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#161
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On Sat, 14 May 2011 11:30:50 -0700 (PDT), K7ITM wrote:
FWIW, I've built audio amplifiers with output transistors with f-sub-t around 50MHz. Those transistors certainly would provide decent power gain at the lower frequency HF ham bands. They were used in the audio amp to achieve very low distortion across the audio spectrum (a very few PPM at full rated power output). Hi Tom, An Answer to one of my questions (and by inference two of them)! The inference is there is NO transition frequency where source Z becomes trivial/meaningful. Hence, statements alleging correlations at one end of the spectrum must be observed at the other end. If this is disputed, we (or at least I) would certainly like to see what that transition frequency is. One big difference between (typical) audio amplifiers and (typical) RF power amplifiers is in the use of negative feedback. In an audio amplifier, voltage-derived negative feedback yields a very low amplifier output impedance. In almost all RF power amplifiers, little or no negative feedback is used, so the output impedance is generally much higher than with an audio amplifier running similar power and supply voltage to the output devices. Well, at the RF finals deck, before the Z transformer, there is slight to no difference in output impedance. Both are sub-Ohm. But again, the source impedance of a transmitter is seldom important in the application of the amplifier. This seems at odds with other writers - if it is an AF amplifier. And yet none seem to be able to describe the transition frequency for identical designs (such as yours above, or as close to it as practicable) where it DOES become important (higher output power, as if any Ham would snub that advantage if (s)he could snip out the Z transformer in the rig). One still unanswered question remains that if a low output Z is so beneficial to achieving higher output power (a claim that none seem ready to dispute), then why the step up in Z from the finals deck to the output connector? I have read an explanation from Wim, but it fails as an argument for AF where a similar mismatch between source and load is observed - and yet this mismatch is the greatest quality for an amplifier since sliced bread. AF - RF A curious tennis match here where what going over the net in this game is a golf ball in one direction, and a basketball in the other. What's important are things like the optimal load impedance and the rated power output. I'd put things like distortion specs for a linear amp far above source impedance in importance. If you (the lurking reader) think source impedance is important, please explain in detail _why_. The self-same NEGATIVE feedback, lacking in retail rigs, would accomplish any form of improvement at the cost of what H.W. Bode called "noise gain." The dollar cost is not inconsequential. Not much more detail is needed for the average Ham. For the better than average Ham, the increase in NEGATIVE feedback, goes directly to lowering: Gain, Power out (as a function of following gain), Bandwidth (as a function of following gain), Distortion, Power supply disturbance, Noise, Input Z (or through clever design, raising it), Output Z (or through clever design, raising it), while increasing cost in near or GREATER proportion. Every Ham knows the adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the marketplace enforces that without exception. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:07:59 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: ON9CVD made some simple measurements using a couple of resistors and foudn that a TS440 has a Zout somewhere around 15-40 ohms (depending on frequency and output power). http://sharon.esrac.ele.tue.nl/~on9c...impedantie.htm Let's see here, a reported source Z as low as 15 (let's just call it 20) Ohms with 100W into 50 Ohms. I have read an explanation that this is impossible (or improbable) for RF from a retail HF rig (such as a TS440), but achievable at AF. Meanwhile, back at the tennis match.... 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
#162
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On 14 mayo, 21:36, Richard Clark wrote:
On Sat, 14 May 2011 11:30:50 -0700 (PDT), K7ITM wrote: FWIW, I've built audio amplifiers with output transistors with f-sub-t around 50MHz. *Those transistors certainly would provide decent power gain at the lower frequency HF ham bands. *They were used in the audio amp to achieve very low distortion across the audio spectrum (a very few PPM at full rated power output). Hi Tom, An Answer to one of my questions (and by inference two of them)! The inference is there is NO transition frequency where source Z becomes trivial/meaningful. *Hence, statements alleging correlations at one end of the spectrum must be observed at the other end. If this is disputed, we (or at least I) would certainly like to see what that transition frequency is. One big difference between (typical) audio amplifiers and (typical) RF power amplifiers is in the use of negative feedback. *In an audio amplifier, voltage-derived