Smith Chart

- invented by Phillip H. Smith

- a special circular graph that has been used
to indicate complex impedances and
admittances and the way in which they vary
along the line
- one-half wavelength on the line corresponds to
one revolution around the chart
- clockwise rotation represent movement
toward
to
the
generator
and
counterclockwise rotation represents progress
toward the load

Parts of the
Smith Chart
- Two scales that run from 0-0.5 wavelength:
1. around the outside of the chart
2. each direction

- Body of the chart

.made up of families of orthogonal circles
.real component (resistance/conductance)
horizontal axis

. imaginary component (reactance/susceptance)

vertical axis

- Z=Zo=1

Impedance Normalization

the ratio of two impedances

reduces the range of values

z=
where:
z, normalized impedance at a point on the line (dimentionless)
Z, actual impedance at the same point
Zo, characteristic impedance of the line

STEPS : Determining Zin using Smith

Chart
Normalize the impedance (z) by getting the ratio of ZL or total load
impedance to the line characteristic impedance Zo.
Plot z on the Smith Chart and draw the VSWR circle.
Draw the a line that passes through the z right outside of the chart.
To find the input impedance, it is required to move from the load toward the
generator (clockwise rotation) by its required wavelength. Since each full
revolution on chart represents /2, it means that eight full rotations plus the
required wavelength is necessary. Thus, just moving it by the required
wavelength from the load in a CW direction will provide Zin.

Problem 14.13 (BLAKE)

A 50- line operating at 100 MHz
has a velocity factor of 0.7. It is 6m
long and is terminated with a load
impedance of 50 + j50 . Find the
input impedance for the line.

Given
Zo = 50-
f = 100 MHz
vf = 0.7
L = 6m
ZL = 50 + j50

Required: Zin

Solution

vp = f

USING SMITH CHART

Normalize the
impedance (z) by
getting the ratio of ZL
or total load
impedance to the line
characteristic
impedance Zo.
z = ZL/Zo
= (50+50i)/50
Z= 1+j1

Plot z on the
Smith Chart
and draw the
VSWR circle.

Draw the a line

that
passes
through the z
right outside of
the chart.

To find the input impedance,

it is required to move from the
load
toward
the
LOAD
(counterclockwise rotation) by
its 2.1 . Since each full
revolution on chart represents
/2, it means that 4 full
rotations plus the 0.1 is
necessary. Thus, just moving it
by the 0.1 from the load in a
CW direction will provide Zin.

0.39+0.1j
Zin=zo(zin)
Zin =
50(0.39+0.1j)
= 19.5+5j