Smith Chart

Smith Chart 2

Reflection coefficient (d )

 In the transmission line
section, it was shown that the
reflection coefficient of a
lossless transmission line is
given by:
(d )  o e  j 2  d
where
Z L  Zo
o 
Z L  Zo

 These equations represents the basis of the Smith Chart

 Smith Chart 3

Calculation of Reflection Coefficient (d )

 Example: Calculate the reflection
coefficients of a transmission line
with Zo=50Ω and terminated with the
following loads:
(a) ZL=0 Ω
(b) ZL→∞ (open circuits) Z L  Zo
o 
(c) ZL=50 Ω Z L  Zo
(d) ZL=(16.67-j16.67) Ω
(d )  o e  j 2  d
(e) ZL=(50+j50) Ω

 Solution:
In general the ZL can be a complex number, consequently Гo will
also be complex number
Z L  Zo
o   U o  jVo  o e j
Z L  Zo
 Smith Chart 4

(a) ZL=0 Ω
(d )
Z L  Z o 0  50
o    o  1
Z L  Z o 0  50
(b) ZL→∞ (open circuit)
Z L  Z o   50
o    o  1
Z L  Z o   50
(c) ZL=50 Ω Z L  Zo
o 
Z L  Z o 50  50 Z L  Zo
o    o  0
Z L  Z o 50  50 (d )  o e  j 2  d
(d) ZL= (16.67-j16.67) Ω
Z L  Z o (16.67 - j16.67)  50
o    o  0.54 221o
Z L  Z o (16.67 - j16.67)  50
(e) ZL= (50+j50) Ω
Z L  Z o (50  j50)  50
o    o  0.83 34o
Z L  Z o (50  j50)  50
 Smith Chart 5

Graphical Representation
i
(a) Z =0 Ω o  1  1 e
L
 1180o
(b) ZL→∞ o  1
(c) ZL=50 Ω o  0
(d) ZL= (16.67-j16.67) Ω
o  0.54 221o
(e) ZL= (50+j50) Ω
o  0.83 34o

 This relation can be understood as the transformation of an

impedance into a reflection coefficient.
 Smith Chart 6

Transformation of an impedance into a reflection coefficient

X Z=R + j X
50Ω
50+j50Ω

0Ω 16.66Ω 50Ω
R
-16.66Ω 16.66-j16.66 Ω

Z L  Zo
o 
Z L  Zo

 Consequently, any load impedance ZL can be “transformed” into

a reflection coefficient.
 The Smith Chart is based on this observation.
 Smith Chart 7

Normalized Impedances
 Consider a transmission line with characteristic impedance Zo
and load impedance ZL.
 The normalized load impedances are defined as:
(d )
ZL
zL 
Zo

Z in
zin 
Zo

 Example: Calculate the normalized impedance zL. Consider that

ZL=(50 + j 50) Ω and Zo=50 Ω.
50  j 50
zL   1 j1
50
 Smith Chart 8

Creating the Smith Chart

 Consider the normalized load impedances are defined as:
(d )
Z in ZL Zo
zin  zL  1
Zo Zo Zo

 The reflection coefficient at the load

is given by
Z L  Zo zL Zo  Zo zL 1
o   
Z L  Zo zL Zo  Zo zL  1
 A generic reflection coefficient is given by
Z  Zo z Zo  Zo z 1
   Note that: z  r  jx
Z  Zo z Zo  Zo z  1
1 
 We also can see that z  r  jx 
1 
 Smith Chart 9

Creating the Smith Chart: Constant Resistance Lines

z  1 r  jx  1  r 
2
1
   U  jV  U 

  V 2

z  1 r  jx  1    2
r 1 ( r 1)
V

U
 Smith Chart 10

Creating the Smith Chart: Constant Resistance Lines-Math

1 
z  r  jx  since   U  jV
1 
1  U  jV [(1  U )  jV ][(1  U )  jV ] (1  U 2  V 2 )  jV (1  U )  jV (1  U )]
r  jx   
1  U  jV ( 1  U)  V
2 2
( 1  U)2  V 2
(1  U 2  V 2 )  jV  jUV  jV 1  jUV 1U 2 V 2 2V
r  jx    j
( 1  U)2  V 2 (1  U ) 2  V 2 (1  U ) 2  V 2
1U 2 V 2 2V
Then r  (1) and x  (2)
(1  U )  V
2 2
(1  U )  V
2 2

