + + +

n n1 1 n2 2 n3 3 nn n

⚫ Or written in Matrix equation:

V  s ... s  V 
− +
s
    
11 12 1n

... s  V 
1 1
− +

V  = s s
V = SV
or
− +
(4.4b)
2 21 22 2n 2

 :  : :  :  : 
 −     +

V n  s n1
sn2
... s  V 
nn n

⚫ Where sij is known as the generalized Scattering (S) parameter, or

just S-parameters for short. From (4.3), each port i can have
different characteristic impedance Z0i
The Scattering Matrix

⚫ Consider the N-port network shown in figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1: An arbitrary N-port microwave network

The Scattering Matrix

⚫ Vn+ is the amplitude of the voltage wave incident on port n.

⚫ Vn- is the amplitude of the voltage wave reflected from port n.
⚫ The scattering matrix or [S] matrix, is defined in relation to
these incident and reflected voltage wave as:

V1−   S11 S12 . . . S1N  V1+ 

 −   
V2   S 21 . . . . .  V2+ 
 .   . . . . . .  .  [4.1a]
 =  
 .   . . . . . .  . 
 .   . . . . . .  . 
 −   + 
Vn   S N 1 . . . . S NN  Vn 
The Scattering Matrix

or V  = S V 
− +
[4.1b]
A specific element of the [S] matrix can be determined as:
Vi −
S ij = + [4.2]
Vj
Vk+ = 0 , for → k  j

•Sij is found by driving port j with an incident wave Vj+, and measuring
the reflected wave amplitude, Vi-, coming out of port i.
•The incident waves on all ports except j-th port are set to zero (which
means that all ports should be terminated in matched load to avoid
reflections).
•Thus, Sii is the reflection coefficient seen looking into port i when all
other ports are terminated in matched loads, and Sij is the
transmission coefficient from port j to port i when all other ports are
terminated in matched loads.
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ For 2-port networks, (4.4) reduces to:

V   s  V  V 
− + +
s
 =   = S   (4.5a)
1 11 12 1 1
− + +

V  s
2 21
s22  V 
2 V  2

− − − −
V V V V
s = 11
1
+
s =
21
2
+
s =
22
2
+
s =
12
1
+
(4.5b)
V V V V
V2+ = 0 V2+ = 0 V1+ = 0 V1+ = 0
1 1 2 2

⚫ Note that Vi+ = 0 implies that we terminate i th port with its

characteristic impedance.
⚫ Thus zero reflection eliminates standing wave.
The Scattering Matrix
⚫ Input-output behavior of network is defined in terms of normalized
power waves
⚫ S-parameters are measured based on properly terminated
transmission lines (and not open/short circuit conditions)
 The Scattering Matrix
V1+ V2-
Vs Z01

Z01 Z02
2 – Port Zc2
V1-
− −
V V
Measurement of s11 and s21: s =
11
1
+
s =
21
2
+
V V
V2+ =0 V2+ =0
1 1

V1 -
V2+
Z02 Vs

Z01 Z02
Z01 2 – Port
V2-
− −

Measurement of s22 and s12: V V

s =
22
2
+
s =
12
1
+
V V
V1+ =0 V1+ =0
2 2
Reciprocity of Networks
Reciprocal and symmetric networks

⚫ “A network is reciprocal if a zero impedance source and a zero

impedance ammeter can be placed at any locations in a network
and their positions interchanged without changing the ammeter
reading” - Lorentz

⚫ Reciprocity results with network elements that are linear and

bilateral; they have the same behavior for currents flowing in either
direction

⚫ A symmetric network happens when:

[ s] = [ s] t
(4.6a)
Reciprocity of Networks
⚫ Transpose of a Matrix (taken from Engineering Maths 4th
Ed by KA Stroud)

a b  a c 
S  =  
Transpose of [S],
written as [S]t
S  = 
t

c d  b d 
Reciprocity of Networks
Reciprocal and symmetric networks

⚫ As a consequence of reciprocity, the Z-matrix and Y-matrix for a

reciprocal network is defined as:

Z12 = Z 21

Y12 = Y21
⚫ For a symmetrical network, the Z-matrix and Y-matrix for a
reciprocal network is defined as:
Z11 = Z 22

Y11 = Y22
Reciprocity of Networks
Reciprocal and symmetric networks

⚫ Examples of matrices reflecting reciprocal and symmetrical

properties

Z  = 
18 6
. Reciprocal but not symmetrical
1. 
 6 9 
 0.0692 − 0.0615
2. . Y  =  
Reciprocal but not symmetrical
− 0.0615 0.0769 
 99 20 
 101 
3. . s = 101
20 99 
Reciprocal but not symmetrical
 − 
101 101
 0.05 − 0.05
4. .
Y  =  
Reciprocal & symmetrical
 − 0.05 0.05 
Lossless Networks

Lossless networks
⚫ A lossless network happens when:

[s] = {[ s] }
* t −1
(4.6b)

⚫ It is also purely imaginary for lossless network (no real power can
be delivered to the network, e.g an ideal transformer)
⚫ A matrix that satisfies the condition of (4.6b) is called a unitary
matrix, which can be re-written as:

S S =1
N
*
For i = j
ki ki
k =1
(4.7)

S S = 0
N
* For i ≠ j
ki kj
k =1
Lossless Networks
Lossless networks (cont)
⚫ Which also can be re-written (for a 2-port network):

1. .| S |2 + | S |2 = 1 and
11 21 | S21 | + | S22 |= 1

2. .S S *
11 12 + S 21 22 = 0
S *

⚫ Examples of lossless matrices;

