SMITH

CHART
BY PRAKSHI
 WHAT IS SMITH CHART???
Smith chart is a graphical method to solve transmission
line equation. It is a graph between resistance component
and a reactance component. In other words, it is a
graphical plot of normalized resistance and reactance in
the reflection coefficient plane. So it gives the indication
of impedance at transmission line as one moves along the
line .

Impedances are always normalized with respect to

characteristic impedance in Smith chart. This is done to
avoid construction of one chart for each Z0.
So normalized load impedance is given by

Z
Zn= ZR=R+JX …{R=Normalized Resistance, X=Normalized Reactance} …(1)
o

As we know reflection coefficient is

Z −Zo
ρ= R
ZR+Zo

(ZR/Zo) −1
ρ=
(ZR/Zo) +1

Putting Zn=ZR/Zo from equation 1 in above

Zn−1 𝟏+ρ
ρ= implies Zn =
Zn +1 𝟏 −ρ

Here Zn and ρ both are complex quantities, therefore we can write the above equations as

(1+ ρr) + Jρx (1+ ρr) + Jρx

R+JX = . [ρ = ρr + Jρx]
(1− ρr) − Jρx (1−ρr) + Jρx
1− ρ2r− ρ2x+ 2Jρx
or R+JX =
(1−ρr)2 + ρ2x
By comparing:

1−ρ2r−ρ2x
R=(1−ρ )2+ρ2 … (𝟐)
r x

2Jρx
X=(1−ρ )2+ρ2 … 𝟑
r x

We get two sets of circles, when solved separately Equation 2 will result in family circle
called resistance, R-Circles while equation 3 will give family circles called reactance, X-
circles.
Constant R-Circles
Smith chart is basically an impedance chart containing two sets of
lines. The first set of lines referred to as Constant Resistance lines
form circles all tangent to each other at the right hand end of
horizontal diameter. These circles are known as constant resistance
(R-circles). Each circle represents a fixed resistance i.e. all points on
a particular resistance circle represent the same resistance.

𝑹 𝟐 𝟏
ρx2 + (ρr − ) = 𝟐
𝟏+𝑹 𝟏+𝑹

Above Equation represents family of circles on the reflection co-

efficient plane. These circles are called constant- R circles having
radius 1/(1+ R) and center [R/(1+R), O]. These circles, therefore,
have their centers on the positive ρr axis as shown, R = 0
corresponds to a circle with center (0, 0) on the p-plane. This circle
forms the periphery of the Smith chart. All constant R-circles touch
the point (1, 0) including that of R = ∞ which is the same as
the point itself.
The constant X-Circles
There is another set of lines called Constant Reactance lines. These
lines are arcs of circles, all tangent to each other on the right hand
extreme of horizontal diameter and also tangent to this line. These
circles are known as constant reactance, X circles. The lines in the
upper half represent positive reactances while those in the lower
half represent negative reactances.
𝟏 𝟏 𝟐
(ρr -1)2 + ( ρx - 𝑿 )𝟐 = 𝑿

Above equation represents family of circles called constant X-

circles with center (1, 1/X and radius 1/X on the p-
plane) as shown.

Positive X circle gives Inductive reactance.

Negative X circle gives Capacitive reactance.

SCALES IN SMITH CHART
• The outermost scale (clockwise movement) is used to calculate
the distance of the stub from wavelength towards generator from
the load.
• The next scale (anticlockwise movement) is used to calculate
the distance of the wavelength towards load from generator .
• The innermost scale is used to determine the angle of reflection
coefficient.
Use of Smith Chart
Smith chart is used to determine :-
➢Normalized impedance

➢Reflection coefficient

➢SWR and VSWR

➢Input Impedance

➢Admittance from impedance.

➢Load Impedance, ZR.

➢Designing of Stub using Smith chart.

 HOW TO PLOT NORMALIZED IMPEDANCE ON SMITH CHART
PROBLEM
How to plot normalized impedance on smith chart.
(a) 1+J1
(b)2-J1

SOLUTION
(a) The point.1+J1 will be the intersection of normalized
resistance, R = 1circle and normalized reactance, X = 1
circle. It will be plotted above the horizontal axis because
of positive reactance that is + J1. So the intersection of
R = 1 circle and X = 1 circle is shown as point P in figure.

