Transmission Lines

1 Introduction
When the source radiates in a wide area, the energy spreads out. The radiated energy
is not guided and the transmission of energy through radiation is inefficient. Directive
antenna would have huge dimensions in the order of the wave length of the
broadcasting electromagnetic waves.
We study the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) waves guided by transmission lines.
The characteristics of TEM waves guided by transmission lines are the same as those
for a uniform plane wave propagating in an unbounded dielectric medium.
The three most common types of guiding structures:
1. Parallel-plate transmission line. At microwave frequencies, parallel-plate
transmission lines can be fabricated on a dielectric substrate using print-circuit
technology. They are often called striplines.
2. Two-wire transmission line: power and telephone lines.
3. Coaxial transmission line: TV cables and the input cables to high-frequency
precision measuring instruments.

2 Parallel-Plate Transmission Line (Geometric Model)

Physical Model
1 ∂ 2E iωt ω2
∇ E − 2 2 = 0 since E ∝ e Æ ∇ E + 2 E = 0 ( ∇ 2E + k02E = 0 )
2 2

c ∂t c
Assume it’s a plane wave propagate in the z with polarization in y direction.
d2 ~ ~
2
E y + k02 E y = 0 Æ E = yˆE0e − ik 0 z + iωt (+z), E = yˆE0e + ik 0 z + iωt (-z)
dz
y
d
E = yˆ E0e − ikz + iωt , H = ( zˆ × yˆ )
~ 1 1 ~ − ikz + iωt
E0e
µv z
0
1 ~ − ikz + iωt ω
H = − xˆ E0e = H x xˆ ( k = = ω µε )
µ v
ε
When the TEM wave propagates in the parallel-plate transmission line, charge and
current may be induced in the plates.
Crossing the boundary from dielectric medium to the perfect conduction plates:
r r
∇ × E = 0 Æ E// D = E// C = 0 , ∇ ⋅ H = 0 H ⊥ D = H ⊥ C = 0
 y
E
d
σ++++
z
0
lower plate
r
at y = 0 (lower plate) nˆ = yˆ , ∇ ⋅ D = ρ

r
Æ E⊥C = 0 & εE⊥ D ⋅ nˆ = σ L

~ r ~
E = yˆ E0e − ikz + iωt Æ σ L = E ⋅ yˆ = εE0e − ikz + iωt K

r r r 1 ~ − ikz + iωt
∇ × H = J Æ H D w − H C w = K L w Æ K L = zˆ E0e
µ
ε
Use an Ampere’s loop to obtain the surface current.

at y = d (upper plate) nˆ = − yˆ
~ r 1 ~ − ikz + iωt r
σ U = −εE0e −ikz + iωt = −σ L & KU = − zˆ E0e = zˆH x = − K L
µ
ε

In the dielectric media, the electric and magnetic fields satisfy the Maxwell’s eqs:
r r y
r ∂B r ∂E
∇× E = − & ∇ × B = µε d
∂t ∂t
r r r r z
Æ ∇ × E = −iωµH & ∇ × H = iωεE 0
r r
E = yˆ E y ( z, t ) , H = xˆH x ( z , t ) ( E → V , H → σ → I )
~ ~
basic differential equations

iˆ ˆj k
∂ ∂ ∂ dE y dH x
= −iωµH x Æ = iωµH x & = iωεE y
∂x ∂y ∂z dz dz
0 Ey 0
Use Maxwell’s equation to get the two basic differential equations.

d d r w
dE y y
∫
0
dz
dy = iωµ ∫ H x dy , since KU = zˆH D Æ H x = KU
0 d
z
 dV ( z ) dV ( z )
= iωµKU ( z )d = iωµ (K u ( z )w) = iωLI ( z ) Æ − = iωLI ( z )
d
Æ −
dz w dz

I ( z ) = K u (z )w & L = µ
d dV V L' dI
is the inductance per unit length ( − ~ ~ )
w dz l l dt
Use integration to obtain the voltage and current relation, and to calculate the
inductance per unit length from our physical model.

KU
w dH x
w w
∫0 dz
dx = iωε ∫ E y dx y
0 d H
z
d
(H x w) = d (KU w) = d I (z ) = iωεE y w
dz dz dz l
Æ
= −iωε (− E y d ) = −iωε V ( z ) = −iωCV ( z )
w w
d d
dI ( z )
= iωCV ( z ) where C = ε
w
Æ − is the capacitance per unit length
dz d
I 1 dQ 1 d
~ ~ (C 'V ) ~ C ' dV
l l dt l dt l dt
Use integration to obtain the capacitance per unit length.

