Unit 4

Microwave Network Analysis

Network Analysis ?

• We connect various component

• Apply the network theory (KCL , KVL ,etc.)
• And analyze the behavior

• Usually we are interested in the voltage or current at a set of terminal

• Power flow through a device or some other terminal
• Combine several elements together to find the response
• To analyze interconnection of various components
• Study the behavior of the system
Circuit / Network Analysis
• Circuits operating at low frequency :

• Circuit dimensions are small relative to the wavelength

• Circuits use lumped passive and active components with unique voltage and
currents defined at any point in the circuit.

• There is negligible phase delay from one point to other point in the circuit.

• Analyzed by Z , Y , H, ABCD parameters

Microwave Network Analysis

• Analysis of networks at microwave frequencies is done using

Scattering Matrix (also known as S matrix)
We cannot use Z, Y, ABCD, H parameters to
analyze microwave circuits ???
 EXTRA SLIDE
Review of NETWORK ANALYSIS
• Many times we are only interested in the voltage (V) and current (I) relationship at the
terminals/ports of a complex circuit.

• A simple example of linear 2-port circuit is shown below. Each port is associated with 2
parameters, the V and I.

R
I1 I2

Port 1 V1 C V2 Port 2
Review of NETWORK ANALYSIS EXTRA SLIDE

• For this 2 port circuit we can easily derive the I-V relations.

R I1 I2
I1 I2

Port 1 V1 C V2 Port 2 V1 2 - Ports V2

V1   z11 z12   I1 

V    z z 22   I 2 
 2   21
 EXTRA SLIDE
Review of NETWORK ANALYSIS
• To determine the network parameters, the following relations can be used:
I1 I1
 I1   y11 y12  V1  y11  y 
I    y y22  V2 
V1 V  0 12 V 2
2 V1  0
 2   21
I
y21  2 y22 
I2
V1 V  0 V 2 V 0
2 1

• To find Y11, Y21 we have to short circuit the output port

• To find Y12 and Y22 we have to short circuit the input port
I1 I2
Short circuit
V1 2 - Ports V2 = 0
 EXTRA SLIDE

ABCD MATRIX
• Of particular interest in RF and microwave systems is ABCD parameters. ABCD parameters are the
most useful for representing Tline and other linear microwave components in general.

V1   A B  V2  I1
 I   C D  I 
I2
 1   2 
 V1  AV2  BI 2 V1 2 -Ports V2
I1  CV2  DI 2

V1 V1 I1 I1
A B C D
V2 I  0 I 2 V 0 V2 I  0 I 2 V 0
2 2 2
2

Open circuit Port 2 Short circuit Port 2

Z, Y, ABCD parameters are not useful at microwave frequencies ???

• Usually we use Y, Z, H or ABCD parameters to describe a linear two port network.

• These parameters require us to open or short a network to find the parameters.

Issues faced in open circuit and short circuit
• Open circuit and short circuit at microwave behaves as perfect mismatch.
• This causes entire wave to return back and hence causes destruction of
device.
• (At microwave frequency OC / SC is a perfect mismatch and leads to
oscillations / unstability of the circuit.
• At radio frequencies
• it is difficult to have a proper short or open circuit
• there are parasitic inductance and capacitance in most instances.
• At microwave frequencies these quantities cannot be precisely measured
(because of the phase delay on the line).
At microwave frequency:
• The quantities measured at microwave frequencies are
• Incident wave, reflected wave
• reflection coefficient, transmission coefficient, SWR.
• Incident power, reflected power

• Therefore we need a parameter which relates incident wave and the

reflected wave
Microwave Network Theory
• Circuits operating at high frequency :

• Circuit dimensions are comparable / large relative to the wavelength.

• Phase delay from one point to other point in the circuit have to be considered.

