RF Transformers

and
Tuned Circuits

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #1

UWI Mona
 Coupled Coils and the Ideal Transformer
Coupled Coils Ideal Transformer
i1 i2 i1
M i2
+ + + +
v1 i
v1 L1 L2 v2 v1 L1 L2 v2 n 2
-
v2 i1
- - -
n:1 n:1

di1 di Assumed infinite winding inductance (L 1 = L2 = )

v1  L1 M 2
dt dt and perfect coupling (k = 1)
IL
di di
v2  M 1  L2 2 + +
dt dt L1 v2
ZL VL
v1 L2
- -
M n:1
Coupling _ coefficien t : k
L1 L2 Zin

v1 nv2 v V
N = turns ratio Z in    n2 2  n2 L
i1 i  i2 IL
 2
M is the mutual inductance, n
M = KN1N2, where K is a constant  Z in  n2Z L

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #2

UWI Mona
 Equivalent Circuit for Transformers
The ideal transformer and the several effects present in an actual transformer may be
included in a practical circuit model of the transformer as shown below.
Inter-winding capacitance
of the two coils
Winding Leakage Winding
Magnetizing inductance Leakage
resistance inductance resistance
Of the coil inductance

Ideal
transformer

Losses due to
Eddy currents Intra-winding capacitance
(includes that of the secondary
Reflected into the primary)

For   0, Lm  0, and the input signal is shorted out. Therefore nothing passes into the secondary

For   , Lm  , and again the input signal is shorted out.

At very high frequencies Cm and Lm can cause resonance

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #3

UWI Mona
 A Transformer Coupled Class A Output Stage
A bipolar output stage including an input transformer and an output transformer is shown.
Both transformers are assumed to have coefficients of coupling, k ~ 1.

Ac path

no2 RL no vo
Dc path

vS RS
ni ni2 = 2Vcc if designed correctly

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #4

UWI Mona
 A Transformer Coupled Class A Output Stage
vo, min = VCE, sat ~ 0  for symmetrical clipping we choose ICA and no such that
VCC
vo, max = 2VCC, as indicated on the plot. Then:  no2 RL
I CA

For maximum output power:

2
 VCC 
  1 VCC2
1 VCC 2
1
 
2
Pac    VCC I CA
no2 RL 2
2 no RL 2 VCC 2
I CA
Pac  VCC I CA

Pac
   0.5 i.e. 50% efficiency
Pdc

Non-Idealities
Problems with the transformer occur when the reactance of the magnetizing inductance (Lm) at a given
frequency has a magnitude comparable to the resistances presented to the transformer. The figures
below show the circuit values at the input and output.
Frequency response
is determined by Other effects are:
distortion, hysteresis
Lmi  RS // ni2 r core losses, etc.
Lmo  no2 RL
Faculty of Engineering
ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #5
UWI Mona
 Maximum Power Transfer
For maximum power transfer to the load, the reflected load resistance must equal the
parallel combination of Rsh (core losses) of the transformer and ro of the transistor..

no2 RL  Rsh // ro

ideal

ro Rsh
RL

Transistor equivalent
circuit
Core losses Req  no2 RL

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #6

UWI Mona
 Class A Push Pull Stage with Transformer
The versatility of the transformer may be extended by adding a center tap (ct) connection
to its primary and/or secondary coils. As the name implies, its just a contact point at the
half way point (i.e. is n = 100 turns, then ct is at 50 turns). Such transformers are
frequently used in power supplies. However, they are just as applicable to higher
frequency circuits. One example is the Class A Amplifier setup below.

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #7

UWI Mona
 Transformer Coupled Single Tuned Circuit
Only considering the cases with strong coupling (coils on ferrite core)

1 1
Z  n2 
 
s C Transformer
sC (a)
n2
coupled single tuned circuit

1
0 
C
Lm  2 
n 

(b) C transferred across ideal transformer

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #8

UWI Mona
 Matching for Maximum Power Transfer
Real transformer 1
RS
0 
L2C
C RL
For maximum power transfer
RS RS VS
n:1 RL  n & VO 
n2 RL 2n
k=1

RS Ideal transformer Lets put in some values and do the math

If f = 1 MHz, Q = 20, RS = 100, RL = 10k
C RL
0.1 1
L2 n 
10 10
0  10 6 
n:1 2  1   2    314.2kHz
Q  20 
1 1 1
2  1   
RC  R  (10k // 10k )C
RS / n2  RL // 2S C
 n 
1
C 3
 637 pF
RL 5 x10 (314.2kHz)
L2 C 1
02   L2  39.8uH
L2C
L1 VS V
 n 2  L1  0.398uH VO   5VS  O  5
Transferred to the secondary side L2  1
2 
VS
10
 

Faculty of Engineering ECSE3042 RF Circuits and Systems Slide #9

UWI Mona