The Smith-chart program
PASAN
Versie 3.2
Marien van Westen (PA0MVW)
December 2011
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 3
HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM............................................................................................. 4
Drawing the diagram .............................................................................................................. 4
Inserting component data ....................................................................................................... 5
Drawing at the Smith-chart .................................................................................................... 6
Change an existing diagram ................................................................................................... 7
THE MENU ............................................................................................................................... 8
FILE ....................................................................................................................................... 8
New .................................................................................................................................... 8
Open ................................................................................................................................... 8
Save .................................................................................................................................... 8
Print .................................................................................................................................... 8
Exit ..................................................................................................................................... 8
OPTIONS ............................................................................................................................... 9
Show Smith chart labels ..................................................................................................... 9
Preferences ......................................................................................................................... 9
Q factor............................................................................................................................... 9
Bode-plot .......................................................................................................................... 10
ZOOM .................................................................................................................................. 10
HELP .................................................................................................................................... 10
APPLICATIONS OF PASAN ................................................................................................. 11
Converting a reactance in a capacitance or inductance........................................................ 11
Converting a capacitance or inductance into a reactance..................................................... 11
Converting a parallel circuit into a series circuit.................................................................. 12
Converting a series circuit into a parallel circuit.................................................................. 12
LC-resonance circuits........................................................................................................... 12
Adjustment of a (complex) antenna-impedance to 50 ohm ................................................. 13
The properties of a 0.25 lambda transmission line............................................................... 14
How to use transmission lines for impedance matching ...................................................... 14
REGISTRATION OF PASAN................................................................................................. 14
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INTRODUCTION
Most people working with HF-electronics have seen pictures of the Smith-chart f.i. in a data
book on HF-transistors or in articles about antenna matching. I have found out that a lot of
people have problems understanding this kind of diagram, but once you have mastered the
concept of the Smith-chart, it is very easy to perform all kinds of calculations with this chart.
Nowadays computers are used to do all the necessary calculations, but sometimes it is unclear
what the program is actually doing. I have made this program to make the user understand
what he or she is doing. The user can actually draw on the Smith-chart (with the mouse) and
the program does all the calculations. In this way the user can concentrate on the real issues
involved.
Working with this program you soon will find out that a lot of calculations that are very
common in HF-electronics can be performed. You can calculate the impedance or
conductance of inductors and capacitors at several frequencies. Find out about series and
parallel resonance in LC-circuits. And (the main reason for writing this program) perform
impedance matching calculations.
This program is written for educational purposes. To keep the program simple only a small
amount of components are available. The maximum number of components is restricted to
five.
This program is meant for people who have some knowledge of electronics, so I suppose the
user grasps the meaning of words like resistance, capacity, inductance, impedance, reactance,
standing-wave-ratio (SWR), transmission line, etc.
At first sight a Smith-chart looks rather complicated. For that reason many people don’t use it.
I hope that this program will make those people understand what a powerful tool the Smith-
chart is.
With this program you can match the complex impedance of an antenna (or the input
impedance of a transistor) with the impedance of a connecting cable (Zo = 50 ohm for
instance.). The process is very intuitive and the user doesn’t have to worry about the complex
mathematics involved.
I hope this program will bring the very useful Smith-chart more to people’s attention.
You can use this program PASAN for:
- Calculating the reactance of a capacitor or inductor.
- Converting reactance in the matching capacity or inductance.
- Converting a series circuit in a parallel circuit (or reverse).
- Calculating the SWR on a transmission line.
- Calculating the transforming properties of a transmission line.
- Calculating the matching LC-network between coax cable and antenna.
- Calculating the in- and output network of HF-amplifiers.
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HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM
When you start the program you see a form with at the left side the Smith-chart. At the right
are the controls with buttons and edit-fields.
You can use the program in several ways:
A.
First you draw a diagram of the circuit you want to study and then you fill in the data of the
components (capacitance, line impedance etc). When you change values you can see the
influence of the change on the impedance at the input (Zin).
B.
Another approach is this: select part after part and by drawing on the Smith Chart you work
your way towards the desired impedance (most of the time that will be Znorm).
C.
It is very easy to change an existing diagram to examine the influence of a change in
component values.
Drawing the diagram
In the upper right corner you can draw the diagram of the circuit you want to investigate.
