EC8651 TRANSMISSION LINES AND RF SYSTEMS

TWO MARKS QUESTION & ANSWERS

UNIT I-TRANSMISSION LINE THEORY

1. Define the line parameters? May 2018

The parameters of a transmission line are:
Resistance (R)
Inductance (L)
Capacitance (C)
Conductance (G)
Resistance (R) is defined as the loop resistance per unit length of the wire. Its unit is ohm/Km
Inductance (L) is defined as the loop inductance per unit length of the wire. Its unit is Henry/Km
Capacitance (C) is defined as the loop capacitance per unit length of the wire. Its unit is Farad/Km
Conductance (G) is defined as the loop conductance per unit length of the wire. Its unit is mho/Km

2. What are the secondary constants of a line? Why the line parameters are called distributed elements?
Secondary constants of a line are: Characteristic Impedance, Propagation Constant
Primary constants - Since the line constants R, L, C, G are distributed through the entire length of the line,
they are called as distributed elements. They are also called as primary constants.

3. Define Characteristic impedance and JUNE 2016, DEC 2017

Characteristic impedance is the impedance measured at the sending end of the line. It is given by
Z0 = √(Z/Y), where Z = R + jωL is the series impedance Y = G + jωC is the shunt admittance

4. Define Propagation constant.

Propagation constant is defined as the natural logarithm of the ratio of the sending end current or
voltage to the receiving end current or voltage of the line. It gives the manner in the wave is propagated
along a line and specifies the variation of voltage and current in the line as a function of distance. Propagation
constant is a complex quantity and is expressed as γ = α + j β
The real part is called the attenuation constant whereas the imaginary part of propagation constant is
called the phase constant

5. What is a finite line? Write down the significance of this line?

A finite line is a line having a finite length on the line. It is a line, which is terminated, in its characteristic
impedance (ZR=Z0), so the input impedance of the finite line is equal to the characteristic impedance (Zs=Z 0).

6. What is an infinite line?

An infinite line is a line in which the length of the transmission line is infinite. A finite line, which is
terminated in its characteristic impedance, is termed as infinite line. So for an infinite line, the input
impedance is equivalent to the characteristic impedance.

7. What are the types of line distortions?

The distortions occurring in the transmission line are called waveform distortion or line distortion.
Waveform distortion is of two types: Frequency distortion, Phase or Delay Distortion.

8. What is meant by frequency distortions?

 When a signal having many frequency components are transmitted along the line, some frequencies
attenuated more than other frequencies distortion is called frequency distortion.
To avoid the frequency distortion a) The attenuation constant α should be made independent of
frequency. b) By using equalizers at the line terminals.

9. What is meant by Phase or Delay Distortion?

When a signal having many frequency components are transmitted along the line, some frequencies
delayed more than other frequencies is called phase or delay distortion.

10. How to avoid Phase or Delay Distortion?

a) The phase constant β should be made dependent of frequency.
b) The velocity of propagation is independent of frequency.
c) By using equalizers at the line terminals.

11. What is Loading?

Loading is the process of increasing the inductance value by placing lumped inductors at specific intervals
along the line, which avoids the distortion

12. What are the types of loading?

a) Continuous loading - The process of increasing the inductance value by placing a iron core or a magnetic
tape over the conductor of the line.
b) Patch loading - It is the process of using sections of continuously loaded cables separated by sections of
unloaded cables
c) Lumped loading - placing lumped inductors at specific intervals along the line

13. Define reflection coefficient

Reflection Coefficient can be defined as the ratio of the reflected voltage to the incident voltage at the
Z L−Z
receiving end of the line Reflection Coefficient. K= ------------2 mark problem by using this
O

Z L+ Z
O

formula
14. What are the conditions for a perfect line? What is a smooth line? MAY 2017
For a perfect line, the resistance and the leakage conductance value were neglected. The conditions for a
perfect line are R=G=0. A smooth line is one in which the load is terminated by its characteristic impedance
and no reflections occur in such a line. It is also called as flat line.

15. Find the characteristics impedance of line at 1600 Hz if Zoc = 750 ˪ -30 and Zsc = 600 ˪ -20. DEC 2016
Zo = √ Zoc . Zsc Zo = 670.8 ˪-25

16. Find the reflection coefficient of 50 ohm line when terminated by load impedance of 60+j 40. DEC
2015
K = (ZL-Zo) / (ZL+Zo) = 0.35

17. Define Reflection loss. June 2016, May 2018

The number of nepers or decibels by which the current in the load under matched conditions would
exceed the current actually current actually flowing in the load.

