EE523 Set 4 4-1

MATCHING NETWORKS

- Matching networks provide a transformation of impedance to a desired value to maximize the
power dissipated by a load. For example, the figure below illustrates the matching networks for
a transistor amplifier. The matching networks ensure that the proper impedance is seen by the
amplifier. One such matching method may be a conjugate match of the impedance.
- We will discuss many useful types of matching networks in class, including:
- L-section matching
- Quarter wave transformers
- Single stub tuners


EE523 Set 4 4-2
L-Section Matching Networks

- L-sections utilize purely reactive components such that no power is dissipated in the matching
network
- Smith Charts are an extremely useful manner by which to design L-section matching networks


EE523 Set 4 4-3
- L-section design is best performed on an Admittance/Impedance Smith chart.
- Adding series reactive loads will modify the impedance by adding negative reactance (series C),
or positive reactance (series L)
- Adding shunt reactive loads will modify the admittance by adding negative susceptance (shunt
C), or positive susceptance (shunt L).
- Note that a solution for a given L-section is not guaranteed. The Smith chart provides visual
insight into the feasibility of design.


EE523 Set 4 4-4

EE523 Set 4 4-5
- Example:A load Z
L
= 10 + j 10 O is to be matched to a 50 O line. Design L-section matching
networks at 500 MHz using:
a) a series L, shunt C
b) a series C, shunt L

Solution:
a) Given the normalized load: 0.2 + j 0.2, move along a constant-resistance circle until the unit
conductance circle is intersected. This adds j 0.2 normalized reactance. The normalized admittance
at this point is 1 j 2. Thus, the normalized capacitor admittance must be j 2. This brings us to the
origin.
Finally, the values for L and C are computed at 500 MHz:
nH
6
0.2 50
3.18
2 (500 10 )
L
p

= =

pF
6
2 1
12.74
50 2 (500 10 )
C
p
= =

b) For the series capacitor, we move along the constant resistance circle in the opposite direction until
the unit conductance circle is intersected. Thus, the normalized impedance of the capacitor is j 0.6.
The normalized admittance at this point is 1 + j 2. Thus, the normalized admittance of the inductor
must be j 2. Thus, at 500 MHz:
pF
6
1 1
10.6
0.6 50 2 (500 10 )
C
p
= =

nH
6
50 1
7.95
2 2 (500 10 )
L
p
= =

EE523 Set 4 4-6

Analytical Solution for the L-Matching Network

A simple matching network can be achieved with only 2 reactive elements
Transforms both the real and the imaginary part of the input impedance
A common configuration of the 2 reactive elements is referred to as the L-section matching
network (or el-section)
Two types:
L
Z
jB
jX
L
Z
jB
jX
in
Z
in
Z
Network #1
Network #2

where,
L L L
Z R jX = +
Consider network #1:

1
1
1
in
L L
L L
L L
R jX
Z jX jX
jBR BX
jB
R jX
+
= + = +
+
+
+

EE523 Set 4 4-7
We desire that
in
s
Z R = . Therefore, we can write the equation:

1
L L
s
L L
R jX
R jX
jBR BX
+
= +
+

We essentially have two degrees of freedom to solve for: B and X
- Multiply both sides by the denominator:
( ) ( )
s L s L s L L L L
R jBR R BX R jX XBR jXBX R jX + = + +
- Equate the real and imaginary terms:

( )
( )
Real:
Imag: 1
L L s L s
L s L L
B XR X R R R
X BX BR R X
=
=

- From the imaginary term, find X as a function of B:

1
L s s
L L
X R R
X
B R BR
= +

- Plug this into the real. Then, solving for B:

2 2
2 2
L
L L L s L
s
L L
R
X R X R R
R
B
R X
+
=
+

- We can solve for B, and then calculate X from B.
Note, that there are 2 solutions available
Choose the design that makes sense physically, and is easiest to construct
From Network #1:
EE523 Set 4 4-8