negative feedback yields a very low amplifier output impedance. *In almost all RF power amplifiers, little or no negative feedback is used, so the output impedance is generally much higher than with an audio amplifier running similar power and supply voltage to the output devices. Well, at the RF finals deck, before the Z transformer, there is slight to no difference in output impedance. *Both are sub-Ohm. But again, the source impedance of a transmitter is seldom important in the application of the amplifier. * This seems at odds with other writers - if it is an AF amplifier. *And yet none seem to be able to describe the transition frequency for identical designs (such as yours above, or as close to it as practicable) where it DOES become important (higher output power, as if any Ham would snub that advantage if (s)he could snip out the Z transformer in the rig). One still unanswered question remains that if a low output Z is so beneficial to achieving higher output power (a claim that none seem ready to dispute), then why the step up in Z from the finals deck to the output connector? *I have read an explanation from Wim, but it fails as an argument for AF where a similar mismatch between source and load is observed - and yet this mismatch is the greatest quality for an amplifier since sliced bread. Richard, who made that claim regarding that low output Z is so beneficial? I didn't, so I also did not explain it. I only said that many PAs don't operate under conjugated match (or even were not designed to operate under it). This is valid for audio also. AF - RF * A curious tennis match here where what going over the net in this game is a golf ball in one direction, and a basketball in the other. What's important are things like the optimal load impedance and the rated power output. *I'd put things like distortion specs for a linear amp far above source impedance in importance. *If you (the lurking reader) think source impedance is important, please explain in detail _why_. The self-same NEGATIVE feedback, lacking in retail rigs, would accomplish any form of improvement at the cost of what H.W. Bode called "noise gain." *The dollar cost is not inconsequential. *Not much more detail is needed for the average Ham. For the better than average Ham, the increase in NEGATIVE feedback, goes directly to lowering: Gain, Power out (as a function of following gain), Bandwidth (as a function of following gain), Distortion, Power supply disturbance, Noise, Input Z (or through clever design, raising it), Output Z (or through clever design, raising it), while increasing cost in near or GREATER proportion. Every Ham knows the adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the marketplace enforces that without exception. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:07:59 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: ON9CVD made some simple measurements using a couple of resistors and foudn that a TS440 has a Zout somewhere around 15-40 ohms (depending on frequency and output power). http://sharon.esrac.ele.tue.nl/~on9c...impedantie.htm Let's see here, a reported source Z as low as 15 (let's just call it 20) Ohms with 100W into 50 Ohms. *I have read an explanation that this is impossible (or improbable) for RF from a retail HF rig (such as a TS440), but achievable at AF. * Meanwhile, back at the tennis match.... I just see such a series of postings as seperating myths from facts, but maybe we have different fantasy.... 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC Wim PA3DJS |
#163
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On May 14, 12:36*pm, Richard Clark wrote:
On Sat, 14 May 2011 11:30:50 -0700 (PDT), K7ITM wrote: FWIW, I've built audio amplifiers with output transistors with f-sub-t around 50MHz. *Those transistors certainly would provide decent power gain at the lower frequency HF ham bands. *They were used in the audio amp to achieve very low distortion across the audio spectrum (a very few PPM at full rated power output). Hi Tom, An Answer to one of my questions (and by inference two of them)! The inference is there is NO transition frequency where source Z becomes trivial/meaningful. *Hence, statements alleging correlations at one end of the spectrum must be observed at the other end. If this is disputed, we (or at least I) would certainly like to see what that transition frequency is. One big difference between (typical) audio amplifiers and (typical) RF power amplifiers is in the use of negative feedback. *In an audio amplifier, voltage-derived negative feedback yields a very low amplifier output impedance. *In almost all RF power amplifiers, little or no negative feedback is used, so the output impedance is generally much higher than with an audio amplifier running similar power and supply voltage to the output devices. Well, at the RF finals deck, before the Z transformer, there is slight to no difference in output impedance. *Both are sub-Ohm. But again, the source impedance of a transmitter is seldom important in the application of the amplifier. * This seems at odds with other writers - if it is an AF amplifier. *And yet none seem to be able to