9/27/2017

Course Instructor
Dr. Raymond C. Rumpf
Office: A‐337
Phone: (915) 747‐6958
E‐Mail: rcrumpf@utep.edu

EE 4347
Applied Electromagnetics
Topic 4a

Transmission Lines

 TheseLines
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Slide 1

Lecture Outline
• Introduction
• Transmission Line Equations
• Transmission Line Wave Equations
• Transmission Line Parameters
–  and 
– Characteristic Impedance, Z0
• Special Cases of Transmission Lines
– General transmission lines
– Lossless lines
– Weakly absorbing lines
– Distortionless lines
• Examples
– RG‐59 coaxial cable
– Microstrip design

Transmission Lines Slide 2

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Introduction

Transmission Lines Slide 3

Map of Waveguides (LI Media)

• Confines and transports waves.
Waveguides • Supports higher‐order modes.
• Has one or less conductors.
• Usually what is implied by
Transmission Lines “Pipes” the label “waveguide.”
• Contains two or more conductors.
• No low‐frequency cutoff.
• Thought of more as a circuit clement Metal Shell Pipes Dielectric Pipes
Homogeneous Inhomogeneous • Enclosed by metal. • Composed of a core and a cladding.
• Has TEM mode. • Supports only • Does not support TEM mode. • Symmetric waveguides have no
• Has TE and TM quasi‐(TEM, TE, • Has a low frequency cutoff. low‐frequency cutoff.
modes. & TM) modes.
Homogeneous Channel Waveguides
• Supports TE and TM modes
Single‐Ended

• Confinement along two axes.

coaxial microstrip • TE & TM modes only supported in
circularly symmetric guides.
rectangular circular dual‐ridge
stripline coplanar
optical Fiber photonic crystal rib
Inhomogeneous
• Supports TE and TM modes Slab Waveguides
Differential

buried parallel coplanar strips only if one axis is uniform.

plate • Otherwise supports quasi‐TM • Confinement only along one axis.
and quasi‐TE modes. • Supports TE and TM modes.
• Interfaces can support surface waves.

shielded pair slotline no uniform axis uniform axis dielectric Slab large‐area interface
(no TE or TM) (has TE and TM) parallel plate
Transmission Lines Slide 4

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Transmission Line Parameters RLGC

We can think transmission lines as being composed of millions of tiny
little circuit elements that are distributed along the length of the line.

In fact, these circuit element are not discrete, but continuous along
the length of the transmission line.
Transmission Lines Slide 5

RLGC Circuit Model

It is not technically correct to
represent a transmission line with
discrete circuit elements like this.
However, if the size of the circuit z
is very small compared to the
wavelength of the signal on the
transmission line, it becomes an
accurate and effective way to
model the transmission line.

z

Transmission Lines Slide 6

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L‐Type Equivalent Circuit Model

Distributed Circuit Parameters
There are many possible circuit models for
R (/m)
Resistance per unit length. transmission lines, but most produce the same
Arises due to resistivity in the equations after analysis.
conductors.
L (H/m)
Inductance per unit length.
Arises due to stored magnetic R  z L  z
energy around the line.
G (1/m)
Conductance per unit length.
Arises due to conductivity in the
dielectric separating the
conductors. G  z C  z
1
G
R
C (F/m)
Capacitance per unit length.
Arises due to stored electric
energy between the conductors.
z z  z
Transmission Lines Slide 7

Relation to Electromagnetic Parameters

Every transmission line with

a homogeneous fill has:
,  , 
LC  
G 

C 

Transmission Lines Slide 8

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Fundamental Vs. Intuitive Parameters

Fundamental Parameters Intuitive Parameters
Electromagnetics Electromagnetics
,  ,  n,  ,  ,  , tan 
Transmission Lines Transmission Lines

R , L, G , C Z 0 ,  ,  , VSWR

The fundamental parameters are the The intuitive parameters provide intuitive
most basic parameters needed to solve a insight about how signals behave on a
transmission line problem. transmission line.
However, it is difficult to be intuitive They isolate specific information to a
about how they affect signals on the line. single parameter.
An electromagnetic analysis is needed to
determine R, L, G, and C from the The intuitive parameters are calculated
geometry of the transmission line. from R, L, G, and C .

