2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.

doc 1/7

Zin Calculations using

the Smith Chart

zin′ z 0′ = 1 z L′

z = −A z = 0

The normalized input impedance zin′ of a transmission line length

A , when terminated in normalized load z L′ , can be determined as:

Zin
zin′ =
Z0
1 ⎛ Z L + j Z 0 tan β A ⎞
= Z0 ⎜ ⎟
Z0 ⎝ Z 0 + j Z L tan β A ⎠
Z L Z 0 + j tan β A
=
1 + j Z L Z 0 tan β A
z ′ + j tan β A
= L
1 + j z L′ tan β A

Q: Evaluating this unattractive expression

looks not the least bit pleasant. Isn’t there a
less disagreeable method to determine zin′ ?

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 2/7

A: Yes there is! Instead, we could determine this normalized

input impedance by following these three steps:

1. Convert z L′ to ΓL , using the equation:

Zin − Z 0
Γin =
Zin + Z 0
Z Z −1
= in 0
Zin Z 0 + 1
z ′ −1
= in
zin′ + 1

2. Convert ΓL to Γin , using the equation:

Γin = Γ L e − j 2 β A

3. Convert Γin to zin′ , using the equation:

Z L 1 + ΓL
z L′ = =
Z 0 1 − ΓL

Q: But performing these three

calculations would be even more
difficult than the single step
you described earlier. What
short of dimwit would ever use
(or recommend) this approach?

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 3/7

A: The benefit in this last approach is that each of the three

steps can be executed using a Smith Chart—no complex
calculations are required!

1. Convert z L′ to ΓL

Find the point z L′ from the impedance mappings on your

Smith Chart. Place you pencil at that point—you have now
located the correct ΓL on your complex Γ plane!

For example, say z L′ = 0.6 − j 1.4 . We find on the Smith

Chart the circle for r =0.6 and the circle for x =-1.4. The
intersection of these two circles is the point on the
complex Γ plane corresponding to normalized impedance
z L′ = 0.6 − j 1.4 .

This point is a distance of 0.685 units from the origin, and

is located at angle of –65 degrees. Thus the value of ΓL is:

ΓL = 0.685 e − j 65
D

2. Convert ΓL to Γin

Since we have correctly located the point ΓL on the

complex Γ plane, we merely need to rotate that point
clockwise around a circle ( Γ = 0.685 ) by an angle 2β A .

When we stop, we are located at the point on the complex

Γ plane where Γ = Γin !

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 4/7

For example, if the length of the transmission line

terminated in z L′ = 0.6 − j 1.4 is A = 0.307 λ , we should
rotate around the Smith Chart a total of 2β A = 1.228π
radians, or 221D . We are now at the point on the complex
Γ plane:
Γ = 0.685 e + j 74
D

This is the value of Γin !

3. Convert Γin to zin′

When you get finished rotating, and your pencil is located

at the point Γ = Γin , simply lift your pencil and determine
the values r and x to which the point corresponds!

For example, we can determine directly from the Smith

Chart that the point Γin = 0.685 e + j 74 is located at the
D

intersection of circles r =0.5 and x =1.2. In other words:

zin′ = 0.5 + j 1.2

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 5/7

Step 1

Γ = 0.685

ΓL = 0.685 e − j 65
D

θ Γ = −65D

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

 2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 6/7

Step 2

A 2 = 0.147 λ

Γin = 0.685 e − j 74
D

Γ = 0.685

ΓL = 0.685 e − j 65
D

A 1 = 0.16λ

A = A 1 + A 2 = 0.160λ + 0.147 λ = 0.307 λ

2β A = 221D

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

2/8/2005 Zin Calculations using the Smith Chart.doc 7/7

Step 3

zin′ = 0.5 + j 1.2

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS