1

Lab: Transmission Line

Table of Contents

Introduction
2
Objective
2
Equipment
3
Procedure
3
Results
5
Analysis and
Discussion
6
Conclusion
10
Appendix
A
11
References

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Lab: Transmission Line

13

Transmission Line
Introduction:
Transmission lines are used to transfer energy of waves or signals from one
node to another node via line circuit. Standing wave ratio (SWR) is defined as to
determine the maximum voltage and current on a transmission line and to determine
how a transmission is perfect? A standing wave ratio of 1:1 shows the perfect
characteristic impedance of transmission line. Nodes are the places on transmission
line where opposite phase of two waves cancel

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Lab: Transmission Line

out the effect of each other. While anti-nodes are the places where maximum current is
obtained and two waves of the same phase added up to enforce each others effect.
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is the study of characteristics of transmission
lines by examining standing wave ratio (SWR) measurement. The purpose of this
experiment is to determine the minimum and maximum current values via transmission
lines and to take the points on the transmission line to measure the distance between
anti-node and node so that we will be able to measure wavelength of the signal and to
determine the velocity propagation of the waves. We can plot SWR versus resistance
and can measure characteristic impedance.

Equipment:

Varnier Calliper
Wire Air Dielectric Transmission Line
Meter Rule
Travelling Ammeter $ detector
HP 8654A Signal Generator

Procedure:

Meter rule was used to calculate the length of the transmission line and recorded
measurement form the point of transmission line matching network (Generator

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Lab: Transmission Line

input point) to the point where two wires are connecting together ( short circuit

point) and recorded the length which is 747 cm long.

After that by using Vernier Calliper, we measured the diameter of two wires and
also measured the distance between two wires. And noted down the diameter

d=1mm and distance between two wires= 39mm.

Adjusted the frequency of the HP8564A signal generator to 150 MHz and power
to 0 dBm and turned on the signal generator and turned on the power amplifier

EIN Model 310RF.

Put the travelling detector on the two wires and hold down the Ammeter steadily
and make sure that the travelling Detector will be able to move easily on the
wires by pushing gently and set the reading of the Ammeter to zero before

measuring.
Start detecting the reading on the generator input point and moved the travelling
detector slowly towards the load side and check the ammeter reading
continuously till first node 1 st anti-node or node is obtained and mark that

position.
Current has minimum value at node terminal.
Current has maximum value at anti-node terminal.
Move the detector toward load side till we will get all the anti-nodes and nodes

and record all the values in table-2.

After that we measured the distance between adjacent nodes and adjacent anti-

nodes and recorded the readings in table 3.

By using following formula, we can determine velocity of propagation V
V= f x

After that we replaced the copper conductor with inductance (216+j15) and
capacitance 9312-j77) at the same node. Repeated the steps and recorded the
values in table 4, 5, 6 and 7.

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Lab: Transmission Line

From the data recorded, determined the value of SWR for each case by using
following equation
SWR =

Imax
Imin

Results:
The distance of the source form load is LLine= 6910 mm.
Transmission line dimensions are
L (mm)
D (mm)

43.5
1.5

44
1.4

41
1.5

Table 1: Dimensions of transmission line

After terminating the transmission line with the inductance resistance 216j15
Current
Ammeter
Reading (A)

Imax1

Imin1

Imax2

Imin2

Imax3

Imin3

Imax4

18

20

1.8

19

20.5

Table 2: Ammeter reading at nodes and anti-nodes

Distance
Length (mm)

LN1= MIN1-MIN2
1005

LN2= MIN2-MIN3
990

Table 3: Distance between adjacent nodes- 216+j15

LN3= MIN3-MIN4
1030

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Lab: Transmission Line

After terminating the transmission line with the inductance resistance 312j77.
Current
Ammeter
Reading (A)

Imin1

Imax1

Imin2

Imax2

Imin3

Imax3

Imin4

10

6.1

7.9

6.8

Table 4: Ammeter reading at nodes and antinodes-312-j77

Distance
Length (mm)

LN1= MIN1-MIN2
870

LN2= MIN2-MIN3
980

LN3= MIN3-MIN4
1020

Table 5: Distance between adjacent nodes- 312-j77

Analysis & Discussion:

Calculation of Velocity of Propagation:
We know the velocity of propagation of waves is defined as
V= f x , where f is the frequency of the signal.
From the data in above tables,
= [(1115 + 980 + 1050) + +1030+ 990+1005) + +1020+ 980 +870)] *2/9
= 2.01 m
Hence,

Vp=

15010 6
) * (2.010

8
= 3.01* 10 m/s

This velocity is greater than the speed of light.

