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Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

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Zin Calculations using

the Smith Chart
z 0 = 1

zin

z L

z = A

z = 0

The normalized input impedance zin of a transmission line length

A , when terminated in normalized load z L , can be determined as:

zin =
=

Zin
Z0
1

Z0

Z L + j Z 0 tan A

Z 0 + j Z L tan A

Z0

Z L Z 0 + j tan A
1 + j Z L Z 0 tan A
z + j tan A
= L
1 + j z L tan A

Q: Evaluating this unattractive expression

looks not the least bit pleasant. Isnt there a

less disagreeable method to determine zin ?

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

2/7

A: Yes there is! Instead, we could determine this normalized

input impedance by following these three steps:
1. Convert z L to L , using the equation:

ZL Z0
ZL + Z0
Z Z 1
= L 0
ZL Z0 + 1
z 1
= L
z L + 1

L =

2. Convert L to in , using the equation:

in = L e j 2 A
3. Convert in to zin , using the equation:

zin =

Zin 1 + in
=
Z 0 1 in

Q: But performing these three

calculations would be even more

difficult than the single step
you described earlier. What
short of dimwit would ever use
(or recommend) this approach?

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

3/7

A: The benefit in this last approach is that each of the three

steps can be executed using a Smith Chartno complex
calculations are required!
1. Convert z L to L
Find the point z L from the impedance mappings on your

Smith Chart. Place you pencil at that pointyou have now

located the correct L on your complex plane!
For example, say z L = 0.6 j 1.4 . We find on the Smith

Chart the circle for r =0.6 and the circle for x =-1.4. The
intersection of these two circles is the point on the
complex plane corresponding to normalized impedance
z L = 0.6 j 1.4 .
This point is a distance of 0.685 units from the origin, and
is located at angle of 65 degrees. Thus the value of L is:
L = 0.685 e j 65

2. Convert L to in
Since we have correctly located the point L on the

complex plane, we merely need to rotate that point

clockwise around a circle ( = 0.685 ) by an angle 2 A .
When we stop, we are located at the point on the complex
plane where = in !

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

4/7

For example, if the length of the transmission line

terminated in z L = 0.6 j 1.4 is A = 0.307 , we should

rotate around the Smith Chart a total of 2 A = 1.228

radians, or 221D . We are now at the point on the complex
plane:
D
= 0.685 e + j 74

This is the value of in !

3. Convert in to zin
When you get finished rotating, and your pencil is located
at the point = in , simply lift your pencil and determine

the values r and x to which the point corresponds!

For example, we can determine directly from the Smith

D
Chart that the point in = 0.685 e + j 74 is located at the

intersection of circles r = 0.5 and x =1.2. In other words:

zin = 0.5 + j 1.2

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

5/7

Step 1

= 0.685

L = 0.685 e j 65

= 65D

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

6/7

Step 2
A 2 = 0.147

in = 0.685 e + j 74

= 0.685

L = 0.685 e j 65

A 1 = 0.16

A = A 1 + A 2 = 0.160 + 0.147 = 0.307

2 A = 221D
Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

2/9/2010

Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc

7/7

Step 3

zin = 0.5 + j 1.2

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS