Smith Chart: Introduction

Introduction
– A graphical tool used to solve
transmission-line problems.
– Today, a presentation medium in
computer-aided design (CAD) softwares
and measuring equipment for displaying
the performance of microwave circuits.

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 Smith Chart and Γ
The Smith chart lies in the
complex plane of Γ

ΓA = 0 .3 + j 0 .4
or ΓA = 0 .5e j 53 °

ΓB = − 0 .5 − j 0 .2 or ΓB = 0 .54 e j 202 °
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 Smith Chart: Refection Coefficient at z

In a lossless transmission line, there is no attenuation and a wave

traveling along the line will only have a phase shift. So the reflection
coefficient Γ(z) at a point of distance l from the load at the end of the
line is related to the load reflection coefficient
− jβ z
ΓL by:
Vo e
Γ ( z ) = + − jβ z = Γ L e j 2 β z
Vo e

Γ( z) ΓL ZL Note : ΓL = Γ ( z = 0 )

z =-l z=0 z

It means the reflection coefficient has same magnitude but only a

phase shift of 2βz if we move a length z along the line
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 Smith Chart: Refection Coefficient at z

Reflection coefficient has Im

same magnitude but only a
phase shift of 2βl if we move
a length l along the line
Γ(z)
( Γ rotates clockwise on the
Smith Chart when moving ΓL
away from the load and anti- 2βz
clockwise when moving
towards the load). Re

Γ( z) ΓL ZL

z =-l z=0 z
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Example: Special cases

The unit circle corresponds to |Γ|=1

ΓSC = − 1
ΓOC = 1

** Load impedances can be

represented by points on a Smith chart **

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 Special curves (circles)

Impedance on a Smith chart is represented by normalized

impedance:
Z ( z ) R + jX
z= = r + jx
Zo Zo
Z − Zo z −1
⇒Γ= =
Z + Zo z + 1
From this equation, we can obtain expressions for r and x in
terms of Γ:
2 2
 r   1 
Γ
 r −  + Γi
2
=  
 1+ r  1+ r 
2 2

(Γr − 1)2 +  Γi − 1 1

= 
 x  x

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 Families of circles

These equations define family of circles on the ( Γr , Γi )

plane corresponding to constant resistance r, and constant
reactance x. The reflection coefficient at a point on the
line with normalized input impedance z = r+jx is then the
intersection point between the constant r and x circles.
2 2
 r   1 
Γ
 r −  + Γi
2
=  
 1+ r  1+ r 
2 2

(Γr − 1)2 +  Γi − 1  1

= 
 x  x

Note: The equation ( x − xo )2

+ ( y − y o )2
= a 2

is a circle in the x-y plane with center at (xo,yo) and

radius a
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 Examples
2 2

For r=1, we have  Γr −  + Γi2 =  

1 1
 2 2

For r=2, we have

2 2
 2 1
 Γr −  + Γi =  
2

 3 3

For x=+1, we have

(Γr − 1)2 + (Γi − 1)2 = 1

For x=-1, we have

(Γr − 1)2 + (Γi + 1)2 = 1

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 Example

(a)

(b)

(c)

(e)

(g)

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 Example

(a)
z L = 1 + j 0; l = 0.25λ
zin = z L = 1 + j 0

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(b)
z L = 1 + j1; l = 0.5λ
zin = z L = 1 + j1

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(c )
z L = 1 − j1; l = 0.3λ
zin = 0.76 + j 0.84

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(d )
z L = 0.5 − j 0.5; l = 1.2λ
zin = 0.59 + j 0.66

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(e)
z L = 0; l = 0.1λ
zin = 0 + j 0.73

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(f)
z L = j 3; l = 0.4λ
zin = 0 + j 0.72

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(g)
z L = ∞; l = 0.2λ
zin = 0 − j 0.32

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