Objectives

What is the definition of the scattering

parameters?
What is the basic test set up to record
the S- parameters?
How are the S-parameters measured?

Scattering parameters
There is a need to establish well-defined
termination conditions in order to find the
network descriptions for Z, Y, h, and
ABCD networks
Open and short voltage and current
conditions are difficult to enforce
RF implies forward and backward
traveling waves which can form standing
waves destroying the element
2

Solution: S-parameters
Input-output behavior of network is
defined in terms of normalized power
waves
Ratio of the power waves are recorded in
terms of so-called scattering parameters
S-parameters are measured based on
properly terminated transmission lines
(and not open/short circuit conditions)
3

S-parameters are power wave descriptors

that permit us to define the input-output
relations of a network in terms of incident and
reflected power waves.
An incident normalized power wave an
A reflected normalized power wave bn
an

1
(Vn + Z 0 I n )
2 Z0

bn

1
(Vn Z 0 I n )
2 Z0

where the index n

refers either to
port number 1 or 2.

The impedance Zo is the characteristic

impedance of the connecting lines on the
input and output side of the network.
Under more general conditions the line
impedance on the input side can differ from
the line impedance on the output side.
Convention used to define S-parameters
for a two-port network.

Previous equations leads to the following

voltage and current expressions:

=
Vn
In

Z 0 ( an + bn )
1
( an bn )
Z0

The physical meaning of above equation

becomes clear when we recall
the
equations for power:

1
1
2

=
Pn
Re =
Vn I n
an bn
2
2

)
6

Isolating forward and backward traveling

wave components in above equation , we
immediately see
=
an
bn =

Vn+
=
Z0
Vn
=
Z0

Z 0 I n+
Z 0 I n

We get the port voltage

+
n

+
0 n

0 n

Vn = V + V = Z I Z I

We are now in a position to define the Sparameters

b1 S11
=
b2 S 21

b1
S11 =
a1

S12 a1

S 22 a2

1 = 1 11 + 2 12
2 = 1 21 + 2 22

a2

reflected power wave at port 1

=
incident power wave at port 1
=0

b2
S21 =
a1

b2
S22 =
a2

b1
S12 =
a2

a2

transmitted power wave at port 2

=
incident power wave at port 1
=0

reflected power wave at port 2

=
incident power wave at port 2
a =0
1

transmitted power wave at port 1

=
incident power wave at port 2
a =0
1

We observe that the conditions a2 = 0 and

a1 = 0 imply that no power waves are
returned to the network at either port 2 or
port 1.

 However, these condition can only be

ensured
when
the
connecting
transmission lines are terminated into their
characteristic impedances.
Since the S-parameters are closely
related to power relations, we can express
the normalized input and output waves in
terms of time averaged power.
we note that the average power at port I is
given by
+ 2
1

+ 2
1

1V
1V
2
2
P1
(1 =
(1 S11 )
=
11 )
2 Z0
2 Z0

10

where the reflection coefficient at the input

side is expressed in terms of S11 under
matched output according to the following
argument:
in=

V1
=
+
V1

b1
a1

S11

a2 = 0

This also allows us to redefine the VSWR at

port 1 in terms of
S11 as
VSWR =

1 + S11
1 S11

11

We can identify the incident power as

+ 2
1

1V
1 2
= P=
a1
inc
2 Z0
2
is the maximal available power from the
generator.
The total power at port 1 (under matched
output
condition)
expressed
as
a
combination of incident and reflected powers
2

a1
1
2
2
2
)
(1 in )
P=
Pinc + Pref= ( a1 b1 =
1
2
2

12

If the reflection coefficient, or S11 is zero,

all available power from the source is
delivered to port 1 of the network. An
identical analysis at port 2 yields
2

a2
1
2
2
2
( a2 =
(1 out )
=
P2
b2 )
2
2

13

Meaning of S-Parameters
The S-parameters can only be determined
under conditions of perfect matching on the
input or output side.
For instance, in order to record S11 and S21
we have to ensure that on the output side the
line impedance Z0 is matched for a2 = 0 to be
enforced, as shown in Figure.

14

This configuration allows us to compute

S11 by finding the input reflection
coefficient

S11 =
11

Z in Z o
=
Z in + Z 0

Taking the logarithm of the magnitude of

S11 gives us the return loss in dB

RL = 20 log S11
15

With port 2 properly terminated,

V2
S 21
=

Z0
b2
=
a1 a =0 (V1 + Z 0 I1 )
2
2 Z0

+
+
0
I=
=
2 V2

Since a2 = 0, we can set to zero the positive

traveling voltage and current waves all port 2.
Replacing V I by the generator voltage VGI
minus the voltage drop over the source
impedance Zo, VGI - ZoII gives
16

2V
2V2
=
=
S 21
VG1
VG1
Here we observe that the voltage recorded at
port 2 is directly related to the generator
voltage and thus specifies the forward
voltage gain of the network. To find the
forward power gain,
2