Time harmonic transmission line equations: Derived differential

dV ( z ) dI ( z )
= iωLI ( z ) & − = iωCV ( z )
equation
−
dz dz
d 2V (z ) d 2 I (z )
Æ 2
= −ω 2
LCV ( z ) & 2
= −ω 2 LCI ( z )
dz dz
ω
V ( z ) = V0e −ikz , k = ω LC = = ω µε , V ( z , t ) = V0e − ikz + iωt
v
dV ( z ) − dV / dz ikV
I (z ) = I 0e −ikz , I (z , t ) = I 0e −ikz + iωt − = iωLI ( z ) Æ I (z ) = =
dz iω L iωL
Use the derived differential equations to obtain the current and voltage variation
as a function of z and t.

V ( z ) V0 ωLI 0 L µd / w d µ
The impedance: Z 0 = = = = = = (not divided by
I (z ) I 0 kI 0 C εw / d w ε

length)
The velocity of propagation along the line is:
 ω 1 1 1
v= = = =
k LC (µd / w)(εw / d ) µε

Obtain impedance and speed of propagation waves.

Microstrip Lines
The development of solid-state microwave devices and systems has led to the wide
spread use of a form of parallel-plate transmission lines called microstrip lines or
simply striplines.
w

The microstrip lines are closer to the parallel-plate transmission lines if w >> d .

Lossy Parallel-Plate Transmission Lines

r r r r
C= =
Q ∫ D ⋅ ds
r r= ∫ εE ⋅ ds
r r
V − ∫ E ⋅ dl − ∫ E ⋅ dl

r r r r
R = = ∫r r = ∫ r r Æ RC =
V − E ⋅ d l − E ⋅ dl ε C ε
Æ =
I ∫ J ⋅ d s ∫ σE ⋅ d s σ G σ

Get surface impedance and resistance from the concept of power loss.
When the capacitance between the two conductors, the permittivity and the
conductivity are know, we have E
G σ w w H S
= (C = ε ) Æ G = σ K
C ε d d
E

Re{zˆEz × xˆH x } (Poynting’s

1
Averaged Power Dissipation: pavg = − yˆ psurface =
2
theorem)
Upper plate: KU = H x
E Ez
Define a surface impedance: Z Surface = =
K Surface Hx

Z Surface = RSurface + iX Surface

Obtain the surface impedance from the concept of attenuated waves in a perfect
conductor.

A good conductor is a medium for which σ >> ωε .

r r
~ i (− k~z +ωt ) ∂ 2 r ∂E ∂2E
E( z , t ) = E 0 e
~
, E = µcσ c + µ cε c 2 Æ
∂z 2 ∂t ∂t

− k 2 = iµcσ cω − µcε cω 2 ~ iµcσ cω

ωµc ωµc µcω i µcω ⎛ 1 1 ⎞ µcω

E
=
E
= ~ = = ⎜ +i ⎟= (1 + i )
H 1 kc
E k c − iµcσ cω σc 1 σc ⎝ 2 2⎠ 2σ c
µc ω

µcω
Æ Z Surface = RSurface + iX Surface =
Ez E
= z = (1 + i )
KU H x 2σ c

Obtain resistance of a parallel-plate transmission line.

1 ⎛R ⎞
pSurface =
1
2
{ } 1 1
Re KU2 Z Surface = KU2 RSurfecae , P = wpSurface = wKU2 RSurface = I 2 ⎜⎜ Surface ⎟⎟
2 2 2 ⎝ w ⎠
The effective series resistance per unit length for both plates of a parallel-plate
transmission line of width w is

⎛R ⎞ 2 µcω
R = 2⎜⎜ Surface ⎟⎟ = (two times from the viewpoint of power dissipation) (per
⎝ w ⎠ w 2σ c

unit length)

E Elw Vw Rw
Z surface ≡ = = = (not divided by length)
K Kwl Il l
3 General Transmission-Line Equations
-Q
(Electronic Circuit Model) +Q
r r r r
C= = ∫ r r= ∫ r r
Q D ⋅ d s εE ⋅ ds
V − ∫ E ⋅ dl − ∫ E ⋅ dl

r r r r
R = = ∫r r = ∫ r r Æ RC =
V − E ⋅ d l − E ⋅ dl ε C ε
Æ =
I ∫ J ⋅ d s ∫ σE ⋅ d s σ G σ

The capacitor is the capability of storing charges per volt. The conductor is the current
flow per volt.
σ w w
G=C (C = ε in parallel plate transmission lines) Æ G = σ
ε d d
i(z,t)

R∆z L∆z C∆z

i(z,t) G∆z i(z+∆z,t)
v(z,t) v(z+∆z,t)

