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I have a doubt about the meaning of input and output impedance of RF amplifiers. I'll take as example the amplifier CMA-252LN by Mini Circuits .

In its datasheet it is not clearly written their input and output impedances' values, but I think they are equal to 50Ohm since this is specified under the main properties of the amplifier, as you can see:

enter image description here

Now my question is: how are input and output impedances evaluated and what do they represent for this kind of amplifier?

For instance, I have always evaluated both of them by using Thevenin theorem. For instance, with respect to the following BJT common emitter amplifier we evaluate its input impedance by short circuiting the power supply and by evaluating the ratio between input voltage and input current (while the output port is open), while we evaluate the output impedance by short circuiting the power supply and the input signal generator, and by putting a voltage source at the output port and by evaluating the ratio between output voltage and output current.

enter image description here

So, for istance for evaluating the output impedance, the input voltage Vin is shorted (so the input port is shorted). Is this the same procedure through which the output impedance of an RF amplifier is evaluated? Or is its input port closed on a 50Ohm load?

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    \$\begingroup\$ I can't comment on evaluation, but since that amplifier specifies the S11 and S22 values (reflection coefficients), I would interpret that 50 ohm specification to mean that if a 50 ohm cable is used, you will obtain those S11/S22 values on the input and output ports. \$\endgroup\$
    – user1850479
    Commented Jun 17, 2020 at 15:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ In the above blurb from mini circuits, the “50 ohm “ means mini circuits intends you to use it in a fifty ohm system. So, for example, you should use fifty ohm transmission lines on the inputs and outputs, and drive it from a fifty ohm source and arrange for it to drive a fifty ohm load. The actual input and output impedance of this device will not be exactly fifty ohms, but will be in that neighborhood. \$\endgroup\$
    – user69795
    Commented Jun 17, 2020 at 17:36

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So, for instance for evaluating the output impedance, the input voltage Vin is shorted (so the input port is shorted). Is this the same procedure through which the output impedance of an RF amplifier is evaluated? Or is its input port closed on a 50Ohm load?

As user1850479 says in comments, we often characterize RF components using s-parameters rather than impedance or admittance parameters.

When evaluating the s-parameters of an n-port device we terminate all rf ports with the system characteristic impedance. In this case that would be 50 ohms.

In the case of measuring \$S_{11}\$ or \$S_{22}\$ (forward and reverse reflection parameters, from which the input and output impedance can be derived) of an active amplifier, due to the isolation characteristic of the amplifier, the termination of port 2 is unlikely to affect \$S_{11}\$ significantly and vice versa. In a passive device (a transformer, or an attenuator, for example), the terminations will more likely affect the reflection parameters.

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