Lecture 7

Microwave Applications

Matching Networks

Amr M. E. Safwat, Ph.D.

Professor
Ain Shams University
Cairo Egypt

Course Content
 Review and introduction
 Planar transmission lines
 Network theory
 Resonators
 Filter design
 Microwave components
 Matching networks
 Amplifier design
 RF measurement

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 Outline
Introduction
Matching with lumped elements
Matching with single stub
Matching with double stub
Quarter wavelength transformer
Binomial multisection matching network
Tapered lines

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Objectives
Matching the source and the load to the transmission line
or waveguide in a general microwave network is necessary
to deliver maximum power from the source to the load.
Matching networks are constructed with reactive
components only so that no loss is added to the overall
network.
Matching may be required over a band of frequencies
such that the bandwidth of the matching network is an
important design parameter.

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 Features of Matching Network
Complexity- The simplest design that satisfies the required
specifications is generally the most preferable.

Bandwidth- it is desirable to match a load over a band of

frequencies.

Implementation-Depending on the type of transmission line

or waveguide being used, one type of matching network may
be preferable compared to another.

Adjustability-In some applications the matching network may

require adjustment to match a variable load impedance.

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Lumped Element Networks (L section)

For frequencies up to approximately 1 GHz, matching networks

containing lumped elements (L-networks) may be used.
The circuit elements (capacitors and inductors) must be small
enough relative to wavelength so that the normal circuit equations for
voltage and current are valid.
The configuration of the matching L-network will depend on the
size of the load impedance relative to the characteristic impedance
Zo.

Z L RL  jX L
Z L  RL  jX L zL    rL  jxL
Z0 Z0

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 RL>Z0
1 1
Z in  Z 0  jX  ( jB  )
ZL
1
Z in  Z 0  jX 
1
( jB  )
RL  jX L
RL  jX L Zin
Z 0  jX 
jBRL  BX L  1

B( XRL  X L Z 0 )  RL  Z 0 (1) X (1  BX L )  BZ 0 RL  X L (2)

Two equations in two unknowns:

X L  RL / Z 0 RL2  X L2  Z 0 RL Is positive since RL>Z0

B
RL2  X L2
1 X L Z0 Z0
X  
B RL BR L

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RL<Z0
1 1
Yin  Y0   jB 
Z0 jX  RL  jX L

BZ 0 ( X  X L )  Z 0  RL (1) ( X  X L )  BZ 0 RL (2)

1 ( Z 0  RL )
X   RL ( Z 0  RL )  X L B
Z0 RL

Is positive since RL<Z0

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 Microstrip Lumped Elements

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Example 5.1
Problem:
Design an L section matching network to match a series
RC load with an impedance ZL = 200 - j 100 , to a 100
line, at a frequency of 500 MHz.
Solution:
The normalized load impedance is ZL = 2 - j 1. This point is
inside the 1 + jx circle. So we will use the following
matching circuit:

Zin
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 Example 5.1 (Cont'd)
Since the first element from the
load is a shunt susceptance,
convert the impedance to
admittance.

 Add the shunt susceptance

such that the resulting impedance
is on the 1 + jx circle. Hence, we
have to construct the rotated 1 +
jx circle on the admittance chart.

There are two points of

intersections. Thus there are two
solutions.

Switch the (1+jx) from the

admittance chart to the
impedance and remove the jx>
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Example 5.1 (Cont'd)

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 Single Stub Matching
 Problems of Matching with Lumped Elements:
• Lumped element impedance matching is not always
possible or easily realizable.
 Solutions:
• A section of open-circuited or short-circuited
transmission line (a “stub”) connected in parallel or in
series with the feed line at a distance from the load
can be used.
• The tuning parameters are the distance from the
load (d) and the length of the stub (l).

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Stub Tuner
Parallel Stub

Series Stub

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 Example 5.2 Solution 1

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Example 5.2 Solution 2

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 Example 5.2 (cont’d)

(b) The two shunt-stub tuning

solutions. (c) Reflection coefficient
magnitudes versus frequency for the
(a) Smith chart for the shunt-stub tuners. tuning circuits of (b).

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Example 5.3 Solution 1

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 Example 5.3 Solution 2

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Example 5.3 Cont’d

b) The two series-stub tuning solutions. (c)

Reflection coefficient magnitudes versus
(a) Smith chart for the series-stub tuners. frequency for the tuning circuits of (b).

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 Double Stub Matching
The single-stub tuners suffer from
the disadvantage of requiring a
variable length of line between the
load and the stub.

The double-stub tuner, which uses

two tuning stubs in fixed positions,
can be used.

Such tuners are often fabricated in

coaxial line, with adjustable stubs
connected in parallel to the main
coaxial line.

The double-stub tuner cannot Double-stub tuning. a) Original circuit with

match all load impedances. the load an arbitrary distance from the first
stub. (b) Equivalent-circuit with load at the
first stub.

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Double Stub Matching (Cont'd)

The susceptance of the first stub, b1
(or b1' for the second solution), moves
the load admittance to y1 (or y1').

y1 (or y1') should have a value such

that after moving a distance d towards
generator, it can be canceled by the
susceptance of the second stub. Hence,
it should lie on the rotated 1+jb circle.
The rotation has an amount d towards
the load.

Then transforming y1 (or y1') toward

the generator through a length, d, of line
leaves us at the point y2 (or y2'), which
must be on the I + jb circle. The second
stub then adds a susceptance b2 (or
b2'), which brings us to the center of the
chart and completes the match.