From (1) r [(1  U ) 2  V 2 ]  1  U 2  V 2  r [1  2U  U 2  V 2 ]  1  U 2  V 2

r  2rU  rU 2  rV 2  1  U 2  V 2  (r  1)U 2  (r  1)V 2  2rU  r  1  0
2r r 1 r r 1
U 2 V 2  U 0  U2 2 U V2  Then
r 1 r 1 r 1 r 1
r 1 r 2  (r  1) (r  1)
2 2 2
r  r   r   r 
U 2
2
U   V 
2
   U   V 
2
r 1  r  1   r  1  r  1  r  1  (r  1) 2
 r 
2
r 2  (r 2  1)  r 
2
1  r=cte circle-
U   V   U   V 
2 2

 r  1  (r  1) 2
 r  1  (r  1) 2 equation
 Smith Chart 11

Creating the Smith Chart: Constant Reactance Lines

z  1 r  jx  1
2

   U  jV U  1  V  1x   12
2

z  1 r  jx  1   x
 Smith Chart 12

Creating the Smith Chart: Constant Reactance Lines-Math

1 
z  r  jx  since   U  jV
1 
1  U  jV [(1  U )  jV ][(1  U )  jV ] (1  U 2  V 2 )  jV (1  U )  jV (1  U )]
r  jx   
1  U  jV ( 1  U)  V
2 2
( 1  U)2  V 2
(1  U 2  V 2 )  jV  jUV  jV 1  jUV 1U 2 V 2 2V
r  jx    j
( 1  U)2  V 2 (1  U ) 2  V 2 (1  U ) 2  V 2
1U 2 V 2 2V
Then r  (1) and x  (2)
(1  U ) 2  V 2 (1  U ) 2  V 2
From (2) x [(1  U ) 2  V 2 ]  2V  x [1  2U  U 2  V 2 ]  2V
x  2 xU  xU 2  xV 2  2V  xU 2  2 xU  xV 2  2V  x  0
2 2
V V 1 1
U  2U  V  2  1  0  U 2  2U  1  V 2  2     1  1    Then
2 2
x x  x  x
2
 x=cte circle-
U  1  V
2 1 1
   2
equation
 x x
 Smith Chart 13

Creating the Smith Chart: Examples

 Smith Chart 14

Z-Smith Chart
The Smith
Chart
 Smith Chart 15

Example 1: Impedance Transformation

 ZL=(30 +j 60) Ω is connected to a (d )

50 Ω transmission line of 2 cm
and operated at 2 GHz. The Zo=50Ω
phase velocity vp=0.5 c.
ZL=(30+j60)Ω
Find the input impedance Zin =2 cm
Solution
 1st step: Normalized the impedance ZL
Z L 30  j 60
zL    0.6  j 1.2
Zo 50
 2nd step: Locate the normalize impedance in the Smith Chart
 3rd step: Identify the corresponding load reflection coefficient
(Гo) in the Smith Chart
o  0.6325 71.56o
 Smith Chart 16

 4th step: The reflection coefficient at the input (Гin) will have the
same magnitude at the input but different phase.
in  (d  l  2cm)  o e j 2  d  o e j
2 f 
  2 l  2 l  4  l  2 l π ≡ 180o
 vp vp
2 109 Hz
  4  0.02 m  3.351 rad  191.99 o

0.5  3 108 m / s
in  (d  l  2cm)  0.6325 (71.56o  191.99o )
In the Smith Chart rotate 191.99o clockwise

Find Гin. in  0.6325   120.43o

 5th step: Find the normalize impedance zin from the Smith
Chart zin  0.3  j 0.53
 6th step: Convert zin into the actual impedance Zin
Zin  zin Z o  (0.3  j 0.53) 50  Zin  (15  j 26.5 )
 Smith Chart 17

Z-Smith Chart
Smith Chart for
Example 1
 Smith Chart 18

Example 2: Return loss (d )

 The return loss of a transmission line

connected to load ZL is 10 dB. Zo=50Ω

(a) Find the region in the Smith Chart

such that RL(dB)=10 dB.
(b) Calculate the maximum and minimum
resistive load with RL=10 dB
Solution
RL ( dB )

