Sheet

1 of 13


Smith Chart Tutorial Part1

To begin with we start with the definition of VSWR, which is the ratio of the reflected voltage
over the incident voltage. The Reflection coefficient is simply the complex (ie has phase)
version of VSWR:-

Define voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR)

V
V
Voltage reflection coefficient - Complex
max
min
=
+

V V
V V
1 2
1 2

Z
L
V
1
e
+j.

.l
T.L
V
2
e
-j.

.l
L

=
V
V
=
V
V
At the load (l = 0) ; =
V
V
2
1
2
1
2
1
e
e
e
j
j
j

. .
. .
.

l
l
l 2



but this may be complex number if there is an instantaneous phase change which well call
() on reflection.



V
2

V
1

Phase Diagram
0 = L (a) .....
1
2
1
2
=
j
e
V
V
V
V





Sheet
2 of 13

( )
( )
Diagram Crank on d represente =
V
V
= constant is L ith not vary w do V & V line lossless a For
0 > L At
. 2
1
2
2 1
2
1
2 .
) 0 ( (L)
l
l

= =
j
j j
e
e
V
V
e


Crank Diagram

We use a crack diagram as a way of representing the reflection coefficient phasor.

( )
V = V V

V
V
V
V
1 2
1
2
1
e e
e
e e
j j
j
j j
+
+

+
= + = +
. . . .
. .
. .

l l
l
l l
1 1
2 2

j.
1
e 1
V
V
0 = L At + =

O
A
L
P
||
Between 0 & 1
OP
AP
At the origin of argand diagram.OP = magnitude of total voltage/incident
voltage


-2.L
O
A B
P
||
P
V
min
= 1-||
C
V
max
= 1+||



Sheet
3 of 13

As we saw previously the crack diagram with a circle drawn between points A & C is the
beginnings of a Smith chart less the constant resistance and reactance circles/lines.


VSWR =
V
V
=
1 +
1-
or =
VSWR - 1
VSWR +1
max
min

| V |
0
L
min

V
max

V
min

L
B B
C C
Length OP -crank diagram
voltage
incident
v
At B - 2 . = -
= 2 . - =
4 .
=
min
min
g

l
l
l
min

From standing wave pattern measure VSWR | | @ l
min
at load.


Sheet
4 of 13


SmithChart - Impedance (Z) or Admittance Y chart

(1) Crank diagram + constant resistance & constant reactance circles.

(2) Graphical solution to the equation

complex
=
1
1
) . 2 ( ) ( l


+
=
j
o
in
e
Z
Z


(3) Smith Chart is a reflection coefficient diagram



|| = 1
A
A = || = 0

= -2..L
||



Smith Chart


A
Const r
Open circuit x
Short circuit v=0,x=0
X = 0 pure resistance
R=0 pure reactance circle
R=1 circle
A is the matched point
no reflection
Const x
|| = 0
F
O


Sheet
5 of 13

Impedance is plotted on the smith chart by first normalising to the characteristic impedance of
the system (usually 50 ohms). In a 50 ohm system the centre of the smith chart is a pure 50
ohms.

For example say we wanted to plot an impedance of 150 + j75

First normalise ie 150/50 = 3 ; 75/50 = 1.5 normalised impedance = 3+ j1.5

So the real part of the impedance will lie somewhere along the r = 3 constant resistance circle
ie:-


R=3 circle
3



Next we follow the constant reactance line at 0.75 to find the intersection of the r = 3 circle to
get to our impedance point.



R=3 circle
3
X=0.75 line
3+j1.5


Sheet
6 of 13

Using the Smith Chart

(1) Moving along the T.L = rotating around the Smith Chart.





BACKWARDS
FORWARDS
Z
L

L
FORWARDS (TO LOAD)
BACKWARDS (FROM LOAD)


(2) Constant || or VSWR circles

For a lossless line || & VSWR do not vary with L.




Constant || or VSWR
circles
|| = 0
VSWR = 1
|| = 1
VSWR =
VSWR =
1+
1-
Vmax =
Z(max)
Zo
(real VSWR)
Vmin =
Z(min)
Zo

S
S
S
=
=
1
Vmin
Vmax


Sheet
7 of 13

(3) Measure Lmin/
g
..... determines (at load).

B
Lmin
|V|
L
FORWARD by Lmin/
g
takes us the
load.
Vmin
ZL/Zo
Lmin/
g

= 4
lmin
angle of reflection coefficient
g

B

(4) Reading Z from chart also can get || &




x
r
Z
L




Sheet
8 of 13

(5)





Z/Zo
||
1
Z
Z
o
=
+

1
1

Admittance = Y/Y
0
=

Y/Yo
-||
1
On a Smith chart point diametrically opposite
Z
Z
gives
Y
Y
Note Y
Y = G + j.
Conductance Susceptance
On admittance chart r circles g circles &
x circles b circles.
Note g =
G
Y
and b =
B
Y
o o
0
o o
=

1
Z
o

Sheet
9 of 13

(6) To transform an impedance along a T.L, rotate around the VSWR circle:-




Lmin
Z(in)
BACKWARDS by Lmin/
g
takes us to
Zin.
ZL/Zo
ZL
Vmin
Lmin/
g
B
l/
g
Zo





Sheet
10 of 13

(7) Represent a series inductance on a smith chart.



0.5
Read values off the reactance scale
0.20



Therefore, assuming a frequency of say 1GHz the value of series inductance represented on
the above Smith Chart is given by:-


2.38nH
E 1 * 2
0.3 * 50

2
N.X
L
50 wrt 0.3 0.2 - 0.5 chart Smith from read ) (X Reactance
9
L
L
= = =
= =
f


Similarly for a series capacitor



Sheet
11 of 13

(8) Represent a series capacitance on a smith chart.



1.0
Read values off the reactance scale
0.5



Therefore, assuming a frequency of say 1GHz the value of series capacitance represented on
the above Smith Chart is given by:-


ohms) 50 (usually factor g normalisin the is N Where
6.36pF
5 . 0 * 50 * E 1 * 2
1

.N.X 2
1
C
50 w.r.t 0.5 0.5 - 1.0 chart Smith from read ) (X Reactance
9
C
C
= = =
= =
f


To represent shunt reactance we need to plot admittance onto the Smith Chart. It is easiest to
use a Smith chart with both impedance (usually in black) lines and admittance lines (usually in
red) on the same chart. Or you can rotate the Smith chart 180 degrees.



Sheet
12 of 13

(9) Represent a shunt inductance on a smith chart.



0.8
Read values off the admittance scale
0.2



Therefore, assuming a frequency of say 1GHz the value of shunt inductance represented on
the above Smith Chart is given by:-


( )
ohms) 50 (usually factor on normaisati N
13.26nH
6 . 0 * E 1 * 2
50

Y * 2
N
L
50 w.r.t 0.6mhos 0.2 - 0.8 chart Smith from read ) (Y Admittance
9
L
L
=
= = =
= =
f



Sheet
13 of 13

(10) Represent a shunt capacitance on a smith chart.



1.0
Read values off the admittance scale
0.2



Therefore, assuming a frequency of say 1GHz the value of shunt inductance represented on
the above Smith Chart is given by:-


( )
ohms) 50 (usually factor on normaisati N
2.5pF
50 * E 1 * 2
0.8

N * 2
Y
C
50 w.r.t 0.8mhos 0.2 - 1.0 chart Smith from read ) (Y Admittance
9
C
C
=
= = =
= =
f