=
G0

S=
21
2

V2
VG1
2

17

If we reverse the measurement procedure

and attach a generator voltage VG2 to port 2
and properly terminate port 1, as shown in
Figure, we can determine the remaining two
S-parameters, S22 and Sl2
18

To compute S22 we need to find the output

reflection coefficient out

Z out Z 0
S22 =
out =
Z out + Z 0
for S12
=
S12

V1
Z0
b1
=
a2 a =0 (V2 + Z 0 I 2 )
1
2 Z0

+
+
I=
1 V1= 0

19

The term S12 can further be manipulated through the

substitution of V2 by VG2- Z0I2, leading to the form

2V
2V1
=
=
S 21
VG 2
VG 2
Known as the reverse voltage gain and whose square
is identified as reverse Power gain.

S12

20

Chain Scattering Matrix

We can write chain scattering matrix as

a1 T11 T12 b2
=

b1 T21 T22 a2
It is immediately seen that the cascading of
two dual-port networks becomes a simple
multiplication
21

This is apparent in Figure, where network A

(given by matrix [T]A) is connected to
network B (given by matrix [T]B)

If network A is described by the relation

a1A T11A T12A b2A

A= A
A A
b1 T21 T22 a2

22

And network B by

a T
=
b T
B
1
B
1

B
11
B
21

T b

T a A
b2 a1B
B
12
B
22

B
2
B
2

A = B
a2 b1

From above Figure

Thus, for the combined system, we conclude

a T
=
b T
A
1
A
1

A
11
A
21

T T

T T
A
12
A
22

B
11
B
21

T b

T a
B
12
B
22

B
2
B
2

23

a1 T11 T12 b2
=

b1 T21 T22 a2
1 = 2 11 + 2 12
1 = 2 21 + 2 22

b1 S11
=
b2 S 21

S12 a1

S 22 a2

1 = 1 11 + 2 12
2 = 1 21 + 2 22

24

To compute T11 for instance, we see that

T11

a1
=
b2 a = 0
2

a1
=
S 21a1

1
S 21

Similarly
T12
T22

S 22
S11
and T21 =
=

S 21
S 21
( S11S 22 S12 S 21 )
=
S 21

S
S 21
25

Conversion from the chain

parameters to S-parameters:

scattering

b1
T21b2 T21
=
= =
S11
a1 a =0 T11b2 T11
2

S12

S 21

T11T22 T21T12 T
=
T11
T11
T12
1
=
and S22 =
T11
T11

26

Conversion between S-parameters and the

Z parameters,
{b} = [S]{a}
Multiplying by

Z 0=
{b}

Z0

{V=}

Adding {V } =

{V } =[ S ]{V

gives

Z 0 [ S ]=
{a}

[ S ]{V }
+

Z0 {a} to both sides results in

+

} + {V } =([ S ] + [ E ]){V }
+

Where [E] is the identity matrix.

27

To compare this form with the impedance

expression

{V} = [Z]{ I},

we have to express {V+} in terms of {I} .
This is accomplished by first subtracting
[S]{V+} from both sides
; that is,
+
{V } =

Z0 {a}

{V } [ S ]{V=}
+

Z 0 ({a} {b=
}) Z 0 { I }
28

Now, by isolating {V+} , it is seen that

{ }

=
V
Z 0 ([ E ] [ S ])
+

{I }

From above equation

V } ([ S ] + [ E ]) {V
{=

=
Z 0 ([ S ] + [ E ]) ([ E ] [ S ])

{I }
29

Z=
Z 0 ([ S ] + [ E ]) ([ E ] [ S ])

Explicit evaluation yields

Z11
Z
21

Z12
S12 1 S11 S12
1 + S11
= Z0

Z 22
S 21 1 + S 22 S 21 1 S 22

S12
1 + S11
Z0

S 21 1 + S 22

=
(1 S11 )(1 S22 ) S21S12

S12
1 S 22
S

1
S
11
21
30

Signal Flow Chart Modeling

Complicated networks can be efficiently
analyzed in a manner identical to signals and
systems and control.
The main concepts required to construct flow
charts are as follows:
1. Nodes that are deployed to identify network
parameters such as al , bI , a2 ,b2 when dealing
with S-parameters
31

2.

Branches that are needed when

connecting the network parameters
3. Addition and subtraction of branch values
in accordance with the directions of the
branches.
To this end let us consider a section of a
transmission line that is terminated in a load
impedance ZL

32

we could use voltage values as node

identifier.
In Figure the nodes a and b are connected
through the load reflection coefficient L
This makes sense since the reflection
Coefficient is the ratio b/a, so that it simply
states that node b is found as a result of
multiplying node a by L.
33

(a)Source node a,
which
launches wave.

(b) Sink node b, which

receives wave.

(c) Branch connecting source and sink.