(a) The return loss is given by RL(dB)  20 log o  o  10 20

10

o  10 20
 o  0.3162

(b) From the Smith Chart we obtain:

rmax  1.92  Rmax  1.92  50  Rmax  96 
rmin  0.52  Rmin  0.52  50  Rmin  26 
 Smith Chart 19

Z-Smith Chart
Smith Chart for
Example 2
 Smith Chart 20

Example 3: Open Circuit Transformation   o e j 2 d  o e j

 For an open-ended 50Ω transmission line
operated at 3 GHz, and with a phase
velocity of 77% of the speed of light, find =50Ω
the line lengths to create a 2 pF capacitor
and a 5.3 nH inductor. Use the Smith Chart
to do the calculation.
Solution: (a) Capacitor
Step 1 : Locate   1 in the Smith Chart
Step 2 : Calculate the impedance of the capacitor and locate it in the Smith Chart
1 j j
Capacitor  Z L      j 26.5 
j  C 2  f C 2   3 10 Hz  2 10 F
9 12

Z L  j 26.5  Locate this impedance

Nomalized Impedance : z L     j 0.53 
Zo 50  in the Smith Chart
Step 3 : In the Smith Chart measure the length d1 (in multiple of wavelenghts).
d1  0.422  0.25  0.172 
 Smith Chart 21

Step 4 : Calculate the wavelength λ.   o e  j 2  d  o e j

  o e  j 2  d  o e  j where   2  d

2 f 2  3 109 Hz
    81.6 m 1
vp vp 0.77  3 108 m / s =50Ω
2 2 2
    77 mm
  81.6 m 1

Step 5 : Calculate d1
d1  0.1721  0.172  77 mm  d1  13.24mm

Solution: (b) Inductor

Step 1 : Locate   1 in the Smith Chart
Step 2 : Calculate the impedance of the capacitor and locate it in the Smith Chart
Capacitor  Z L  j  L  j 2  f L  j 2   3109 Hz  5.3 10 9 H  j 99.9 
Z L j 99.9 Locate this impedance
Nomalized Impedance : z L    j 2.00 
Z o 50  in the Smith Chart
Step 3 : In the Smith Chart measure the length d1 (in multiple of wavelengh ts).
d 2  (0.5  .176 )  0.25  0.426   d 2  0.426  77 mm  d 2  32.8 mm
 Smith Chart 22

Smith Chart for Z-Smith Chart

Example 3
0.176

0.25

0.5

0.422
 Smith Chart 23

Example 4: Short Circuit Transformation

 For an short circuit-ended 50Ω transmission   o e j 2  d  o e j
o  1
line operated at 3 GHz, and with a phase
velocity of 77% of the speed of light, find
the line lengths to create a 2 pF capacitor
and a 5.3 nH inductor. Use the Smith Chart
to do the calculation.
Solution: (a) Capacitor
Step 1 : Locate   1 in the Smith Chart
Step 2 : Calculate the impedance of the capacitor and locate it in the Smith Chart
1 j j
Capacitor  Z L      j 26.5 
j C 2  f C 2   3 109 Hz  2 10 12 F
Z L  j 26.5  Locate this impedance
Nomalized Impedance : z L     j 0.53 
Zo 50  in the Smith Chart
Step 3 : In the Smith Chart measure the length d1 (in multiple of wavelengh ts).
d1  0.422
 Smith Chart 24

Step 4 : Calculate the wavelengt h λ.   o e j 2  d  o e j

o  1
From Example 4 :   81.6 m 1
2 2
   77 mm
  =50Ω
Step 5 : Calculate d1
d1  0.422   0.422  77 mm  d1  32.5 mm

Solution: (b) Inductor

Step 1 : Locate   1 in the Smith Chart
Step 2 : Calculate the impedance of the capacitor and locate it in the Smith Chart
Capacitor  Z L  j  L  j 2  f L  j 2   3 109 Hz  5.3 10 9 H  j 99.9 
Z L j 99.9 Locate this impedance
Nomalized Impedance : z L    j 2.00 
Z o 50  in the Smith Chart
Step 3 : In the Smith Chart measure the length d1 (in multiple of wavelenghts).
d 2  0.176   d 2  0.176  77 mm  d 2  13.6 mm
 Smith Chart 25

