# Finding unknown load using a smith chart

I am asked to find the impedance of an unknown load. The precise formulation is provided below:

The following two step procedure was used to measure the value of an unknown load $Z_{L}$. The characteristic impedance of the feeding line is $Z_{0}=100\Omega$.

1. First $Z_{L}$ was disconnected and an input impedance $Z_{in}=-j150\Omega$ was measured.
2. Next, $Z_{L}$ was connected and an input impedance $Z_{in}=(100-j50)\Omega$ was measured.

Find $Z_{L}$ both analytically and graphically using a Smith chart.

My problem is that my analytical solution doesn't match the graphical one using a Smith chart and I cannot figure out the reason for the discrepancy.

Solving it analytically I tried using the formula for $Z_{in}$. First, for the open circuit,

$$-j150=\frac{100}{j\times tg(\beta\times l)}=-\frac{j100}{tg(\beta\times l)}$$

which yielded $tg(\beta\times l)=\frac{2}{3}$.

I then used the same formula for the second measurement:

$$100-j50=\frac{Z_L+j\times 100\times \frac{2}{3}}{100+j\times Z_L\times \frac{2}{3}}$$

which yielded $Z_L=2.63+j151.27$.

Using a Smith chart I applied the following procedure: I first marked on the diagram the point $-j1.5$ as the normalized $Z_{in}$ and then moved from the left end of the diagram (open circuit) clockwise till I reached that point. This yielded a length of $0.344\times \lambda$ for the transmission line. I then marked the second normalized $Z_{in}$ ($=1-j0.5$) and drew a circle of that radius. From $1-j0.5$ I began moving counterclockwise (toward load) a distance of $0.344\times \lambda$ to reach my unknown $Z_L$. Unfortunately, the result was different than that found analytically.

Does anyone have an idea what I might be doing wrong? I'd appreciate any advice.

• Why has this gotten 2 downvotes in 15 minutes with no explanation? It seems both researched and asks only for clarification about procedure, not a "do my homework"-style question. Of course, it could be that the asker has misunderstood something obvious and important, I don't know enough about Smith charts to tell from reading quickly - but then explain in a comment, don't downvote silently? – Araho Apr 11 '17 at 15:14
• @laptop2d Not my question - I was simply curious about the askers Q and it's votes :) – Araho Apr 11 '17 at 15:56
• @Araho, sorry I had the wrong person – Voltage Spike Apr 11 '17 at 16:08
• @peripatein The picture you posted is too small and unreadable. Please fix or type the info in – Voltage Spike Apr 11 '17 at 16:08
• Did you renormalize from 100 ohms to 50 ohms? – analogsystemsrf Apr 11 '17 at 16:09

I think the mistake is in how you are using the equation for $Z_{in}$. The second time you are using the equation, you forgot to multiply by $Z_o$. The equation for this is

$$Z_{in}=Z_o\dfrac{Z_L+jZ_o\tan{\beta l}}{Z_o+jZ_L\tan{\beta l}}$$ And from what I see, your are missing the $Z_o$ factor in part b.

I get, $Z_L\approx 161-j12$.

This can be normalized to the $Z_o$ ($100\Omega$) impedance in the Smith chart to be $z_L=1.61-j0.12$

If omit the $Z_o$, I get the same result you've obtained analytically for $Z_L$.

Hopefully that matches what you get in the smith chart.

As per your question below. In part A, you know the load impedance is an open circuit, that is the far right in the Smith chart. They tell you, the input impedance is $-j1.5$. From you load location (at .25$\lambda$) to the input impedance (at $.344\lambda$) there is a delta of .344 - .25 =0.094$\lambda$. That is, you need to move from your load to the location where the measure the input impedance that much (0.094$\lambda$) in order to 'see' the given input impedance. So from your load to the input impedance you move toward the source. And the 0.094$\lambda$ is the length of the line between the location where they measure the input impedance to the load.

Once they place the load in part B, they give you another the input impedance. You already know the length of the line. So from the new input impedance, you have to move toward the load 0.094$\lambda$ in order to find out what the actual load impedance is. That is a CCW rotation.

From $Z_{in}$ to $Z_L$, you move CCW and from $Z_L$ to $Z_{in}$ you move CW.

If you rotate CCW the length found in part A, from the $z_{in}=1-j0.5$ given in part B, you will get the same results analytically and on the Smith chart.

• Okay, $Z_{L}$ should indeed be 162.5-j12.5, but why is the distance from the open circuit (left extremity) to -j1.5 equal to $0.344*\lambda$? Isn't that also wrong? – peripatein Apr 11 '17 at 16:47
• First, an open circuit in the Smith chart is the far right. The far left represents a short circuit. From the far right (at .25$\lambda$) if you move toward the generator from the .25 to the .344 location, you then find the -j1.5 input impedance. The actual length is .344-.25 = 0.094$\lambda$ – Big6 Apr 11 '17 at 17:15

Here is a Smith Chart, courtesy of wikipedia.

The point you start from is -1.5j, as you state, and you need to rotate CCW to the open circuit point (far right of the graph).

If you look at the lambda number on the external ring, it is indeed 0.344 as you say, but at the open circuit point the number is 0.25, thus $\ell=0.094\lambda$.

If you plug it in $\tan(\beta\ell)$ you now get 0.670, which is compatible with 2/3 (less than 1% error, quite amazing if you ask me).

From this point, I bet you can work on your own.

• Why couldn't I progress toward the generator, i.e. CW, from the left extremity? Why would that be wrong? – peripatein Apr 11 '17 at 16:51
• It is the right extremity – Vladimir Cravero Apr 11 '17 at 17:07