2 2
2 2
L
L L L s L
s
L L
R
X R X R R
R
B
R X
+
=
+

Note that in the radical term, the argument can be negative. Typically, Network #1 is only
used in the case when
L s
R R > .
In this case, the argument will always be positive.
Network #2 is used when
L s
R R <
Following the same procedure of equating
in
s
Z R = for Network #2, we derive:
( )
L s L L
X R R R X =


( )
/
s L L
s
R R R
B
R

=


EE523 Set 4 4-9
The Quarter Wave Transformer

- The quarter wave transformer is another useful narrow band matching technique that allows the
use of a quarter-wavelength of transmission line with controllable impedance connected to a real
load
- Useful for waveguides for which one can control the dimensions and hence the characteristic line
impedance (printed waveguides) when fabricating the network
- Useful Theorem:
( )
( )
2
/4
o
Z x Z x Z =
,
q q
Z |
/4
q

L
Z
,
o
Z |
1

2 in
Z
1 in
Z

EE523 Set 4 4-10
Methodology

- Given a complex load
L
Z , choose
1
such that
1 in
Z is purely real, i.e.,
1 in
Z R =
- Choose
q
Z such that
0 2 in
Z Z = . Thus,
2
o q q o
Z R Z Z Z R = =

- Note that in practice, one needs to design both
q
Z and
q
such that
q o
Z Z R = and
/4
q q
=
EE523 Set 4 4-11
Example

Design a QWT to match a 100+j50 ohm load to a 50 ohm transmission line. To design the
QWT, move along the SWR circle to the nearest real axis crossing (Max or Min?).

Determine
0.464
0.447
j
L
e I =

Recall:
( )
( )
max
0.464
0.037 for 0
2 2 2 2
d n
|

t t
| |
= = = =
|
\ .


( )
( )
tan
130.9
tan
o
L
o
in
o
L
Z jZ
Z Z
Z jZ
|
|
+
= = O
+

Finally,
80.9
q o
in
Z Z Z = = O

Check:

( )
( )
1
1
tan
50
tan
q
in
q
inq
q
in
Z jZ
Z Z
Z jZ
t
t
+
= = O
+


EE523 Set 4 4-12
General Design Rule
- Given a complex load
L
Z , choose
1
such that
1 in
Z is purely real, i.e.,
1 in
Z R =
- If
o
R Z < (typically, if
( )
Im 0
L
Z < , then
( )
min
min
2
1
for 0
2 2 2
1
1
L
q o o
in
L
d n
Z Z Z Z
|
t
| |
= + = =
|
\ .
| |
I
= =
|
|
+ I
\ .

- If
o
R Z > (typically, if
( )
Im 0
L
Z > , then
( )
min
max
2
for 0
2 2
1
1
L
q o o
in
L
d n
Z Z Z Z
|
t
| |
= = =
|
\ .
| |
+ I
= =
|
|
I
\ .



EE523 Set 4 4-13
Bandwidth

- The QWT is only truly matched at the resonant frequency. However, one can determine a
frequency bandwidth over which the QWT yields a reflection coefficient below a desirable
threshold.
- Assume,
L
Z R = . Then, then input impedance to the QWT is:
( )
( )
tan
tan
q q q q
q q
in
q q q q
R jZ R jZ t
Z Z Z
Z jR Z jRt
|
|
+ +
= =
+ +

- This results in the reflection coefficient:
( ) ( )
( )
( )
2
2
q o q o
o
in
o q o q o
in
Z R Z jt Z Z R
Z Z
Z Z Z R Z jt Z Z R
+

I = =
+ + + +

- Since,
2
q o
Z Z R = , this reduces to:
( )
( ) 2
o
o o
R Z
R Z j t Z R

I =
+ +

- It can be shown that:
( )
2
2
1
4
1 sec
o
o
Z R
R Z
u
I =
(
+
(

, where
q q
u | =
EE523 Set 4 4-14
- Define a maximum allowable reflection coefficient
m
I . Then, let
m
u u = for which
m
I = I .
Namely,
1
2
2
cos
1
o m
m
o
m
Z R
R Z
u


