Line Parameters

Norman V. Mabalot, ECE

Associate Professor
ISAT-University
 Velocity of Light (Vc or c)
• The velocity of light is only a function of the absolute permeability and
absolute permittivity of the medium:

(in free space/vacuum)

Note:

If not specified in the problem, assume c = 3.0 x108 m/s

Velocity of Propagation (VoP)
The velocity of propagation (VoP) of a signal in a transmission
line is the speed at which the electromagnetic energy travels
inside the line. (In most cases equal to phase velocity, Vp)

Most mediums have µR =1

ε = RELATIVE PERMITTIVITY OR
R

k = DIELECTRIC CONSTANT
Velocity Factor (VF)
The velocity factor is the ratio of the velocity of propagation
(VoP) of a signal in a transmission line to the velocity of light (c)
in free space.

Most medium have µR =1

ε = RELATIVE PERMITTIVITY OR
R

k = DIELECTRIC CONSTANT

VF in free space = 1
Velocity of EMW
• Light is an electromagnetic wave, therefore the speed of EMW
is the same for the velocity of light in a vacuum.

Facts:
• Sound is a mechanical wave = longitudinal in nature
• Light is an electromagnetic wave = transverse in nature

Sound travels faster in more dense mediums.

Light travels slower in more dense mediums.

Conclusion:
Electromagnetic waves travel slower than the speed of light in
a transmission line. (Velocity factor < 1.0)
(γ ) Propagation constant
• A secondary line constant
• a measure of the change undergone by the amplitude of the
wave as it propagates in a given direction.

Where:
(α) attenuation constant
(β) phase constant
(α ) attenuation constant
• A secondary line constant
• Real part of the propagation constant
• This represents the rate of decay of the wave as it travels
down the transmission line
• The larger the “α”, the more "lossy" the line is, and the faster
the wave decays.
• If α = 0, then the line is lossless, and the voltage and current
waves do not die (shrink) as they travel down the line.
• it defines the rate of reduction (in space) of the wave
amplitude.
• It is measured in Neper/m or dB/m (1Np = 8.686 dB)
(β) phase constant
• The imaginary part of the propagation constant
• the phase constant is calculated exactly the same from way
from capacitance and inductance per unit length, regardless if
the transmission line is lossy, lossless, or distortionless.
• It is measured in rad/m (or deg°/m)
• For a lossless line, it can be determined from the phase
velocity (Vp)
 Wavelength (λ)
• Frequency doesn't change when a signal encounters a different material,
but due to transmission line effects, the wavelength changes.
• The change in wavelength compared to free space is inversely
proportional to velocity factor.

in a T.L. in free space

Phase Velocity (Vp)
• The phase velocity is the speed at which a point of fixed phase
propagates,
• Usually can be considered equal to the Vop, but not always!
• The phase velocity of a wave is the rate at which the phase of
the wave propagates in space.
• This is the velocity at which the phase of any one frequency
component of the wave travels.
• The RED dot below shows the phase velocity.
Group Velocity (Vg)
• Group velocity is the speed at which electromagnetic
information travels.
• The velocity with which the overall shape of the waves'
amplitudes (known as the modulation or envelope of the
wave ) propagates through space.
• The group velocity is always less than the speed of light
• The GREEN dot below shows the group velocity.
 Lossy Line

For lossy line, the phase velocity (Vp) is a function of frequency (f)—this is bad!

If the different frequencies that

comprise a signal travel at different
velocities, that signal will arrive at the
end of a transmission line distorted.
We call this phenomenon signal
dispersion or simply dispersion.
Lossless Line
• A lossless line, the characteristic impedance will be purely resistive since
the imaginary part of the formula will cancel-out.
• For a lossless line, R’ and G’ are both zero, so the equation for
characteristic impedance reduces to:
Distortionless Line
Oliver Heaviside found that a transmission line would be distortionless (i.e., no
dispersion) if the line parameters exhibited the following ratio:

(Heaviside’s Condition)
Problems:
• A 20 MHz signal is propagated in a lossless transmission line
with a Zo = 50 Ω and a phase constant of 60°/m.
Find the following:
• A.) Attenuation constant
• B.) Propagation constant
• C.) Velocity of propagation
• D.) Wavelength of the signal inside the line
• E.) Velocity factor