Smith Chart for

Example 4 0.176

Г=-1

0.422

Z-Smith Chart
 Smith Chart 26

VSWR (or SWR) in the Smith Chart (d )

1 
VSWR  (see transmission line section)
1  Zo=50Ω

For x  0, the reflection pass through

a point of maximum resistance (see graph).
r 1
Consequently,   max Since, rmax  1,
rmax  1
rmax  1
then   0. Consequently, |  | .
rmax  1
rmax  1
1
rmax  1 rmax  1  rmax  1
Then, VSWR  
rmax  1 rmax  1  (rmax  1)
1
rmax  1
VSWR  rmax . It can also be proven that
1
VSWR  ;
rmin
 Smith Chart 27

VSWR (or SWR) in the Smith Chart (Cont.)

VSWR  rmax  1.92

1 1
VSWR    1.92
rmin 0.52
 Smith Chart 28

Example 5: Г, SWR, RL (d )

 Four different load impedances:

(a) ZL=50Ω (b) ZL=48.5Ω (c) ZL=(75+j 25)Ω Zo=50Ω

(d) ZL=(10-j5)Ω are sequentially connected to

a 50 Ω transmission line. Find the reflection
coefficients and the SWR circles and
determine the return loss in dB.

Solution ZL Z L  Zo 1 
zL  ; ; RL(dB)  -20 log  ; SWR 
Zo Z L  Zo 1 
50
(a) z L   1.00   0  RL(dB)  , SWR 1
50
48.5
(b) z L   0.97    0.015  RL(dB)  36.3 dB, SWR 1.03
50
75  j 25
(c) z L   1.5  j 0.5    0.23  j 0.15  RL(dB)  11.1dB, SWR 1.77
50
10  j 5
(c) z L   0.2  j 0.1    0.66  j 0.66  RL(dB)  3.50 dB, SWR  5.05
50
 Smith Chart 29

Z-Smith Chart
Smith Chart for
Example 5

RL=36.3dB

RL=11.1 dB

RL=3.5 dB
 Smith Chart 30

Website :
http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/Smith_Chart.htm?cmpid=zzfindnw_smithchart
 Smith Chart 31

Compressed Smith Chart: includes impedance with negative

Example: Calculate the real part
reflection coefficient for z=-1+j1.
a normalize impedance
z=-1+j1.
z  1 (1  j )  1
 
z  1 (1  j )  1
2 j j 2 j
 
j j j
 2 j 1
  1 2 j
1
|  | 1  4  5  1
This Γ cannot be plot in
the regular Smith Chart
since the outer circle
correspond to |Γ|=1. For
this cases we need to
use the compressed
Smith Chart
 Smith Chart 32

Method to calculate the impedance when |Γ|>1 using the regular

Smith Chart
Example: Find the impedance whose reflection coefficient is 2.236|26.560 .
Step 1: Find the inverse of the conjugate of the reflection.
1 1 1
 
* 
2.236| 26.560 
*
2.236| 26.560
1
 0.447| 26.56 0

*
Step 2: Plot 1/Γ* in the Smith Chart
and find the corresponding normalized
impedance: z '  2  j1
Step 3: Find the impedance corresponding
to the reflection coefficient Γ by changing
the sign to the real part of z’: z  2  j1

Verification z  1 (2  j1)  1  3  j1 (3  j1) (1  j ) (3  1)  j (3  1)

    
z  1 (2  j1)  1  1  j1 1 1
2 2
2
  2  1 j    2 2  12 | arctan(2 / 1)    2.236| 26.56
0
 Smith Chart 33

Admittance Transformation

 The admittance is the inverse of the 1 1

impedance: Yin  ; Yo 
Z in Zo

Yin Z o 1 1
 The normalized admittance is given by: yin     ;
Yo Z in Z in zin
Zo
 Normalize impedance in function of the 1  in
zin 
reflection coefficient: 1 - in

 Normalize admitance in function of the 1 1  in

yin  
reflection coefficient: zin 1  in
 Smith Chart 34

Admittance Transformation (Cont.)