describe the transition frequency for identical designs (such as yours above, or as close to it as practicable) where it DOES become important (higher output power, as if any Ham would snub that advantage if (s)he could snip out the Z transformer in the rig). One still unanswered question remains that if a low output Z is so beneficial to achieving higher output power (a claim that none seem ready to dispute), then why the step up in Z from the finals deck to the output connector? *I have read an explanation from Wim, but it fails as an argument for AF where a similar mismatch between source and load is observed - and yet this mismatch is the greatest quality for an amplifier since sliced bread. AF - RF * A curious tennis match here where what going over the net in this game is a golf ball in one direction, and a basketball in the other. What's important are things like the optimal load impedance and the rated power output. *I'd put things like distortion specs for a linear amp far above source impedance in importance. *If you (the lurking reader) think source impedance is important, please explain in detail _why_. The self-same NEGATIVE feedback, lacking in retail rigs, would accomplish any form of improvement at the cost of what H.W. Bode called "noise gain." *The dollar cost is not inconsequential. *Not much more detail is needed for the average Ham. For the better than average Ham, the increase in NEGATIVE feedback, goes directly to lowering: Gain, Power out (as a function of following gain), Bandwidth (as a function of following gain), Distortion, Power supply disturbance, Noise, Input Z (or through clever design, raising it), Output Z (or through clever design, raising it), while increasing cost in near or GREATER proportion. Every Ham knows the adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the marketplace enforces that without exception. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:07:59 -0700, Jim Lux wrote: ON9CVD made some simple measurements using a couple of resistors and foudn that a TS440 has a Zout somewhere around 15-40 ohms (depending on frequency and output power). http://sharon.esrac.ele.tue.nl/~on9c...impedantie.htm Let's see here, a reported source Z as low as 15 (let's just call it 20) Ohms with 100W into 50 Ohms. *I have read an explanation that this is impossible (or improbable) for RF from a retail HF rig (such as a TS440), but achievable at AF. * Meanwhile, back at the tennis match.... 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC I don't get why you're so hung up on some transition frequency between "RF" and "audio" amplifiers. You're looking at it in the wrong dimension. Think instead of the loads they drive. Speakers (the usual load for audio power amplifiers) work best when driven by a voltage source, so audio amplifiers are designed to look like voltage sources. With antenna systems, it doesn't much matter what the source impedance of the driving amplifier is -- as long as the transmitted bandwidth is small compared with 1/(transmission line time delay) [question to ponder: why would I care about that?] -- so RF amplifiers of the sort we normally use are simply not designed with an eye toward providing any particular output impedance. You're probably well aware that there are times when I'm personally extremely concerned about providing an RF source that has a well- controlled output impedance (pretty much always 50 ohms, just because of how it's used, but could just as well be 75 ohms, or 100 ohms balanced, or some other specific impedance). That's not the case for the lion's share of ham applications, not even in sources used for simple impedance measurements. There are a few situations in which a ham might legitimately care about transmitter/amplifier output impedance, but they are relatively rare. I'm willing to listen to arguments to the contrary, but have yet to see any convincing ones. Be careful what you say about the effects of negative feedback added around an amplifier... (That could be a reasonable topic in another group, but not in this thread, and probably not even in this group.) Cheers, Tom |
#164
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On 5/15/2011 5:02 PM, K7ITM wrote:
Be careful what you say about the effects of negative feedback added around an amplifier... (That could be a reasonable topic in another group, but not in this thread, and probably not even in this group.) Cheers, Tom Tom - Because it is difficult to achieve stability or proper operation due to phase shifts at RF? John |
#165
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On Sun, 15 May 2011 15:02:54 -0700 (PDT), K7ITM wrote:
