Exercise problems of topic 2: Smith chart and

impedance matching
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Exercise problem 2.1. Solve and answer the following small problems.
A generator (with voltage U and source impedance Z0) is connected to a lossless (γ = jβ, β = phase
constant) transmission line (length = l, characteristic impedance Z1) and further to the load
impedance ZL as shown below.

U  Z L  Z1
a. Let us define the voltage reflection coefficient:  ( z  0)   L    .
U Z L  Z1
Show all the intermediate phases (…) of the derivation of the impedance formula:

U ( z  l ) U  e jl  U  e  jl 1   L e 2 jl Z  jZ1 tanl 

Z  z  l     jl  ...  Z  ...  Z1 L .
Z1  jZ L tanl 
  j l 1 2 jl
I ( z  l ) I e I e 1   Le

The problem continues on the next page!

b. If the length of the transmission line is l = λ/4. Show based on the formula of part a. that
the load impedance ZL is fully matched to the generator (impedance Z0) when

Z1  Z L  Z 0 .

What values (set of numbers?) the impedance ZL can get in this case? Explain why.

c. If ZL = 0 Ω (short-circuit) or ZL = infinite Ω (open circuit), show that the formula of part a.

can be simplified as
ZL = 0 Ω: Z ( z  l )  jZ1 tanl  (short-circuited short transmission line is inductive)

ZL = infinite Ω: Z ( z  l )   jZ1 cot l  (open short transmission line is capacitive)

Exercise problem 2.2. Solve and answer the following problems. Write all the intermediate
phases. Return the Smith chart together with your answer.

A mismatched load ZL = 20 – j 50 Ω causes a standing wave into a transmission line. Perform the
following small tasks (a-f) using graphically the Smith chart. The normalization impedance is Z0
= 50 Ω (if not otherwise informed, the reference impedance is always 50 Ω!).

a. What is the length (give answer in λ) of one full round (360 degrees) on the Smith chart?
Justify.
b. Mark the normalized load impedance zL = ZL/Z0 on the Smith chart. Note that the
impedance is the same as in Exercise problem 1.6 of Topic 1.
c. Define the reflection coefficient ρL from the Smith chart and check the result also with a
calculator.
d. Define the admittance yL which corresponds to zL. Check your result with a calculator.
e. ZL is attached to a 50-Ω transmission line. Define the voltage standing wave ratio, VSWR,
from the Smith chart and check the result with a calculator.
f. Define the distance of the nearest voltage minimum of the standing wave from the load.
Compare the result with the result of Exercise problem 1.6. (see below).
g. How far is then the nearest voltage maximum from the load?
h. Define the distance of the nearest current maximum of the standing wave from the load.
Compare the result with the result of Exercise problem 1.6. (see below).
i. How far is the nearest current minimum from the load?
Exercise problem 2.3. Solve and answer the following problems using the Smith chart
graphically. Write all the intermediate phases and good explanations to your answers. Return the
Smith charts together with your answers. The load impedance is again ZL = 20 – j 50 Ω and Z0 =
50 Ω.

a. Match the load using the matching circuit shown below – i.e., calculate the length d in
wavelengths and the impedance Z1 of the quarter-wavelength transformer.

b. Match the load using an L-section inductor-inductor matching circuit (see figure below) at 1
GHz – i.e., calculate the inductor values L1 and L2.

c. Match the load using an open parallel stub so that the length l of the stub is minimized
– i.e., calculate the lengths d and l in wavelengths.
Exercise problem 2.4. The following problem is to be done with AWR. Ask computer & help in
the class! AWR is also available in both the computer classes of the “Maarintie 8” building.
a. The load impedance ZL = 20 – j 50 Ω is modelled with a resistor R and capacitor C in series at
1 GHz. What are the values of R [Ω] and C [pF]?
b. Simulate the matching circuits of Problems 2.3 a.-c. with the AWR circuit simulator.
o Plot the absolute value of the reflection coefficient |S11| (in dB) of all three circuits to
the same Cartesian coordinate system in 0.5 … 1.5 GHz. The S11 is seen in the input of
the matching circuit.
o Plot the reflection coefficients S11 on the Smith chart in 0.5 … 1.5 GHz.
o Implement the matching circuits of Problems 2.3 a. and c. on a 1.5-mm thick FR-4
substrate for which the relative permittivity εr = 4.3, loss tangent tan δ = 0.02 and the
thickness of the metal t = 35 μm. You can use TXLine calculator of AWR.
o If needed, tune the component values / lengths of the transmission lines such that the
load is “fully matched” at 1 GHz – i.e., the circuit “resonates” at 1 GHz.
c. Which of the matching circuits (Problem 2.3 a. = quarter-wavelength transformer, b. =
lumped element L-section, c. = single tuning stub) provides the largest impedance bandwidth?
Can you make a sophisticated guess, which factors affect the impedance bandwidth?

Exercise problem 2.5. Use AWR circuit simulator and match the familiar load impedance with
the dual-resonant matching circuitry shown in the figure below. Use RL = 20 Ω and CL = 3.18 pF.
The centre frequency is 1.0 GHz, and use |ρin| = -10 dB as the matching criterion. Tune the
component values such that you get the largest possible impedance bandwidth – i.e. the reflection
coefficient has a symmetrical double loop around the centre of the Smith chart.

If you have time and interest, match the same load with a triple-resonant matching circuitry.
Can you increase the bandwidth endlessly just by adding more and more resonators?
Hint: add a shunt parallel LC resonator between the feed port and the series resonator of C2 and
L2.
Exercise problem 2.6. Solve and answer the following problems. Write all the intermediate
phases and good explanations to your answers.
a. Calculate based on the Bode-Fano criterion
the maximum impedance bandwidth (in
GHz) of the load impedance of the problem
2.5 (resistor RL = 20 Ω and a capacitor CL =
3.18 pF in series). The maximum allowed
reflection coefficient is |ρin| = -10 dB = 0.316,
and the centre frequency is 1.0 GHz.

b. What is the percentage fraction that can be

achieved with 1) the single-resonant
matching circuit (Prob. 2.3 b.) and 2) dual-
resonant matching circuit (Prob. 2.5)
compared to the maximum bandwidth given
by the Bode-Fano criterion (part a. of this
problem)?

c. Why the bandwidth given by the Bode-Fano criterion (of a. part) cannot be achieved in
practice? Explain using your own words, what the purpose of the Bode-Fano criterion is.

Voluntary investigation task. If you are very familiar with basic impedance matching
techniques, you may replace problems 2.1-2.3 with this investigation problem. The maximum
points is 9. Inform teachers in advance for agreeing on the details of return.
Explore the Aalto-originated article [1] related to design of dual-resonant matching circuits.
Based on the article, ponder answers to the following questions.
a. Find out and justify the topology of the dual-resonant matching circuit used in Problem
2.5.
b. Calculate analytically the component values of the dual-resonant matching circuit of
Problem 2.5.
c. Is the topology derived in the article suitable for matching any load impedance?
d. Outline general principles for the design of dual-resonant matching circuits. It is
recommended to use also other sources of information.

[1] J. Villanen and P. Vainikainen, “Optimum dual-resonant impedance matching of coupling

element based mobile terminal antenna structures,” Microwave and Optical Technology Letters,
vol. 49, no. 10, pp. 2472-2477, October 2007.