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 Example 5.4
Example: Design a double-stub shunt tuner to match a load impedance ZL = 60 - j80
to a 50  line. The stubs are to be short-circuited stubs and are spaced /8 apart.

b) The two double-stub tuning solutions. (c)

Reflection coefficient magnitudes versus
frequency for the tuning circuits of (b).
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The Quarter-Wave Transformer

The impedance viewpoint
RL  jZ1 tan l
Z in  Z1
Z1  jRL tan l
When l = odd multiple of /4 such that:

2  
tan l  tan( )  tan( )
 4 2
Z12
Z in 
RL
Matching occurs when Zin=Z0

If we have a section of TL that

has Z1=(Z0RL)1/2, matching
will occur at frequencies
corresponding to /4
Microwave Applications
Reflection coefficient versus normalized
frequency for the quarter-wave
transformer
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 The Quarter-Wave Transformer
Multiple Reflection Analysis
Z1  Z 0 Z 0  Z1 R  Z1
1  2   1 3  L
Z1  Z 0 Z1  Z 0 RL  Z1
2Z1 2Z 0
T1  T2 
Z1  Z 0 Z1  Z 0
  1  T1T2 3  T1T2 2 32  T1T222 32 ...

T1T2 3
 1  T1T2 3  (2 3 ) n  1 
n 0 1  2 3
Geometric series

T1T2 3 1
  1   (1  12 3  T1T23 )
1  2 3 1  2 3
1 1 2( Z12  Z 0 RL ) The same condition
 (1  3 (12  T1T2 ) 
1  23 1  2 3 ( Z1  Z 0 )( Z1  RL )
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Single Section Transformer

Multiple Reflection Analysis
Z1  Z 0 Z 0  Z1 Z  Z1
1  2   1 3  L
Z1  Z 0 Z1  Z 0 Z L  Z1
2Z1 2Z 0
T12  T21 
Z1  Z 0 Z1  Z 0

  1  T12T213e 2 j  T12T21232 e 4 j  32 ...


T12T213e 2 j 1  3e 2 j
 1  T12T213  (23 ) n e 2 nj  1  
n 0 1  23e 2 j 1  13e 2 j
Geometric series
If the discontinuities between the impedances Z1, Z2 and Z2,
ZL are small, then |13|<<1
1  3e 2 j
1  3e 2 j
1  13e  2 j

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 Multisection Transformer

The transformer consists of N equal-length sections of transmission lines.

All Zn increase or decrease monotonically across the transformer and ZL

is real, i.e. all n are real and of the same sign.

Reflection coefficients can be defined at each junction as follows:

Z1  Z 0 Z n 1  Z n ZL  ZN
0  n  N 
Z1  Z 0 Z n 1  Z n ZL  ZN

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Multisection Transformer
The overall reflection coefficient is:
n  0  1e j 2  2e j 4  ...  n e j 2n  ...  N e j 2 N
Where =l (we are close to l=/4, i.e. full transmission)
Let's assume the transformer can be symmetric, i.e.:
0  N 1  N 1 ...etc
n  e jN (0 (e jN  e jN )  1 (e j ( N 2)  e j ( N 2) )  ...
If N is odd

n  2e jN (0 cos( N )  1 cos(( N  2) )  ...  ( N 1) / 2 cos( )

If N is even

n  2e jN (0 cos( N )  1 cos(( N  1) )  ...  N / 2 )

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Multisection Binomial Matching Transformers
The passband response of a binomial matching transformer is as flat as
possible near the design frequency.

This type of response is designed, for an N-section transformer, by setting

the first N - I derivatives of n () to zero, at the center frequency f0.
( )  A(1  e j 2 ) N

And the magnitude is:

N
( )  A e  jN (e  j  e  j )

 2 N A cos( )
N

The constant is determined at =0

Z L  Z0 1 Z L  Z0
(0)  2 N A cos(0) 
N
A
Z L  Z0 2N Z L  Z0
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Binomial Matching (Cont'd)

Now how to determine the value of Zn?
To determine Zn, equate the reflection coefficient derived for
multisection transformer to the binomial function as follows:
( )  A(1  e  j ) N  A CnN e 2 jn
n
 j 2
 0  1e  2e  j 4  ...  N e 2 jN

n  ACnN

where
Z n 1  Z n 1 Z L  Z0 N!
n  A CnN 
Z n 1  Z n 2N Z L  Z0 ( N  n)!n!

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 Tapered TL Matching Section
For a continuously tapered line:
Z n 1  Z n
n 
Z n 1  Z n
Z n 1  Z n Z n
n  
Z n 1  Z n 2Z n
Z  Z n dZ ln( Z / Z 0 )
d  n 1  
Z n 1  Z n 2Z 2

However, we want to write the

DE in terms of distance (z)
d d (ln( Z / Z 0 ))

d ( z) 2dz
L
d (ln( Z / Z 0 ))
e
 2 jz
To include the propagation factor: ( )  d ( z)
z 0
2d ( z )
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Exponential Impedance Taper

For an exponential taper:
Z  Z 0e az
Find the value of a and the
reflection coeficient?
Solution
Since this taper is used to
match ZL to Z0 TL, hence
1
Z L  Z 0e aL a ln( Z L / Z 0 )
L
To find 
L
d (ln(e az ))
( )  
z 0
e  2 j z
2dz
dz

ln( Z L Z 0 )  jl sin l A matching section with an exponential impedance

 e taper. (a) Variation of impedance. (b) Resulting
2 l reflection coefficient magnitude response.

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 Next Time

Amplifiers

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