I don't get why you're so hung up on some transition frequency between "RF" and "audio" amplifiers. You're looking at it in the wrong dimension. Transition time, 1/f? The point is the poor attempts to build a design argument against one (RF) with the other (AF). Your response of using RF transistors for AF application in nearly identical topologies suited the point: there is NO transition frequency. Think instead of the loads they drive. Speakers (the usual load for audio power amplifiers) work best when driven by a voltage source, so audio amplifiers are designed to look like voltage sources. With antenna systems, it doesn't much matter what the source impedance of the driving amplifier is -- as long as the transmitted bandwidth is small compared with 1/(transmission line time delay) [question to ponder: why would I care about that?] Everything to that last point was fine. I can well read the stylistic irony and I wouldn't project that it was a curious hang up. -- so RF amplifiers of the sort we normally use are simply not designed with an eye toward providing any particular output impedance. And yet challenges abound when one (Z) is chosen for any particular design quality. You're probably well aware that there are times when I'm personally extremely concerned about providing an RF source that has a well- controlled output impedance (pretty much always 50 ohms, just because of how it's used, but could just as well be 75 ohms, or 100 ohms balanced, or some other specific impedance). All perfectly reasonable choices, and driven by engineering and application decisions too. That's not the case for the lion's share of ham applications, not even in sources used for simple impedance measurements. ????? There are a few situations in which a ham might legitimately care about transmitter/amplifier output impedance, but they are relatively rare. I'm willing to listen to arguments to the contrary, but have yet to see any convincing ones. The length of any source Z thread more than proves your point about its care. Which is to say, few care (there we agree across the population of Hams), and there are those few who are vehement about not caring. Be careful what you say about the effects of negative feedback added around an amplifier... (That could be a reasonable topic in another group, but not in this thread, and probably not even in this group.) I'm quite careful about the effects of negative feedback added around an amplifier. Dare I say that we can be thankful there are none vehement about not caring about that too? 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
#166
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On Sun, 15 May 2011 02:27:26 -0700 (PDT), Wimpie
wrote: Richard, who made that claim regarding that low output Z is so beneficial? Wim, I offered a corrected thread reference, asked you if you had a threaded newsreader to respond in-thread, and here we are in another branch. I only said that many PAs don't operate under conjugated match (or even were not designed to operate under it). You are being humble, you've written much more than that. This is valid for audio also. Valid for diesel engine design, I suppose, too. Unfortunately, introducing distraction to the Subject line brings increasingly distractive responses. However, I enjoy distraction and I can wrap it back to topic: For instance, AF transmitters were used during WWI for (literal, through the) ground communications. Shall we expand on that history that IS relevant to Transmitter Output Impedance? References: http://www.qsl.net/vk3gjz/EarthComs/Artillery%20LOI.pdf http://www.qsl.net/vk3gjz/EarthComs/GroundComs.pdf and more.... I dare say that these links, and more, can return the discussion back to Source Z matching that is intuitive, uses very real resistance, and no appeals (at least back then) to reactance. 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
#167
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On 4/25/2011 7:35 PM, Sal M. Onella wrote:
This group has presented members with valuable lessons in antennas and transmission lines, like how to measure, how to match, etc. Something I haven't seen is a discussion of the source impedance of the transmitter. My curiosity was piqued today as I took some baby steps into EZNEC. A particular antenna had such-and-such VSWR if fed with a 50-ohm cable and a different value if fed with a 75-ohm cable. While this is hardly news, it got me wondering whether a 75-ohm cable will load the transmitter the same. Doesn't seem like it. My point: Using 75-ohm cable to improve the match at the antenna won't help me ... IF ... I suffer a corresponding loss due to mismatch at the back of the radio. My HF radios, all solid state, specify a 50 ohm load. As necessary, I routinely use an internal autotuner and either of two external manual tuners. (I'm aware of the published 1/12 wavelength matching method.) Wisdom in any form would be appreciated. Thanks. "Sal" (KD6VKW) Hey, Sal - Lots of good stuff he http://www.vk1od.net/ Fun reading. Cheers & 73, John |
#168
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On May 19, 7:33*pm, John KD5YI wrote:
