Lecture No.

Scattering Matrix
Introduction to S - Parameters

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Spring 2009

Department of Electrical Engineering Air University

Why Scattering Parameters?

Practical system characterization can no longer be accomplished using simple open or shortcircuit measurements as is done in low frequency applications. When dealing with wave propagation phenomenon, it is not desirable to introduce a reflection coefficient of magnitude 1. Terminal discontinuity will cause unwanted voltage or current wave reflections, which will lead to oscillations and hence the destruction of device. With S-parameters, RF/Microwave engineer has a tool to characterize the 2-port network description of nearly all microwave devices without causing harm to the device under test.
RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009 Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Using S-Parameters

S parameters are usually measured with the device embedded between a 50 ohm load and source, and there is very little chance for oscillations to occur.

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

What are S-Parameters?

S-parameters are basically the power wave descriptors that help us determine the inputoutput relationship of a network in terms of incident and reflected power waves.

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

S-parameters
Consider again the multi-port network from the last lecture, which is connected to N transmission lines:

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

S-Matrix
When the characteristic impedances of all transmission lines connected to the network are same, as is shown in the previous figure, the scattering parameters are defined as:

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

S-parameters Definition
Each of the S-parameter in the scattering matrix can be determined as:

This means that the scattering parameters are the amplitude ratios of the port incident and reflected waves. Here the wave amplitude ratio is defined from port j to port i :

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Two Port S-parameters

Port 1 Port 2

Reflection coefficient at port 1 with Also the Input Reflection Coefficient Simple enough, but how do we ensure V2+ = 0 ?
RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009 Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

S-parameters

Transmission coefficient from port 1 to 2 with Transmission coefficient from port 2 to1 with Reflection coefficient at port 2 with
RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009 Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Meaning of S-Parameters
S11 is the input reflection coefficient when all other ports are matched terminated. Return Loss S11 is related to reflection or mismatch at input port S21 is related to forward voltage gain or transmission through the device It is very important to realize that it is a mistake to say S11 is the reflection coefficient at port 1. Actually S11 is the reflection coefficient only when port 2 has V2+ = 0.
RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009 Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Properties of S-Matrices
Recall the two important properties of Z and Y matrices In case of Reciprocal Network, it can be shown that: S-matrix is symmetric about the main diagonal i.e., If a network is lossless, then S is a unitary matrix.

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Example
S-parameters of a TL

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

S-parameters of T-Network
Determine the S-parameters of the resistive T-Network shown below ?:

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

A simple 3-dB attenuator

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Shifting Reference Planes

Consider the N-port network where we have defined the terminal planes We have chosen arbitrarily phase = 00 reference planes when TL are connected to the ports. What happens if we shift these reference planes to some other position along the transmission line? Would there be any change in the [S] matrix?
RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009 Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Shifting Reference Planes

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

Phase Shifts along TL

Any movement away from the ports will introduce phase changes in the voltage amplitudes. Where

Simple transformation is required:

Electrical distance

For example, if reference plane of port 1 of a 2-port network is moved outwards an electrical distance, then:

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU

A Tip
Many times you will notice that your measured S parameters differ from the simulation by a phase angle, even though the magnitude is in good agreement. This likely occurred because your terminal planes were defined differently in simulations as was set during measurements!

RF & Microwave Engineering BETE-Fall 2009

Basit Ali Zeb Department of Electrical Engineering, AU