SV21 Smith Chart
SV21 Smith Chart
SV21 Smith Chart
SMITH CHART
Transmission Line Calculator
Prior to the advent of digital computers and calculators, engineers developed all sorts of aids
(tables, charts, graphs, etc.) to facilitate their calculations for design and analysis.
Construction
It would be impractical to plot all the values of ZL and Zin on a rectangular coordinate
impedance plane (Z-plane or R-X plane),
since (0 R & – X ) and this would require a semi-infinite sheet of paper.
Since || 1,
ZL − Z0
L = = (1)
ZL + Z0
Instead of having separate Smith charts for transmission lines with different characteristic
impedances such as Z0 = 50, 60.. it is preferred to have just one that can be used for any line.
This is achieved by using a Normalized chart in which all impedances are normalized
with respect to the characteristic impedance Z0 of the particular line under consideration.
ZL − 1 1 + (1 + r ) + ji
From eq.(1) = r + ji = or ZL = r + jx = =
ZL + 1 1 − (1 − r ) − ji
1 − 2r − i2 2i
r= x=
(1 − r ) 2
+ i2 (1 − r )2 + i2
2 2
r 1
r − 1 + r + i = 1 + r
2
Rearranging (2a)
2 2
r − 1 + i − =
2 1 1
(2b)
x x
r 1
center at ( r , i ) = ,0 radius =
1+ r 1+ r
1 1
center at ( r , i ) = 1, radius =
x x
For typical values of the normalized resistance r, the corresponding centers and radii of the r-
circles are presented in Table 1.
1 r
Normalized Resistance (r) Radius Center ,0
1+ r 1+ r
0 1 (0,0)
1/2 2/3 (1/3,0)
1 1/2 (1/2,0)
2 1/3 (2/3,0)
5 1/6 (5/6,0)
0 (1,0)
Typical examples of the r-circles based on the data in Table 1 are shown in Figure below.
Table 2 presents centers & radii of the x-circles for typical values of x.
1 1
Normalized Reactance (x) Radius Center 1,
x x
0 (1, )
1/2 2 (1, 2)
1 1 (1, 1)
2 1/2 (1, 1/2)
5 1/5 (1, 1/5)
0 (1, 0)
Notice that while r is always positive, x can be positive (for inductive impedance) or negative
(for capacitive impedance).
Class Note by Santanu Das 3
Transmission Lines
If r-circles and x-circles are Superposed, a SMITH CHART is constructed as in Fig. below.
Illustration :
2. A normalized Z = 1 – j 0.5 is plotted at P2, where r = 1 circle and x = –0.5 circle intersect.
2) Clockwise movement on the chart is regarded as moving toward the generator (or away
from the load) [as shown by the arrow G]
Counterclockwise movement on the chart corresponds to moving toward the load (or
away from the generator) [as indicated by the arrow L]
• If l = 0, l = 0, Zin = 0
• Now l (for l /4) increases towards the generator.
Zin (inductive reactance) increases and becomes infinite () at l = /4
• l (for /4 l /2) increases towards the generator.
Zin (capacitive reactance) decreases and becomes zero (0) at l = /2.
This happens in case of clockwise movement on the Smith chart. Hence, clockwise movement
is considered as moving toward the generator (or away from the load).
3) There are Mainly Three scales around the periphery of the Smith chart.
(a) The outermost scale is used to determine the distance on a line from the load end in terms
of wavelength .
(b) The second outermost scale determines the distance from the generator end in terms of
wavelength .
(c) The second innermost scale is a protractor (in degrees) and is primarily used in determining
, phase of .
It can also be used to determine the distance from the load or generator.
The scales are used in determining the distance from the load or generator in degree or
wavelength.
The three scales are included for the sake of convenience but they are actually meant
to serve the same purpose; one scale should be sufficient.
Note that
At PSC point, ZL = 0 + j0.
0
So, L = −1 = 1e j180 and = 1800
4) A complete revolution (3600) around a Smith chart represents a distance of /2 on a line.
Explanation: Over a distance l, the phase angle of reflection coefficient changes by 2l.
2
Thus, for a distance change of /2, phase changes by 2 l = 2. . = 2 radian or 3600
2
(a) Since a complete revolution around the chart is made in going a distance l = /2 along a
transmission line, hence, at these intervals (distances of /2), an impedance Repeats itself.
OR At PSC point, ZL =
At a distance of l = /4, Zin = 0 (PSC point)
(c) Since a /2 distance on a line corresponds to a movement of 360° on the chart,
distance on the line corresponds to a 7200 movement on the chart.
Inference : We may ignore the other outer scales and use the innermost phase angle scale
for all our & distance calculations.