14/09/2013

Converting S-Parameters from 50 to 75 Impedance - Tutorial - Maxim

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Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Tutorials > Wireless and RF > APP 2866 Keywords: rf, rfic, catv tuner, s parameters, impedance, conversion pad, network analyzer, tutorial, s11 Related Parts

TUTORIAL 2866

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Converting S-Parameters from 50 to 75 Impedance

Nov 21, 2003 Abstract: Cable television integrated circuits are usually designed to interface with 75 input and output impedance, while most RF test equipment is 50 impedance. In most cases, minimum loss pads are used to convert the input and output impedance from 75 to 50, and visa versa, for testing purposes. Although convenient, minimum loss pads should be avoided when measuring S-parameters. One easy way to perform such measurement is by treating the input and output impedance of the cable device as 50, perform the test, and use the equations and Excel spreadsheet presented in this application note to convert the 50-referenced S-parameters back to 75.

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Introduction
Cable television integrated circuits are usually designed to interface with 75 inputs and outputs, while most RF test equipment use 50 impedance. In most cases, minimum-loss pads are used to convert the input and output impedances from 75 to 50, and viceversa. Although convenient, minimum-loss pads should be avoided when measuring Sparameters.

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C lic k here for an overview of the wireles s c omponents us ed in a typic al radio trans c eiver.

This application note presents an easy way to perform S-parameter measurements by treating the input and output impedance of the cable device as 50, performing the test, and making a mathematical conversion. We provide the equations and a handy Excel spreadsheet to convert 50-referenced Sparameters back to 75.

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S-Parameter to Impedance
The conversion of a 50-referenced S-parameter to 75 begins with equation 1. Both the S-parameter and input impedance are complex numbers (R + jX), where R represents the real component, and the X represents the imaginary component. ZO is usually a real impedance. For the sake of simplicity, input return loss (S11) will be considered throughout this application note.

Rearrange Eq. 1 to obtain an input impedance (ZIN) expression Eq. 2,

Replace the S11 with R + jX,

Multiply the denominator of Eq. 3 with its complex conjugate to separate the real and imaginary components,

Eq. 6 is the real component of the input impedance,

Eq. 7 is the imaginary component of the input impedance,

Impedance to S-Parameter
Once the complex input impedance is obtained, Eq. 1 is used once again to convert the impedance back to a 75-referenced S-

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Once the complex input impedance is obtained, Eq. 1 is used once again to convert the impedance back to a 75-referenced Sparameter. Eq. 8 is the same expression as Eq. 1, except ZIN is replaced with R + jX,

Converting S-Parameters from 50 to 75 Impedance - Tutorial - Maxim

Multiply the denominator of Eq. 8 with its complex conjugate to separate the real and imaginary components,

Eq. 11 is the real component of the input return loss (S11),

Eq. 12 is the imaginary component of the input return loss (S11),

Example

Excel Spreadsheet
Table 1 shows the Excel spreadsheet that allows fast conversion of 50 S-parameter data to 75.

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14/09/2013

Converting S-Parameters from 50 to 75 Impedance - Tutorial - Maxim

Download Table as an Excel Spreadsheet (XLS, 16kB)

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APP 2866: Nov 21, 2003 TUTORIAL 2866, AN2866, AN 2866, APP2866, Appnote2866, Appnote 2866

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