RF & Microwave References

S-Parameter/Return Loss/Smith Chart Maximum and Minimum

S-parameters (scattering parameters) are a convention for characterizing RF & microwave devices,
consisting of reflection and transmission coefficientsfamiliar concepts to designers. Transmission
coefficients are commonly referred to as gains or attenuations, reflection coefficients relate to return
Resultant VSWR from
losses and VSWRs (voltage standing wave ratios).
Conceptually, s parameters are like h, y, or z parameters because they describe the inputs and
Two Mismatches
outputs of a black box. The inputs and outputs are in terms of power for s parameters; for h, y,
and z parameters, they are voltages and currents. Test Device Component
Using the convention that a is a signal into a part VSWRs
and b is a signal out, the figure below helps to RESULTANT
explain s parameters. VSWR
In this figure, a and b are the square roots of power; (a1)2 is the power incident are port 1 and
(b2)2 is the power leaving port 2. The diagram shows the relationship between the s parameters and
the as and bs. For example, a signal, a1, is partially reflected at port 1; the rest of the signal is If L is the larger VSWR of two
transmitted through the device and out of port 2. The fraction of a1 that is reflected at port 1 is s11; cascaded lossless mismatches
the fraction of a1 that is transmitted is s21. Similarly, the fraction of a2 that is reflected at port 2 is and S the smaller, the resultant
s22, and the fraction s12 is trans- VSWR may vary from a mini-
mitted. The signal, b1, leaving mum N = L/S to a maximum
port 1 is the sum of the fraction X = LS, depending on the
of a1 that is reflected at port 1 spacing between L and S.
and the fraction of a2 that is
transmitted from port 2. Thus,
the outputs can be related the
the inputs by the equations:
b1=s11a1+s12a2
b2=s21a1+s22a2
when a2= 0
Example:
b1 b2
s11= __ s21= __ If S = 2 and L = 2.5,
a1 a1
then X = 5 and N = 1.25.
Given any two values, the
and when a1= 0 other two may be found.

b1 b2
s12= __ s22= __
a2 a2

MillimeterWave Transmission Spectrum Analyzer Digital Modulation Type and Constellation

Attenuation Curves Display Range
Wavelength (mm)
_____________ +30 dBm DAMAGE LEVEL
The atmospheric
attenuation of mm-
wave signals varies ______ 0 dBm <1 dB GAIN COMPRESSION
greatly, allowing for
long-range exploita-
______ 40 dBm MAX INPUT FOR SPECIFIED
tion by operating in BPSK QPSK Pi/4DQPSK: Two Bits Per Symbol
DISTORTION
the windows at 35, One Bit Per Symbol Two Bits Per Symbol Symbol Rate = 1/2 Bit Rate
Attenuation (dB/km)

94, 140, and 220 GHz,
or for short-range,
intercept resistant
communications at
44 to 65 GHz.
Symbol Rate = Bit Rate Symbol Rate = 1/2 Bit Rate or 8PSK: Three Bits Per Symbol
OPTIMUM OPERATING RANGE
Symbol Rate = 1/3 Bit Rate
(70 dB, SPURIOUS FREE)
Total
Measurement
Range ______ 110 dBm NOISE LEVEL (10 kHz BW)

______ 120 dBm NOISE LEVEL (1 kHz BW)

______ 130 dBm NOISE LEVEL (100 Hz BW)

_____________ 140 dBm NOISE LEVEL (10 Hz BW) 16 QAM 32 QAM 64 QAM
Four Bits Per Symbol Five Bits Per Symbol Six Bits Per Symbol
Frequency (GHz) Typical Values Symbol Rate = 1/4 Bit Rate Symbol Rate = 1/5 Bit Rate Symbol Rate = 1/6 Bit Rate

Microwave Formulae Modulation Quality: Noise Power at

Wavelength ()
3 x 1010
(centimeters) = ______
f
Characteristic Impedance (Z 0 ) of RF Cable
__ log10 D
Z0 = 138
r d
Noise Figure (NFdB)
Si /Ni
NFdB = 10 log10 _____
So /No
Error Vector Magnitude Standard Temperature
3 x 10 8
(meters) = ______ where r = relative dielectric constant Where NFdB = noise figure (dB)
f Q Magnitude Error (IQ error mag)
D = inside diameter of outer Si /Ni = input signal-to-noise ratio
where f = frequency (hertz) conductor
So /No = output signal-to-noise ratio
d = outside diameter of inner Error Vector k = 1.38 x 10-23 joule /k Noise Figure (NFdB)
dB (Power and Voltage) conductor Reflection Coefficient R - jx R L - jx L T = Temperature (K) Si /Ni
dB(power)= 10 log10 P1
__ Velocity Factor VSWR 1 Measured B = Bandwidth (Hz) NFdB = 10 log10 _____
= _________ So /No
P2 1
__ VSWR + 1 Signal
v = __ x 100 Where NFdB = noise figure (dB)
E1 r where VSWR = Voltage Standing Wave Ratio Si /Ni = input signal-to-
dB(voltage)= 20 log10 __
E2 where r= relative dielectric constant noise ratio
Return Loss in dB Available Noise Power* So /No = output signal-to-
dB = 20 log10
where P1 & P2 = system powers Pav = kTB noise ratio
E1 & E2 = system voltages where = reflection coefficient
At 290KPav = 4 x 10-21 W/Hz = -174dBm/Hz
VSWR Reference Signal In deep space kT = -198dBm/Hz
1+
_____
VSWR = * Noise figure is defined when input is terminated at 290 Kelvins.
1
Phase Error (IQ error phase)
where = reflection coefficient
I

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