18. What is meant by distortion less line? DEC 2016, May 2018, Dec 2018
The line without having frequency distortion and delay distortion is called distortion less line.

19. State the condition for distortion less line. DEC 2017, DEC 2018
R/G = L/C
20. A Transmission line has Zo = 745 ˪-12 ohms and terminated at 100 ohms. Calculate reflection factor.
MAY 2017

2 Z 1∗Z 2
Reflection factor k = |√
Z 1+ Z 2|= 0.647

UNIT II-HIGH FREQUENCY T RANSMISSION LINES

21. State the assumptions for the analysis of the performance of the radio frequency line. June 2016, May
2018
1. Due to the skin effect, the currents are assumed to flow on the surface of the conductor. The internal
inductance is zero.
2. The resistance R increases with square root off while inductance L increases with f . Hence ωL>>R.
3. The leakage conductance G is zero

22. Define Decibel. MAY 2017

dB = 10 log P1/P2

23. What are nodes and antinodes on a line? DEC 2017

The points along standing waves where magnitude of voltage or current is zero are called nodes while the
points along the standing waves where magnitude of voltage or current first maximum are called antinodes or
loops.

24. What are standing waves? JUNE 2016, MAY 2017

If the transmission line is not terminated in its characteristic impedance, then the incident and reflected
waves are combined to form the standing waves along the line.

25. What is standing wave ratio? JUNE 2016, MAY 2017

The ratio of the maximum to minimum magnitudes of voltage or current on a line having standing waves
1+|K| S−1
called standing waves ratio. SWR = Note : K= --2 mark problem by
1−|K| S +1
using this formulas
26. Define insertion loss. Dec 2018
The ratio of incident power to transmitted power is the insertion loss.

27. Calculate SWR and reflection coefficient on a line having the characteristics impedance of 300 ohms
and terminating impedance of 300+j 400. DEC 2016

1+|K|
ZL−Zo
SWR = 1−|K| K=
¿ ¿ ZL+ Zo
¿
K = 0.307 + 0.46 j
|K| = 0.55
SWR = 3.44
28. A Lossless line has characteristics impedance of 400 ohms. Calculate SWR if receiving end impedance
is of 800+j0.0 ohms. MAY 2017
1+|K| ZL−Zo
SWR = K= K = 0.33 SWR = 1.98
1−|K| ZL+ Zo

29. What is the range of values of standing wave ratio and Reflection coefficient?
SWR - 1 to infinity. K= -1 to +1

30. A lossless transmission line has shunt capacitance of 100 pF and a series inductance of 4 µH. Determine
the characteristics impedance. DEC 2015
L 4 X 1 0−6
Zo =
√ C
=
√ 100 X 1 0−12
= 200 ohms

31. For the line of zero dissipation, what will be the value of attenuation constant and characteristic
impedance.
DEC 2015, DEC 2017
L
α=0 Zo =
√ C

32. Define Skin Depth.

Skin Depth: The depth at which the wave propagates inside conductor is known as Skin depth.
1
δ= -----------2 mark problem by using this formulas
√ π fμσ
33. Define Skin effect.

Skin Effect: At high frequencies, Current flows on the surface of the conductor due to skin effect.

34. Give the input impedance of dissipation less open and short-circuited lines. DEC 2016, May 2018
The input impedance of open circuited lines Zoc = -j Ro Cot βl and short circuited lines Zsc = j Ro tan βl.

35. What is the range of values of standing wave ratio?

The range of values of standing wave ratio is theoretically 1 to infinity.

36. How will you make standing wave measurements on coaxial lines?
For coaxial lines it is necessary to use a length of line in which a longitudinal slot, one half wavelength or
more long has been cut. A wire probe is inserted into the air dielectric of the line as a pickup device, a vacuum
tube voltmeter or other detector being connected between probe and sheath as an indicator. If the meter
provides linear indications, S is readily determined. If the indicator is non linear, corrections must be applied
to the readings obtained.

37. Why the point of voltage minimum is measured rather than voltage maximum?
The point of a voltage minimum is measured rather than a voltage maximum because it is usually possible
to determine the exact point of minimum voltage with greater accuracy.

38. State the values of α and β for the dissipation less line.
Answer:
α=0 and β=w (LC) ½

39. A lossless transmission line has shunt capacitance of 50 pF and a series inductance of 8 µH. Determine
the characteristics impedance. DEC 2015
 L 8 X 1 0−6
Zo =
√ C
=
√ 50 X 1 0−12
= 400 ohms

40. A lossless transmission line has shunt capacitance of 20 pF and a series inductance of 4 µH. Determine
the characteristics impedance. DEC 2015
L 4 X 1 0−6
Zo =
√ C
=
√ 20 X 1 0−12
= 447 ohms

UNIT-III IMPEDANCE MATCHING IN HIGH FREQUENCY LINES

41. What is the use of eighth wave line? DEC 2016

An eighth wave line is used to transform any resistance to an impendence with a magnitude equal
to the characteristics of the line. |Zs|=Ro

42. What is the meant by impedance matching?

The matching of line or characteristics impedance Z 0 with the load impedance for maximum power
transfer to the load is known as impedance matching.

43. What is the application of the quarter wave matching section? Why is a quarter wave lines called as
impendence inverter? DEC 2015, JUNE 2016, MAY 2017, Dec 2018
1.Impedance inverter 2. Impedance matching for real and complex impedances
A quarter wave lines may be considered as an impendence inverter because it can transform a low
impendence in to a high impendence and vice versa.

44. Why is a quarter wave lines called as impendence inverter? DEC 2017
A quarter wave lines may be considered as an impendence inverter because it can transform a low
impendence in to a high impendence and vice versa.

45. Design a matching network by using quarter wave line.

λ C
Zo = √ Z R . Z S -----length of the line = --------- λ =
4 f

46. Bring out the significance of a half wavelength line.

A half wavelength line may be considered as a one to one transformer. It has its greatest utility in
connecting load to a source in cases where the load source cannot be made adjacent.

47. What is a stub? Why it is used in between transmission lines? JUNE 2016, May 2018
Stub is a piece or section of transmission. It is used for impedance matching. In the method of
impendence matching using stub, an open or closed stub line of suitable length is used as a reactance shunted
across the transmission line at a designated distance from the load which has resistance equal to Zo.

48. Why short-circuited stub preferred over open circuited stub. MAY 2017
1. Radiation loss is less.
2. Its effective length can be varied by a shorting bar.

49. Difference between single and double stub matching. DEC 15, DEC 2016
S.No Single stub Matching Double Stub Matching
1. It uses single stub for matching It uses two stubs for matching
 2. The stub have to inserted at particular The distance of the stub is arbitrary.
distance
3. Very narrow bandwidth or single Bandwidth is higher compared to single stub.
frequency

50. Disadvantages of single stub matching.

1. Very narrow bandwidth or single frequency
2. The stub have to inserted at particular distance
3. It is only applicable for open wire lines.

51. Why double stub matching is used for coaxial cable?

In Coaxial cable it is difficult to obtain location of Vmin without slotted line and placement of stub is
difficult.

52. What is smith chart? Mention its applications. May 2018

Smith chart is a graphical tool used for analyzing and solving transmission line problems. It
consists of Constant resistance circle, constant reactance circles, Wavelength and angle of reflection
coefficient. Applications – To find

53. Why Double stub matching is preferred over single stub matching.
Double stub matching is preferred over single stub due to following disadvantages of single stub.
1. Single stub matching is useful for a fixed frequency. So as frequency changes the location of single stub
will have to be changed.
2. The single stub matching system is based on the measurement of voltage minimum. Hence for coaxial line
it is very difficult to get such voltage minimum, without using slotted line section.

54. Give the input impendence of eighth wave line terminated in a pure resistance
The input impendence of eighth wave line terminated in a pure resistance Rr is
given by
Zs = (ZR+jRo/Ro+jZR)
From the above equation it is seen that |Zs| = Ro.

55. Give some of the impendence matching devices.

The quarter wave line or transformer and the tapered line are some of the impendence matching devices.

56. What are the two independent measurements that must be made to find the location and length of the
stub.
The standing wave ratio S and the position of a voltage minimum are the independent measurements that
must be made to find the location and length of the stub.