In terms of notation, we can encode the
situation b

= a

34

Amore complicated situation arises when we

need to make the transmission line circuit
shown in Figure more realistic by including a
source term,
Terminated
transmission line
with source.
(a) conventional
form, (b) signal
flow form, and
(c)
simplified
signal flow form. 35

The ratio b'/a' defines the source reflection

coefficient s
b' is given by multiplying a With the source
reflection coefficient.
We define b' as the sum of bs and as.
Thus, the source bs is
bs = b' as
bs is obtained by noting that
Vs = VG+IGZG

36

This can be converted into the form

V V
V + V =VG + Z G
Z0 Z0
+
S

+
S

Rearranging terms and division by

Z0

+
S

V
V
=
S
VG
ZG + Z0
Z0
Z0

0 gives

bs = b' as
37

From above equation we get

bS =

Z0
ZG + Z0

VG

An important conclusion can be drawn

when we put the value of a' then we obtain

bS
b= bS + L S b=
1 LS
'

'

This is a known as a self- or feedback loop;

which allows us to represent the nodes bs
and b' by a single branch whose value is
given by.
38

A self-loop that collapses to a single branch.

Nodal Assignment

39

Branch

Series Connection

40

Parallel Connection

Splitting of Branches

41

Flow chart analysis of a dualport network

For the network shown in Figure find the
ratios of b1 / a1 and aI / bs .Assume unity
for the multiplication factor of the
transmission line segments

42

Solution:
The process of setting up the individual ratios
is explained best by going through a step-bystep simplification for the ratio a1/ bs
employing the rules

43

Step I: Splitting of the rightmost loop

between b2 and a2 leading to the self-loop
S22L

44

Step 2: Decomposition of the self-loop

between branches al and b2 , resulting in the
multiplication factor S21/( 1- S22 L) , which
can be combined with Land S12

45

Step 3: Series and parallel connections

between al and b1, leading to the input
reflection coefficient

b1
S12 S 21
in =
= S11 +
L
a
1 S 22

46

Step 4: Splitting the loop into a self-loop,

resulting in the multiplication factor

S12 S 21
L S
S11 +
1 S 22 L

47

Step 5: Decomposition of the self-loop at aI

leading to the expression

1
a1 =
bS

S12 S21
L S
1 S11 +
1 S22 L

48

Rearranging and simplification leads to

the final form:

a1
1 S 22 L
=
bS 1 ( S11 S + S 22 L + S12 S 21 S ) + S11S 22 S L
49

Generalization of S-Parameters
We assume that port 1 is connected to line
impedance ZOI and port 2 to impedance Z02 we have
to represent the voltage and current waves at the
respective port (n = 1,2) as
+
n

Vn = V

+V

Z 0 n ( an + bn )

and
Vn+
Vn
In =

=
Z0n
Z0n

an
Z0n

bn
Z0n

Where
an

Vn+
and bn
=
Z0n

Vn
Z0n

50

These equations allow the definition of the

S-parameters as follows:

Vi
Sij

bi
=
+
V
aj
i
a
=
n 0( n j )

Z 0i
Z0 j

+
V=
n 0 ( n j )

A second consideration is related to the fact that

practical measurements involve the determination of

the network S-parameters through transmission lines
of finite length.
In this case we need to investigate a system where
the measurement planes are Shifted away from the
51
actual network,

An incident voltage wave launched from the power

supply will have to travel a distance l1 in order to
reach port 1.
+
in

+
1

V ( z=
0)
= V
1

and at the generator side , as

+
in

+ j ( l1 )
1

V ( z1 =
l1 ) =
V e

52

The reflected voltage wave at port 1 can be cast in the form

in

= V
V ( z=
0)
1
and

in

l1 ) =
V ( z1 =
V e

j ( l1 )

1 stands for the lossless propagation constant of line 1.

The voltage behavior at port 2 can be formulated by simply
replacing Vin In terms of Vout and VI in terms of V2 as well as 1
in terms of 2 .
The preceding equations can be combined in matrix form
+
Vin+ (l1 ) e j1l1

V1
0
+
=
j 2l2 +
Vout (l2 ) 0 e V2

53

For the reflected voltage waves we get the matrix form

V (l1 ) e

=
V (l2 ) 0

in

out

j 1l1

0 V

j 2l2
e
V

The S-parameters are linked to the coefficients an

and bn, which in turn can be expressed through
voltages (if we assume Z01 =Z02).

V1 S11 S12 V1+

=
+

V2 S21 S22 V2
54

It is apparent that if transmission line segments are

added, we have to replace the above voltages by the
previously derived expressions, leading to the form
+
j 1l1
S
S
Vin (l1 ) e j1l1

0
0
e
11
12
in ( l1 )

=

j 2l2
j 2l2 +
e
e
S21 S22 0
Vout (l2 )
Vout (l2 ) 0

This final reveals that the S-parameters for the shifted

network are comprised of three matrices. In terms of
the coefficients, we see that

[S ]

SHIFT

S11e
S12 e
= j( l + l )
j 2 2l2
11
22
S22 e
S21e
j 2 1l1

j ( 11
l + 2l2 )

55