Assignement 1

Microstrip transmission lines – Coplanar Waveguide

(CPW)
Question I

(a) Using the chart given (next page), determine the ratio w/h and the filling
factor q for a transmission line having a characteristic impedance Zc= 50 Ohms
built on a substrate having εr=10.
The filling factor q is defined as: ε reff = 1 + q (ε r − 1) .

(b) Deduce the values of εreff (we will call it εreff1).

(c) Schneider and Hammerstad Formulas permit to calculate εreff and Zc starting
from the dimensions of the TL and of the substrate. Calculate εreff and Zc (we
will call them εreff2 and Zc2).

(d) Can the chart be used for these calculations in order to spare time and
effort? Justify your answer by calculation.

σ= 5.6 x 107). The substrate has

(e) The metal used to realize the TL is copper (σ
dielectric losses characterized by tanδ= 2 x 10-4. The operating frequency is
equal to 2 GHz. Compare the dielectric losses to conduction losses (consider h=
1mm).

Question II
Using a transmission line calculator, verify the values for εreff, Zc, αc, αd and the
total losses.
Question III

Using a transmission line calculator, design a 50-Ohms CPW Transmission Line

built on a substrate having: εr=10, h=1mm, tanδ= 2 x 10-4 and σ= 5.6 x 107. The
TL is going to be used in a system operating at 2 GHz. The design here is more
flexible since we have several couples of W and S that would give the same
value of Zc. Complete the following table:

CPW Signal Total

CPW
Desired line Width αc αd αtotal
gap G εreff
Zc (Ω) width (with (dB/m) (dB/m) (dB/m)
(mm)
(mm) out gnd)
1 50 1
2 50 2
3 50 3
4 50 5

Which CPW TL would you choose for your design? Justify your answer.

Question IV
Which TL (CPW or Microstrip) would you choose for your design? Justify your
answer.