Transmission Lines

SMITH CHART
Transmission Line Calculator

(Devised by Phillip H. Smith in 1939)

It is useful in Transmission-line calculations.

Prior to the advent of digital computers and calculators, engineers developed all sorts of aids
(tables, charts, graphs, etc.) to facilitate their calculations for design and analysis.

To reduce the tedious manipulations involved in calculating the characteristics of

transmission lines, several graphical means have been developed.
The Smith chart is the most commonly used of the graphical techniques.

The Smith chart is a graphical representation of the impedance transformation property of a

length of transmission line. It becomes very easy to use after a small amount of experience.

Construction

A Smith chart is basically a graphical indication of the impedance of a transmission line as

one moves along the line.

It would be impractical to plot all the values of ZL and Zin on a rectangular coordinate
impedance plane (Z-plane or R-X plane),
since (0  R   & –  X  ) and this would require a semi-infinite sheet of paper.

Since ||  1,

all values of reflection coefficient lie within a unit circle in

a reflection coefficient plane (r – i plane).

Thus, a Smith chart is constructed within a circle of unit

radius (||  1) as shown in Fig.

The construction of the chart is based on the relation

ZL − Z0
L =  = (1)
ZL + Z0

where  = |  | = r + ji =  ej

and r =  cos  i =  sin 

Instead of having separate Smith charts for transmission lines with different characteristic
impedances such as Z0 = 50, 60.. it is preferred to have just one that can be used for any line.
This is achieved by using a Normalized chart in which all impedances are normalized
with respect to the characteristic impedance Z0 of the particular line under consideration.

Class Note by Santanu Das 1

 Transmission Lines

For a load impedance ZL,

ZL
the Normalized impedance ZL = = r + jx
Z0
RL XL
where r= x=
Z0 Z0

ZL − 1 1 +  (1 +  r ) + ji
From eq.(1)  =  r + ji = or ZL = r + jx = =
ZL + 1 1 −  (1 −  r ) − ji

Rationalizing and equating real and imaginary parts,

1 −  2r − i2 2i
r= x=
(1 −  r ) 2
+ i2 (1 − r )2 + i2
2 2
 r   1 
 r − 1 + r  + i = 1 + r 
2
Rearranging (2a)

2 2
r − 1 + i −  =  
2 1 1
(2b)
 x x

Each of eqs.(2a) and (2b) is similar to → (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = a2

which is the general equation of a circle of radius a, centered at (h, k).

Thus, eq.(2a) is an r-circle (resistance circle) with

 r  1
center at ( r , i ) =  ,0  radius =
 1+ r  1+ r

Similarly, eq.(2b) is an x-circle (reactance circle) with

 1 1
center at ( r , i ) = 1,  radius =
 x x

For typical values of the normalized resistance r, the corresponding centers and radii of the r-
circles are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Radii and Centers of r-circles for typical values of r

 1   r 
Normalized Resistance (r) Radius   Center  ,0
 1+ r   1+ r 
0 1 (0,0)
1/2 2/3 (1/3,0)
1 1/2 (1/2,0)
2 1/3 (2/3,0)
5 1/6 (5/6,0)
 0 (1,0)

Class Note by Santanu Das 2

 Transmission Lines

Typical examples of the r-circles based on the data in Table 1 are shown in Figure below.

Table 2 presents centers & radii of the x-circles for typical values of x.

TABLE 2 Radii and Centers of x-circles for typical values of x

1  1
Normalized Reactance (x) Radius   Center  1, 
 x  x
0  (1, )
1/2 2 (1, 2)
1 1 (1, 1)
2 1/2 (1, 1/2)
5 1/5 (1, 1/5)
 0 (1, 0)

Figure shows the corresponding plots.

Notice that while r is always positive, x can be positive (for inductive impedance) or negative
(for capacitive impedance).
Class Note by Santanu Das 3
 Transmission Lines

If r-circles and x-circles are Superposed, a SMITH CHART is constructed as in Fig. below.

Illustration :

1. A normalized impedance Z = 2 + j1 is located on a Smith chart as the point of intersection

of r = 2 circle and x = 1 circle.
This is point P1 in Figure.

2. A normalized Z = 1 – j 0.5 is plotted at P2, where r = 1 circle and x = –0.5 circle intersect.

Class Note by Santanu Das 4

 Transmission Lines

Properties of SMITH Chart

1) At point PSC on the chart, r = 0, x = 0; that is, ZL = 0 + j0

Hence, PSC represents a short circuit on a transmission line.

At point POC, r =  and x = , or ZL =  + j

Therefore, POC corresponds to an open circuit on a line.

2) Clockwise movement on the chart is regarded as moving toward the generator (or away
from the load) [as shown by the arrow G]

Counterclockwise movement on the chart corresponds to moving toward the load (or
away from the generator) [as indicated by the arrow L]

Class Note by Santanu Das 5

 Transmission Lines

Explanation : For ZL = 0, Zin = j Z0 tan l

• If l = 0, l = 0, Zin = 0
• Now l (for l  /4) increases towards the generator.
Zin (inductive reactance) increases and becomes infinite () at l = /4
• l (for /4  l  /2) increases towards the generator.
Zin (capacitive reactance) decreases and becomes zero (0) at l = /2.

This happens in case of clockwise movement on the Smith chart. Hence, clockwise movement
is considered as moving toward the generator (or away from the load).

3) There are Mainly Three scales around the periphery of the Smith chart.

(a) The outermost scale is used to determine the distance on a line from the load end in terms
of wavelength .

(b) The second outermost scale determines the distance from the generator end in terms of
wavelength .

(c) The second innermost scale is a protractor (in degrees) and is primarily used in determining
 , phase of .
It can also be used to determine the distance from the load or generator.

(d) Innermost Scale determines  , phase of 

Class Note by Santanu Das 6

 Transmission Lines

The scales are used in determining the distance from the load or generator in degree or
wavelength.
The three scales are included for the sake of convenience but they are actually meant
to serve the same purpose; one scale should be sufficient.

Note that
At PSC point, ZL = 0 + j0.
0
So, L = −1 = 1e j180 and  = 1800

At POC location, ZL =  + j.

0
So, L = 1 = 1e j0 and  = 00

4) A complete revolution (3600) around a Smith chart represents a distance of /2 on a line.

Explanation: Over a distance l, the phase angle  of reflection coefficient changes by 2l.
2 
Thus, for a distance change of /2, phase  changes by 2 l = 2. . = 2 radian or 3600
 2

(a) Since a complete revolution around the chart is made in going a distance l = /2 along a
transmission line, hence, at these intervals (distances of /2), an impedance Repeats itself.

(b) At PSC point, ZL = 0

At a distance of l = /4, l = /2, Zin =  =  + j (POC point)

OR At PSC point, ZL = 
At a distance of l = /4, Zin = 0 (PSC point)

Hence, a half circle rotation is equivalent to /4 movement.

(c) Since a /2 distance on a line corresponds to a movement of 360° on the chart,
 distance on the line corresponds to a 7200 movement on the chart.

Inference : We may ignore the other outer scales and use the innermost phase angle scale
for all our  & distance calculations.

Class Note by Santanu Das 7