ECE 113 Lecture 12:

The Smith Chart

References: Bowick, Chapter 4; Hagen, Chapter 4

1s1819 Revision March 2017

 RF Engineers

Smith Chart
… such elegance.
13 Nov 2019 ECE 113: COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS 2
 The Smith Chart
• Graphical Aid that is very useful for solving RF
circuit theory problems

• Integral part of many CAD software and

microwave test equipment

• A must have tool for any RF Engineer!

 The Smith Chart

• Composed of Circles
and Arcs

• For our present

purposes, we will be
using the Smith Chart
for designing lumped-
element matching
networks
The Reflection Coefficient (Γ)
• Before we continue with the Smith Chart,
we need to define the concept of
Reflection Coefficient.

• Recall:
• When source and load impedance are not
complex conjugates of each other,
maximum power transfer is not achieved.

• Power that is not transferred to the load

would be reflected back to the source
The Reflection Coefficient (Γ)
• The ratio between the voltage reflected back to
the source and the total incident voltage is
called the
Voltage Reflection Coefficient, Γ

which is generally a complex number

 Normalized Impedance
• Smith Chart is basically a one-to-one mapping
between values of ZL and Γ

• We start by defining a normalized impedance z,

where Z is the actual impedance and Z0 is the
characteristic impedance of our system.
 Normalized Impedance
• The reflection coefficient in terms of
normalized impedance:

• Solving for the normalized load impedance zL

in terms of Γ, we get:
 Derivation of Smith Chart
• Expressing the normalized impedance zL and
reflection coefficient Γ in terms of their real and
imaginary components, we get:

z L = r + jx  = u + jv

1 + u + jv
r + jx =
1 − u − jv
 Derivation of Smith Chart
• The previous set of equations can be
manipulated to get:

which can be decomposed into its real and

imaginary components:
 Derivation of Smith Chart
• The two equations can be rearranged into the ff.
forms:

• These are equations of circles with coordinates u

(vertical) and v (horizontal) and varies with r and x
• Center of Smith chart is (u,v) = (0,0)
• Constant r circles have centers that lie along real
axis
• Constant x circles have centers that lie along the u
= 1 vertical line
 Drawing the Smith Chart
• From the previous equations, we can
draw locus of points on the complex
reflection coefficient plane (u-v plane)
that correspond to constant resistances
and reactances

• Plug in values of r and x to the previous

equations and we have equations for the
circles and arcs that correspond to constant
resistances and reactances

• The Smith Chart is composed of such circles

and arcs
 Drawing the Smith Chart
Consider the boundaries of the Smith
Chart for passive components

• For resistance r = 0, the equation becomes:

2 2
𝑢 +𝑣 =1
• The equation for a circle centered at the
origin with radius = 1
• The locus of points for zero resistance is a
unit circle
 Drawing the Smith Chart
• For resistance r = ∞, the equation becomes:

• The equation for a circle centered at (1,0) with

radius = 0
• These circles serve as the boundaries for physical
resistance (non-negative)
• By substituting negative values of resistances, we
find that they are located outside the unit circle
 Constant Resistance Circles

r=0 r=∞
(short) (open)
 Drawing the Smith Chart

• For reactance x = 0, the equation becomes:

• The equation for a “circle” centered at (1,∞)

with infinite radius
• Corresponds to the real axis line
 Drawing the Smith Chart

• For reactance x = ∞, the equation becomes:

• The also corresponds to a point located at (1,0)

Any physically realizable impedance is inside the unit

circle!
Constant Reactance Circles
Plotting Impedances on Smith Chart
• The Smith Chart is composed of the locus of
constant resistance and reactance circles/arcs

• These circles/arcs are plotted over the complex

plane, which ALSO denote the reflection
coefficient

• Thus, each point on the Smith chart

corresponds to a unique impedance, and its
reflection coefficient referenced to some
impedance value
 Plotting Impedances

• To plot a complex
normalized impedance (i.e.
1 + 1j), we find the
intersection between the r=1
circle and the x=+1.0 arc.