I
=
`

I

)

- Finally, the bandwidth is defined as:
( )
2
2
m
t
u u A =
- Since
2 f
c
t
u | = = , and
2
m
m m
f
c
t
u | = =
( )
2
2 2 2 4
o m m m
o o o
f f f f
f f f
u
t
A
= = =

EE523 Set 4 4-15
I vs. /
o
f f for various values of /
o
L
Z Z


Fractional Bandwidth versus /
o
L
Z Z given
m
I

EE523 Set 4 4-16
Single Stub Tuning

- An alternate method of matching is to reactively load the line with a shunt load rendering the net
line impedance equal to the characteristic impedance.
- A single stub tuner is best illustrated on a smith chart using the following procedure:
Plot the normalized load impedance on the smith chart
Draw the SWR circle and determine the line admittance
Move toward the load until you cross the r = 1 circle
At this point, the line admittance = 1 + jb
Add in a shunt load with input admittance = -jb
Note that a purely imaginary input admittance can be achieved by a short or open circuited
line with the proper line length
At this point, the normalized admittance = 1. Thus, the line is matched to the load

- As with the QWT, the geometry of the line is simply modfied to manipulate the line impedance
and reach a matched condition. No lumped loads are needed.
- In essence, the stub line cancels out the reactive power stored in the standing wave between the
load and the line. Thus, all power is delivered to the load.


EE523 Set 4 4-17
( )
t

t
t

>

+ <

1
1
1
tan , ( 0)
2
1
tan , ( 0)
2
t t
d
t t
Analytical Solution

- A Smith chart will solve the SST approximately. Simple analytic solutions can also be derived.
- Assume a load impedance (admittance):
; 1/
L L L L L
Z R jX Y Z = + =
- A distance d from the load, the line admittance is given as:
( )
( )
o
L L
o o
L L
Z j R jX t
Y G jB
Z R jX jZ t
+ +
1
= + =
+ +

where tan t d | =
- Evaluating the real and imaginary parts:
( )
( )
2
2
2
1
L
o
L L
R t
G
R X Z t
+
=
+ +
,
( ) ( )
( )
2
2
2
o o
L L L
o o
L L
R t Z X t X Z t
B
Z R X Z t
+
=
(
+ +


- Solving for d such that / 1
o
G Y =
( )
2
2
/
, if
, if
2
o o
L L L L
o
L
o
L
L
o
L
o
X R Z R X Z
R Z
R Z
t
X
R Z

(
+

=

- Finally, there are two solutions for d:

EE523 Set 4 4-18

- At this point, the normalized line admittance = 1 /
o
jB Y +
- Thus, we need to add in a shunt stub tuner to cancel out the reactive part.
- Assume that the stub is terminated by a short circuit. Then:
( ) ( )
1
tan cot
sc sc
o sc sc
in in
o
Z jZ Y j
Z
| | = =
- It is desired that:
sc
in
Y jB =
- Therefore:
( )
1
1 1 1
cot tan
2
sc
sc
o o
jB j
Z Z B
|
t

| |
= =
|
\ .

- Similarly, for an open circuit stub:
( ) ( )
1
cot tan
oc oc
o oc oc
in in
o
Z jZ Y j
Z
| | = =
- Hence
( )
1
1
tan
2
oc
o
BZ
t

=

EE523 Set 4 4-19
Example:
Design a QWT and an open-circuit single stub tuner to match a parallel resistor capacitor load to a
50O TEM transmission line ( 1
r
c = ) at 1 GHz, given 100 R = O, 1pF C = .

Solution (QWT):

EE523 Set 4 4-20
Solution (SST):

EE523 Set 4 4-21


in dB I
EE523 Set 4 4-22