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Procedia Technology 1 (2012) 362 – 366
INSODE-2011
Application of bridge methods for measuring the characteristic
resistance Zw and the attenuation constant α of symmetrical and
coaxial cable circuits
Angel Toshkov*
Burgas Free University, CITS, 62, San Stefano Str., Burgas 8000, Bulgaria
Abstract
In this article, it is shown an experiment of using Impedance bridge for measuring the basic parameters of a symmetrical cable
chain. The appropriate mathematical formulas are taken out and using a simple program, it is calculated the basic primary R, L, G,
C and secondary parameters Zw and γ of a symmetrical or coaxial cable chain process of studying them. Results of calculations by
the method are brought and compared with directly measured values for the module of the characteristic resistance |Z w| and the
attenuation constant α..
Keywords: Bourgas, free, university, private, bridge, method, measuring, characteristic resistance, attenuation constant,
1. Introduction
In the laboratory of measurement of electrics and electro technology in Burgas Free University, Burgas some time
ago we received as a donation an interesting device - Impedance
bridge (Fig. 1) made by Siemens. The bridge is a model 217 Rel
3R and comes with a measuring generator Rel 3W 38C made in
1952. The bridge and the generator are in very good condition
and fully intact. The bridge is designed for measuring complex
impedance with values of R 1mΩ to 12KΩ, of C from 1pF to 12
μF, L of 10 μH to 1.2H and G of 10pS to 1,2 mS.
The LC generator has a range from 0,2 Hz to 1MHz, with
output power in the range -20dB to +26 dB. With these
parameters, the bridges together with the generator are especially
suitable for measuring impedance and subsequent analysis of
Fig.1 Rel 3R 217 bridge
primary and secondary parameters of symmetrical and coaxial
cable circuits. In addition to these specific measurements, the
bridge has many other applications in the laboratory for training
students who want to specialize in communications and computer equipment.
* Tel.: +359 56 900 591
E-mail address: angel@bfu.bg
2212-0173 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
doi:10.1016/j.protcy.2012.02.075
Angel Toshkov / Procedia Technology 1 (2012) 362 – 366 363
2. An example for the application of this bridge is given below.
The task is to use the bridge for the analysing the primary R, L, G and C parameters and key secondary parameters
of Zw and γ symmetrical coaxial cable or chain in the process of studying them. In this case, R is the resistance, L is
the inductance, G is the conductance and C is the capacitance of the cable. Zw is the characteristic resistance and γ is
constant of spreading of the cable.
The calculation of these basic parameters is possible on the bases of the creation of a theoretical model of the cable
device. Under certain design parameters, the parameters of used materials and the sequence of the technological
operations, primary and secondary parameters could be presented. This is one of the things that are studied by
students, who specialized in the field of communications and computer equipment at the Centre for Informatics and
Technical Sciences of the BFU. In a finished product, these parameters can be measured, but today's modern
appliances give finished results and for the students it remains a secret what is the methodology for conducting these
measurements. Using the above-mentioned bridge, a more detailed acquaintance with the specifics and the
relationships between these parameters in cable chains is possible.
3. Theoretical Background.
Using Rel 3R 217 C we can measure the complex impedance. This measurement can be implemented in eight
different schemes, modifications of the bridge Weatstone-Soti and Maxwell-Hay (Fig.2). The results of measurements
are obtained directly in the form of impedance X = R +
Maxwell
Hay
jωL and admittance Y = G + jωC. The complex
Ce
impedance from the measurement is Zx= R + jωL or
R e C e
R 2 C2 R1 Zy= 1 / (G + jωC).
Re
re R, L, G and C are the values of the resistance, the
mA ~ ~ mA
inductance, the conductance and the capacitance of the
R4 Lx line, measured with random impedance connected of
rx CXrX R2 the end of the line. j is the imaginary unit, and ω is the
The Mawell-Hay bridge Weatstone - Soti bridge angular frequency.
Fig.2 Measurement schemes
By solving the fundamental equations of a
homogeneous cable chain it is obtained an expression for the dependence of electricity and voltage at the beginning of
the chain U0 and I0 of the electricity and voltage at the end of the chain Il and Ul.
U0 = Ul ch γl + Il Zw sh γl (1)
I0 = Il ch γl + Ul /Zw sh γl (2)
Where γ is the propagation constant, l is the length of the line in kilometres.
Assuming that the chain is in "short circuit" - Zl = 0, then the voltage at the end of the chain will be Ul = 0. From
(1) and (2) we get:
U0 = Il Zw sh γl (3)
I0 = Il ch γl (4)
Or:
Z0 = U0/I0 = Zw sh γl /ch γl = Zwth γl (5)
For Zl = ∞, "idle running" Il = 0, in which we get
364 Angel Toshkov / Procedia Technology 1 (2012) 362 – 366
U0 = Ul ch γl (6)
I0 = Ul /Zw sh γl (7)
Or:
Z∞ = U0/I0 = sh γl /ch γl = Zw/th γl (8)
From (5) and (8) we can easily determine:
Z0/ Z∞ = th2 γl (9)
Z0 Z∞ = Z2w (10)
Using the bridge, we can measure the cable line of the "short circuit" and "idle running", whereby to obtain the
values of Z0 and Z ∞. Moreover, from (9) and (10), we get:
I 0 I f
Z0 Zf Z0 Zf e j 2
Zw = = = |Zw| ejχ (11)
Z0 Z 0 j I0 2If
th Jl = = e = T ejI (12)
Zf Zf
In the upper expresses I0 and If are corners determinated in the dimension with the bridge in “short circuit” and
“idle running”.
If the propagation constant is expressed by the kilometrical constant of fading D and the phase constant E
J=D+jE it comes out:
th Jl = T ejI (13)
Jl = arcth (T ejI ) = T ejI + (T3ej3I )/3+ (T5ej5I)/5 + ... (14)
Jl = l(α + jβ) = T.cosI + j.T.sinI + T3.cos(3.I)/3 + jT3.sin(3.I)/3 + T5.cos(5.I)/5 + jT5.sin(5.I)/5 +... (15)
αl = T.cosI + T3.cos(3.I)/3 + T5.cos(5.I)/5 +... (16)
jβl = j( T.sinI + T3.sin(3.I)/3 + T5.sin(5.I)/5 + (17)
It is easy to calculate α and β with the desired accuracy, such as cycle type:
Function ReIm
α = 0; β = 0; n=3
For i=1 to n step 2
α = α + Ti cos(iI)/i
β = β + Ti sin(iI)/i
End
α = α*l
β = β*l
End
Angel Toshkov / Procedia Technology 1 (2012) 362 – 366 365
Once we calculate the values of α and β, we can easily get J as:
J = (α + jβ) => |J| ejψ (18)
If there are used the basic expresses:
J= ( R jZL )( G jZC ) = D + jE и (19)
( R jZL)
Zw = , (20)
(G jZC )
JZw = R + jZL = ~J~~Zв~ej\ ejχ, (21)
J/Zw = G + j ZC = ~J~/~Zв~ еj\/ ejχ, (22)
from which it can be received the intermediate expresses of the cable:
R = ~J~~Zв~cos( \ +χ) (23)
1
L= ~J~~Zв~sin( \ +χ) (24)
Z
G = ~J~/~Zв~cos( \ - χ) (25)
1
C= ~J~/~Zв~ sin( \ - χ) (26)
Z
Having in mind the costs of the primary parameters, easily it can be determinated all the secondary parameters left.
Now we can use MathLab, MathCad or other mathematical software (even Excel) to get the results easily.
4. Results:
In the held measurement of the proposed methodology of the cable sample - cable type - TZPPPE 4 (4x4x1.2) in
BFU the following results were obtained:
Table 1. Blue beam - 4х4х1.2
Frec. Short circuit Idle running Short circuit Idle running Zw Atten. Const.
Hz Chema Re Im Chema Re Im |z| phaze |z| phaze |zw| [Ohm] |zw.meas| D [Db/km] Dmeas
1000000 6- R 36,70 17,91 2- 1/G 438,21 26,32 40,84 0,45 437,42 0,060 133,652 134 6,20 6,1
1000000 6- R 36,52 11,94 4 - 1/G 442,48 55,56 38,42 0,32 438,98 0,125 129,871 130 6,47 6,4
1000000 6- R 36,89 21,1 2- 1/G 416,32 9,09 42,50 0,52 416,22 0,022 132,998 133 6,10 6,0
1000000 6- R 36,10 18,61 2- 1/G 426,62 100,00 40,61 0,48 414,74 0,230 129,785 130 6,76 6,6
1000000 6- R 37,28 17,91 2- 1/G 412,71 13,89 41,36 0,45 412,48 0,034 130,612 130 6,36 6,4
1000000 6- R 37,01 18,1 2- 1/G 395,10 22,22 41,20 0,45 394,48 0,056 127,483 128 6,55 6,6
1000000 6- R 36,30 17,91 2- 1/G 427,53 25,00 40,48 0,46 426,80 0,058 131,438 132 6,23 6,3
1000000 6- R 35,73 11,7 4 - 1/G 436,30 19,23 37,60 0,32 435,88 0,044 128,013 129 6,27 6,3
366 Angel Toshkov / Procedia Technology 1 (2012) 362 – 366
5. Deductions:
Тhis method is suitable for the determination of the modul of the characteristic resistance |Zw| and the the
attenuation constant α mostly. Practical results show very good agreement with measured values |zw| and |zw.meas|
[Ohm] , and D and Dmeas [Db/km]. The phase of the Zw - χ, and the phase constant β can be calculated too. The
same applies to the primary parameters of the cables [2].
The mistake in the determination depends on the right taking of the dimensions of Z0 and Zf.
If it is made an analysis for determinating of the kilometrical fading, it will show that it depends on the attitude
Z0/Zf. In large cable lengths (for example above 2000 meters) this attitude gravitates to unity. In this case, a little
changes in this attitude lead to big mistakes in the determination of the fading.
It renders that the mistake in the taking dimensions of the short cable length (under 200 meters) is also a big one.
This is due to the big contrast between Z0 and Zf.[1].
In practice, the best results are obtained in the taking dimensions of lengths from 300 to 1000 meters. This
peculiarity is made a prerequisite, the method to be used in determination of the primary and the secondary
parameters of the cables of communication in their produce, where the construction lengths are right in this range.
References
1. Toshkov A. Z., Some problems of projecting and optimizing of symmetric communication cables. TU – Varna, Dissertation for acquiring of
the academic degree Ph.D., 1996
2. Toshkov A., Georgieva N., Practical determination of electrical parameters of cables of communication in the production, International
conference “TEHNONAV 2006”, Constanca, Romania, 2006