57. Give the formula to calculate the distance of the point from the load at which the stub is to be
connected.
The formula to calculate the distance of the point from the load at which the stub is to be connected is,
S1 = (ф +π-cos-1|K|)/(2β)

58. Give the formula to calculate the distance d from the voltage minimum to the point stub be connection.
The formula to calculate the distance d from the voltage minimum to the point of stub be connection is,
d= cos-1|K| /(2β)
59. What are the difficulties in single stub matching?
The difficulties of the smith chart are
(i) Single stub impedance matching requires the stub to be located at a definite point on the line. This
requirement frequently calls for placement of the stub at an undesirable place from a mechanical view point.
(ii) For a coaxial line, it is not possible to determine the location of a voltage minimum without a slotted line
section, so that placement of a stub at the exact required point is difficult.
(iii) In the case of the single stub it was mentioned that two adjustments were required ,these being location
and length of the stub.

60. What is double stub matching?

Another possible method of impedance matching is to use two stubs in which the locations of the stub are
arbitrary, the two stub lengths furnishing the required adjustments. The spacing is frequently made λ/4.This is
called double stub matching.
UNIT IV-GUIDED WAVES
61. What is TE wave or H wave?
Transverse electric (TE) wave is a wave in which the electric field strength E is entirely transverse. It has a
magnetic field strength Hz in the direction of propagation and no component of electric field Ez in the same
direction

62. What is TH wave or E wave?

Transverse magnetic (TM) wave is a wave in which the magnetic field strength H is entirely transverse. It has
a electric field strength Ez in the direction of propagation and no component of magnetic field Hz in the same
direction

63. What is a TEM wave or principal wave?

TEM wave is a special type of TM wave in which an electric field E along the direction of propagation is
also zero. The TEM waves are waves in which both electric and magnetic fields are transverse entirely but
have no components of Ez and Hz. it is also referred to as the principal wave.

64. What is a dominant mode? What is the dominant mode of rectangular wave guide?
June 2016, MAY 2017, May 2018
The modes that have the lowest cut off frequency is called the dominant mode. TE10, TM11

65. Mention the characteristics of TEM waves.

a) It is a special type of TM wave
b) It doesn’t have either E or H component
c) Its velocity is independent of frequency
d) Its cut-off frequency is zero.

66. Why are rectangular wave-guides preferred over circular wave-guides?

a) Rectangular wave guide is smaller in size than a circular wave guide of the same operating frequency
b) It does not maintain its polarization through the circular wave guide
c) The frequency difference between the lowest frequency on dominant mode and the next mode of a
rectangular wave-guide is bigger than in a circular wave guide.

67. What is an evanescent mode? Dec 2018

When the operating frequency is lower than the cut off frequency, the propagation constant becomes real
i.e , γ = α . The wave cannot propagate. This mode is known as evanescent mode.

68. Why TEM mode is not possible in a rectangular waveguide?

Since TEM wave do not have axial component of either E or H, it cannot propagate within a single conductor
 waveguide

69. Explain why TM01 and TM10 modes in a rectangular waveguide do not exist. DEC 2016
For TM modes in rectangular waveguides, neither m or n can be zero because all the field equations vanish ( i.e.,
Hx, Hy , Ey and Ex =0). So, no fields are present.

70. What are degenerate modes in a rectangular waveguide?

Some of the higher order modes, having the same cut off frequency, are called degenerate modes. In a
rectangular waveguide, TEmn and TMmn modes (both m ≠0 and n≠ 0) are always degenerate.

71. A rectangular waveguide of cross section 5cm X 2cm is used to propagate TM11 mode at 10 GHz.
Determine cut off frequency.

fc = 8.07 GHz

72. Phase velocity and group velocity.

Phase velocity – The velocity of any single frequency of signal propagating.
Group velocity – The velocity of propagation of the wave front including all the frequencies.

73. A rectangular waveguide of cross section 2.286 cm X 1.016 cm is used to propagate TE10 mode at 10
GHz. Determine cut off frequency and phase velocity of wave guide at 7GHz.

fc = 6.56 GHz

v
2
Phase velocity = fc = 8.6 x 108 m/s
√ ( )
1−
f

74. Expression of cut off wavelength for parallel planes.

75. Mention the applications of wave guides

The wave guides are employed for transmission of energy at very high frequencies where the attenuation
caused by wave guide is smaller. Waveguides are used in microwave transmission. Circular waveguides are
used as attenuators and phase shifters

76. Why is circular or rectangular form used as waveguide?

Waveguides usually take the form of rectangular or circular cylinders because of its simpler forms in use
and less expensive to manufacture.

