ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 1

2Port Parameters
Two-ways of describing device:

A. Equivalent - Circuit-Model

Physically based
Includes bias dependence
Includes frequency dependence
Includes size dependence - scalability
Ideal for IC design
Weakness: Model necessarily simplified; some errors. Thus, weak for highly resonant
designs

B. 2Port Model

Matrix of tabular data vs. frequency

Need one matrix for each bias point and device size
Clumsy huge data sets required
Traditional microwave method
Exact

2 Port descriptions

These are black box (mathematical) descriptions.

I1 I2

+ port port + V
V1 2
1 2

Inside might be a transistor, a FET, a transmission line, or just about anything.

The terminal characteristics are V1 V2 I1 & I2 there are 2 degrees of freedom.

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 2

Admittance Parameters

I1 Y11 Y12 V1
=
I2 Y21 Y22 V2

Example: Simple FET Model

Cgd
gmVgs

Cgs +
V Rds
gs

By inspection:

j Cgs + jCgd j Cgd

Y=
gm j Cgd Gds + jC gd

Easy!

I1 I1
Y11 = Y12 =
V1 V V2 V
2 =0 1 =0

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 3

Impedance Parameters

V1 Z11 Z12 I1
=
V2 Z21 Z22 I2

Example

R1 R2

R3

By inspection

R1 + R3 R3
Z=
R3 R2 + R3

V1 V2
Z11 = Z 21 =
I1 I2 =0
I1 I2 =0

But, y, z, and h parameters are not suitable for high frequency measurement.

Problem: How can you get a true open or short at the circuit terminals? Any real short is
inductive. Any real open is capacitive.

To make matters worse, if you are trying to measure a high freq. active device, a
short or open can make it oscillate!

Solution: Use termination in Z0 instead!

Broadband.
Not very sensitive to parasitic L,C
Kills reflections.

Redefine parameters to use fwd. and rev. voltage waves.

Measurement can use directional couplers.

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 4

SParameters

Z0 Z0

a1 a2
b1 b2
Zo Zo
z=0 z=0

input reflection coeff a2 =0 rev. transm. gain a1 =0

b1 S11 S12 a1
b2 = S21 S22 a2

fwd transm. gain a2 =0 output a1 =0

Note that Z0 must be defined. We dont really need transmission lines.

Our objective now is to de-mystify S-parameters they are easy!

Recall
+
V(x) = V (x) + V (x) phasor quantities.
V + (x) V (x)
I(x) = amplitude, not rms values.
Z0 Z0

We can normalize the amplitude of waves to Z0:

V + (x)
a(x) = forward wave
Z0
V (x)
b(x) = reverse wave
Z0
1 *
Why? So that a(x)a (x) = power in forward wave.
2
if a = 1.414 then power in wave is 1 watt. (or arms = 1 )

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 5

likewise, b(x)b*(x)/2 is the power in the reverse wave

So, in terms of total voltage V(x) and current I(x),

V(x)
v(x) = = a(x ) + b(x)
Z0
i (x) = Z0 I (x) = a(x) b (x)

or,

a( x) =
1
[v( x ) + i( x )] = 1 [V ( x ) + Z 0 I ( x )]
2 2 Z0

b( x ) = [v ( x ) i ( x )] = [V ( x ) Z 0 I ( x )]
1 1
2 2 Z0

Reflection

So, how is defined in terms of the S parameters? At port 1,

b1
1 =
a1
But,

b1 = S11a1 + S12a2

We need to eliminate a2. How?

a
If ZL = Zo, L = 0 = 2 so, therefore a2 = 0 if port 2 is terminated in Zo.
b2

b1
1 = = S11
a1 a
2 =0
Same with at port 2 with S22:
b2
S22 = = 2
a2 a1 = 0

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 6

Transmission

b2 = S21a1 + S22 a2

So, the forward transmission S21 can be found by setting a2 = 0 (terminate output)

b2
S21 =
a1 a2 = 0

Reverse transmission, similarly, is found by setting a1 = 0 (terminate input in Zo)

b1 = S11a1 + S21a2

b1
S12 =
a2 a1 = 0

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 7

Some comments on power measurement:

Power can vary over a large range, therefore it is often specified on a logarithmic scale. There
must be a point of reference on the scale; the power measurements are usually with reference to
1 mW.