By clicking on the diagram with the left mouse button on the area above the buttons marked
1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 you can successively choose one of the following components:
• series capacitor
• parallel capacitor
• series inductor
• parallel inductor
• series resistor
• parallel resistor
• transmission line
• open shunt stub
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In this way you can rapidly make a circuit consisting of five elements (or less).
N.B. With the right mouse button you can step backwards through the list of available
components. This can be useful when you clicked just a bit to fast through the list of
components.
By clicking on the buttons below the diagram you can select a component without changing
it. This is useful if you want to change the value of that element
You also can use the cursor keys in combination with the CTRL-key to select the element and
component you want to change
With the CTRL+left and CTRL+right arrow you can select the element (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or ZL).
With the CTRL+up and CTRL+down keys you can change the type of the element. Look at
the colour of the text on the buttons below the diagram to see which component you are
changing.
Inserting component data
Once you have chosen an element it is very easy to enter a value for this component by
entering the value you want in the right field (you won’t be able to change other values).
When you press the ENTER key the whole circuit is recalculated.
N.B. You may use a comma or a dot as a decimal separator.
22 pF can be entered as : 22p , 22 pF, 22 picofarad , 22e-12 , 22E-12
Note: 4,7 kohm cannot be entered as 4k7, or as 4,700 or as 4.70 ohm
You can use the following symbols:
G = giga, M = mega, k = kilo, m=milli,
u = micro, n = nano, p = pico
The real an imaginary part of the load must be entered separately. The imaginary part can be 0
(zero) of course.
The default value for the impedance is Znorm, which will be 50 ohm in most cases.
By clicking on the button marked [Z n (ohm)] you can change the value of Znorm i.e. the
impedance in which the chart is normalized (the centre of the chart is Zn).
By clicking on the button [Freq]. You can change the frequency at which the impedance will
be calculated.
N.B. 10 m is not the same as 10 M!
10 mHz= 0.01 Hz and 10 MHz=10 000 000 Hz !!
Zin will be represented in two ways: as a parallel circuit of a reactance and a resistance or as a
series circuit of a reactance and a resistance (The two lines in red).
To enter the properties of a transmission line you have to press the button with three ellipses
(at the right-hand side of the field where you can enter the length of the transmission line).
You will be able to change the real (physical) length of the line expressed in meters or in
degrees. A 90 degree line is a ¼ λ line. But you can also change the characteristic impedance,
the velocity factor and the attenuation of the line. The electrical length of the line will be
displayed, but you won’t be able to change that value.
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When you have completed a circuit (the maximum is five elements) you see a number of arcs
on the chart. Each arc corresponds with an element. The arc belonging to the currently
selected element is drawn in red, the others in blue.
You can label the arcs with the [Smith chart Labels] menu item under [OPTIONS].
When you move the mouse across the Smith-chart, the impedance at the mouse cursor will be
displayed in the field [Mouse Z]. At the same time the reflection coefficient (rho) will be
displayed as a number between 0 and 1 and an angle in degrees.
Drawing at the Smith-chart
It is also possible to build the circuit element by element. When you make use of the special
properties of the Smith-chart it is very easy to design an impedance matching network without
any calculations.
• Move the mouse to the Smith-chart to the place where you want the selected ZL then
press the left mouse button (or just enter the right values in the ZL edit fields).
• Press one of the numbered buttons and select the component you want to connect to
ZL by clicking on the diagram (the program will suggest a value with an impedance
equal to Znorm).
• Go with the mouse to the Smith-chart and click with the left mouse button on the spot
where you want the arc to stop.
• The program will draw a line to the desired point.
• Repeat the actions for the other elements.
Example:
• ZL = 10+5j ohm (Zn=50 ohm) enter these two values in the edit field for ZL or go to
this spot on the chart and click the left mouse button.
• Choose element nr 1 and select a series inductor.
• An arc -representing the change in impedance - will appear. Note that this arc will
cross the purple circle.
• Go to the point of intersection of the (red) arc and the purple circle and click the left
mouse button.
• Select element 2 and select a parallel capacitor.
• The arc that will appear will follow the purple circle, but not to the centre of the chart.
Move the mouse to this centre and click the left mouse button.