• The red dot in the Smith

Chart corresponds to 1+1j
 The Reflection Coefficient
• Each load impedance ZL corresponds to a
reflection coefficient Γ.

• The Smith Chart may also be used to get the

reflection coefficient Γ for any given load
impedance ZL.

• Most Smith Charts have calibrations outside

the chart in order to read the magnitude and
phase angle of the reflection coefficient.
 Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)
• Another important quantity that you will
encounter in the design of RF circuits
• The SWR in terms of the magnitude of the
reflection coefficient is given by:

• This is almost similar to our equation for the

normalized load impedance used to derive the
Smith chart
 The Smith Chart: SWR
• From the previous 2
equations, we can infer that
when the impedance is real
and greater than unity, the
reflection coefficient is real
and positive.
• Point 1 determines VSWR
when reflected to the scale
outside the circle
• Any point on that circle has
the same SWR and reflection
coefficient magnitude
The Smith Chart as an Admittance Chart
• The Smith Chart may also be used to plot
normalized admittances

• Recall normalized impedance z:

• Converting to normalized admittance y:

 The Smith Chart as an Admittance
Chart
• This is equivalent to:
• Rotating the Smith Chart by 180 degrees

• We may use either

(1) rotated Smith Chart to serve as an admittance
chart, or
(2) the same Smith Chart and project the admittance
point

• Smith Charts that have both impedance and

admittance charts are available (we will use this)
 The Smith Chart as an Admittance Chart

• Red lines correspond to

impedance chart

• Blue lines correspond to

admittance chart

• Both impedance and

admittance can be read off
from a single data point
The Smith Chart as an Admittance Chart
• Using a combined impedance and admittance
Smith Chart can be confusing

• Less confusing and more compact to convert the

point into an admittance using the same chart

• Conversion is done by projecting the point by

180 degrees

• All other points in the chart become admittances

• Conversion back to impedance is done the same

way
The Smith Chart as an Admittance Chart

• Point 1 is an
impedance on the
chart

• Point 2 is the
corresponding
admittance taken by
rotating the point
across the center by
180 degrees (along
constant SWR circle)
Why use an Admittance Chart?
• Using IMPEDANCE values is easier for
analysis when working with SERIES-
CONNECTED lumped elements

• Using ADMITTANCE values is easier for

analysis when working with SHUNT-
CONNECTED lumped components
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit
• Consider a circuit where a load impedance (ZL) is
in series with a series element (ZS)
• Series element can be resistive, reactive, or a
combination
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit

• Because the lumped element is in series with the

load, we need to consider only the impedance
chart to determine ZIN

• Mathematically,

• How to do this on a Smith Chart?

Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit

• There are two

(2) ways in
which we can
solve this using
the Smith Chart
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit

For both methods,

• We start by
locating
normalized zL
on the Smith
Chart
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit
For the first method,

• Move along
constant resistance
circle passing
through zL and add
a reactance +jxs to
arrive at point (B)
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit
For the first method,

• From point (B), move

along constant
reactance circle and
add a resistance rs to
arrive at the input
impedance at point (C)
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit
Alternatively, we can:

• Move along constant

reactance circle
passing through zL and
add a resistance rs to
arrive at point (B’)
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit

For the first method,

• From point (B’), move

along constant
resistance circle and
add a reactance +jxs to
arrive at the input
impedance at point (C)
Input Impedance of Series Lumped Circuit

Both methods must

arrive at the same
input impedance at
(C)
Input Admittance of Shunt Lumped Circuit

• Consider a load impedance (YL) in parallel with a

shunt element (YP)
• In general, both admittances are complex
Input Admittance of Shunt Lumped Circuit
• Because the lumped element is in parallel
with the load, we need to consider only the
admittance chart to determine YIN

• Mathematically,

• Approach will be very similar to the previous

example.
Input Admittance of Shunt Lumped Circuit

• Again, we have two

(2) ways in which we
can solve this, now
by using Admittance
Smith Chart
Input Admittance of Shunt Lumped Circuit

For both methods,

• we start by locating
normalized yL on the
Smith Chart
Input Admittance of Shunt Lumped Circuit

Both methods must

arrive at the same input
admittance at (C)
 Input Impedance of
Single Series/Shunt Reactive Elements
• A special case of the previous two applications
is when the series or shunt elements are purely
reactive
• Series L
• Series C
• Shunt L
• Shunt C

• Similar to our L-Network Matching!

