3/11/2009 The Transmission Matrix 1/6

The Transmission Matrix

If a network has two ports, then we can alternatively define
the voltages and currents at each port as:

I1 I2

+ 2-port +
input output
V1 Network V2 port
port
− −

Q: Say, can we somehow relate the

two input parameters ( I1 ,V1 ) to the
two output parameters ( I2 ,V2 )?

A: Yes we can! We can relate them with four parameters A, B,

C, D:
V1 = A V2 + B I2

I1 = C V2 + D I2
Or, using linear algebra:

⎡V1 ⎤ ⎡A B ⎤ ⎡V2 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = ⎢C D ⎥ ⎢I ⎥
⎣ 1⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ 2⎦

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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The matrix is defined as the transmission matrix T , otherwise

known as the ABCD matrix :
⎡A B ⎤
T =⎢ ⎥
⎣C D ⎦

Q: Great. But what

exactly are the values A,
B, C, D, and how do we
determine them?

A: Similar to the impedance and admittance matrices, we

determine the elements of the transmission matrix using shorts
and opens.

Note when I2 = 0 then:

V1 = AV2

Therefore, to find value A, place an open on port 2, and then

determine voltage V1 in terms of V2 . We find that:
I1 I2 = 0

V1 + +
A= (port 2 open) v1 v2
V2 − −

Note the parameter A is unitless (i.e., it is a coefficient).

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

3/11/2009 The Transmission Matrix 3/6

Note when V2 = 0 then:

V1 = B I2

Therefore, to find value B, place a short on port 2, and then

determine voltage V1 in terms of I2 . We find that:
I1 I2

V1 + +
B= (port 2 short) v1 v2 = 0
I2 − −

Note parameter B has units of impedance (i.e., Ohms).

Note when I2 = 0 then:

I1 = C V2

Therefore, to find value C, place an open on port 2, and then

determine current I1 in terms of voltage V2 . We find that:
I1 I2 = 0

I1 + +
C = (port 2 open) v1 v2
V2
− −

Note parameter C has units of admittance (i.e., mhos).

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

3/11/2009 The Transmission Matrix 4/6

Note when V2 = 0 then:

I1 = D I 2

Therefore, to find value D, place a short on port 2, and then

determine current I1 in terms of current I2 . We find that:
I1 I2

I + +
D= 1 (port 2 short) v1 v2 = 0
I2 − −

Note parameter D is unitless (another coefficient!).

Q: For cryin’ out loud! We already have

the impedance matrix, the scattering
matrix, and the admittance matrix. Why
do we need the transmission matrix
also? Is it somehow uniquely useful?

A: Consider the case where a 2-port network is created by

connecting (i.e., cascading) two networks:

I1 I2 I3

+ + +
v1 TA v2 TB v3
− − −

T
Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS
3/11/2009 The Transmission Matrix 5/6

Note
⎡V1 ⎤ ⎡V2 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = T A ⎢I ⎥
⎣ 1⎦ ⎣ 2⎦
and

⎡V2 ⎤ ⎡V3 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = T B ⎢I ⎥
⎣ 2⎦ ⎣ 3⎦
also

⎡V1 ⎤ ⎡V3 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = T ⎢I ⎥
⎣ 1⎦ ⎣ 3⎦

Combining the first two equations:

⎡V1 ⎤ ⎡V2 ⎤ ⎡V3 ⎤

⎢I ⎥ = T A ⎢I ⎥ = T A T B ⎢I ⎥
⎣ 1⎦ ⎣ 2⎦ ⎣ 3⎦

and comparing to the third:

⎡V1 ⎤ ⎡V3 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = T T B ⎢ ⎥
⎣I3 ⎦
A
⎣ 1⎦
⎡V3 ⎤
=T ⎢ ⎥
⎣I3 ⎦

we conclude that:
T = T ATB

Likewise, for N cascaded networks, the total transmission

matrix T can be determined as the product of all N networks!

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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N
T = T1 T2 T3 T 4 " T 4 = ∏ Tn
n =1

Note this result is only true for the transmission matrix

T . No equivalent result exists for S , Z , Y !

Thus, the transmission matrix can greatly simplify the analysis

of complex networks constructed from two-port devices. We
find that the T matrix is particularly useful when creating
design software for CAD applications.

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS