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-   -   Why Match ? (https://www.radiobanter.com/antenna/2769-why-match.html)

PDRUNEN December 21st 04 02:23 PM

Why Match ?
 
Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.

Thanks,

de KJ4UO

Richard Clark December 21st 04 04:30 PM

On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.


Hi OM,

That is the loss for using the network, and for this network it
appears to be Power lost IN the network (rather than Power not
delivered to the Load). However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.


No matching network is required for this scenario.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.


By your description, you are still not using the matching network. If
you think you are, then the math is incorrect.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.


Of course not. You never accounted for your two matching resistors so
you cannot assign the 5.7dB loss to them.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.


There are any number of reasons - accuracy and stability being
principal among them. On the other hand, the two resistor variety is
not the most suitable for accuracy (except under known loads).
Another virtue is that it will increase the input power specification
by that same 5.7dB. This very handy when you are putting a flame
thrower to its input. Burnt resistors are cheaper and easier to
replace than the input stage. One very useful 100 Ohm resistor is a
10mA glass fuse (Wollaston wire).

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

W9DMK December 21st 04 04:39 PM

On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.


This is correct, if the 100 V rms source is the Thevenin emf - not the
loaded terminal voltage.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.


Under those condx the load voltage is 60 V rms and the load power is
48 watts, as you indicated.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.


Since the original load voltage was 50 volts rms and now it's 60
volts, one could argue that the load voltage is up by 1.6 dB. However,
the load power at 48 watts is in fact down by 0.17 dB


I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.


Interestingly enough, none of this has anything to do with your L-pad
matching network. All of your calculations above relate only to the
hypothetical situation in which you are actually "changing" the load
resistance and computing the new load power - nothing whatsoever to do
with the situation you would have when you actually insert an L-pad
between the real source and the original 50 ohm load.

A 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching pad is designed to work with a 75
ohm load and to present a 50 ohm load to the source, which it will do.
When you calculate the amount of power in the 75 ohm load before and
after inserting the L-pad you will get a significant loss, depending
upon the exact design of the two-resistor network. 5.7 dB sounds a bit
high, but it depends upon how the L-Pad losses are defined.

As to the reason for using the L-Pad, it's probably for the purpose of
minimizing the SWR on the cable between the L-Pad/Load and the source.
Since you haven't specified anything about the source, the load or
what the purpose of the circuit is, one can only guess.



Bob, W9DMK, Dahlgren, VA
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk

Ralph Mowery December 21st 04 05:00 PM

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two
resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving

a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power

is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.

Thanks,

de KJ4UO


In test devices the losses are not usually a problem as long as the levels
are accounted for if absolute numbers are needed. The impedances must match
if any tuning is done. As teh impedance of a receiver is not usaully 50
ohms over a wide frequency range , you use a 6 db pad or so to isolate the
generator from the receiver . If tuned circuits are involved, the impedance
missmatch (swr) can cause many problems . You tune a device for a 50 ohm
source or load and then replace it with a 70 ohm device and the tuning will
usually change . By using the pads, it is an attempt to keep the impedance
changes at a minimum when the test instruments are removed and the device
put back into normal operation.



W9DMK December 21st 04 05:24 PM

On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.

Thanks,

de KJ4UO



Dear KJ4UO,

Some additional help with your L-pad -

The minimum loss L-Pad for matching 75 ohms to 50 ohms would indeed
have a loss of 5.7 dB. This is from the ITT handbook, pages 10-4
through 10-8. The design values for such an L-Pad would give the 5.7
dB loss based upon the following: Let P1 be the power delivered to a
matched load (50 ohms) from the 50 ohm source. Let P2 be the power
delivered to a 75 ohm load when fed through the 75 to 50 resistive
matching network. Then P1 / P2 will be approximately 3.715.
10 x Log(3.7) = 5.7 dB. You can work that out from the design values
for the L-Pad, which are 43 ohms in the series arm and 86.7 ohms in
the shunt arm.

Bob, W9DMK, Dahlgren, VA
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk

Cecil Moore December 21st 04 06:52 PM

PDRUNEN wrote:
Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.


It appears that you forgot to put the resistive matching network
into the circuit. There must be a series resistor in there between
the source impedance and the load impedance to obtain that 5.7 dB
of isolation.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp


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Ian Jackson December 21st 04 08:27 PM

In message , Richard Clark
writes
On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.


Hi OM,

Snips
However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.


Several manufacturers of precision matching pads might disagree!
Two resistors is enough, although you have to remember to add a rather
odd number (unless the measuring equipment can add it for you). If you
add a third resistor, you can make the correction a straight 6dB. That's
probably the only virtue.
Ian.
--


W9DMK December 21st 04 09:16 PM

On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.

