MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2022/2023

THIRD YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR DEGREE OF BACHELOR

OF TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

EET 3359: TRANSMISSION LINES

DATE: APRIL 2023 TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One and any Other Two Questions

1 Neper=8.686 dB

QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)

a). State any two types of transmission lines used in practice. (2 Marks)
b). Define the following terms as used with respect to transmission lines:
i) Characteristic impedance
ii) Attenuation constant
iii) Phase constant
iv) Propagation constant of a transmission line. (4 Marks)
c). A line with zero dissipation has R = 0 Ω /m, G = 0.05 mho/m, L = 2.5 mH/m and C =
3.5 µF/m. if the line is operated at 200 MHz, calculate:
i). Characteristic impedance of the line
ii). Propagation constant of the line
iii). Attenuation constant of the line in dB/m
iv). Phase constant of the line in radians/m
v). Velocity of propagation
vi). Wavelength of the wave travelling through the line (10 Marks)

d). A 200 km transmission line having Z0 = 500 ∠ − 100 Ω is inserted between a

0

generator of 100 Ω and a load of 200 Ω. The propagation constant per kilometre is
given as 0.008 + 0.03j. Calculate in dB:

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 i). The insertion loss
ii). The reflection loss
iii). The return loss (7 Marks)
e). A line having a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω is terminated in load impedance
ZR = 60 + 60j. Determine the reflection coefficient and voltage standing wave ratio.
(2 Marks)
f). Define impedance matching with respect to transmission lines and give any two ways
by which it can be realised. (3 Marks)
QUESTION TWO (15 MARKS)

a). Find the characteristic impedance of a line at 3000 Hz if its short circuit impedance is
120∠80o Ω and its open circuit impedance is 300∠ − 30o Ω at this frequency.2 Marks)
b). Find the attenuation and phase constants of the transmission line in (a). (4 Marks)
c). A certain transmission line is connected to a 7A generator at one end and is terminated
in its characteristic impedance. Determine the current at a point 10 km down the line
if it has an attenuation constant of 5 dB/km and a phase constant of 0.3 radians/km.
(2 Marks)
d). Calculate the time that a wave having a frequency of 2 kHz will take to travel a
distance of 100 km in a transmission line whose phase constant is 0.05 rad/km.
Determine the wavelength of the wave. (3 Marks)
e). Find the approximate values of Z0, α, and β at 1 kHz for an unloaded underground
coaxial cable having primary constants of R = 10 Ω/km, L = 1.5µH/km, G = 0.55
µmho/km, C = 0.05 µF/km. (4 Marks)
QUESTION THREE (15 MARKS)

a). Explain the assumptions usually made when analysing transmission lines at radio
frequencies. (3 Marks)
b). Give the three types of distortions that exist in a transmitted wave a long a transmission
line. (3 Marks)
c). Explain the two methods of loading a line. (4 Marks)
d). Give any three reasons why reflection is an undesirable phenomenon in transmission
lines. (3 Marks)
e). Explain the difference between return loss and insertion loss of a transmission line.
(2 Marks)

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QUESTION FOUR (15 MARKS)

a). A certain transmission line has a characteristic impedance of z0 = 489-104j and a

propagation constant of γ = 0.015+0.06j when 5 V are applied to the sending end and a
current of 10 mA flows in. Determine:
i) the magnitude of the current at a distant end which is 60 km away from the sending
end.
ii) the phase angle in degrees of the current in (i).
iii) whether the current in (i) leads or lags the sending end current. Give a reason for your
answer.
iv) the current and the voltage at the receiving end if the line were 60 km long and
shorted at this end, and the sending end voltage were unknown.
v) the current and the voltage at the receiving end of the line in (iv) if this line were
opened at this end. (12 Marks)
b). Define the following terms:
i) Standing wave
ii) Standing wave ratio
iii) Reflection coefficient (3 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE (15 MARKS)

a). A 0.1λ length line has a characteristic impedance of 50Ω and is terminated with a load
impedance of ZL = 5 + j25Ω. Using a Smith chart:
zl
(i) Locate Z l = = 0.1+ j 0.5 on the smith chart:
zo
(ii) Determine the impedance at l = 0.1λ .
(iii) Determine the VSWR on the line.
(iv) Determine the reflection coefficient at the load.
(v) Determine the reflection coefficient at l = 0.1λ from the load. (10 Marks)
b). Other than the applications in (a), state any two applications of a Smith Chart.
(2 Marks)
c). Briefly explain the significance of a quarter - wave line in transmission lines.
(3 Marks)

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