Transmission Lines Slide 9

Example RLGC Parameters

RG‐59 Coax CAT5 Twisted Pair Microstrip

R  36 mΩ m R  176 mΩ m R  150 mΩ m
L  430 nH m L  490 nH m L  364 nH m
G  10   m G  2  m G  3  m
C  69 pF m C  49 pF m C  107 pF m
Z 0  75  Z 0  100  Z 0  50 

Surprisingly, almost all transmission lines have parameters very

close to these same values.
Transmission Lines Slide 10

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Transmission Line
Equations

Transmission Lines Slide 11

E & H  V and I
Fundamentally, all circuit problems are electromagnetic problems and
can be solved as such.

All two‐conductor transmission lines either support a TEM wave or a

wave very closely approximated as TEM.

An important property of TEM waves is that E is uniquely related to V

and H and uniquely related to E.
   
V   E  d  I   H  d 
L L

This let’s us analyze transmission lines in terms of just V and I. This

makes analysis much simpler because these are scalar quantities!

Transmission Lines Slide 12

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Transmission Line Equations

The transmission line equations do for transmission lines the same
thing as Maxwell’s curl equations do for unguided waves.

Maxwell’s Equations Transmission Line Equations


 H V I
  E     RI  L
t z t

 E I V
 H     GV  C
t z t

Like Maxwell’s equations, the transmission line equations are rarely

directly useful. Instead, we will derive all of the useful equations from
them.
Transmission Lines Slide 13

Derivation of First TL Equation (1 of 2)

R  z L  z
+ 2 3 +
I  z, t 
V  z, t  1 G  z C  z 4 V  z  z , t 

‐ ‐

z z  z
Apply Kirchoff’s voltage law (KVL) to the outer loop of the equivalent circuit:
I  z , t 
 V  z , t   I  z , t  Rz  Lz  V  z  z, t   0
   t 
1 2 4
3
Transmission Lines Slide 14

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Derivation of First TL Equation (2 of 2)

We rearrange the equation by bringing all of the voltage terms to the left‐hand side
of the equation, bringing all of the current terms to the right‐hand side of the
equation, and then dividing both sides by z.

I  z , t 
V  z , t   I  z , t  Rz  Lz  V  z  z , t   0
t

V  z  z , t   V  z , t  I  z , t 
  RI  z , t   L
z t

In the limit as z  0, the expression on the left‐hand side becomes a derivative

with respect to z.

V  z , t  I  z , t 
  RI  z , t   L
z t

Transmission Lines Slide 15

Derivation of Second TL Equation (1 of 2)

R  z L  z 1 2

+ I  z, t  I  z  z , t  +
3 4
V  z, t  G  z C  z V  z  z , t 

‐ ‐

z z  z
Apply Kirchoff’s current law (KCL) to the main node the equivalent circuit:

V  z  z, t 
I  z , t   I  z  z , t   GzV  z  z , t   C z 0
    t 
1 2 3
4
Transmission Lines Slide 16

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Derivation of Second TL Equation (2 of 2)

We rearrange the equation by bringing all of the current terms to the left‐hand side
of the equation, bringing all of the voltage terms to the right‐hand side of the
equation, and then dividing both sides by z.

V  z  z , t 
I  z , t   I  z  z , t   GzV  z  z , t   C z 0
t

I  z  z , t   I  z , t  V  z  z , t 
  GV  z  z , t   C
z t

In the limit as z  0, the expression on the left‐hand side becomes a derivative

with respect to z.

I  z , t  V  z , t 
  GV  z , t   C
z t

Transmission Lines Slide 17

Transmission Line
Wave Equations

Transmission Lines Slide 18

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Starting Point – Telegrapher Equations

We start with the transmission line equations derived in the previous
section.
V  z , t  I  z , t  I  z , t  V  z , t 
  RI  z , t   L   GV  z , t   C time‐domain
z t z t

For time‐harmonic (i.e. frequency‐domain) analysis, we Fourier

transform the equations above.
dV  z  dI  z 
   R  j L  I  z     G  jC  V  z  frequency‐domain
dz dz

Note: Our derivative d/dz became an ordinary derivative

because z is the only independent variable left.

These last equations are commonly referred to as the

telegrapher equations.
Transmission Lines Slide 19

Wave Equation in Terms of V(z)

dV  z  dI  z 
   R  j L  I  z  Eq. (1)    G  jC  V  z  Eq. (2)
dz dz

To derive a wave equation in terms of V(z), we first differentiate Eq. (1)

with respect to z.
d 2V  z  dI  z 
   R  j L  Eq. (3)
dz 2 dz

Second, we substitute Eq. (2) into the right‐hand side of Eq. (3) to
eliminate I(z) from the equation.
d 2V  z 
    R  j L  G  jC  V  z 
dz 2

Last, we rearrange the terms to arrive at the final form of the wave
equation.
d 2V  z 
  R  j L  G  jC  V  z   0
dz 2
Transmission Lines Slide 20

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Wave Equation in Terms of I(z)

dV  z  dI  z 
   R  j L  I  z  Eq. (1)    G  jC  V  z  Eq. (2)
dz dz

To derive a wave equation in terms of just I(z), we first differentiate

Eq. (2) with respect to z.
d 2I  z dV  z 
   G  jC  Eq. (3)
dz 2 dz

Second, we substitute Eq. (1) into the right‐hand side of Eq. (3) to
eliminate V(z) from the equation.
d 2I  z
    G  jC  R  j L  I  z 
dz 2

Last, we rearrange the terms to arrive at the final form of the wave
equation.
d 2I  z
  G  jC  R  j L  I  z   0
dz 2
Transmission Lines Slide 21

Propagation Constant, 
In our wave equations, we have a common term  G  jC  R  j L .
Define the propagation constant  to be

    j   G  jC  R  j L 
Given this definition, the transmission line equations are written as
d 2V  z 
2
  2V  z   0
dz

d 2I  z
  2I  z   0
dz 2

Transmission Lines Slide 22

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Solution to the Wave Equations

If we hand the wave equations off to a mathematician, they will return
with the following solutions.

d 2V  z 
  2V  z   0  V  z   V0 e  z  V0 e z
dz 2

d 2I  z
  2I  z   0  I  z   I 0 e  z  I 0 e z
dz 2

Forward wave Backward wave

Both V(z) and I(z) have the same differential equation so it makes
sense they have the same solution.

Transmission Lines Slide 23

Transmission Line
Parameters:

Attenuation Coefficient, 
Phase Constant, 
Transmission Lines Slide 24

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Derivation  and  (1 of 7)
Step 1 – Start with our expression for .
    j   G  jC  R  j L 
Square this expression to get rid of square‐root on right‐hand side.

  j     G  jC  R  j L 
2

Expand this expression.

 2  j 2   2  RG  j RC  j LG   2 LC

Collect real and imaginary parts on the left‐hand and right‐hand sides.

 2
  2   j 2   RG   2 LC   j  RC  LG 

Transmission Lines Slide 25

Derivation  and  (2 of 7)
Step 2 – Generate two equations by equating real and imaginary parts.

2    RC  LG 

 2
  2   j 2   RG   2 LC   j  RC  LG 

 2   2  RG   2 LC

We now have two equations and two unknowns.

Transmission Lines Slide 26

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Derivation  and  (3 of 7)
Step 3 – Derive a quadratic equation for 2.
2    RC  LG  Eq. (1a)
    RG   LC
2 2 2
Eq. (1b)

Solve Eq. (1a) for .