With a few clicks of the mouse buttons you have designed a matching network to adjust the
impedance of ZL to 50 ohm!
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Change an existing diagram
This can be done, by selecting the element you want to change. The corresponding line on the
Smith-chart will be coloured red. Go to the spot on the Smith-chart were you want the red line
to end and click the left mouse button.
Once the element is selected you can also fill in the desired value in the edit field. Don’t
forget to press the ENTER-key to do a recalculation.
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THE MENU
FILE
New
Clears the whole screen and starts with a blank diagram. When the PASAN.INI file exists the
start-up values are taken from that file, otherwise internal default-values will be chosen.
You can create the PASAN.INI file by entering values under Options Preferences and
taking care that the checkbox at the bottom left is checked before closing the Preferences
panel.
Open
Open an existing SNF-file (Simple Network File)
Save
Save a diagram with all data as a SNF-file (although you can choose for a different
extension).
Print
Print the diagram with all data
Exit
Leave the program. You will be asked if you really want to quit.
Note your changes to the diagram and data will be lost when you say YES.
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OPTIONS
Show Smith chart labels
With this item you can show labels on the Smith-chart. This is especially useful when you are
in scan-mode.
Preferences
Here you can enter values to be used at start-up or when you start a new diagram with
New
File
Use the checkbox at the bottom left to save the values in the Pasan.ini file.
Q factor
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Bode-plot
When you check this item you can display the results on a Bode-plot to observe the
attenuation of the network
ZOOM
Select one of the magnification labels to change the magnification.
Note you can only zoom to the centre (the most important part) of the Smith-chart.
HELP
Manual
Use this to open this manual. The manual is a pdf-file. If you want you can write a manual in
your own language, or you can extend the number of examples yourself.
About
Shows the about box
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APPLICATIONS OF PASAN
• Converting a reactance in a capacitance or inductance
• Converting a capacitance or inductance in a reactance
• Converting a parallel circuit into a series circuit
• LC-resonance circuits
• Adjustment of a (complex) antenna-impedance to 50 ohm
• The transforming properties of a 0.25 lambda line
• How to use transmission lines for impedance matching
Converting a reactance in a capacitance or inductance
• Select ZL by clicking on the button marked ZL
• Make sure the real part of ZL is(0) zero.
• Give the imaginary part of ZL the value of the reactance
• You can se the value of the capacitance or inductance in the Zin field.
N.B. Take care the elements 1, 2, 3, 4 and 53 must be marked “none” and you have set the
right frequency.
Example
Suppose the imaginary part of ZL is 20 ohm at a frequency of 100 MHz.
You can easily verify (look at Zin) that the inductance in this case is 31.8 nH.
(When ZL = -20 j ohm then this represents a capacitance of 79.6 pF)
Converting a capacitance or inductance into a reactance
• Make sure ZL is 0+0j ohm
• Element 1 must be a series capacitor (or series inductor)
• Zin gives you the value of the reactance
Example
Take a series capacitor of 47pF at a frequency of 27 MHz.
The reactance of this capacitor is -125 ohm.
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Converting a parallel circuit into a series circuit
• Enter the parallel resistance as the real part of ZL.
• Enter the parallel inductor or capacitance (element 3).
• Give element nr 3 the right value.
• Read the right values of the series circuit at Zin
Example
The real part of ZL is 180 ohm. Element 1 is a parallel capacitance of 100 pF at a frequency
of 14 MHz
The series resistance is 51.3 ohm and the series capacitor is 140 pF (look at both Zin lines).
Converting a series circuit into a parallel circuit
• Enter the series resistor as the real part of ZL
• Enter a series capacitance or inductance
• Read the right values of the series circuit at Zin
Example
Take a resistor of 120 ohm in series with a inductor of 3,3 uH at 5,0 MHz.
This is equivalent to a parallel circuit of a resistor of 210 ohm and an inductor of 7,72 uH
LC-resonance circuits
When you want to make a resonance circuit with an inductor and a capacitor it is very easy to
determine the value of other component when one is value is given.
Example 1
Give ZL a value somewhere on the Smith-chart (it doesn’t matter where). F.i. take ZL = 30
+10 j ohm. Then enter a series inductor for element 1. Then give this element a value. Take
care the frequency is OK. Now add a series capacitor and click on ZL to get the value of the
capacitor you need.