77. Which are the non-zero field components for the for the TM11 mode in a rectangular waveguide?
Hx, Hy ,Ey. and Ez.

78. Define characteristic impedance in a waveguide

The characteristic impedance Zo can be defined in terms of the voltage-current ratio or in terms of power
transmitted for a given voltage or a given current.
 Zo (V,I) = V/I

79. Define wave impedance

Wave impedance is defined as the ratio of electric to magnetic field strength Zxy= Ex/ Hy in the positive
direction
Zxy= -Ex/ Hy in the negative direction

80. Mention the characteristics of TEM waves.

e) It is a special type of TM wave
f) It doesn’t have either E or H component
g) Its velocity is independent of frequency
h) Its cut-off frequency is zero.

UNIT- V RF SYSTEM DESIGN CONCEPTS

81. Describe what a distributed inductor is?

A distributed inductor would be an element whose inductance is spread out along the entire length of a
conductor (such as selfinductance) as distinguished from an inductor whose inductance is concentrated within
a coil.

82. Describe what a distributed capacitor is?

A distributed capacitor is an element whose capacitance is spread out over a length of wire and not
concentrated within a capacitor, such as the capacitance between the turns of a coil or between adjacent
conductors of a circuit.

83. Define Mixer.

It is defined to be an electronic circuit that generates an output frequency equal to the sum and difference of
two input frequencies or in short, a frequency converter.

84. Define unconditional stability.

Unconditional stability refers to the situation where the amplifier remains stable for any passive source
and load at the selected frequency and bias conditions.

85. Define transducer gain.

Transducer power gain is defined as the ratio of power delivered to the load to that of the power from the
source.

86. What is the need for rollett factor K? write its equation.
The condition of unconditional stability is achieved when K>1.

87.What is meant by power gain of an amplifier?

[N/D – 12]

Transducer power gain is defined as the ratio of power delivered to the load to that of the power from the
source.

88. Define − Unilateral Power Gain

When feedback effect of the amplifier is neglected (i.e. S 12 = 0), the amplifier power gain is known as
unilateral power gain.
89. Define − Operating Power Gain
 Operating power gain is defined as the power delivered to the load to that of the power supplied to the
amplifier.
90.Define − Available Power Gain

Available power gain is defined as the power available from the microwave network to that of the power
from the source.

91. Define low noise amplifier.

A low-noise amplifier (LNA) is an electronic amplifier that amplifies a very low-power signal without
significantly degrading its signal-to-noise ratio. An amplifier will increase the power of both the signal and
the noise present at its input, but the amplifier will also introduce some additional noise.

92. Define noise figure of two port network.

Noise figure is defined as the ratio of input SNR to the output SNR.
F = (SNR) O / (SNR) I

93. Voltage control oscillators

A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled

by a voltage input.

94. Define 1 dB gain compression point.

The 1 dB compression point (P1dB) is the output power level at which the gain decreases 1 dB from its
constant value. Once an amplifier reaches its P1dB it goes into compression and becomes a non-linear device.

95. Define power amplifier.

A power amplifier is an electronic amplifier designed to increase the magnitude of power of a given input
signal. The power of the input signal is increased to a level high enough to drive loads of output devices like
speakers, headphones, RF transmitters etc.

96. Define Dynamic range of an amplifier.

Dynamic range is the measurement of a receiver's ability to process a range of input powers from the
antenna. If the signal is too weak, it can't be picked out from the noise, too large, and something starts causing
spurs, or maybe saturation occurs.

97. What is phase-locked loop?

  A phase-locked loop (PLL) is an electronic circuit with a voltage or voltage-driven oscillator that constantly
adjusts to match the frequency of an input signal.

98. What are the types of power amplifiers?

 Class A Power Amplifier.
 Class B Power Amplifier.
 Class AB Power Amplifier.
 Class C Power Amplifier.

99. Write the expression for noise figure of a two port amplifier.
 The expression for noise figure of a two-port amplifier is
F = Fmin + (Gn/Rs) |Zs – Zopt|2

100. What are the key parameters used to evaluate the performance of an amplifier?
Key parameters of amplifier, to evaluate its performance are

1. Gain and gain flatness

2. Operating frequency and bandwidth
3. Output power
4. Power supply requirements
5. Input and output reflection coefficients
6. Noise figure