Scattering Parameters (S-Parameters)

Consider a circuit or device inserted into a T-

Line as shown in the Figure. We can refer to
this circuit or device as a two-port network.
The behavior of the network can be
completely characterized by its scattering
parameters (S-parameters), or its scattering
matrix, [S].
Scattering matrices are frequently used to
characterize multiport networks, especially at
high frequencies. They are used to represent
microwave devices, such as amplifiers and
circulators, and are easily related to concepts
of gain, loss and reflection.
| |
11 12
21 22
S S
S
S S
(
=
(

Scattering matrix
Scattering Parameters (S-Parameters)
The scattering parameters represent ratios of
voltage waves entering and leaving the ports (If
the same characteristic impedance, Zo, at all ports
in the network are the same).
1 11 1 12 2
. V S V S V
+ +
= +
2 21 1 22 2
. V S V S V
+ +
= +
11 12 1 1
21 22 2 2
,
S S V V
S S V V
+
+
=
( ( (
( ( (

In matrix form this is written
| | | || | . V S V
+
=
2
1
11
1
0 V
V
S
V
+

+
=
=
1
1
12
2
0 V
V
S
V
+

+
=
=
1
2
22
2
0 V
V
S
V
+

+
=
=
2
2
21
1
0 V
V
S
V
+

+
=
=
Scattering Parameters (S-Parameters)
Properties:
The two-port network is reciprocal if the
transmission characteristics are the same in both
directions (i.e. S
21
= S
12
).
It is a property of passive circuits (circuits with no
active devices or ferrites) that they form
reciprocal networks.
A network is reciprocal if it is equal to its
transpose. Stated mathematically, for a reciprocal
network
| | | | ,
t
S S =
11 12 11 21
21 22 12 22
.
t
S S S S
S S S S
=
( (
( (

12 21
S S =
Condition for Reciprocity:
1) Reciprocity
Scattering Parameters (S-Parameters)
Properties:
A lossless network does not contain any resistive
elements and there is no attenuation of the signal. No
real power is delivered to the network. Consequently,
for any passive lossless network, what goes in must
come out!
In terms of scattering parameters, a network is lossless if
2) Lossless Networks
| | | | | |
*
,
t
S S U =
1 0
[ ] .
0 1
U =
(
(

where [U] is the unitary matrix
For a 2-port network, the product of the transpose matrix and the complex conjugate matrix yields
| | | |
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2 2
* *
11 21 11 12 21 22
*
2 2
* *
12 11 22 21 12 22
1 0
0 1
t
S S S S S S
S S
S S S S S S
+ +
=
+ +
(
(
(
=
(
(


2 2
11 21
1 S S + =
If the network is reciprocal and lossless
* *
11 12 21 22
0 S S S S + =
Scattering Parameters (S-Parameters)
Properties:
A lossless network does not contain any resistive
elements and there is no attenuation of the signal. No
real power is delivered to the network. Consequently,
for any passive lossless network, what goes in must
come out!
In terms of scattering parameters, a network is lossless if
2) Lossless Networks
| | | | | |
*
,
t
S S U =
1 0
[ ] .
0 1
U =
(
(

where [U] is the unitary matrix
For a 2-port network, the product of the transpose matrix and the complex conjugate matrix yields
| | | |
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2 2
* *
11 21 11 12 21 22
*
2 2
* *
12 11 22 21 12 22
1 0
0 1
t
S S S S S S
S S
S S S S S S
+ +
=
+ +
(
(
(
=
(
(


2 2
11 21
1 S S + =
If the network is reciprocal and lossless
* *
11 12 21 22
0 S S S S + =
Power, voltage and current
can be considered to be in
the form of waves travelling
in both directions.



For a wave incident on Port 1,
some part of this signal
reflects back out of that port
and some portion of the signal
exits other ports.
S-parameters are measured by sending a single frequency signal into the
network or black box and detecting what waves exit from each port.
S-parameters described as S
11

First lets look at S
11
.


S
11
refers to the signal
reflected at Port 1 for the
signal incident at Port 1.

Scattering parameter S
11

is the ratio of the two
waves b1/a1.


Now lets look at S
21
.


S
21
refers to the signal
exiting at Port 2 for the
signal incident at Port 1.

Scattering parameter S
21

is the ratio of the two
waves b2/a1.
S-parameters described as S
21,
etc.
A linear network can be characterised by a set of simultaneous equations
describing the exiting waves from each port in terms of incident waves.


S
11
= b1 / a1

S
12
= b1 / a2

S
21
= b2 / a1

S
22
= b2 / a2


Note again how the subscript follows the parameters in the ratio (S
11
=b1/a1, etc...)
S-parameters are complex (i.e. they have magnitude and angle)
because both the magnitude and phase of the input signal are
changed by the network.


(This is why they are sometimes referred to as complex scattering parameters).
These four S-parameters actually contain eight separate numbers:

the real and imaginary parts (or the modulus and the phase angle)
of each of the four complex scattering parameters.
What do S-parameters depend on?
S-parameters depend upon the network
and the characteristic impedances of the
source and load used to measure it, and
the frequency measured at.

i.e.

if the network is changed, the S-parameters change.

if the frequency is changed, the S-parameters change.

if the load impedance is changed, the S-parameters change.

if the source impedance is changed, the S-parameters change.
A little math
This is the matrix algebraic representation
of 2 port S-parameters:



Some matrices are symmetrical. A symmetrical matrix has symmetry about
the leading diagonal.


Larger networks:
A Network may have any number of ports.


The S-matrix for an n-port network contains n
2
coefficients (S-parameters),
each one representing a possible input-output path.

The number of rows and columns in an S-parameters matrix is equal to the
number of ports.

For the S-parameter subscripts ij, j is the port that is excited (the input
port) and i is the output port.

A little math
Parameters along the leading diagonal,
S
11
& S
22
, of the S-matrix are referred to as
reflection coefficients because they refer to
the reflection occurring at one port only.

Off-diagonal S-parameters, S
12
, S
21
, are referred to as transmission coefficients
because they refer to what happens from one port to another.

Larger networks:
A Network may have any number of ports.


The S-matrix for an n-port network contains n
2
coefficients (S-parameters),
each one representing a possible input-output path.

The number of rows and columns in an S-parameters matrix is equal to the
number of ports.

For the S-parameter subscripts ij, j is the port that is excited (the input
port) and i is the output port.

Sum up
S-parameters are a powerful way to describe an electrical network
S-parameters change with frequency / load impedance / source impedance / network
S
11
is the reflection coefficient
S
21
describes the forward transmission coefficient (responding port 1
st
!)
S-parameters have both magnitude and phase information
Sometimes the gain (or loss) is more important than the phase shift and the phase
information may be ignored
S-parameters may describe large and complex networks