• Fields are TEM / non TEM fields

• Analyzed by S matrix (Scattering)

THE SCATTERING MATRIX
• Hence a new set of parameters (S) is needed which
• Do not need open/short condition.
• As opposed to V and I it relates to incident and reflected power
waves, instead of voltage and current.
• Relates to familiar measurement such as reflection coefficient.
• Can compute Z, Y or H parameters from S-parameters if needed.
S matrix
• Gives the relation between
• normalized incident wave (a)
• and normalized reflected wave (b)
Example of S matrix
• For one port network

• For two port network 𝑆11 𝑆12

𝑆 =
𝑆21 𝑆22

Where ai and bi are normalized incident and reflected wave at port i

Example of S matrix
• For two port network

• For N port network

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

1 11 1 12 2 13 3 1n n

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

2 21 1 22 2 23 3 2n n

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

n n1 1 n2 2 n3 3 nn n

Where ai and bi are normalized incident and reflected wave at port i

 S parameter for one port network

Let , ai and bi are normalized incident

and reflected wave at port i

𝑉− 𝑏𝑖 • For one port network

Γ= = Scattering matrix
𝑉+ 𝑎𝑖 𝑆= Γ
Analysis of Two port network
The normalized incident and reflected wave
are related by S parameter

Where, a and b are normalized incident and reflected wave

 For Two port network the incident and reflected waves at different ports are related as:

Scattering Matrix

In Matrix form 𝑆11 𝑆12

𝑆 =
𝑆21 𝑆22
Physical significance of the equatioon

S11a1: represents the total contribution of incident wave at port 1 to the reflected wave at port 1
S12a2: represents the total contribution of incident wave at port 2 to the reflected wave at port 1
S21a1: represents the total contribution of incident wave at port 1 to the reflected wave at port 2
S22a2: represents the total contribution of incident wave at port 2 to the reflected wave at port 2
Meaning of S parameter
Represents:
(S11) Input reflection coefficient with output properly terminated

Represents:
(S12) Reverse transmission coefficient with input properly terminated

Represents:
(S21) forward transmission coefficient with output properly terminated

Represents:
(S22) Output reflection coefficient with input properly terminated
Measuring the S matrix values

To measure S matrix values we have to make either a1=0 or a2=0

a1=0 (reflected wave at port 1=0) by matched terminating the input port by ZL = Zo
a2=0 (reflected wave at port 2=0) by matched terminating the input port by ZL = Zo

ZL=ZO S22 and S21

S11 and S21

ZL=ZO
Therefore to measure S matrix values we have to
match terminate the input or the output port.

And not open circuit or short circuit (perfect

mismatch ) as for Z , Y, ABCD, H parameter.
Different Powers Equations
1. Incident Power at input port

2. Reflected Power at input port

3. Incident Power at output port

4. Reflected Power at output port

Equation of incident and reflected power:

2
𝑉
𝑃 = −−−−→ 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2𝑍

ak , bk : represent the normalized incident and reflected voltages

+ 2 −2
𝑉𝑖 𝑉𝑖
𝑃1+ = = 𝑎12 /2 −−−−→ 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑃1− = = 𝑏12 /2 −−−→ 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡
2𝑍𝑜 2𝑍𝑜

2 −2
𝑉𝑖+ 𝑉𝑖
𝑃2+ = = 𝑎22 /2 -------------- Incident power at output port 𝑃2− = = 𝑏22 /2 −−→ 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡
2𝑍𝑜 2𝑍𝑜
S parameter in terms of power 𝑃1+ = 𝑎12 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1

𝑃2+ = 𝑎22 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2

𝑃1+ = 𝑎12 𝑃2+ = 𝑎22
𝑃1− = 𝑏12 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1

𝑃2− = 𝑏22 𝑃2− = 𝑏22 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2

𝑃1− = 𝑏12

2
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1
Since, 𝑆11 = ቤ
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1 𝑍𝐿=𝑍𝑜
S11 = b1 / a1 Reflection coefficient (input) 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1
2
𝑆12 = ቤ
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2 𝑍𝑔=𝑍𝑜
S12 = b1 / a2 Transmission coefficient (reverse)

S21 = b2 / a1 2
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
Transmission coefficient (forward) 𝑆21 = ቤ
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 1 𝑍𝐿=𝑍𝑜
S22 = b2 / a2 Reflection coefficient (output)
2
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2
𝑆21 = ቤ
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 2 𝑍𝑔=𝑍𝑜
Input and output power values
𝑃1+ = 𝑎12 𝑃2+ = 𝑎22

𝑃1− = 𝑏12 𝑃2− = 𝑏22

𝑏2
Γ𝐿 =
𝑎2

𝑏1
Γ𝑖𝑛 =
𝑎1
Advantage of SCATTERING MATRIX
S parameters are measured
under Matched Termination
i.e a1 or a2 = 0
i.e travelling wave is totally absorbed by load and has
no return energy.

