L-C Transformer Cuts Cost And Size, Adds

Low-Pass Filtering
Electronic Design
Richard M. Kurzrok
Mon, 2003-07-21 (All day)
L-C equivalents of microwave quarter-wave transformers provide cost savings, miniaturization, and
supplementary low-pass filtering. Typically, these transformers have been synthesized directly with
published design tables.1, 2 But the circuit shown here is attained by using the pi equivalents of
microwave quarter-wave sections. The benefit of this approach is design simplicity. Many years ago,
this author used it to realize an L-C version of the 3/2-wavelength hybrid ring.3
Impedance levels for a double quarter-wave transformer are available in a classic reference.4 For an
impedance transformation ratio of 1.5 (applicable to a 50- to 75- transformer) and normalized
bandwidth of 0.6, the quarter-wave sections have normalized impedances of Z1 = 1.1197 and Z2 =
1.3396 (see the figure, a).

An L-C equivalent is realized by replacing the quarter-wave sections with reactive pi sections and
combining central capacitors (see the figure, b).

Note that the schematic shows the normalized circuit g's. Upon denormalizing, circuit-element values
and their actual realization are shown for a center frequency of 10 MHz in Table 1.

This L-C transformer was constructed as a test piece, with through-lead components and point-topoint wiring in a Hammond 1590H die-cast aluminum enclosure with BNC panel jacks. The
transformer was cascaded with a 75- to 50- minimum-loss pad and tested in a 50- setup. Table 2
shows the measured transformer insertion loss after subtracting the nominal 5.7 dB contributed by the
minimum-loss pad.
Unlike conventional transformers, the L-C transformer requires no expensive bifilar magnet wire.
With surface-mount components and automated manufacture, it can offer low-cost miniaturization at
frequencies well into the microwave region. Also, replacing transmission-line transformers with
quarter-wave sections of artificial-line L-C transformers adds supplementary low-pass filtering that
provides useful selectivity. Additional stop-band rejection can be obtained using the L-C equivalent of

transformers with three or more quarter-wave sections. When properly applied, the technique
described here can enhance the integration of many subsystems and systems.
References:
1. Matthaei, G.L., "Tables of Chebychev Impedance Transforming Networks of Low-Pass Filter
Form," Proc. IEEE, Vol. 52, p. 939-963, August 1964.
2. Cristal, E.C., "Tables of Maximally Flat Impedance Transforming Networks of Low-Pass
Filter Form," IEEE Trans. MTT, Vol. MTT-13, p. 693-695, Sept. 1965.
3. Kurzrok, R.M., "Design Technique for Lumped-Circuit Hybrid Ring," Electronics, May 18,
1962.
4. Matthaei, G.L., Young, L., and Jones, E.M.T., "Microwave Filters, Impedance Matching
Networks, and Coupling Structures," McGraw-Hill, Chapter 6, 1964.