The unit is called dBm meaning dB relative to 1 mW of power. Thus,

0 dBm = 1 mW
10 dBm = 10 mW
-10 dBm = 0.1 mW
etc.

To convert mW to dBm:

dBm = 10 log10 (P)

To convert dBm to mW:

P = 10dBm/10

What is the difference between dB and dBm?

dB is a power ratio used to describe a gain or loss for example.

G = 10 log10 (Pout/Pin) dB
Return Loss = - 20 log10 || dB

But, dB says nothing about the absolute power level. Dont confuse their usage!

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 8

Now, define available power:

PAVS = max power output from a source with impedance Zs that can be absorbed into a load.
*
let Z S = Z 0 , ZL = ZS = Z0 (in this case)

because maximum power transfer occurs when we have a conjugate match

Z0

Vgen Vgen/2
Z0

generator load

2
1 Vgen
Pload = PAVS =
8 Z0
Or, in terms of a and b:
a1

b1 +
Z0 + b =0
Vgen ~ V Z0

V+ Z 0 Vgen
a1 = and b1 = 0; V + = Vgen = and V = 0
Z0 Z0 + Z0 2

So,
2
1 Vgen
Pload = PAVS = a1a1* =
2 8Z 0

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 9

We see that the available power is independent of load impedance. Even if the load is
not matched, available power remains constant. Actual power in the load is reduced
however.

Generator output power is calibrated and displayed as available power.

Actual Load Power

1 2 1 2 1 *
PLoad = a1 b1 = Re I1V1
2 2 2
or

2
PLoad = PAVS (1 S11 )

Reflected Power b1 = a1 S11

1 2 1 2 2 2
PR = b1 = a1 S11 = PAVS S11
2 2
2
2 Power reflected from input b1
S11 = = 2
Power incident on input a1
2
2 Power reflected from network output b2
S22 = =
Power incident on output a2 2
Similarly,
1 2
a2 = Power incident on output
2
= Reflected power from load

1 2
b1 = Power reflected from input port
2

1 2
b2 = Power incident on load from the network
2

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 10

a1 a2
b1
b2

Pload
Also, by definition, transducer gain = = GT even if
Pavs
1. load isnt matched to network and
2. input of network not matched to generator

2 2
Here, PLoad = b2 (1 L )

S21 is defined in terms of transducer gain for the special case of where ZL = Z0 :

2
2 b2
S21 = 2
a1 a2 = 0

1 2
b2 = power incident on load (and is absorbed since L=0)
2
1 2
a1 = source available power
2
2
S21 = transducer gain with source and load Z0

Similarly,

2
S12 = reverse transducer power gain

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 11

Reference Planes

B C
Microwave transistor in package

On board:

B C
S11 S12
[S] = S S22
21

connection to instruments
here defining
Define x = 0 at zboth
= 0 ports
here.

Defining the reference planes differently changes the S-parameters.

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 12

phase shifts! 50 microstrip transmission lines

S e j 21 S12 e j (1 +2 )
b1 a2 S = 11j +
( ) j 2
S21e 1 2 S22e 2

a1 b2

1 2

x1 = x2 = 1 = 2 1
1 x1 = 0 x2 =0 2
2
2 = 2

connections to instruments here

2
1 = x1 = 1

2
2 = x2 = 2

S e 21 S12 e j (1+ 2 )
S =
' 11
S e j (1+ 2 ) S 22 e j 2 2
21

The reflection parameters are shifted in phase by twice the electrical length because the incident
wave travels twice over this length upon reflection. The transmission parameters have the sum
of the electrical lengths, since the transmitted wave must pass through both lengths.

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 13

Comment on electrical length:

The microwave literature will say a line is 43 long at 5 GHz . What does this mean?
fref

Electrical length = E = 360

ref

Recall f = v so f ref ref =

E= 360 = fref 360

v / fref v

E = T fref 360

a line which is 1 ns long has an electrical length E = 360 at f ref = 1 GHz

and

an electrical length E = 36 at Fref = 100 MHz

Why not just say = 1 ns ?

you should be conversant with both terminologies.