Perfect matching makes the circuit stable as there is no reflection

In contrast an open circuit / short circuit (required for Z , Y , H, ABCD
parameters) is a perfect mismatch and reflects wave making circuit
unstable. (example: transistor amplifier at microwave frequency
oscillates if open circuited /short circuited)
 S matrix for a N port network

• Considering we can send energy into all ports

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

1 11 1 12 2 13 3 1n n

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

2 21 1 22 2 23 3 2n n

V  s V  s V  s V  s V
    

n n1 1 n2 2 n3 3 nn n
Generalized Scattering Matrix
• Vn+ is the amplitude of the voltage wave incident on port n.
• Vn- is the amplitude of the voltage wave reflected from port n.
• The scattering matrix or [S] matrix, is defined in relation to these
incident and reflected voltage wave as:

V1   S11 S12 . . . S1N  V1 

    
V2   S 21 . . . . .  V2 
 .   . . . . . .  . 
   
 .   . . . . . .  . 
 .   . . . . . .  . 
     
Vn   S N 1 . . . . S NN  Vn 

V   S V 
 
THE SCATTERING MATRIX
A specific element of the [S] matrix can be determined as:

− −
𝑉𝑖 𝑉𝑖
𝑆𝑖𝑖 = 𝑆𝑖𝑗 =
𝑉𝑖+ 𝑉𝑗+

Thus, Sii is the reflection coefficient seen looking into port i when all other ports are terminated in
matched loads,

and Sij is the transmission coefficient from port j to port i when all other ports are terminated in matched
loads.
Properties of [S] matrix
Properties of S matrix

1. The network is matched at both ports S11 =0 and S22 = 0 (no reflection occurs)
(i.e. all diagonal elements of S matrix are zero under perfectly matched condition)

The network is mismatched at both ports S11 ≠ 0 and S22 ≠ 0

2. SYMMETREY OF [S] FOR A RECIPROCAL NETWORK:
• A reciprocal device has the same transmission characteristics in either
direction of a pair of ports and is characterised by a symmetric scattering
matrix.
Sij=Sji , (i=j)
This property is known as symmetry property of S-matrix
[S] = [S]T

Example:
Reciprocal (nondirectional devices) : ex. attenuators , T junctions

Non Reciprocal (directional) : ex. Ferrite devices (circulators, isolators)

Amplifiers: are directional (Non reciprocal)

Properties of S matrix

3. The network is lossless, its matrix is a unitary matrix (STS* = I)

4. Phase shift property

Therefore, the phase of Snn is shifted by twice the electrical length.

This is because the wave travels twice upon incidence and reflection
Derivation of the properties
1. Derivation of the condition for Reciprocal network
To prove for reciprocal networks
Assume a n port network, with characteristic impedance of each port , Zon

For convenience set Zon = 1

Total voltage at the nth port: 𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑛+ + 𝑉𝑛− 1

Total current at the nth port: 𝐼𝑛 =𝐼𝑛+ + 𝐼𝑛− =𝑉𝑛+ − 𝑉𝑛− (2)

Zo1 =1 Zo2 =1
Zo1 =1 Zo2 =1
 To prove for reciprocal networks

𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑛+ + 𝑉𝑛− 1

𝐼𝑛 = 𝑉𝑛+ − 𝑉𝑛− (2)

+ 1
Adding (1) and (2) we get 𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑛 + 𝐼𝑛 3
2

Since, 𝑉𝑛 = 𝑍 × 𝐼𝑛 (4)

1
Therefore, 𝑉𝑛+ = 𝑍 × 𝐼𝑛 + 𝐼𝑛 (5)
2
1
𝑉𝑛+ = 𝑍 + 𝑈 × 𝐼𝑛 (5)
2
Similarly, 1 To prove
𝑉𝑛− = ( 𝑉𝑛 − 𝐼𝑛 )
2
Since, 𝑉𝑛 = 𝑍 × 𝐼𝑛 (4)
1
Therefore, 𝑉𝑛− = 𝑍 − 𝑈 × 𝐼𝑛 (6)
2

1 1
𝑉𝑛+ = 𝑍 + 𝑈 × 𝐼𝑛 (5) 𝑉𝑛− = 𝑍 − 𝑈 × 𝐼𝑛 (6)
2 2

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5, 𝐼𝑛 = 2𝑉𝑛+ ( 𝑍 + 𝑈 )−1 (7)