  RC  LG  Eq. (2)
2

Substitute Eq. (2) into Eq. (1b) and simplify.

2

2    RC  LG    RG   2 LC
 2 
 2  RC  LG 
2

2   RG   2 LC
4 2
4 4   2  RC  LG   4 2 RG  4 2 2 LC
2

2

 4   2  2 LC  RG     RC  LG    0
2 
Transmission Lines Slide 27

Derivation  and  (4 of 7)
Step 4 – Solve for 2 using the quadratic formula.
b  b 2  4ac
Recall the quadratic formula: ax 2  bx  c  0  x 
2a

Our equation for  is in the form of a quadratic equation where

a 1
2 b   2 LC  RG
 
    LC  RG     RC  LG    0 
4 2 2
 
2

2  c     RC  LG  
2 
x 2

The solution is
 
  2 LC  RG    LC  RG 
2
2
 4   RC  LG  
2 
2 
2
RG   LC  2
R 2
 L 2 2
 G 2
  2C 2 

2
Transmission Lines Slide 28

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Derivation  and  (5 of 7)
Step 5 – Resolve the sign of the square‐root.
RG   2 LC  R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
2 
2

In order for this expression to always give a real value

for , the sign of the square‐root must be positive.

The final expression is

RG   2 LC  R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
2 
2

Transmission Lines Slide 29

Derivation  and  (6 of 7)
Step 6 – Solve for 2 using our expression for 2.

Recall Eq. (1b):  2   2  RG   2 LC

RG   2 LC  R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
2 
2

We obtain an equation for 2 by substituting our expression for 2 into

Eq. (1b).

RG   2 LC  R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
  2  RG   2 LC
2

RG   LC 2
R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
2  
2

Transmission Lines Slide 30

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Derivation  and  (7 of 7)
Step 7 – We arrive at our final expressions for  and  in terms of the
fundamental parameters R, L, G, and C by taking the square‐root of
our latest expressions for 2 and 2.

 RG   LC    R
2 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
 
2
  RG   LC  
2
R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
 
2
Both  and must be positive quantities for passive materials.
This means we take the positive sign for the square‐root.

 RG   LC    R
2 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 

2

  RG   2 LC   R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 

2
Transmission Lines Slide 31

Transmission Line
Parameters:

Characteristic Impedance, Z0

Transmission Lines Slide 32

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Characteristic Impedance, Z0 ()

The characteristic impedance Z0 of a transmission line is defined as the
ratio of the voltage to the current at any point of a forward travelling
wave.
V0 V0
Z0     
I0 I0

Definition for a forward Definition for a backward travelling

travelling wave. wave. Notice the negative sign!

Most characteristic impedance values fall in the 50  to 100  range.

The specific value of impedance is not usually of importance. What is
important is when the impedance changes because this causes
reflections, standing waves, and more.

Transmission Lines Slide 33

Derivation of Z0 (1 of 5)
Step 1 – Substitute our solution into the transmission line equations.
V  z   V0 e  z  V0 e z
I  z   I 0 e  z  I 0 e z

dV  z  dI  z 
   R  j L  I  z     G  jC  V  z 
dz dz

d d   z

dz
V0 e z  V0e z  
dz
 I 0 e  I 0e z 
  R  j L   I 0 e   z  I 0 e z    G  jC  V0 e  z  V0 e z 

Transmission Lines Slide 34

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Derivation of Z0 (2 of 5)
Step 2 – Expand the equations and calculate the derivatives.
d d   z

dz
V0 e z  V0e z  
dz
 I 0 e  I 0e z 
  R  j L   I 0 e   z  I 0 e z    G  jC  V0 e  z  V0 e z 

 V0 e  z   V0 e z  I 0 e  z   I 0 e z
  R  j L  I 0 e  z   R  j L  I 0 e z   G  jC  V0 e  z   G  jC  V0 e z