 Input Impedance of
Single Series/Shunt Reactive Elements

To Find the Input Impedance

1. Locate normalized load impedance on Smith
Chart
2. Calculate normalized series reactance or
normalized shunt reactance
jX jB
jx = , jb =
Z0 Y0
1. We may move in four (4) different directions
depending on the type of element connected
to the load impedance
 Input Impedance of
Single Series/Shunt Reactive Elements

1. Series L

2. Series C

3. Shunt L

4. Shunt C

NOTE: Confusing? No need to memorize. The Chart is properly labelled with varying
impedance/admittance values!
13 Nov 2019 ECE 113: COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS 46
 Observations

1. Adding series (or shunt) INDUCTOR moves

the impedance point UPWARD along a
constant resistance (conductance) circle.

2. Adding series (or shunt) CAPACITOR moves

the impedance point DOWNWARD along a
constant resistance (conductance) circle.
 Example
Find the Input Admittance of a combination of a
load ZL = 50 + j50 Ω with a shunt inductor of L =
8 nH at a frequency f = 1 GHz. Assume that the
system has a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω.
 Example
• Find Normalizing Factors:

• The susceptance of the shunt inductor

• Locate the normalized load impedance zL on

the Smith Chart (A)
 Example

• Since we have a shunt

inductor, we move up by
jbp along a constant
conductance circle
 Example
• The normalized Input Admittance can be read
from the Smith Chart

• We may also read the normalized Input

Impedance from the Smith Chart

NOTE: Capital letters are de-normalized values.

Input Impedance of Reactive Elements
• Use the Smith Chart to find the input
impedance/admittance for circuits with
arbitrary combination of series and shunt
elements
Input Impedance of Reactive Elements

• Start by plotting the normalized load

impedance

• Use either the admittance or the impedance

circles depending on whether the elements
are in series (impedance) or in parallel
(admittance)

• Switch from impedance to admittance when

switching from series to shunt elements,
and vice versa
 Example
For each circuit
element, determine
whether they are:
A. Capacitive
or
B. Inductive
 L-Network Matching
Design
using the Smith Chart

13 Nov 2019 ECE 113: COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS 55

 L-Network Matching Objective
GOAL: To move the load impedance/admittance to
either the r =1 or g = 1 circle, then move towards the
center of the Smith Chart
 L-Matching Network Design using the
Smith Chart
• Implementation depends
on the location of the load
impedance on the Smith
Chart

• There are three (3) distinct

possibilities for the
location of the load
impedance on the Smith
Chart
Case 1: zL is inside r = 1 circle
 Case 1: zL is inside r = 1 circle
• Only way to intersect r =1
circle is to move via a
constant conductance
circle

• The first element is a

SHUNT reactance

• The next element is a

SERIES reactance
Case 1
Case 1
Case 1
Case 1
Case 2: zL is inside g = 1 circle
 Case 2: zL is inside g = 1 circle

• Only way to intersect g

=1 circle is to move via a
constant resistance circle

• The first element is a

SERIES reactance

• The next element is a

SHUNT reactance
Case 2
Case 2
Case 3: zL is outside both r = 1
and g = 1 circles
 Case 3: zL is outside both r = 1
and g = 1 circles
• For this case, there are four
(4) possible solutions

• We can opt to start with

either SERIES or SHUNT
element

• It is possible to have a
solution where both series
and shunt elements are of
the same type
Case 3

NOTE: In this case, both elements of the L-network match are of the same type.
Case 3
Case 3
 Homework
• Find the input impedance of the circuit shown
below. The circuit operates at a frequency of
100 MHz. Label all points on your Smith Chart.
Assume that the characteristic impedance is 50
ohms.
 ECE 113 Lecture 09:
Impedance Matching
and Smith Chart
References: Bowick, Chapter 4; Hagen, Chapter 4

2s1617 Revision March 2017