Calculation of Velocity Factor:

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Lab: Transmission Line

The ratio of velocity in transmission line to the velocity in free space is called
velocity factor and can be defined as follows:

Vf= Vp/c
Vf=

3.01108
8
310

Analysis of short circuit transmission line:

From the data in above tables,

In all the three cases, the maximum value of current is bigger in short circuit

transmission line than the other two cases (shorted circuit, 216+j15, and 312-j77).
In short circuit transmission line, the minimum value of current is theoretically zero. But
it is not zero but very close to zero. Thats why, there is large SWR.

Calculation of Standing wave ratio:

We know that SWR= Imin/Imax. SWR will be large if Imax will be low.
By changing the transmission line with inductance value of 216+j15
Current
Reading (A)
SWR= Imax/Imin

Imax1
10

Imin1
1

Imax2
11.8

10

Imax2
1.2
9.83

Imin3
12

Imin3
1.8
6.67

Table 6: Calculation of SWR with impedance value 216+j15

Average SWR= (10.0+9.831+6.68)/3 = 8.831

By changing the transmission line with inductance value of 312+j77

Current
Reading (A)
SWR= Imax/Imin

Imax1
8

Imin1
6
1.33

Imax2
10

Imax2
6
1.67

Imin3
7.9

Imin3
6.1
1.30

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Lab: Transmission Line
Average SWR= (1.331+1.671+1.31)/3 = 1.431

From this data, it is concluded that different values of SWR were obtained with different
values of loads of transmission line; this shows the different level of reflection.

Calculation of Characteristics Impedance Z0:

Characteristic impedance Z0 can be determined by using following equation:

Z0 =

276
r

log 10

2D
a

From the given data, we can calculate Z0

D=L-d (mm)
42
42.6
39.5

D (mm)
1.5
1.4
1.5

Z0 ()
483
492
475

Average D = (42.0+42.60+39.50)/3=41.370mm
Average d = (1.50+1.40+1.50)/3 = 1.470mm
By putting values in the above values,
Z0 = 483
Characteristic Impedance Estimation
By using SWR values calculated and the corresponding resistance, we can draw the
diagram

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Lab: Transmission Line

Figure 1: Characteristic Impedance Estimation

For pure resistance:

If the load is a pure resistance, SWR has following formulas
SWR= R/ Z0;
=1;
= Z0/R;

R>Z0
R=Z0
R<Z0

Figure 2: Relation between SWR and pure resistance R

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Lab: Transmission Line

Calculation of Reflection Coefficient:

For SWR= 8.83,

Reflection Coefficient = 0.8

For SWR = 1.43,

Reflection Coefficient = 0.18

From this, we concluded that the value reflection coefficient increase with the
increase of SWR. Different values represent different levels of reflection.
Conclusion:
It is concluded that the propagation velocity is very close to speed of light in
transmission line but it is always lower than the speed of light and it can be measured
by dielectrics of transmission lines.The characteristic impedance of a lossless
transmission line can be measured by the dielectric permittivity and dimension of
transmission line.
Propagation waves will occur along the transmission line if characteristics
impedance is not equal to the load of transmission line. Different levels of reflection in
transmission line are due to different levels of mismatching and are described below:
1 <SWR <
SWR=
SWR=

or 0 << 1, partial reflection.

or =0, no reflection
or =1, total reflection.

If a short transmission line is used or transmission line is opened or load is pure

reactance, total reflection will occur. Maximum values is the twice of the incident value
of the current and the minimum value is zero. The maximum and minimum value of the
current will repeat after every half wavelength.
Current changing rule in transmission line is same like the voltage changing rule
but both are 90 degree out of phase.

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Lab: Transmission Line

Appendix(A):

Figure 3: Matching Transmission load with load 216+j15

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Lab: Transmission Line

Figure 4: Matching transmission line with 312-j77

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Lab: Transmission Line

REFERENCES:

Beasley, J. S., & Miller, G. M. (2008). Modern electronic communication.

New Jersey, the United States of America: Pearson Education.

Black Magic Design. (2010). The complete Smith Chart. Retrieved from
http://www.sss-mag.com/pdf/smithchart.pdf.

Blake, R. (2002). Electronic communication systems. New York, the

United States of America: Delmar.

Roddy, D., & Coolen, J. (1984). Electronic communications. Virginia, the

United States of America: Reston Publishing Company.