1524

PIERS Proceedings, Beijing, China, March 2327, 2009

Unconditional Stability Criteria for Microwave Networks

Eng Leong Tan1 , Xiaofeng Sun1 , and Kian Sen Ang2 School of EEE, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2 DSO National Laboratories, 20 Science Park Drive, Singapore
1

Abstract This paper presents a review of unconditional stability criteria for analysis and
design of microwave networks. A linear two-port network is said to be unconditionally stable (in even mode) if for all passive load and source terminations, the moduli of the input and output reection coecients are smaller than one. There are many stability criteria stating the necessary and sucient conditions for such unconditional stability. One classical set of these criteria is based on the combination of Rollett condition (K > 1) together with one auxiliary condition (e.g., | | < 1, etc.), which constitutes a family of dual-parameter stability criteria. Another family of stability criteria involves merely a single-parameter condition, which is often more convenient to analyze and utilize. Besides the popular geometrically-derived criterion ( > 1 or > 1), many other single-parameter criteria can be deduced that feature various specic advantages. One such criterion that is found to be most advantageous is the quasi-invariant single-parameter criterion (Kt > 1). With its simplistic form (like K ), it can be shown that Kt > 1 if and only if a two-port network is unconditionally stable. The parameter Kt can be derived from the classical matrix invariants and the familiar stability criteria, leading to the straightforward proof of its unconditional stability condition. Moreover, it is invariant under arbitrary lossless termination and reactive matching at either port when unconditional stability exists. Such invariant property is retained so long as || 1, which occurs more frequently than || > 1 for most microwave devices. The parameter can also be aptly related to the maximum available gain of an unconditionally stable device. Application of the quasi-invariant singleparameter criterion is extended for simplied graphical analysis of linear three-port stability. In particular, only one plot of a single-parameter condition needs to be constructed in each termination reection plane. Such plot is useful to aptly depict the terminations at each port that result in unconditional stability between the remaining two ports. The three-port stability plots are exemplied to illustrate the convenience using the single-parameter condition. These stability plots nd direct application in the stabilization of potentially unstable microwave networks. 1. INTRODUCTION

A linear two-port network is said to be unconditionally stable if the input and output port reection coecients are smaller than one (|in | < 1 and |out | < 1) for all passive source and load impedances [13]. There exist necessary and sucient criteria that can be used to determine such unconditional stability. One classical set of these criteria involves the Rolletts condition, which is [4, 5] 1 |S11 |2 |S22 |2 + ||2 K= >1 (1) 2 |S12 S21 | along with one of the following auxiliary conditions: B1 = 1 + |S11 |2 |S22 |2 ||2 > 0 B2 = 1 + |S22 | |S11 | || > 0 1 = 1 |S22 | |S12 S21 | > 0 2 = 1 |S11 | |S12 S21 | > 0 || = |S11 S22 S12 S21 | < 0
2 2 2 2 2

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Recently, alternative unconditional stability criteria have been proposed that involve only single parameters. The most popular one is the geometrically-derived criterion [6, 7] E1 >1 |C1 | + |S12 S21 | E2 2 = >1 |C2 | + |S12 S21 | 1 = (7) (8)

Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Beijing, China, March 2327, 2009

1525

where
C1 = S11 S22 C2 = S22 S11

(9) (10) (11) (12)

E1 = 1 |S22 |2 E2 = 1 |S11 | .
2

Either 1 or 2 alone will be able to determine whether a two-port network is unconditionally stable or potentially unstable. This paper reviews various alternative single parameters that are useful to determine the unconditional stability of linear two-ports. All the single parameters considered will be necessary and sucient to determine if a two-port network is unconditionally stable. Moreover, we highlight an alternative criterion involving a quasi-invariant single parameter which exploits many advantages associated with the K factor. It should be noted that all the unconditional stability criteria concern only the stability of even modes (assumed henceforth). More rigorous statements of the criteria imposing Rollett proviso should be called upon to ascertain the absence of oscillations [5].
2. ROLLETT-BASED SINGLE-PARAMETER CRITERIA

In this section, we present the single-parameter criteria based on the dual Rollett and auxiliary conditions. Combining the K factor and its auxiliary condition given above in terms of B1 , B2 , 1 , 2 or ||, several single parameters can be obtained as [8] KB 1 KB 2 K 1 K 2 K where 1 = |S11 |2 ||2 + |S12 S21 | 2 = |S22 | || + |S12 S21 | .
2 2

E1 |1 | E1 > 1, KB 1 >1 |1 | + |S12 S21 | |S12 S21 | E2 |2 | E2 > 1, KB 2 >1 |2 | + |S12 S21 | |S12 S21 | 2E1 1 |1 | 2E1 1 > 1, K 1 >1 |1 | + 2 |S12 S21 | 2 |S12 S21 | 2E2 2 |2 | 2E2 2 > 1, K 2 >1 |2 | + 2 |S12 S21 | 2 |S12 S21 | E1 + E2 |1 + 2 | E1 + E2 > 1, K >1 |1 + 2 | + 2 |S12 S21 | 2 |S12 S21 |

(13) (14) (15) (16) (17)

(18) (19)

The (unprimed) parameters given in the left of (13)(17) have been dened originally in [8]. They may be redened to resemble the K factor more as given (primed) in the right of (13)(17). For more generalized auxiliary conditions of |out | < 1 for any S = ej1 or |in | < 1 for any L = ej2 (arbitrary real 1 and 2 ), the corresponding single parameters can be expressed as K1 K2 E1 Re C1 ej1 E1 Re C1 ej1 1 Re C1 ej1 > 1 , K > 1 (20) 1 |1 Re [C1 ej1 ]| + |S12 S21 | |S12 S21 | E2 Re C2 ej2 E2 Re C2 ej2 2 Re C2 ej2 > 1 , K > 1. (21) 2 |2 Re [C2 ej2 ]| + |S12 S21 | |S12 S21 |

These parameters can be reduced further for two special cases of (20) and (21), namely short- and open-circuit terminations. In particular, we have for short circuit (1 = and 2 = ), KY 1 KY 2 E1 + Re [C1 ] > 1, |1 + Re [C1 ]| + |S12 S21 | E2 + Re [C2 ] > 1, |2 + Re [C2 ]| + |S12 S21 | KY 1 KY 2 E1 + Re [C1 ] |1 + Re [C1 ]| >1 |S12 S21 | E2 + Re [C2 ] |2 + Re [C2 ]| >1 |S12 S21 | (22) (23)

1526

PIERS Proceedings, Beijing, China, March 2327, 2009

and for open circuit (1 = 0 and 2 = 0), KZ 1 KZ 2 E1 Re [C1 ] > 1, |1 Re [C1 ]| + |S12 S21 | E2 Re [C2 ] > 1, |2 Re [C2 ]| + |S12 S21 | KZ 1 KZ 2 E1 Re [C1 ] |1 Re [C1 ]| >1 |S12 S21 | E2 Re [C2 ] |2 Re [C2 ]| >1 |S12 S21 | (24) (25)

All the subscripted K and K parameters above constitute the family of Rollett-based singleparameter criteria for unconditional stability. This fairly large family provides us much room to identify and exploit the potential advantages of certain members in various aspects. For instance, the (unprimed) parameters in (22)(25) have been demonstrated to be invariant under lossless shunt and series terminations respectively [8].
3. QUASI-INVARIANT SINGLE-PARAMETER CRITERION

Here we present the quasi-invariant single-parameter criterion that involves a symmetrical parameter dened analogous to (1) as [9] Kt 3 2 |S11 |2 2 |S22 |2 + ||2 1 ||2 . 4 |S12 S21 | (26)

This criterion is necessary and sucient to determine the unconditional stability of a linear two-port network, i.e., Kt > 1 if and only if a two-port network is unconditionally stable. Subsequently, the parameter is derived from the classical matrix invariants and the familiar stability criteria, leading to the straightforward proof of its unconditional stability condition [10]. In particular, the trace of certain dissipation matrix [10] (expressible in terms of 1 and 2 ) can be an auxiliary condition alternative to (4) or (5): 1 + 2 > 0. (27) Combining this auxiliary condition (27) with the Rollett condition (1) then gives rise to the quasiinvariant single-parameter criterion involving (26) directly. The quasi-invariant parameter is invariant under arbitrary lossless termination and reactive matching at either port when unconditional stability exists, or as long as || 1 which occurs more frequently than || > 1 for most microwave devices. Furthermore, since Kt coincides with K when Kt > 1, many of the desirable properties inherent in K can be exploited. Indeed, we nd that Kt is related to the maximum available gain (MAG) more aptly than K , MAG = |S21 | |S12 | Kt +
21 Kt

with Kt > 1.

(28)

This expression in terms of Kt preserves the convenience for analyzing trade-os between gain and stability when Kt > 1.
Table 1: S parameter data sets, ||, K , Kt and MAG. Set 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 S11 0.2120 1.0520 0.10 1.20 0.10 0.50

S12 0.05120 0.370 00 00 00

S21 340 690 340 00 00 00 20

S22 0.5 50 0.560 0.30 0.30 1.30 0.10

| | 0.24909 2.1562 0.67323 0.03 0.36 0.13 0.1

K 2.573 1.344 0.3358 7.5 0.188 1.12

Kt 2.573 0.3299 0.3358 7.5 0.188 1.12

MAG 12.13 0 5.357 7.215

0.75 60

0.05120

0.5 50

0.025180 0.0480 0.1148

0.95 22

3.5165 1.2978

0.61 13 0.52 77

0.57205 0.25388

0.69 123

Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Beijing, China, March 2327, 2009

1527

To compare various single parameters for unconditional stability, let us revisit the examples in [8, 9] whose S parameters are listed in Table 1 along with the values of ||, K , Kt and MAG. The gain values are included for reference by noting that Kt is related simply to MAG when Kt > 1. Table 2 lists the values of new subscripted-K parameters, which signify unconditional stability if and only if each parameter value is greater than 1. While one can show that Kt is invariant under arbitrary lossless termination so long as || 1 [9], it is not certain yet about the invariant properties of these subscripted-K parameters.
Table 2: Comparison of various single parameters for unconditional stability. Set 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 KB 1 4.147 0.8537 0.3285 14 0.624 1.241 KB 2 4.147 1.201 1.038 14 0.624 1.241 K 1 4.147 0.4167 0.3285 14 0.624 1.241 K 2 4.147 0.2431 0.6833 14 0.624 1.241 K 4.147 1.027 0.3285 14 0.624 1.241 KY 1 4.147 0.7149 0.3285 14 0.624 1.241 KY 2 4.147 2.228 3.086 14 0.624 1.241 KZ 1 4.147 0.9926 0.3285 6 0.624 1.241 KZ 2 4.147 0.1734 0.3285 14 0.624 1.241

Apart from being convenient for linear two port stability investigation, the single-parameter criterion can also be useful for linear three-port stability analysis [10]. Such analysis considers the stability between two ports with a xed termination at the third port. Assume that 3 is the corresponding reection coecient when a three-port is terminated at port 3. Due to the close relation between power gain and stability as dictated by (28), it is more advantageous to adopt the symmetrical quasi-invariant parameter Kt3 (3 ) rather than the asymmetrical geometrical stability parameter 3 (3 ) [11]. The three-port stability condition reads Kt3 (3 )
0.11
100
0.8

N (3 ) >1 D(3 )
0.13
90
0.14 80
1.2

(29)

0.12

0.10
0.0
8 0.0

0.15
70
1.4

9
110
0.7

0.9

1.0

0.1 6

1.6

0.

06

0.5

0.0 5

0.4

2.0

30

0.2

1.8

0.

0.6

07

12

60

0.1 7

50

0.1

0. 19
40

0.

14

0.0

15

0.03

1.0

160

0.02

170

0.01

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

3.0

4.0

180

5.0

10

20

50

0.2

0.49

190

0.1

0.4

0.48

0.6

200

0.
0.2

8
1.0
5.0

7 0.4

1.0

21

0.4

0.3

0.6
3.0

45 0.

20

4 0.

0.4

0.5

2.0

1.8

0.6

1.6

0.7

1.4

0.8

0.9

1.2

1.0

Figure 1: Stability plots viewed in the 3 plane. The interiors of the plots marked with o and represent the regions for K3 (3 ) > 1 and Kt3 (3 ) > 1 respectively.

0.