Suppose the series circuit consists of an inductor of 5.6 uH and a capacitor: The circuit has to
resonate at a frequency of 14 MHz. What is the value of the capacitor?
At resonance the total reactance must be zero, so Zin = ZL. When you set the focus on the
capacitor and then click on the dot representing ZL the value will be adjusted in the right way.
In this example you will see that the capacitor must be 23.1 pF
Example 2
You can make a parallel circuit with the same components at the same frequency (14 MHz).
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Make ZL = 0 + 0 j ohm.
Make element 3 a series inductor of 5.6 uH and element 2 a parallel capacitor of 23.1 pF. You
will see that ZL is situated at the left side of the map (0 ohm) and Zin at the right side
(impedance = infinite).
Adjustment of a (complex) antenna-impedance to 50 ohm
With a capacitor and an inductor, every (antenna) impedance can be adjusted to the
impedance of the connecting cable (usually 50 ohm).
The adjustment has to be done in two steps:
step 1
Connect a capacitor or inductor (element nr 1) in series or parallel with ZL. Now you have to
adjust the value of this element that Zin will end on one of the violet circles (just click on the
spot where you want to go). If the intersection point with the violet circles is at zero or infinite
ohm then you have chosen the wrong type of component. Use a parallel instead of a series
component, or switch from capacitor to inductor (or vice versa).
step 2
When Zin lies on the right violet circle you have to use a series capacitance or inductance as
element 2 to arrive at the centre of the map.
When Zin is on the left violet circle you have to use a parallel capacitance or inductance.
Example 1
A dipole antenna has at the transmitting frequency of 153 MHz an impedance of 80+30 j ohm
and has to be adjusted to a 50 ohm coax cable. Make sure Zn = 50 ohm..
With a parallel capacitor of 14,5 pF we arrive at the violet circle.
Element 2 has to be a series inductor to go to the centre of the map. Go to the centre of the
map (after choosing the inductor and click there with the left mouse button. You will see that
the value of the inductor has to be 47.2 nH.
I have included this circuit as ex1.snf.
There is another solution with 179 nH parallel to ZL en 22.9 pF in series. See ex2.snf
Example 2
The input-impedance of a HF-transistor at 145 MHz is 24 + 20 j ohm and has to be matched
to 50 ohm. Use a series inductor of 5.46 nH and a parallel-C of 22.8 pF to do this. See
ex3.snf.
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The properties of a 0.25 lambda transmission line
• Enter the value of the (complex) ZL.
• Enter a transmission line as element 1. The length has to be 0.25 and choose the right
impedance of the line.
• Read the value of Zin.
Example
Take ZL = 18 + 0 j ohm. The 0.25 lambda line has to have a characteristic impedance of 30 Ω
(click the […] button at the right-hand side of the line length field . You will see that Zin = 50
ohm. In this way you can match an 18 ohm antenna to a 50 ohm cable. See ex4.snf.
How to use transmission lines for impedance matching
You also can use transmission lines to solve your impedance matching problem. When the
frequency is high enough it is even possible to etch the line on the circuit board itself (micro
strip).
Example
A transistor has to operate on a frequency of 1.3 GHz. suppose the input impedance is 30 - 40
j ohms. With a piece of transmission line(length=6.43 mm, Zo=50 Ω , Vf =0.67, attenuation
constant alpha =5 dB/100m and electrical length 0.042 lambda) you arrive at the violet circle.
Then with a parallel inductor of 5.31 nH the line is matched to 50 ohm. See ex5.snf.
A more convenient way to handle this problem is with a longer line and a parallel capacitor.
See ex6.snf.
It is also possible to exchange the parallel C with an open stub. See ex7.snf and ex8.snf. The
frequency response of both solutions is different! See the Bode-plot
REGISTRATION OF PASAN
You are allowed to use this program for personal (non-commercial) use without registration!
But because it takes a lot of time to develop this kind of software I would appreciate a small
donation (10(€ or 10 US dollars) so I can take out my wife and kids for dinner as a
compensation for all those hours I have been sitting behind (in front) of my computer.
You can use PayPal to donate some money to support the development of free software to
[email protected]
e-mail : [email protected]
or : [email protected]
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