Transmission Lines Slide 35

Derivation of Z0 (3 of 5)
Step 3 – Equate the expressions multiplying the common exponential
terms.
 V0   R  j L  I 0

 


V0 e  z  V0 e z   R  j L  I 0 e  z   R  j L  I 0 e z





 V0   R  j L  I 0

 I 0   G  jC  V0

 

I 0 e  z  I 0 e z   G  jC  V0 e  z   G  jC  V0 e z




 I 0   G  jC  V0

Transmission Lines Slide 36

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Derivation of Z0 (4 of 5)
Step 4 – Solve each of our four equations for V0/I0 to derive
expressions for Z0.

 V0   R  j L  I 0 V0 R  j L
   Z0
I 0 

V0 R  j L
 V0   R  j L  I 0     Z0
I 0 

V0 
 I 0   G  jC  V0    Z0
I 0 G  jC

V0 
 I 0   G  jC  V0     Z0
I 0 G  jC

Transmission Lines Slide 37

Derivation of Z0 (5 of 5)
Step 5 – Put Z0 in terms of just R, L, G, and C.

Recall our expression for :     j   G  jC  R  j L 

We can substitute this into either of our expressions for Z0.

R  j L 
Z0  
 G  jC

Proceed with the first expression.

 R  j L 
2
R  j L R  j L
Z0   
 G  jC  R  j L   G  jC  R  j L  G  jC

Transmission Lines Slide 38

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Final Expression for Z0 ()

We have derived a general expression for the characteristic impedance
Z0 of a transmission line in terms of the fundamental parameters R, L,
G, and C.

V0 V0
Definition: Z0   
I 0 I 0

R  j L  R  j L
Expression: Z 0   
 G  jC G  jC

Transmission Lines Slide 39

Dissecting the Characteristic Impedance, Z0

The characteristic impedance describes the amplitude and phase

relation between voltage and current along a transmission line. With
this picture in mind, the characteristic impedance can be written as
V  z   V0 e z
Z 0  Z 0  Z 0
V0  z
I  z   I 0 e z 
j 
e  Z 0 V0 e z e Z0
Z0

The characteristic impedance can also be written in terms of its real

and imaginary parts.

Z 0  R0  jX 0
Reactive part of Z0. This is not equal to jL or 1/jC.

Resistive part of Z0. This is not equal to R or G.

Transmission Lines Slide 40

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Special Cases of
Transmission Lines:

General Transmission Line

Transmission Lines Slide 41

Parameters for General TLs

Propagation Constant, 
    j   G  jC  R  j L 
Attenuation Coefficient, 

 RG   LC    R
2 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 

2
Phase Constant, 
  RG   2 LC   R 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 

2
Characteristic Impedance, Z0
R  j L
Z 0  R0  jX 0 
G  jC

Transmission Lines Slide 42

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Special Cases of
Transmission Lines:

Lossless Lines

Transmission Lines Slide 43

Definition of Lossless TL
When we think about transmission lines, we tend to think of the
special case of the lossless line because the equations simplify
considerably.

For a transmission line to be lossless, it must have

RG 0

Transmission Lines Slide 44

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Parameters for Lossless TLs

Propagation Constant, 
    j   j LC

Attenuation Coefficient, 

 0

Phase Constant, 

   LC

Characteristic Impedance, Z0

L
Z 0  R0  jX 0 
C
L
R0  X0  0
C
Transmission Lines Slide 45

Special Cases of
Transmission Lines:

Weakly Absorbing Line

Transmission Lines Slide 46

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Definition of Weakly Absorbing TL

Most practical transmission lines have loss, but very low loss making
them weakly absorbing.

We will define a weakly absorbing line as

R   L and G  C
Ensures very little conduction between
the lines through the dielectric.

Ensures low ohmic loss for signals

propagating through the line.

Transmission Lines Slide 47

Parameters for Weakly Absorbing TLs

Attenuation Coefficient, 
1 R 
   GZ 0 
2  Z0 
Conductance through the dielectric dominates
attenuation in high‐impedance transmission lines.

