Tutorial - 1

RF and Microwave Theory (EC31005)

Q1. Find the scattering parameters, (i) S11 and (ii) S21 of the 3dB attenuator (with a 50 Ω characteristic
impedance) circuit shown in Figure:

Ans:

S11 can be found as the reflection coefficient seen at Port 1 when Port 2 is terminated in a matched
load (Z0 = 50 Ω):

(1)
𝑉1− 𝑍𝑖𝑛 −𝑍0
(i) 𝑆11 = ฬ = Г(1) ห𝑉 + =0 = ቤ
𝑉1+ 𝑉 + =0 2
(1)
𝑍𝑖𝑛 +𝑍0
2 𝑍0 𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2

(1) 120∗(10+50)
𝑍𝑖𝑛 = 10 + = 50𝛺
120+10+50

=> S11 = 0
 𝑉2−
(ii) 𝑆21 = ฬ
𝑉1+ 𝑉 + =0
2

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 that 𝑉1+ = 𝑉1 and 𝑉2− = 𝑉2 By applying a voltage V1 at port 1 and
using voltage division twice we find 𝑉2− = 𝑉2 as the voltage across the 50 Ω load resistor at port 2:
40 50
𝑉2− = 𝑉2 = 𝑉1 = 0.667𝑉1
40 + 10 50 + 10

=> S21=0.667
 Q2. A two-port network is known to have the following scattering matrix:

0.12∠0° 0.75∠ − 45°

[S] =
0.75∠45° 0.25∠0°

i) Is the network Lossless? (Yes/No)

ii) Is the network Reciprocal? (Yes/No)
iii) If port 2 is terminated with a matched load, what is the return loss seen at port 1?
iv) If port 2 is terminated with a short circuit, what is the return loss seen at port 1?

Ans: (i) No

|S11|2 + |S21|2 = (0.12)2 + (0.75)2 = 0.5769 ≠ 1

So the network is not lossless.

(ii) No

[S] is not symmetric, the network is not reciprocal

(iii) 18.416 dB
When port 2 is terminated with a matched load, the reflection coefficient seen at port 1 is S11 =
0.12. So the return loss is

RL = −20 log |Г| = −20 log(0.12) = 18.416 dB.

(iv) 9.629 dB

When port 2 is terminated with a short circuit, the reflection coefficient seen at port 1 can be found
as follows. From the definition of the scattering matrix and the fact that 𝑉2+ = − 𝑉2− (for a short circuit
at port 2), we can write

𝑉1− = 𝑆11 𝑉1+ + 𝑆12 𝑉2+ = 𝑆11 𝑉1+ − 𝑆12 𝑉2−

𝑉2− = 𝑆21 𝑉1+ + 𝑆22 𝑉2+ = 𝑆21 𝑉1+ − 𝑆22 𝑉2−

 The second equation gives:

𝑆21
𝑉2− = 𝑉1+
1+𝑆22

Dividing the first equation by 𝑉1+ and using the above result gives coefficient seen at port 1 as

𝑉1− 𝑉2− 𝑆12 𝑆21

Г= = 𝑆11 − 𝑆12 𝑉 + = 𝑆11 −
𝑉1+ 1 1+𝑆22

0.75∠−45 0.75∠45
= 0.12 − = −0.33
1+0.25

So the return loss is RL = −20 log |Г| = −20 log(0.33) = 9.629 dB.
Q3. A two-port network is driven at both ports such that the port voltages and currents have the
following values (Z0 = 50 Ohm):

V1 = 25∠90° I1 = 0.5 ∠90°

V2 = 16∠0° I2 = 0.32∠ − 90°

Determine the input impedance seen at each port:

i) Zin(1)
ii) Zin(2)

Ans:
V1
Z in(1) = = 5000 = 50 + j * 0
I1

V2
Z in(2) = = 50900 = 0 + j * 50
I2
Q4. Find the scattering parameters S11 and S21 for the series and shunt loads shown below.

(i) ii)
Ans:

For Series =>

 A B  1 Z 
ABCD =   = 0 1 
 C D   

B
A+ − CZ 0 − D
Z0 Z
S11 = =
A + + CZ 0 + D 2 Z 0 + Z
B
Z0

S11 = 0.428

2(AD − BC ) 2Z0
S12 = = = 1 − S11
A + + CZ 0 + D 2 Z 0 + Z
B
Z0

S12 = 0.571
For Shunt

1 0
A B  
ABCD =  = 1
 C D  1
 Z 0 

B
A+ − CZ 0 − D
Z0 − Z0
S11 = =
A + + CZ 0 + D 2 Z + Z 0
B
Z0

S11 = −0.25

2(AD − BC ) 2Z
S12 = = = 1 + S11
A + + CZ 0 + D 2 Z + Z 0
B
Z0

S12 = 0.75
Q5. A four-port network has the scattering matrix shown as follows.

(a) Is this network lossless? Yes/No

(b) Is this network reciprocal? Yes/No
(c) What is the return loss at port 1 when all other ports are terminated with
matched loads?
(d) What is the insertion loss and phase delay between ports 2 and 4 when all other
ports are terminated with matched loads?
(e) What is the reflection coefficient seen at port 1 if a short circuit is placed at the terminal plane of port
3 and all other ports are terminated with matched loads?
Ans:
a) To be lossless, [S] must be unitary, from 1st row =>
|S11|2 + |S12|2 + |S13|2+ |S14|2 = (0.178)2 + (0.6)2 + (0.4)2 = 0.552 ≠ 1 => So, not lossless.
b) Matrix is symmetric => So, reciprocal.
c) When ports 2,3 and 4 are matched, we have

RL = −20 log |𝑆11 | = −20 log(0.178) = 14.99 dB.

d) For ports 1 and 3 terminated with ZO, we have

𝑉1+ = 0, 𝑉3+ = 0 So, 𝑉4− = 𝑆42 𝑉2+

IL = −20 log |𝑆42 | = −20 log(0.3) = 10.45 dB and Phase delay (in degree) = 45.

e) For a short at Port 3, ZO on other port, we have,

𝑉2+ = 𝑉4+ = 0 and 𝑉3+ = − 𝑉3−
𝑉1− = 𝑆11 𝑉1+ + 𝑆13 𝑉3+ = 𝑆11 𝑉1+ − 𝑆13 𝑉3− and 𝑉3− = 𝑆31 𝑉1+
(1) 𝑉1−
Г = = 𝑆11 − 𝑆13 𝑆31 = 0.018𝑗 = 0.018∠90𝑂
𝑉1+
Q6. Find the ABCD matrix of the circuit shown below:
Ans.

This circuit is a cascade connection of

+
 1 Z   1 0  1 + ZY Z
ABCD =   Y 1  =  Y
 0 1    1 

50
A = 1 + ZY = 1 + = 1.667
75
B = 50
1
C= = 0.013
75
D =1