Transmission Lines

IMPEDANCE MATCHING
(Maximum Power Transfer)

When ZL  Z0, the load is MISMATCHED to the transmission line, a reflected wave exists on
the line.

When ZL = Z0, i.e. the transmission line is terminated in its characteristic impedance, there will
be no reflection ((|  | or S = 1) in the line,
maximum power is transferred to the load, the line is said to be MATCHED to the
load (or the load is matched to the line).

At low frequencies, up to a few hundred MHz or so, (i) transformer, (ii) a network consisting
of reactive elements in a  or T configuration are chiefly used as the impedance matching
device.
As the frequency is increased, however, owing to stray coupling and distributed
effects, these devices become unpredictable and short sections of transmission line are used.

The matching devices at high frequencies beyond a few hundred MHz are:
• Quarter-Wave Transformer
• Single Stub Tuner
• Double Stub Tuner
• Exponential Taper or Broadband Transformer

QUARTER-WAVE TRANSFORMER
(for Impedance Matching)

The quarter-wave transformer consists of a short section of transmission line /4 long.

A mismatched load ZL can be properly matched to a transmission line (with characteristic

impedance Z0)
by inserting prior to the load, a /4 long transmission line having suitably selected
characteristic impedance (Z0).

Z0 = Characteristic impedance of the Quarter-wave line (/4 line)

Z0 = Characteristic impedance of the main line

When l = /4 or l = 2/ /4 = /2, [with  = 0]

Z L + jZ0 tan l jZ  Z 2
Zin = Z 0 = Z 0 0 = 0
Z 0 + jZ L tan l jZ L Z L

If Zin = Z0, the main transmission line as if is terminated in its characteristic impedance.
The main line sees the quarter wave line along with the load (ZL) as Z0.
Class Note by Santanu Das 1
 Transmission Lines

Z02
For matching Zin = Z0 , Zin = Z0 = or Z0 = Z0 ZL
ZL

Hence, for matching the required characteristic impedance of this quarter-wave section is the
geometric mean of the termination (ZL) and Z0 of the main line.

The quarter-wave (/4) section of transmission line is also called a quarter-wave Transformer
because it transforms load impedance ZL into the main line characteristic impedance Z0;
it is used for impedance matching like an ordinary transformer.

Example: A 120  load is to be matched to a 75  line.

Insert a /4 section of line between the load and the main line. The quarter-wave transformer
must have a characteristic impedance of 75 120 = 94.86 95  .

Note: This 95  quarter-wave transformer will also match a 75  load to a 120- line.

Disadvantage : The reflected wave (or standing wave) is eliminated only at the desired
wavelength (or frequency f); there will be reflection at a slightly different wavelength.
Thus, the main disadvantage of the quarter-wave transformer is that it is a narrow-
band or frequency-sensitive device.

Remedy : Frequency sensitivity can be reduced by using a several section transformer (small
step change in characteristic impedance).

➢ Matching with various Loads

• Resistive Load

As Z0 and Z0 both are real (such is the case for loss-less, distortion-less or low-loss lines),
ZL will have to be real for matching purpose.

 Z0 = Z0 R L

Thus, a resistive load can be matched by a quarter-wave transformer.

• Complex Load

A complex load (ZL) can be matched to a line by transforming the load to a real impedance.

It is known that at voltage maxima or minima points, the impedance is either maximum or
minimum which is resistive only.
Let us say, this Maximum Impedance is R1 and Minimum Impedance is R2

Hence, leave a suitable extension of the main line to the load before inserting the quarter-
wave transformer.

Class Note by Santanu Das 2

 Transmission Lines

Then the characteristic impedance of the quarter-wave section is either

Z0 = R 1Z0 or R 2 Z0

Note that only the quarter-wave section has characteristic impedance different from the main
line.

➢ Techniques of Changing Z0

• Open-wire Line : By changing the conductor diameter and spacing.

• Coaxial Line :

(i) By altering the diameter of the inner or outer conductor. This can be done by appropriate
machining or inserting a sleeve (jacket) around the inner or outer conductor as shown in Fig.(a).

(a) (b)
(ii) A slug of dielectric material with a suitable dielectric constant could also be inserted as in
Fig.(b).

Class Note by Santanu Das 3