∂i ( z , t )
v( z , t ) − R∆zi ( z, t ) − L∆z = v( z + ∆z, t )
∂t
∂v( z, t ) ∂i ( z , t )
− = Ri( z, t ) + L
∂z ∂t
∂v(z , t )
i ( z, t ) − G∆zv( z, t ) − C∆z = i ( z + ∆z, t )
∂t
∂i ( z, t ) ∂v( z, t )
− = Gv( z, t ) + C
∂z ∂t
let v( z , t ) = Re{V (z )eiωt } and i ( z , t ) = Re{I ( z )eiωt }
dV ( z ) dI ( z )
Æ − = (R + iωL )I ( z ) and − = (G + iωC )V ( z )
dz dz
d 2V ⎛ dI ⎞
= (− (R + iωL )I ) = (R + iωL )⎜ − ⎟ = (R + iωL )(G + iωC )V ( z )
d
⎝ dz ⎠
2
dz dz
d 2V
let V ( z ) = e − kz & = k 2V ( z ) Æ k 2 = (R + iωL )(G + iωC ) Æ
dz 2

k= (R + iωL )(G + iωC )

let k = α + iβ = (R + iωL )(G + iωC ) ( α : attenuation constant, β : phase constant)

V ( z ) = V0+ e − kz + V0−e + kz and I ( z ) = I 0+ e − kz + I 0− e + kz ( v( z , t ) = V0+ e − kz + iωt + V0−e + kz + iωt and

i ( z, t ) = I 0+ e − kz + iωt + I 0− e + kz + iωt )

dV ( z )
−
dz
(
= (R + iωL )I (z ) Æ kV0+ e − kz − kV0−e kz = (R + iωL ) I 0+ e − kz + I 0−e kz )
V0+ V0− R + iωL
Æ = − =
I 0− I 0− k

R + iωL R + iωL V / lz
characteristic impetance: Z 0 = = (∝ ) (not divided by length)
k G + iω C I / lz

Example: Demonstrate the analog between the wave characteristics on a transmission

line and uniform plane waves in a lossy medium.
In a lossy medium, we apply the model used to describe frequency dependent
permittivity. The permittivity is therefore a complex number, ε = ε '−iε ' ' . The same as
permittivity, we may have complex permeability, µ = µ '−iµ ' ' .
The Maxwell’s equations to relative magnetic and electric fields are:
r r
r ∂H r r ∂E r
~
∇ × E = −µ = −iω (µ '−iµ ' ')H & ∇ × H = ε = iω (ε '−iε ' ')E
∂t ∂t
Assume a uniform plane wave characterized by an E x that varies with only with z.
(Keep in mind that a wave function propagating in the z direction with a polarization
in the x direction. The magnetic field is in the y direction.)
∂Ex ( z )
− = iω (µ '−iµ ' ')H y = (ωµ ' '+iωµ ')H y
∂z
iˆ ˆj kˆ
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂H y ∂H y
=− iˆ = iω (ε '−iε ' ')Exiˆ Æ − = (ωε ' '+iωε ')Ex
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂z ∂z
0 Hy 0

∂ ∂E x ( z ) ∂
Æ = − (ωµ ' '+iωµ ')H y = (ωµ ' '+iωµ ')(ωε ' '+iωε ')E x ( z )
∂z ∂z ∂z
∂ 2 Ex
let E x ( z ) = Ex 0e − kz & k 2 = (ωµ ' '+iωµ ')(ωε ' '+iωε ') Æ = k 2 Ex &
∂z 2
∂2H y
= k 2H y
∂z 2
Derived from general transmission line equations, we have

k= (R + iωL )(G + iωC ) .

Three limiting cases:
1. Lossless Line ( R = 0 , G = 0 . There is no real part in k.)

(a) Propagation constant: k = iω LC , α = 0 , β = ω LC

ω 1
(b) Phase velocity: v phase = =
β LC
R + iωL L L
(c) Characteristic impedance: Z 0 = R0 + iX 0 = = , R0 = ,
G + iω C C C
X0 = 0

2. Low-Loss Line ( R << ωL , G << ωC )

(a) Propagation constant:

⎛ R ⎞⎛ G ⎞ ⎛ R G ⎞
k = iω LC ⎜1 − i ⎟⎜1 − i ⎟ ≅ iω LC ⎜1 − i −i ⎟
⎝ ωL ⎠⎝ ωC ⎠ ⎝ 2ωL 2ωC ⎠
R C G L
= + + iω LC
2 L 2 C

R C G L
α≅ + , β ≅ ω LC
2 L 2 C
ω 1
(b) Phase velocity: v phase = ≅
β LC
R + iωL
(c) Characteristic impedance: Z 0 = R0 + iX 0 = Æ
G + iωC
1/ 2 −1 / 2
L⎛ R ⎞ ⎛ G ⎞ L⎛ R G ⎞ L
Z0 = ⎜1 − i ⎟ ⎜1 − i ⎟ ≅ ⎜1 − i +i ⎟ , R0 = ,
C⎝ ωL ⎠ ⎝ ωC ⎠ C⎝ 2ωL 2ωC ⎠ C

