AN742_smith_chart.pdfVIP

Maxim App Notes Wireless, RF, and Cable Keywords: smith chart, RF, impedance matching, transmission line Jul 22, 2002 APPLICATION NOTE 742 Impedance Matching and the Smith Chart: The Fundamentals Abstract: Tutorial on RF impedance matching using the Smith chart. Examples are shown plotting reflection coefficients, impedances and admittances. A sample matching network of the MAX2472 is designed at 900MHz using graphical methods. Tried and true, the Smith chart is still the basic tool for determining transmission-line impedances. When dealing with the practical implementation of RF applications, there are always some nightmarish tasks. One is the need to match the different impedances of the interconnected blocks. Typically these include the antenna to the low-noise amplifier LNA , power-amplifier output RFOUT to the antenna, and LNA/VCO output to mixer inputs. The matching task is required for a proper transfer of signal and energy from a source to a load. At high radio frequencies, the spurious elements like wire inductances, interlayer capacitances, and conductor resistances have a significant yet unpredictable impact on the matching network. Above a few tens of megahertz, theoretical calculations and simulations are often insufficient. In-situ RF lab measurements, along with tuning work, have to be considered for determining the proper final values. The computational values are required to set up the type of structure and target component values. There are many ways to do impedance matching, including: Computer simulations: Complex but simple to use, as such simulators are dedicated to differing design functions and not to impedance matching. Designers have to be familiar with the multiple data inputs that need to be entered and the correct formats. They also need the expertise to find the useful data among the tons of results coming out. In addition, circuit-simulation software is not pre-installed on computers, unless they are dedicated