On 4/25/2011 7:35 PM, Sal M. Onella wrote: This group has presented members with valuable lessons in antennas and transmission lines, like how to measure, how to match, etc. Something I haven't seen is a discussion of the source impedance of the transmitter. *My curiosity was piqued today as I took some baby steps into EZNEC. *A particular antenna had such-and-such VSWR if fed with a 50-ohm cable and a different value if fed with a 75-ohm cable. While this is hardly news, it got me wondering whether a 75-ohm cable will load the transmitter the same. *Doesn't seem like it. My point: *Using 75-ohm cable to improve the match at the antenna won't help me *... IF ... I suffer a corresponding loss due to mismatch at the back of the radio. *My HF radios, all solid state, specify a 50 ohm load. As necessary, I routinely use an internal autotuner and either of two external manual tuners. *(I'm aware of the published 1/12 wavelength matching method.) Wisdom in any form would be appreciated. *Thanks. "Sal" (KD6VKW) Hey, Sal - Lots of good stuff he http://www.vk1od.net/ Fun reading. Cheers & 73, John John, I have always had great respect for VK1OD, but in the URL you presented above I must take Dave to task for asserting that Cecil's concept is suspect, simply because he didn't include attenuation in the analysis of the lines. Correct me if I'm wrong, but seems to me that a competent engineer begins an analysis assuming lines and components are lossless. Then, if the losses are going to be significant, he factors in the effects of attenuation. If the losses are insignificant he ignores them. In Cecil's paper he is not ignoring attenuation because he doesn't understand its significance, he is ignoring it only because in beginning the analysis it isn't significant. Cecil doesn't deserve that unfortunate treatment. Walt |
#169
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On May 19, 7:33*pm, John KD5YI wrote:
On 4/25/2011 7:35 PM, Sal M. Onella wrote: This group has presented members with valuable lessons in antennas and transmission lines, like how to measure, how to match, etc. Something I haven't seen is a discussion of the source impedance of the transmitter. *My curiosity was piqued today as I took some baby steps into EZNEC. *A particular antenna had such-and-such VSWR if fed with a 50-ohm cable and a different value if fed with a 75-ohm cable. While this is hardly news, it got me wondering whether a 75-ohm cable will load the transmitter the same. *Doesn't seem like it. My point: *Using 75-ohm cable to improve the match at the antenna won't help me *... IF ... I suffer a corresponding loss due to mismatch at the back of the radio. *My HF radios, all solid state, specify a 50 ohm load. As necessary, I routinely use an internal autotuner and either of two external manual tuners. *(I'm aware of the published 1/12 wavelength matching method.) Wisdom in any form would be appreciated. *Thanks. "Sal" (KD6VKW) Hey, Sal - Lots of good stuff he http://www.vk1od.net/ Fun reading. Cheers & 73, John Wim, in your calculation of PA output resistance via load pull, you state: "...load pulling with 51.2 Ohms and 44.6 Ohms: V_out (51.2 Ohms) = 71.5V, I_out = 1.396A V_out (44.6 Ohms) = 66.5V, I_out = 1.491A Delta_V = 5.0V, Delta_I = 0.095A, Hence Rout = 52.6 Ohms." The following is what I obtained through actual measurement via load pull: Vout (51.2 ohms = 76.9v, Iout = 1.502a Vout (44.6 ohms) = 71.6v, Iout = 1.605a Delta V 5.3v, Delta I = 0.1034a Hence Rout = 51.2 ohms Wouldn't you agree that my measurement method and procedure are pretty well on track? Walt |
#170
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Transmitter Output Impedance
On 5/19/2011 9:30 PM, walt wrote:
On May 19, 7:33 pm, John wrote: On 4/25/2011 7:35 PM, Sal M. Onella wrote: This group has presented members with valuable lessons in antennas and transmission lines, like how to measure, how to match, etc. Something I haven't seen is a discussion of the source impedance of the transmitter. My curiosity was piqued today as I took some baby steps into EZNEC. A particular antenna had such-and-such VSWR if fed with a 50-ohm cable and a different value if fed with a 75-ohm cable. While this is hardly news, it got me wondering whether a 75-ohm cable will load the transmitter the same. Doesn't seem like it. My point: Using 75-ohm cable to improve the match at the antenna won't help me ... IF ... I suffer a corresponding loss due to mismatch at the back of the radio. My HF radios, all solid state, specify a 50 ohm load. As necessary, I routinely use an internal autotuner and either of two external manual tuners. (I'm aware of the published 1/12 wavelength matching method.) Wisdom in any form would be appreciated. Thanks. "Sal" (KD6VKW) Hey, Sal - Lots of good stuff he http://www.vk1od.net/ Fun reading. Cheers& 73, John John, I have always had great respect for VK1OD, but in the URL you presented above I must take Dave to task for asserting that Cecil's concept is suspect, simply because he didn't include attenuation in the analysis of the lines. Correct me if I'm wrong, but seems to me that a competent engineer begins an analysis assuming lines and components are lossless. Then, if the losses are going to be significant, he factors in the effects of attenuation. If the losses are insignificant he ignores them. In Cecil's paper he is not ignoring attenuation because he doesn't understand its significance, he is ignoring it only because in beginning the analysis it isn't significant. Cecil doesn't deserve that unfortunate treatment. Walt I do not disagree, Walt, and I do understand why Cecil chose his approach. John |
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