ENT-256 ELECTROMAGNETIC APPLICATIONS Fall 2023/2024

Transmission Line - Reflection Coefficient (Γ)

Objective:
This experiment shows the reflection coefficient (Γ) of the transmission line with the change
of the dielectric properties and load impedance Z L of the material embedded between two
coaxial lines.

Transmission Lines:
The transmission lines are used as wave-guiding structures for transferring power and
information from one point to another. Transmission line is often schematically represented
as a two wire line, since transmission lines always have at least two conductors. A maximum
transfer of power from a given voltage source occurs under "matched conditions". A line is
matched when the load impedance is equal to the characteristic impedance of the line.

For a finite transmission line having characteristic impedance Z o terminated by a load

impedance of ZL, and the length of line is l . A sinusoidal voltage source Vg with an internal
impedance Zg is connected to the line at z=0. In such a case, total voltage on the line can be
written as the sum of incident and reflected waves.
+γz
−γz −¿e ¿
+¿ e +V ¿
V s ( z )=V o o

+¿ −¿
V o −γz V o +γz
I s ( z) = e − e ¿¿
Zo Zo
The input impedance at any point on the line as;
V (z)
Z ¿= s
Is ( z)
And can be written as

Z ¿=Z o
[ Z L + Z o tanh γ l
Z o +Z L tanh γ l ]
For lossless line γ = jβ then

Z ¿=Z o
[ Z L + j Z o tan β l
Z o + jZ L tan β l ]
The Voltage Reflection Coefficient
The voltage reflection coefficient at the load Γ L is the ratio of the voltage reflection wave to
the incident wave at the load, that is

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ENT-256 ELECTROMAGNETIC APPLICATIONS Fall 2023/2024

γl

V −¿e
o
Γ L= γl ¿
V +¿
o
e
¿

The voltage reflection coefficient can be described as

Z L −Z o
Γ L=
Z L +Z o

The Standing Wave Ration (SWR)

Z L −Z o
Knowing the reflection coefficient as, Γ L =
Z L +Z o
It is clear that when Z L ≠ Z o (mismatch)⇒ Γ L ≠ 0 hence portion of the wave will be reflected.
This creates a standing wave on the line, which is a wave that oscillates but does not appear
to travel. We may find the standing wave ratio as
V max 1+| Γ L|
s= =
V min 1−|Γ L|
This quantity, which often is referred to by VSWR or SWR, provides a measure of the
mismatch between the load and the transmission line.
Note that:
 With no reflected wave there will be no standing wave in the line.
Γ =0 ⇒ S=1
 For a total reflection case we have only a standing wave and no travelling wave.
|Γ|=1 ⇒ S=∞
 For 0<| Γ|<1 we have a partial standing wave in the transmission line.

Special Cases of the Lossless Line

 Shorted Line ( Z L =0 )
Z SC =Z ¿|Z =0= j Z o tanβ l
L

Γ L =−1
s=∞

 Open Circuited Line ( Z L =∞ )

Z oc=− j Z o cotβ l
Γ L =1
s=∞
 Matched Line (Z L =Z o )
Z ¿=Z o
Γ L =0
s=1

Experiment Setup Instructions:

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ENT-256 ELECTROMAGNETIC APPLICATIONS Fall 2023/2024

This experiment shows the reflection coefficient (Γ) of the transmission line with the change
of the dielectric properties and load impedance ZL of the material embedded between two
conductors.
1. Go to the following website:
https://em7e.eecs.umich.edu/ulaby_modules_choice.html
https://em8e.eecs.umich.edu/jsmodules/ch2/mod2_4.html
2. Download 2.4 Transmission-Line Simulator , then Open the file.
3. Set the Zo, the frequency f , relative permittivity, the transmission line length and load
impedance.
4. Run the simulator to show and compute the coaxial line reflection coefficient load, input
impedance, sanding wave, the total voltage and current phasors.

A.Mismatch load ( Z L ≠ Z o )
1. Show the coaxial line reflection coefficient load, input impedance, sanding wave, the total
voltage and current phasors for 50 Ω lossless transmission is being operated at 1GHz
and line of length 3.3 λ is terminated by a load impedance Z L =25+ j 50 Ω .
Γ L =¿
s=¿
Z ¿=¿
2. Insert the Figures of reflection coefficient load, input impedance, and sanding wave.
3. Calculate the Γ L , s∧Z ¿.
4. Compare the calculated results and with those based on the simulator.

B. Shorted Line ( Z L =0 )
1. Show the coaxial line reflection coefficient load, input impedance, sanding wave, the total
voltage, and current phasors for 50 Ω lossless transmission is being operated at 1GHz and
line of length 3.3 λ is terminated by a load impedance Z L =0 Ω .
Γ L =¿
s=¿
Z ¿=¿
2. Insert the Figures of reflection coefficient load, input impedance, and sanding wave.
3. Calculate the Γ L , s∧Z ¿.
4. Compare the calculated results and with those based on the simulator.

C. Open Line ( Z L =∞ )
1. Show the coaxial line reflection coefficient load, input impedance, sanding wave, the total
voltage, and current phasors for 50 Ω lossless transmission is being operated at 1GHz and
line of length 3.3 λ is terminated by a load impedance Z L =∞ Ω.
Γ L =¿
s=¿
Z ¿=¿
2. Insert the Figures of reflection coefficient load, input impedance, and sanding wave.
3. Calculate the Γ L , s∧Z ¿.
4. Compare the calculated results and with those based on the simulator.

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ENT-256 ELECTROMAGNETIC APPLICATIONS Fall 2023/2024

D.Matched load ( Z L =Z o )
1. Show the coaxial line reflection coefficient load, input impedance, sanding wave, the total
voltage, and current phasors for 50 Ω lossless transmission is being operated at 1GHz
and line of length 3.3 λ is terminated by a load impedance Z L =50 Ω.
Γ L =¿
s=¿
Z ¿=¿
2. Insert the Figures of reflection coefficient load, input impedance, and sanding wave.
3. Calculate the Γ L , s∧Z ¿.
4. Compare the calculated results and with those based on the simulator.

Conclusions:
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