Transmission Lines and Waveguides

Lecture 4

Tuesday, 6th Feb 2024

Activities:

i. Wave velocities and dispersion.

ii. Input impedance and characteristic impedance.

iii. Solved examples.

1. Wave velocities and dispersion.
Wave Velocities:

• Refer to the speed at which electromagnetic waves propagate through the medium.

• Can vary depending on the characteristics of the transmission medium and the frequency of
the signal.

o In a uniform transmission line, such as a coaxial cable or twisted pair, the wave velocity depends
on the material properties and the geometry of the line. It's typically a significant fraction of the
speed of light in vacuum but can be slower depending on the dielectric properties of the insulating
material.

o In waveguides, the wave velocity depends on the dimensions and shape of the waveguide, as
well as the frequency of the signal.

o Waveguides can support multiple modes of propagation, each with its own characteristic velocity.

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1. Wave velocities and dispersion (cont.).
Dispersion:

• Dispersion refers to the occurrence where different frequency components of a signal

propagate at different velocities, causing the signal to spread out over time. This can result in
distortion and signal degradation.

• In transmission lines and waveguides, dispersion can occur due to various factors such as
material properties, geometric variations, and frequency-dependent effects.

• In some transmission lines, dispersion can be minimized through careful selection of materials
and design parameters.

• However, in waveguides, dispersion is often inherent (natural) to the structure and must be taken
into account in the design and analysis of the system.

• Dispersion can be classified into different types, such as chromatic dispersion (frequency-
dependent) and modal dispersion (mode-dependent), depending on the specific characteristics of the
system.

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1. Wave velocities and dispersion (cont.).
Wave velocity and Phase Velocity.
• The speed of light in a medium is the velocity at which a plane wave would propagate in
that medium, while the phase velocity is the speed at which a constant phase point travels.
That is:
1
𝑐 =
𝜇𝜀
𝜔
𝑣𝑝 = respectively.
𝛽

• In vacuum/ free space, the speed of light is given as 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎/𝒔.

• Signal distortion relies on the phase velocity at different frequencies, which results in a
phenomenon called dispersion.
• The ratio between the speed of light 𝑐 and the phase velocity 𝑣𝑝 is known as the refractive
index 𝒏 .

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 1. Wave velocities and dispersion (cont.).
Real life examples:

i. Optical Fiber Communication:

• In optical fiber communication systems, light propagates through the fiber optic cables. The velocity of light
in the fiber depends on the refractive index of the material, which can vary with wavelength. This leads to
dispersion, where different wavelengths (colors) of light travel at slightly different speeds. This dispersion
can limit the bandwidth and distance over which signals can be transmitted without distortion.

ii. Seismic Waves:

• Seismic waves, generated by earthquakes or other geological events, propagate through the Earth at
different velocities depending on factors like the composition and density of the materials they traverse.
This variation in velocity leads to dispersion, where different frequencies of seismic waves travel at
different speeds. Seismic dispersion is essential for understanding the structure and composition of the
Earth's interior.

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1. Wave velocities and dispersion (cont.).
Real life examples:

iii. Radio Wave Propagation:

• Radio waves, used for wireless communication, can experience dispersion effects as they
propagate through the atmosphere or other mediums. Factors such as atmospheric conditions,
terrain, and the presence of obstacles can cause different frequencies of radio waves to propagate
at different velocities, leading to dispersion. This dispersion can impact the reliability and quality
of wireless communication links.

iv. Surface Waves in Water:

• Surface waves on bodies of water, such as ocean waves or ripples on a pond, can exhibit
dispersion. Different frequencies of waves can travel at different speeds due to factors like water
depth and surface tension. This dispersion is responsible for phenomena such as wave
interference and the breaking of waves on shorelines.

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2. Characteristic Impedance (Zo) and Input Impedance (Zin).

Characteristic Impedance:

• Characteristic/ Surge impedance is the ratio of the amplitudes of voltage and current of a
single wave propagating along the line; that is, a wave travelling in one direction in the
absence of reflections in the other direction.

• The characteristic impedance is crucial because it determines how much of the signal is
reflected at points of impedance mismatch, such as at the interface between the
transmission line and a load or source.

• It is typically represented in ohms (Ω) and can be calculated using the line's parameters
such as capacitance and inductance per unit length.

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2. Characteristic Impedance (Zo) and Input Impedance (Zin) (cont.)

Input Impedance:

• Input impedance is the ratio of the voltage to the current at any point along the line, as
viewed from the generator side.

• It is a property of the transmission line itself and is determined by its physical properties such
as its geometry, material, and configuration.

• It is influenced not only by the characteristic impedance of the line but also by the termination
impedance and any reflections that may occur along the line.

• The input impedance is crucial for matching the impedance of the transmission line to that of the
source or load to minimize reflections and signal loss.

• It can vary along the length of the transmission line depending on factors such as line length,
frequency, and impedance mismatches.

• Input impedance is often measured in ohms (Ω).

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3. Solved Examples

• Let's consider a simple example of a transmission line with a characteristic

impedance Zo of 50 ohms. Calculate the input impedance Zin when the line is
terminated with a load impedance ZL of 75 ohms.

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3. Solved Examples (cont.)

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3. Solved Examples (cont.)

A lossless transmission line is 105cm long and operates at a frequency of 550𝑀𝐻𝑧.

The line parameters are 𝐿 = 0.25𝜇𝐻/𝑚 and 𝐶 = 120𝑝𝐹/𝑚. Find:
a. The characteristic impedance of the line.
b. The phase constant.
c. The velocity on the line.
d. The input impedance for 𝑍L = 200Ω.

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3. Solved Examples

Since the line is lossless, both 𝑹 and 𝑮 are The phase velocity is given by: 𝑣𝑝 =
𝜔
zero. 𝛽
The characteristic impedance is given by: 2𝜋 550𝑥106
𝑣𝑝 = = 1.83 × 108 𝑚/𝑠
𝐿 18.93
𝑍0 =
𝐶
0.25𝑥10−6 The input impedance:
𝑍0 = 𝑍𝐿 cos 𝛽𝑙 + 𝑗𝑍0 sin 𝛽𝑙
120𝑥10−12 𝑍𝑖𝑛 = 𝑍0
𝑍0 cos 𝛽𝑙 + 𝑗𝑍𝐿 sin 𝛽𝑙
= 45.64Ω
200𝑐𝑜𝑠(18.93 × 1.05) + 𝑗45.64 sin 18.93 × 1.05
Since = 45.64 ×
45.64𝑐𝑜𝑠 18.93 × 1.05 + 𝑗200 sin 18.93 × 1.05
𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽 = 𝑅 + 𝑗𝜔𝐿 (𝐺 + 𝑗𝜔𝐶) = 𝑗𝜔 𝐿𝐶
= 107.12∠ − 53.020 = 64.43 − 𝑗85.57 Ω
𝛽=𝜔 𝐿𝐶

𝛽 = 2𝜋 550𝑥106 0.25𝑥10−6 120𝑥10−12 Note: length (l) converted cm to m (1.05) above

= 18.93 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑚

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 Group Assignment
Group presentations – Tuesday, 20th February 2024

Prepare 3-5 slide presentations on:

i. Standing Wave Ratios (SWRs) and the Reflection Coefficient. – Group 1

ii. Short circuit, Open Circuit and Matched Lines characteristics. – Group 2

iii. Transmission Lines Impedance Matching (including the Quarter wave

transformers). – Group 3

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 Group Assignment

Group 4 – Q1

Group 5 – Q2

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 Group Assignment

Group 6

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