 The Smith Chart can also been used as an admittance chart. The
appropriate transformation in this case is
Y  Y0 (Y / Y0 )  (Y0 / Y0 ) y  1
'   
Y  Y0 (Y / Y0 )  (Y0 / Y0 ) y  1
Since y  1 / z results in
(1 / z )  1 1  z z 1
'   
(1 / z )  1 1  z z 1
The impedance reflection
coefficient for is given by
z 1
  '    e j
z 1
 Conclusion: The reflection
coefficient Г’ is +180o from Г.
j
 Also note that | ' || e ||  |

'  e j  0 e 2 j d e j  0 e j (  2  d )
 Smith Chart 35

Example 6: Impedance/admittance conversion

 Using the Smith Chart find the admittance of the impedance
Zin=(50+j50)Ω. Assume Zo=50Ω.
Solution
Z in (50  j50) 
 1st step: Normalize the impedance: zin    zin  1  j1
Zo 50
 2nd step: Locate zin in the Smith Chart.
 3rd step: Trace a circumference.
1  1 1  e j
z'   
 4th step: Locate yin=z’ 1   yin 1  e j
 5th step: Find yin yin  0.5  j 0.5
1
 6th step: Find Yin= yin Yo Yin  yinYo  (0.5  j 0.5) Yin  (0.01  j 0.01) S
50 
Verification
1 1 50  j50 50  j50 50  j50 1  j1 0.5  j 0.5
Yin       
Z in (50  j50)  (502  502 )  502 (1  1)  502 (1  1)  50  2  50 

Yin  (0.01  j 0.01) S

 Smith Chart 36

Z-Smith Chart
Smith Chart for
Example 6
 Smith Chart 37

Y-Smith Chart
 Instead of rotating the reflection coefficient by 180o, we can rotate the
Smith Chart itself. The Chart obtained by this transformation is known as
the Admittance Smith Chart or Y-Smith Chart.

-2/3

z=0.6+j1.2

+
inductive -
inductive

-
capacitive

y
1
j
2
+
capacitive
+
3 3

Z-Smith Chart Y-Smith Chart

 Smith Chart 38

ZY-Smith Chart
 In many practical design application it is necessary to switch
frequently from impedance to admittance representation and vice
versa.

 To deal with those situations a combined, or so called ZY-Smith

Chart can be obtained by overlaying the Z- and Y- Smith Charts.
 Smith Chart 39

ZY-Smith Chart
 Smith Chart 40

Example 7.a: Use the ZY-Smith Chart

 (a) Identify the normalized impedance z=0.5+j0.5
Using the ZY-Smith Chart find the corresponding normalized admittance y
(b) Identify the normalized admittance y=1+j2
Using the ZY-Smith Chart find the corresponding normalized impedance z

Solution: (See Smith Charts)

 Smith Chart 41

Z-Y Smith Chart

Example 7: b=-1

Part (a) x=0.5

Z=0.5+j0.5 y=1-j1

x=0.5
g=1
 Smith Chart 42

Z-Y Smith Chart

Example 7:
Part (b)

r =0.2
g=1

y=1+j2

z=0.2+j0.4
x=0.4

b=2
 Smith Chart 43

Y-Smith Chart Interpretation

1  y 1  g  jb
   r  ji
1  y 1  g  jb
 Smith Chart 44

Y-Smith Chart Interpretation

1  y 1  g  jb
   r  ji
1  y 1  g  jb
y=g+jb

Capacitive

Inductive
 Smith Chart 45

Y-Smith Chart: Z Smith Chart

New Form-
Extensively used
in the textbook.
 Smith Chart 46

Y-Smith Chart: Y Smith Chart

New Form-
Extensively used
in the textbook.
 Smith Chart 47

Y-Smith Chart: New Form (Extensively utilized in the textbook)

Capacitive

Inductive
 Smith Chart 48

Example 8 (a) Determine l when Zin(l) = j100Ω using the Z-Smith Chart

Z Smith Chart

Short circuit

(b) Determine l when Zin(l) = j100Ω using the Z-Smith Chart

Z Smith Chart

Open Circuit
 Smith Chart 49

Example 8 (a) Calculate Yin(l) when l = λ/8 using the Y-Smith Chart
Y Smith Chart

Short circuit

(b) Calculate Yin(l) when l = λ/8 using the Y-Smith Chart

Y Smith Chart

Open Circuit