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 7 𝑖𝑛 6 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑡

𝑉𝑛− = 𝑍 − 𝑈 ( 𝑍 + 𝑈 )−1 [𝑉𝑛+ ] (8)

Where, [U] is a unity matrix

 𝑉𝑛− = 𝑍 − 𝑈 ( 𝑍 + 𝑈 )−1 [𝑉𝑛+ ] (8)

Since, [ 𝑉𝑛− ] = 𝑆 [𝑉𝑛+ ]

Substitute in (9) in (8) we get,

𝑆 𝑉𝑛+ = 𝑍 − 𝑈 ( 𝑍 + 𝑈 )−1 [𝑉𝑛+ ] (10)

[S]= 𝑍 − 𝑈 ( 𝑍 + 𝑈 )−1 (11)

Transpose of (11) we get,

[𝑆]𝑡 =([Z] – [U])𝑡 ([Z] + [U])−1 )𝑡

To prove for reciprocal networks

[𝑆]𝑡 =([Z] – [U])𝑡 ([Z] + [U])−1 )𝑡 (9)

Since , [U] is a unity matrix : [𝑈]𝑡 = [𝑈]

and The network is reciprocal and hence [Z] is symmetric, so [𝑍]𝑡 = [𝑍]

Therefore, ( [Z] – [U] )𝑡 = ( 𝑍 − 𝑈 )

Therefore, equation (9) becomes [𝑆]𝑡 = ([Z] – [U]) ([Z] + [U])−1 )

From equation (8) [𝑆]𝑡 = [𝑆]

Loss less networks
• A lossless network satisfy the following property

• Derivation:
• Consider a two port network:
a1 : normalized incident voltage wave at port 1
a2 : normalized incident voltage wave at port 2
b1 : normalized reflected voltage wave at port 1
b2 : normalized reflected voltage wave at port 2
 Substituting (2) and (3) in equation (1)

For a loss less network :

Power leaving = Power entering

Mathematically,
Substituting (5) in (4)
 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑆 ∗ 𝑇
𝑆 − 𝐼 =0

Solve the above equation 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑆 ∗ 𝑇 𝑆 = 𝐼

𝑉𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎, 𝑆 ∗ 𝑆 𝑇 = 𝐼

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑎∗ 𝑇

𝑎 ≠0
Phase shift property of [S] matrix

[S] : is the scattering matrix at the reference plane t

[S’]: is the scattering matrix at the reference plane t’

Phase shift property of [S] matrix
(Shift in Reference plane)

The relation between the incident and the reflected wave at plane t

The relation between the incident and the reflected wave at plane t’
What is the value of [S’] ??
θn θn

Where, θn : is the electrical length between t and t’

θn = β . L (L is the physical length between t and t’)

Derivation of [S’]

θ1 and θ2 are the are the electrical lengths travelled by the wave

In other words:
From figure it is seen that:

B
Since,
B

Substitute equation (B) in (1) we get

 θn θn

Therefore, the phase of Snn is shifted by twice the electrical length.

This is because the wave travels twice upon incidence and reflection
Losses in a microwave circuit

Two port networks are commonly described by their

1. Insertion loss (dB)
2. Transmission loss (dB)
3. Reflection Loss (dB)
4. Return Loss (dB)
Losses in a microwave circuit
• If you know the S matrix of a two port network
Scattering Matrix

𝑆11 𝑆12
𝑆 =
𝑆21 𝑆22

• You can find the different losses in a network using respective equation
Insertion Loss
Transmission Loss
Note:
• All losses are calculated in dB scale.

• Therefore the subtraction becomes division in log scale (next slides)

Insertion Loss
It tells us how much of the how much power is lost as it goes from input to output port.
It is a measure of attenuation resulting from insertion of network between source and load.
Transmission loss (dB)

It tells us how much of the effective input

power is transmitted to the output
Reflection Loss

It tells us the amount of power lost due in reflection

 Return Loss
𝑃𝑖 = 𝑎12 𝑃𝑟 = 𝑏12

𝑃𝑖
Return loss = 10 log
𝑃𝑟

𝑎12
Return loss = 10 log 2
It tells us fraction of incident power 𝑏1

Returned back
1
Return loss = 10 log 𝑏2
1
𝑎2
1

1
Return loss = 20 log 2
𝑆11
All losses
Insertion Loss

Transmission Loss

Reflection Loss

Return Loss