Converting to physical length

f ref = v p
vp
ref =
f

E (deg)ref
thus: physical length = = Electrical length (in wavelengths) ref
360

or:

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 14

How to Calculate S-Parameters Quickly

First Comment

b1
S11 =
a1 a
2 =0

b1 = S11a1 + S12 a 2

(We must kill a2 in order to measure or calculate S11)

L

S ZL

b2
a2

if ZL = Z0 , then L is zero

and so a2 = L b 2 = 0 .

So

b1
S11 =
a1 Z
L = Z0

So if we say that Zin Z is the input impedance with Z0 = ZL

L = Z0

then

Zin Z Z0
L = Z0
S11 = = in
Zin Z + Z0
L = Z0

or:

1 + S11
Zin Z =
L = Z0 1 S11

The same comment clearly applies for S22 . The Smith Chart is often used to plot S11 , S22 .

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 15

Example:

Given Z0 = 50 , what is S11 ?

50

Zin Z = 54
L = Z0
54 50 4
S11 = =
54 + 50 104

4
Similar arguments give S22 = .
104

Find S21
b2
S21 = | a =0
a1 2
S
ZS = Z0

a1 a2
ZL = Z0
~ V
gen
b1 b2

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 16

What is a1 in this case?

V1+ Vgen
We know that: a1 = and V1+ =
Zo 2

So,
Vgen
a1 =
2 Zo

V
Consider the load: b2 = out Why?
Z0

b2


a
+
2
ZL Vout
_

a2 = Lb2

But, L = 0 because ZL = Z0 , so a2 = 0 .

Vout = V+ + V = Z0 a 2 + Z0 b2
= Z0 b2

Now, calculate Vout/Vgen:

Vout = Z 0 b2 = Z 0 (S 21a1 + S 22 a2 )

But, a2 = 0 because the load impedance = Z0, so

Vout = Z 0 S 21 a1
Substitute for a1:

Vgen
a1 =
2 Z0
so,
Vout Z 0 S 21 S
= = 21
V gen 2 Z0 2

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 17

2Vout
thus, S 21 = when ZL = ZS = Z0
Vgen

Why the factor of 2?

Z0

Vgen Vgen/2
Z0

generator load

We see that the generator voltage is split between the source and load in the matched case. Here,
we see that Vout/Vgen = , but the transducer gain must be equal to 1. (PLOAD/PAVS). |S21|2 is
the transducer gain in this situation. If we insert an amplifier into the network, the signal has
been increased by an amount S21.

Z0

Vgen Vout = S21 Vgen/2

Z0

generator load

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 18

So, |S21|2 is the FORWARD INSERTION GAIN or FORWARD TRANSDUCER GAIN in a

system of impedance Z0.

EXAMPLE: Find S21

50 4

Vgen S21= 2 Vout/Vgen

50

Vout/Vgen = 50/104 = 0.48 S21 = 0.96 0

OR, we could let Vgen = 2. Then, S21 = Vout.

What about a reference plane extension?

X1 = 0 X2 = 0
X1 = - l1 X2 = - l2

50 4

Vgen S21= 2 Vout/Vgen

50

i = 2 li /

S11 = S11 e2j1 S11 = IN(0) S22 = OUT(0) S22 = S22 e2j2

and

2 2
1 = = 2 = =
1
1 2
2

S'21 = S21 e j( 1 + 2 ) = S21 e2 j( 1 + 2 )/

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 19

EXAMPLE: Find the 4 S parameters of the following circuit:

Z0

C Z0
Vgen

S11: Find Zin (with ZL = Z0), then calculate input reflection coefficient.

Z IN |Z L = Z 0 = 1 / ( sC + 1 / Z 0 )

Z IN
1
Z IN Z 0 Z0
S11 = =
Z IN + Z 0 Z IN +1
Z0

turning the crank,

jCZ 0 / 2
S11 =
1 + jCZ 0 / 2

S22 will be the same due to symmetry. Note that we calculated ZIN with port 2 terminated in Z0.
This is part of the definition of S11 so is essential.

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB

 ECE145A/218A Notes Set #4 20

Now find S21: first use Thevenin Norton transformation:

Vout

Z0
Vgen/Z0 Z0
C

Vgen 1
Vout = = I/Y
Z0 2 + sC
Z0

2Vout 1
S 21 = = = S12
Vgen 1 + jCZ 0 / 2

Rev.11/07 Prof. S. Long/ECE/UCSB