Q1: What does a transmission line do?

Ans: There are essentially two modes of transmitting power/information between the source and the
destination i.e. unguided propagation (media of infinite extent in which uniform plane wave exists in
all directions) and guided propagation (such as transmission lines and wave guides). Transmission lines
are used to propagate digital and analog signals as frequency domain components of microwave (at
high frequencies) while they are also used for power distribution at low frequencies. Various kinds of
transmission lines such as the twisted-pair and coaxial cables (thinnet and thicknet) are used in computer
networks such as the ethernet and internet. A transmission line basically consists of two or more parallel
conductors. In the most simplest form, a transmission line is used to link the source to the destination
where a source may be a hydroelectric generator, a transmitter or an oscillator and a destination may be
a factory, an antenna or an oscilloscope respectively.

Q2: What are the parameters of a transmission lines?

Ans: The line parameters are a convenient way to discuss the properties of the transmission lines, these
transmission line parameters are listed below:
a) Resistance per unit length R
b) Inductance per unit length L
c) Conductance per unit length G
d) Capacitance per unit length C

Q3: What is meant by impedance?

Ans: Impedance, denoted by Z, is an expression of the opposition that an electronic component, circuit
or system offers to alternating and/or direct electric current. Impedance is a vector (two-dimensional)
quantity consisting of two independent scalar (one-dimensional) phenomena i.e. resistance and
reactance. In other words, the effective resistance of an electric circuit or component to alternating
current, arising from the combined effects of Ohmic Resistance and Reactance is called
“Impedance”.

Q4: What is the difference between resistance and impedance?

Ans: Resistance is a concept that is applied to direct current (DC) signals passing through a conductor
having no or very low frequency, in which the resistance offered by the conductor is due to the collision
of electrons with the vibrating atoms of the conductors which is dependent upon the length, cross section
area and temperature of the conductor. Whereas, impedance may be defined as a total cumulative effect
on passing of electrons of a signal having high frequencies, in which along with resistance, other
parasitic effects i.e. inductance and capacitance contribute to the hindrance in the flow of electrons.

Q5: What is meant by impedance mismatch?

Ans: The term “Impedance Mismatch” is most commonly used when connecting a transmitter circuit
to an antenna but on the contrary, it is not specific to its operation. In general, impedance mismatch is
defined as “having a mismatch of the input impedance of the transmission line to the output impedance
of the source or mismatch of the output impedance of the transmission line to the input impedance of
the load causes in reflection of the signal which results in power loss and lower power efficiency.” The
phenomena of reflection is the reason for standing waves that a re generated along the transmission
lines which results in higher loss of power during transmission.

Q6: Why is impedance matching important in transmission lines?

Ans: Impedance matching is important in transmission lines because due to higher mismatch of
transmission line results in higher VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) which results in higher loss
of power during transmission.

Q7: How does impedance matching work?

Ans: A transmission line i.e. a co-axial cable carries a broad range of frequencies. Transmission lines
gave a “Characteristic Impedance” which is the ration of voltage to current on the lines. If we have two
pieces of co-axial cable with the same characteristic impedance, and we connect them together, we just
have a longer piece. Consider transmission lines as a rope. If we have a really long piece of rope and
we stretch it out, and flick one end, a wave leaves our hands and travels away into the distance. It doesn’t
come back. This is exactly what happens with a transmission line. The condition for impedance
matching is that the real part of the impedance should be equal to the real part of the load and reactances
should be equal and opposite in character. For example, if your source impedance is R+jX to achieve
matching our load should be R-jX.
Q8: What are the basic types of matching networks?
Ans: There are three basic types of matching networks:
a) L-Network
b) Pi-Network
c) T-Network
L network:
• It consists of series inductor and parallel capacitor.
• It is used to match unbalanced high impedance antenna with low impedance rig.
• It has very good low pass characteristics.

Pi Network:
• It is used to match high impedance source to low impedance load.
• The circuit can be converted to L-network type by setting any one capacitor to value of zero.
Hence it is called very versatile tuner circuit.

T Network:

• It consists of two variable capacitors in series with load and a variable inductor connected in

parallel at the junction.

• This configuration has high pass characteristics.

• This circuit can be used for multi-band application with appropriate L and C values.