(b) The point 2-J1 will be intersection of R = 2 circle and ×

= 1 circle. It will be plotted below the horizontal axis
because of negative reactance that is -j1.So point Q
represents 2-j1, normalized impedance on Smith chart
as shown in figure.
 FINDING REFLECTION COEFFICIENT BY SMITH CHART
PROBLEM
A transmission line has a characteristic impedance of 100 Ωs
and is terminated in a load impedance of 200 + j 180 Ωs. Find
the voltage reflection coefficient.

SOLUTION
Zr = 200 + j 180 Ω
Zo = 100 Ω
So normalized impedance,
𝑍
Zn=𝑍𝑟,
0

200 + j 180
Zn = 100

Zn = 2 + j 1.8
Now locate the point 2 + j 1.8 on the Smith chart. It is
represented by point P as shown in Figure.
Determination of magnitude of ρ :

the length of the line between the centre of Smith chart and the point P
ρ=length of the line between the centre of Smith chart and the edge of unit circle
i.e.
𝑂𝑃
ρ=
𝑂𝐴

Let OP = 3.6 cm
And radius (OA) = 6 cm
3.6
Then | ρ|=0.6 = 0.6 …...(i)

Determination of phase angle, θρ of the reflection coefficient, ρ :

Refer Figure, a line is drawn from the centre of the chart at point O through point P, extended till point R. The point R
represents the phase angle, θρ of the reflection coefficient.
Θρ=300 ….(ii)
ρ = | ρ| θρ
So by using equations (i) and (ii), we get
ρ = 0.6 ∠30°
 DETERMINATION OF SWR OR VSWR USING SMITH CHART
PROBLEM
What is standing wave ratio (SWR) circle? Why it is called so
and how it is constructed on smith chart? If a lossless line of
100Ω is terminated with a load of (100+ J70)Ω. Find the
(a) SWR or VSWR.
(b) Voltage reflection coefficient.

SOLUTION
First locate the position of the normalized impedance on
smith chart.
As ZR=(100+70J)Ω
Z0=100Ω
Zn=ZR/Z0
=(100+70J)/100
Zn=1+0.7J
So Zn is shown by point P in fig.. Thus point P represents a
normalized load,
Zn=1+0.7J
Construction of SWR circle
Using a compass, a circle is drawn through point P, with the center of the circle being at the center of the
smith chart, that is point O.
The circle is called constant-|ρ| circle or more commonly the standing wave ratio (SWR) circle.
So a constant value of |ρ|. Corresponds to a specific value for VSWR or SWR.

To determine SWR or VSWR

A point at which SWR circle intersect the real p axis on RHS of smith chart centre will represent the SWR
value.
Here, point A represent the SWR value.
VSWR = SWR = 2

To determine voltage reflection coefficient , ρ

𝑂𝑃 2
| ρ| = =
𝑂𝑄 6
| ρ|=0.33
Here , Θρ = 71◦
ρ = | ρ| Θρ
ρ = 0.33 ∠ 71◦
 DETERMINATION OF INPUT IMPEDENCE USING SMITH CHART
PROBLEM
If a 50 Ω lossless transmission line is terminated in a load
impedance, Zr = (100-j 50)Ω. Find
(a) Input impedance, Zi at a distance, l = 0.1 λ from the
load.
(b) SWR

SOLUTION
𝑍𝑟 = (100-j 50)Ω
𝑍0 =50Ω
𝑍
Zn=𝑍𝑟
0

100 − j 50
= 50

Zn = 2-J1

Zn is represented by point P on Smith chart as shown in fig.

So point P represents. a normalized load, Zn = 2-J1.
(a) Join the points O and P and extend the line (OP) till point R on WTG scale.

Thus, on wavelengths toward generator (WTG) scale, the location of point P is at 0.287 λ (point R) as shown.
Now make a SWR circle in smith chart.
So, we need to find the Zi at a distance l=0.1 λ from the load. Accordingly we have to move to location
l=0.287 λ +0.1 λ on WTG scale.
Here , 0.387 λ is represented by point S on WTG scale.
A radial line through point S on the WTG scale intersects the SWR circle at point Q. This point Q represents Zin
(because impedances are always normalized on Smith chart) and its value is
Zin = 0.6-j 0.66

Input Impedance
As normalized input impedance, Zin =Characteristic Impedance

Thus Z i = 𝑍𝑖𝑛 𝑍0 = 50(0.6 - j 0.66)

Input Impedance,
Zi = (30-j 33) Ω

(b) SWR circle intersects the real p axis of Smith chart on R.H.S. of centre of Smith chart at point, A.
So
SWR = 2.6