UNIT II

UNIT II TRANSMISSION MEDIUM 1. Define transmission line. A transmission line is a metallic conductor system that is used to transfer electrical energy from one point to another. A transmission line is two or more conductors separated by an insulator, such as a pair of wires or a system of wire pairs. 2. Define balanced transmission line. In balanced transmission line, both conductors carry current; one conductor carries the signal and the other is the return. This type of transmission is called differential or balanced signal transmission. 3. Define unbalanced transmission line. In unbalanced transmission line, one wire is at ground potential where as the other wire is at signal potential. This type of transmission is called single ended or unbalanced signal transmission. 34. Define Open wire transmission line. It is a two wire parallel conductor which consists simply of two parallel wires, closely spaced and separated by air. Nonconductive spacers are placed at periodic intervals for support and to keep the dielectric between the conductors constant. The dielectric is simply the air between and around the two conductors in which the wave propagates. 35. List out the advantages of open wire transmission line? a. Simple in construction b. Radiation losses are high c. susceptible to noise pickups. 36. Define twisted pair cable. It is formed by twisting two conductors .Pairs are generally stranded in units and the units are cabled into cores. The cores are covered with various types of sheaths neighboring pairs are twisted with different pitch to reduce interference between pairs due to mutual conduction. 37. Define shielded cable transmission line. In shielded cable transmission line, parallel two wire transmission lines are enclosed in a metallic conductive metal braid to reduce the radiation losses and interference. The metal braid is connected to ground acts as shield. The braid also prevents signal radiation from reaching the conductors. 38. Define concentric transmission line. Coaxial or concentric conductors are used for high frequency applications to reduce losses and to isolate transmission paths. The basic coaxial cable consists of a center conductor surrounded by a concentric conductor. At high frequencies, the coaxial outer conductor provides excellent shielding against external interference. 40. List and describe the four primary and secondary constants of a transmission line. Primary constants: series dc resistance, series inductance, shunt capacitance, and shunt conductance. Secondary constants: Characteristic impedance ,Propagation constant

42. What is the characteristic or surge impedance for a transmission line? It is defined as the impedance seen looking into an infinitely long line or the impedance seen looking into a finite length of line that is terminated in a purely resistive load equal to the characteristic impedance of the line. 43. What is meant by propagation constant. Propagation constant is used to express the attenuation (signal loss) and the phase shift per unit length of a transmission line. It is also called as propagation coefficient. 44. Define velocity factor or velocity constant for a transmission line. It is defined as the ratio of the actual velocity of propagation through free space. Mathematically the velocity factor is Vf=vp/c Where vf= velocity factor ,Vp=actual velocity of propagation C=velocity of propagation through free space(3X108 m/s) 45. Mention the various types of transmission line losses. Transmission line losses are conductor loss, radiation loss, dielectric heating loss, coupling loss, and corona. 47. Define resonant line and nonresonant transmission line. Resonant line: A transmission line with no reflected power Nonresonant transmission line:A transmission line is nonresonant if it is of finite length or if it is terminated with a resistive load equal in ohmic value to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line.

49. Define reflection coefficient. The reflection coefficient (sometimes called the coefficient of reflection) is a vector quantity that represents the ratio of reflected voltage to incident voltage or reflected current to incident current .Mathematically ,the reflection coefficient is gamma, , defined by =Er/Ei (or) Ir/Ii Where =reflection coefficient (unitless) Ei =incident voltage (volts) Er =reflected voltage (volts) Ir = reflected current (amps) Ii =incident current (amps) 50. Define matched line. When Zo=ZL, all the incident power is absorbed by the load .This is called a matched line. Where Zo=characteristic impedance ZL= load impedance 51. Define unmatched line. When Zo ZL, some of the incident power is absorbed by the load and some is returned to the source. This is called an unmatched or mismatched line. Where Zo=characteristic impedance ZL= load impedance 52. Define the term a. standing wave ii. standing wave ratio. In unmatched line, some of the incident power is absorbed by the load and some is returned to the source. So there are two electromagnetic waves, traveling in opposite direction present on the line at the same time. The two traveling waves setup an interference pattern known as standing wave. 53. Define standing wave ratio. The standing wave ratio is defined as the ratio of the maximum voltage to the minimum voltage (or) the maximum current to the minimum current of a standing wave on a transmission line.SWR is often called the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). SWR= Vmax Vmin 54. Define ground wave propagation. A ground wave is an electromagnetic wave that travels along the surface of earth. Therefore ground waves are sometimes called surface waves. Ground waves must be vertically polarized. 55. What are the advantages & disadvantages of ground wave propagation?

Disadvantages:1. require relatively high transmission power. 2. limited to very low, and medium frequencies, 3. requiring large antennas. Advantages 1. Ground waves are relatively unaffected by changing atmospheric conditions. 2. If the transmitted power is large enough, then ground wave propagation can be used to communicate between any two points in the world. 57. Define space wave propagation. Space wave propagation of electromagnetic energy includes radiated energy that travels in the lower few miles of earths atmosphere. Space waves include both direct and ground reflected waves. Direct waves travel essentially in a straight line between the transmit and receive antennas. space wave propagation with direct waves is commonly called line of sight transmission. 58.Define sky waves. Electromagnetic waves that are directed above the horizon level are called sky waves. 58. Define critical frequency. The critical frequency is defined as the highest frequency that can be propagated directly upward and still be returned to earth by the ionosphere. 59. Define virtual height. Virtual height is the height above earths surface from which a refracted wave appears to have been reflected. 60. Define maximum usable frequency. Maximum usable frequency is the highest frequency that can be used for sky wave propagation between two specific points on earths surface.