Resistivity in the conductors dominates

attenuation in low‐impedance transmission lines.

In weakly absorbing transmission lines, there usually exists a

“sweep spot” for the impedance where attenuation is minimized.

Transmission Lines Slide 48

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Special Cases of
Transmission Lines:

Distortionless Lines

Transmission Lines Slide 49

Definition of Distortionless TL
In a real transmission line, different frequencies will be attenuated
differently because  is a function of . This causes distortion in the
signals carried by the line.

 RG   LC    R
2 2
  2 L2  G 2   2C 2 
   
2

To be distortionless, there must be a choice of R, L, G, and C that

eliminates  from the expression of , effectively making 
independent of frequency .

The necessary condition to be distortionless is

R G

L C

Transmission Lines Slide 50

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Parameters for Distortionless TLs

Propagation Constant, 
    j   RG  j LC

Attenuation Coefficient, 

  RG

Phase Constant, 
To be distortionless, we must have   .  is a measure of how
quickly a signal accumulates phase. Different frequencies have
   LC different wavelengths and therefore must accumulate different
phase through the same length of line.
Characteristic Impedance, Z0

R L
Z 0  R0  jX 0  
G C
R L
R0   X0  0
G C
Transmission Lines Slide 51

Example:

Properties of RG-59 Coax

Transmission Lines Slide 52

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The Lossless Circular Coax

Fundamental Parameters (derived in EE 3321)
2
C F m
ln  b a 
 1  b 
L  ln     H m 
2  4  a 
a
Attenuation Coefficient, 
 0 b
Phase Constant, 
     and 
Characteristic Impedance, Z0
 b
Z 0  R0  jX 0  ln   ab
2 a
 b
R0  ln   X0  0
2 a

Transmission Lines Slide 53

Typical RLGC for RG‐59 Coax at 2 GHz

The typical RG‐59 coaxial cable operating at 2.0 GHz has the following
RLGC parameters:

R  36 mΩ m
L  430 nH m
G  10   m
C  69 pF m

Calculate the transmission line parameters , , , and Z0.

Classify the line as lossless, weakly absorbing, distortionless, etc.

Transmission Lines Slide 54

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Solution (1 of 3)
Our equations mostly utilize the angular frequency  instead of the
ordinary frequency f.

  2 f  2  2.0 109 s 1   12.5664 109 rad s

The characteristic impedance Z0 is

R  j L
Z0 
G  jC

 36 mΩ m   j 12.5664 109 rad s   430 nH m 


10   m   j 12.5664 109 rad s   69 pF m 
 78.94  j1.92 104 

Note the imaginary part of Z0 is very small indicating that our line is very low loss.

Transmission Lines Slide 55

Solution (2 of 3)
The complex propagation constant  is
  R  j L  G  jC 
 36 mΩ m   j 12.5664 109 rad s   430 nH m  
 

 10   m   j 12.5664 109 rad s   69 pF m  

 6.23  104  j 68.45 m 1

From this result, we read off  and .

    j   6.23 104  j 68.45 m 1

  6.23 104 Np m Np is Nepers

  68.45 rad m rad is radians

Transmission Lines Slide 56

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Solution (3 of 3)
Is the line lossless?  NO
No because R ≠ 0 and G ≠ 0.
Also, we can determine this because  ≠ 0 .

Is the line weakly absorbing?  YES

? ?
R L G  C

mΩ m   12.5664 109 rad s   430 nH m  m   12.5664 109 rad s   69 pF m 

? ?
 36 10  
? ?
0.036  5403.5 10 10 6  0.8671
Yes Yes

Is the line distortionless?  NO, but close

?
RC  LG
?
 36 mΩ m  69 pF m    430 nH m 10   m 
?
2.48  1012  4.30 1012
No, but close

Transmission Lines Slide 57

Cable Loss Vs. Characteristic Impedance

As we adjust the cable dimensions (i.e. b/a), we change both its
impedance and its loss characteristics. This let’s us plot the cable loss
vs. characteristic impedance for a coax with different dielectric fills.