32

0.2

4.0

0.8

50

20

10

31

3 0.3

0 30

0.3

290

0.35

0.36

280

0. 8

0.6

0.37

0.4

0.2

270

0.38

260

0.39

0.40

250

0.4

24

0.4

23 0

0. 4

0. 4
0.6

20

3.0

0.2

30

0. 44

0.3

0.8
1.0

4.0

0.2

5.0

2
20

0.2

0.23

10

10

0.1

0.24

20

50

0.25
0.26
0.27

350
0.28

340

33 0

0.2 9

0.3 0

32 0
0. 31

1528

PIERS Proceedings, Beijing, China, March 2327, 2009

where N (3 ) = 3 |1 S33 3 |2 2 |S11 22 3 |2 2 |S22 11 3 |2 + |33 3 3 |2 |1 S33 3 |2 |33 3 3 |2 , D(3 ) = 4 |(S12 + 21 3 ) (S21 + 12 3 )| , (30) (31)

ij is the cofactor of (i, j )-th element and 3 is the determinant of three-port S -parameter matrix. To illustrate the three-port stability plot, consider a three port network with S -parameters as 1.012 31.79 0.38565.21 0.18596.79 1.720139.77 0.703 36.28 1.879 21.70 . 1.563 21.69 0.28013.81 0.886144.81 (32)

Figure 1 shows the plots of K3 (3 ) > 1 and Kt3 (3 ) > 1 in the 3 plane. Observe that the large (upper) region of K3 (3 ) > 1 does not meet the unconditional stability condition. Using the single-parameter condition Kt3 (3 ) > 1 enables one to single out the proper region directly. Such plot provides a quick and apt graphical representation of the 3 terminations that result in unconditional stability between ports 1 and 2.
4. CONCLUSION

This paper has presented a review of single-parameter criteria that are necessary and sucient to determine the unconditional stability of linear two-port networks. Many of these criteria can be derived based on the dual Rollett and auxiliary conditions. Moreover, an alternative criterion involving a quasi-invariant single parameter Kt has been highlighted which exploits many advantages associated with the Rollett K factor. The parameter is invariant under arbitrary lossless termination and reactive matching at either port when unconditional stability exists, or as long as || 1. It can also be aptly related to the maximum available gain of an unconditionally stable device. Application of the quasi-invariant single-parameter criterion has been extended for simplied graphical analysis of linear three-port stability. The three-port stability plots nd direct application in the stabilization of potentially unstable microwave networks.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work is supported by MINDEF-NTU-JPP (MD-NTU/08/01).

REFERENCES

1. Ha, T. T., Solid State Microwave Amplier Design, Wiley, New York, 1981. 2. Vendelin, G. D., A. M. Pavio, and U. L. Rohde, Microwave Circuit Design using Linear and Nonlinear Techniques, Wiley, New York, 1990. 3. Gonzalez, G., Microwave Transistor Ampliers: Analysis and Design, 2nd. ed., Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, NJ, 1997. 4. Rollett, J. M., Stability and power gain invariants of linear two-ports, IRE Trans. Circuit Theory, Vol. 9, No. 3, 2932, Mar. 1962. 5. Woods, D., Reappraisal of the unconditional stability criteria for active 2-port networks in terms of S parameters, IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst., Vol. 23, No. 2, 7381, Feb. 1976. 6. Edwards, M. L. and J. H. Sinsky, A new criterion for linear 2-port stability using a single geometrically derived parameter, IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 40, No. 12, 23032311, Dec. 1992. 7. Tan, E. L., Simple derivation and proof of geometrical stability criteria for linear two-ports, Microwave Opt. Technol. Lett., Vol. 40, No. 1, 8183, Jan. 2004. 8. Tan, E. L., Rollett-based single-parameter criteria for unconditional stability of linear twoports, IEE Proc. Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 151, No. 4, 299302, Aug. 2004. 9. Tan, E. L., A quasi-invariant single-parameter criterion for linear two-port unconditional stability, IEEE Microw. Wireless Comp. Lett., Vol. 14, No. 10, 487489, Oct. 2004. 10. Tan, E. L., Quasi-invariant single-parameter criterion for unconditional stability: Review and application, 2006 Asia-Pacic Microwave Conference, 429432, Dec. 2006. 11. Tan, E. L., Simplied graphical analysis of linear three-port stability, IEE Proc. Microw. Antennas Propag., Vol. 152, No. 4, 209213, Aug. 2005.