 1 1   − jB jB 
 jZ tan( ) j 1 −
Z 0 sin( )   2Y + jB 2Y0 + jB 
Y  =  0 1  S  =  0

j 1  1 − jB − jB 
 Z 0 sin( ) jZ0 tan( )   2Y0 + jB 2Y0 + jB 
Lossless Networks
Lossless networks (cont)
⚫ Proof? This circuit is symmetrical as well as reciprocal
 − jB jB 
 2Y + jB 1 −
2Y0 + jB 
S  =  0
jB − jB

1 − 
 2Y0 + jB 2Y0 + jB 

B2 (2Y0 ) 2
| S11 | + | S 21 | = 2
2 2
+ 2 =1
B + (2Y0 ) 2
B + (2Y0 ) 2

 − jB  2Y0   2Y0  jB 

S S +S S =
* *


 
 
+ 

  = 0
 jB + 2Y0  − jB + 2Y0   jB + 2Y0  − jB + 2Y0 
11 12 21 22
Lossless Networks
Lossless networks
Example 1
⚫ Proof that the S parameter below is unitary (lossless)
2 2
 99 20   99   20 
| S11 |2 + | S 21 |2 =   +  =1
101 101   101   101 
S  =  20 − 99  2 2
   20   99 
101 101  | S 21 |2 + | S 22 |2 =   +  =1
 101   101 
 99  20   20  − 90 
S11S12* + S 21S 22
*
=  +  =0
 101  101   101  11 

 20  99   − 90  20 
S12 S11* + S 22 S 21
*
=  +  =0
 101  101   11  101 
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

Example 2
⚫ Find the S parameters of the 3 dB attenuator circuit shown in
Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: A matched 3 dB attenuator with a

50 Ω characteristic impedance.
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ From the following formula, S11 can be found as the

reflection coefficient seen at port 1 when port 2 is
terminated with a matched load (Z0 =50 Ω);
−
V
S =
ij
i
+
Vk + =0 fork  j
V j

⚫ The equation becomes;

Z −Z
−
V (1)

S = 1
= (1)
= in 0 On port 2

Z +Z
+
V2+ =0 V2+ =0
11 Z0
V 1
(1)

in 0
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ To calculate Zin(1), we can use the following formula;

141.8(8.56 + 50)
= 8.56 + = 50
(1)
Z
141.8 + (8.56 + 50)
in

⚫ Thus S11 = 0. Because of the symmetry of the circuit,

S22 = 0.
⚫ S21 can be found by applying an incident wave at port
1, V1+, and measuring the outcome at port 2, V2-. This is
equivalent to the transmission coefficient from port 1 to
port 2: −
V
S =
21
2
+
V2+ =0
V 1
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ From the fact that S11 = S22 = 0, we know that V1- = 0

when port 2 is terminated in Z0 = 50 Ω, and that V2+ = 0. In
this case we have V1+ = V1 and V2- = V2.

 41.44  50 
V =V =V    = 0.7071V
−

 41.44 + 8.56  50 + 8.56 

2 2 1 1

⚫ Where 41.44 = (141.8//58.56) is the combined resistance

of 50 Ω and 8.56 Ω paralled with the 141.8 Ω resistor.
Thus, S21 = S12 = 0.707
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

Example 3
⚫ A two port network is known to have the following
scattering matrix:
 0.150 0.85 − 45 
S  =  
0.85 45 
0.20 

a) Determine if the network is reciprocal and lossless.

b) If port 2 is terminated with a matched load, what is
the return loss seen at port 1?
c) If port 2 is terminated with a short circuit, what is the
return loss seen at port 1?
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ Q: Determine if the network is reciprocal and lossless

⚫ From the matrix, [S] is not symmetric and not reciprocal. To
determine whether it is lossless;
| S | + | S | = (0.15) + (0.85) = 0.745  1
11
2

21
2 2 2

So the network is not lossless.

⚫ Q: If port two is terminated with a matched load, what is the return
loss seen at port 1?
⚫ When port 2 is terminated with a matched load, the reflection
coefficient seen at port 1 is Γ = S11 = 0.15. So the return loss is;
RL = −20 log |  |= −20 log( 0.15) = 16.5dB
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ Q: If port two is terminated with a short circuit, what is the return

loss seen at port 1?
⚫ When port 2 is terminated with a short circuit, the reflection
coefficient seen at port 1 can be found as follow
⚫ From the definition of the scattering matrix and the fact that
V2+ = - V2- (for a short circuit at port 2), we can write:
V = s V +s V = s V −s V
− + + + −

1 11 1 12 2 11 1 12 2

V = s V +s V = s V −s V
− + + + −

2 21 1 22 2 21 1 22 2
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ The second equation gives;

S
V =
− +
V 21

1+ S
2 1

22

⚫ Dividing the first equation by V1+ and using the above result gives
the reflection coefficient seen as port 1 as;
− −
V V S S
= =S −S
1
=S − 2 12 21

+
1+ S +
11 12 11
V 1
V 1 22

(0.85 − 45 )(0.8545 ) 0 0

 = 0.15 − = −0.452
1 + 0.2
The Scattering Matrix (Example)

⚫ The return loss is;

RL = −20 log |  |= −20 log( 0.452) = 6.9dB

⚫ Important points to note:

⚫ Reflection coefficient looking into port n is not equal to Snn,
unless all other ports are matched
⚫ Transmission coefficient from port m to port n is not equal to
Snm, unless all other ports are matched
⚫ S parameters of a network are properties only of the network
itself (assuming the network is linear)
⚫ It is defined under the condition that all ports are matched
⚫ Changing the termination or excitation of a network does not
change its S parameters, but may change the reflection
coefficient seen at a given port, or transmission coefficient
between two ports