For the air‐filled coax, we

observe minimum loss at
around 77 , where b/a  3.5.

A coaxial cable filled with

polyethelene (r = 2.2), the
minimum loss occurs at 51.2 
(b/a = 3.6).

https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/why‐fifty‐ohms
Transmission Lines Slide 58

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Power Handling Vs. Characteristic

Impedance
As we adjust the cable dimensions (i.e. b/a), we affect the peak
voltage handling capability (breakdown) and its power handling
capability (heat).
We observe the lowest peak
voltage at just over 50 
which we interpret as the
point of best voltage handling
capability.

We observe the lowest peak

current at around 30  which
we interpret as the point of
best power handling
capability.

https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/why‐fifty‐ohms
Transmission Lines Slide 59

Why 50  Impedance is Best?

Two researchers, Lloyd Espenscheid and
Herman Affel, working at Bell Labs produced
this graph in 1929. They needed to send 4 MHz
signals hundreds. Transmission lines capable of
handling high voltage and high power were
needed in order to accomplish this.

Data to the right was generated for an air‐filled

coaxial cable.

Best for High Voltage: Z0 = 60 

Best for High Power: Z0 = 30 
Best for Attenuation: Z0 = 75 

50  seems like the best compromise.

Transmission Lines Slide 60

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Why 75  Impedance Standard for Coax?

Nobody really knows!!

The ideal impedance is closer to 50 , however this requires a thicker

center conductor. Maybe 75  is a compromise between low loss
and mechanical flexibility?

Transmission Lines Slide 61

Example:

Microstrip Design

Transmission Lines Slide 62

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The Lossless Microstrip

w
Attenuation Coefficient, 
 0

h r
Phase Constant, 
r 1 r 1
 r ,eff  
2 2 1  12 h w
  k0  r ,eff

Characteristic Impedance, Z0

 60  8h w 
 ln    w h  1 thin lines
  eff  w 4h 
Z 0  R0  jX 0  
 1 120
w h  1 wide lines
  eff  w h  1.393  0.667 ln  w h  1.444  

Transmission Lines Slide 63

Problem Description
Typically, the manufacturing process fixes the value of dielectric
constant r. This means the impedance of microstrips is controlled
solely through the ratio w/h.

For this example, design a 50  microstrip transmission line in FR‐4,

which as a dielectric constant of 4.5, to operate at 2.4 GHz.

w
?
h

Transmission Lines Slide 64

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Design Equations
To solve this problem, we must first derive some design equations. To
do this, we solve our microstrip equations for w/h. This gives

Z0  r  1  r 1  0.11 
A   0.23  
60 2 r 1 r 
60 2
B
Z0  r
 8e A
 w h  2 thin lines
w  e 2
2A


h  2   r 1  0.61  
 B  1  ln  2 B  1   ln  B  1  0.39   w h  2 wide lines
  
 2  r   r  

Transmission Lines Slide 65

Design Solution (1 of 2)
Applying our design equations, we get
A  1.5438
B  5.5831
w 1.8799 w h  2 thin lines

h 1.8812 w h  2 wide lines

Since the above numbers for w/h are essentially the same, we
conclude that
w
 1.88
h

Transmission Lines Slide 66

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Design Solution (2 of 2)
We learn from our manufacturing engineer that a convenient choice
for substrate thickness h is 0.5 mm. From this, to get 50  the width
w of the microstrip should be

w  1.88h  1.88  0.5 mm   0.94 mm

The phase constant for this line will be

 eff  3.3941
2 f 2  2.4 10 s 
9 1

k0     50.3 m 1
c0 c0 299792458 m s
   50.3 m 1  3.3941  92.67 m 1

Transmission Lines Slide 67

34