G L R 1
X0 = −
2ωC C 2ω LC

3. Distortionless Line ( R / L = G / C )
⎛ R ⎞ C
(a) Propagation constant: k = iω LC ⎜1 − i ⎟= R + iω LC
⎝ ωL ⎠ L
C
α≅R , β ≅ ω LC
L
 ω 1
(b) Phase velocity: v phase = ≅
β LC
R + iωL R L
(c) Characteristic impedance: Z 0 = R0 + iX 0 = = = Æ,
G + iω C G C
L
R0 = , X0 = 0
C
The different frequency components travel along a transmission line at the same
velocity in order to avoid distortion. For a lossy line, wave amplitude will be
attenuated, and distortion will result when different frequency components
attenuate differently, even when they travel with the same velocity.

Example: It is found that the attenuation on a 50 (Ω) distortionless transmission line is

0.01 (dB/m). The line has a capacitance of 0.1 (nF/m).
a) Find the resistance, inductance, and conductance per meter of the line.
b) Find the velocity of wave propagation.
c) Determine the percentage to which the amplitude of a voltage traveling wave
decrease in 1 (km) and in 5 (km).
50 (Ω) Æ real part of characteristic impedance
1 neper = 8.6858896 decibels R/ L = G /C
L C 0.01
a) R0 = = 50Ω , α = R = 0.01(dB / m) = ( Np / m) = 1.15 × 10− 3 ( Np / m)
C L 8.69

C = 10−10 ( F / m) Æ L = R02C = 2.5 × 10−7 (H / m ) = 0.25(µH / m )

R = αR0 = 1.15 × 10−3 ∗ 50 = 0.057(Ω / m )

= 22.8(µS / m )
RC
G=
L
1
b) v phase = = 2 × 108 m / s
LC
−3
c) After 1 (km), V2 / V1 = e −αz = e −1.15×10 ∗1000
= 0.317 .

−3
After 5 (km), V2 / V1 = e −αz = e −1.15×10 ∗5000
= 0.0032 .

Transmission-Line Parameters
The electrical properties of a transmission line are completely characterized by its
four parameters R, L, G, and C.
Let R = 0 Æ k = iωL(G + iωC ) = iω LC 1 +
G
iωC
σ
Compare with k 2 = iµσω − µεω 2 Æ k = iω µε 1 +
iωε
Æ LC = µε
1. Two-wire transmission line. The wires have a radius a and are separated by a
distance D.
(Obtain the capacitance from the method of images.)
πε µ ⎛D⎞ πσ
C= ( LC = µε ) Æ L = cosh −1 ⎜ ⎟ , G =
cosh −1
(D / 2a ) π ⎝ 2a ⎠ cosh (D / 2a )
−1

1 1 ⎛R ⎞
PSurface = 2πapSurface = 2πa K 2 RSurface = I 2 ⎜⎜ Surface ⎟⎟
2 2 ⎝ 2πa ⎠
µcω
⎛ R ⎞ 2σ c
R = 2⎜ S ⎟ = (The factor of 2 is not from series resistance but from power
⎝ 2πa ⎠ πa
dissipation.)
2. Coaxial transmission line.
µ b 2πε 2πa
L= ln ( LC = µε ) Æ C = and G =
2π a ln (b / a ) ln (b / a )
1 2 ⎛ RS ⎞ 1 2⎛ R ⎞
I = 2πaK Si = 2πbK So , PS ,i = 2πapS ,i = I ⎜ ⎟ & PS , o = I ⎜ S ⎟
2 ⎝ 2πa ⎠ 2 ⎝ 2πb ⎠
µcω
R ⎛1 1⎞ 2σ c ⎛1 1⎞
R= S ⎜ + ⎟= ⎜ + ⎟
2π ⎝ a b ⎠ 2π ⎝a b⎠

Attenuation Constant from Power Relations

The attenuation constant of a traveling wave on a transmission line:

α = Re{k } = Re { (R + iωL )(G + iωC )}

Find the attenuation constant from power relation:

V ( z ) = V0e − kz & I (z ) = I 0e − kz = 0 e − kz
V
Z0
The time averaged power propagated along the transmission line is:
2
P(z ) = Re{I (z )V ( z )} = 0 2 e − 2αz
1 V
2 2 Z0

∆P dP
Time-average power loss per unit length: PL ≡ − =−
∆z dz
 dP( z ) P (z )
PL = − = 2αP( z ) Æ α = L
dz 2 P( z )

Exercise: The following characteristics have been measured on a lossy

transmission line at 100 MHz:

Z 0 = 50 + i 0 (Ω), α = 0.01 (dB/m), β = 0.8p (rad/m)

Determine R, L, G, and C for the line.