Thanks,

de KJ4UO


Dear KJ4UO,

I have fundamental objections to responding to respondants, so I will
continue to address this thread directly. It has been suggested that a
virtue of the T pad would give a clean 6 dB loss instead of some
"not-so-nice" loss, like 5.7 dB. Well, that's not a problem because
the L-Pad can also be designed for exactly 6 dB. In fact, it can be
designed to provide ANY loss you want, so long as it's AT LEAST 5.7
dB. You see, the 5.7 dB L-Pad happens to be the MINIMUM loss design
for that particular mismatch.

Bob, W9DMK, Dahlgren, VA
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk

Richard Clark December 21st 04 09:20 PM

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:27:54 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.

Several manufacturers of precision matching pads might disagree!


Hi Ian,

I seriously doubt it, but you are free to offer examples.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

W9DMK December 21st 04 09:45 PM

On 21 Dec 2004 14:23:10 GMT, (PDRUNEN) wrote:

Hi All,

I was reviewing a 75 to 50 ohm resistive matching network using two resistors,
the insertion lost was 5.7 db.

If we have a 100Vrms source with 50 ohm source impedance and it is driving a
matched 50 ohm load then the load takes 1A and the power in the load is 50
watts.

If the load is replaced with 75 ohm, then 0.8 amps will flow and the power is
48 watts. (I*I*R) == (0.8)*(0.8)*75.

I guess I must be not be taking something in account, but 2 watts does not
equal 5.7 db.

I know there must be a good reason to put the matching pad in line for the
sprectrum analyizer but I don't under why.

Thanks,

de KJ4UO


Dear KJ4UO,

First, I must apologize for not noticing that your posting DOES
mention that the application is a Spectrum Analyzer. That being the
case, I can be much more enlightening about WHY we want a flat line
(no standing waves).

A spectrum analyzer is of use primarily in showing WHAT frequencies
are present in the specturm AND what their relative levels are. Unless
the line is flat, the relative levels will be distorted or inaccurate.
This comes about due to the fact that a mismatched line becomes an
impedance transformer that is very frequency dependant. That is, some
frequencies will be artificially enhanced and others artificially
subdued due to the varying impedance impedance seen by the source.
Conversely, when the source sees a perfect match across its acceptance
spectrum, only the built-in non-linearities will degrade the accuracy.

In short, the line must be properly matched in order that the spectrum
analyzer give the accuracy that it is capable of.

BTW, it should be understood that the matching L-Pad, in order to be
effective, must be physically located at the Spectrum Analyzer end of
the line - not at the source end of the line.

Interestingly enough, hams do not usually take this into account when
tuning an antenna system, because they are only interested in a flat
line for that short little piece of coax between the tuner and the
transmitter. They don't normally do anything about the horrible SWR
that exists on the feedline - Hi!

Bob, W9DMK, Dahlgren, VA
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk

Richard Clark December 21st 04 09:54 PM

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:16:03 GMT, (Robert
Lay) wrote:

It has been suggested that a
virtue of the T pad would give a clean 6 dB loss instead of some
"not-so-nice" loss, like 5.7 dB. Well, that's not a problem because
the L-Pad can also be designed for exactly 6 dB. In fact, it can be
designed to provide ANY loss you want, so long as it's AT LEAST 5.7
dB. You see, the 5.7 dB L-Pad happens to be the MINIMUM loss design
for that particular mismatch.


Hi Bob,

The difference between 5.7 and 6dB is immaterial if neither is
calibrated. As for the desire for a nominal 6dB pad, that too is
hardly of great merit for quality measurements with a good Spectrum
Analyzer.

Just like directional coupler design, precision applications focus on
directivity and sacrifice round numbers in coupling to achieve better
separation of ports. A 6dB attenuator will isolate your precision
gear from the unknown better than a 3dB attenuator, but not as well as
a 10 or 20dB attenuator.

Now, as to the term isolation. It has a variety of meanings which in
this case means that your measurement is less perturbed by the literal
unknowns of your proverbial unknown being measured. That is, in your
attempt to find a value (the proverbial unknown) your accuracy can be
upset by variables whose magnitude can affect that accurate
determination. Large attenuators obviously de-sense the
instrumentation, but if you have sufficient dynamic range, then that
is not a debit, but actually an asset. Hence de-sense or isolation is
benign. When this large attenuator is placed on the source, it
reduces the load's influence to pull or mismatch there too.

This says nothing of actual mismatches, it simply presents what is
called swamping. That is, you introduced known and controlled losses
to buffer the measurement. Later you can subtract out the losses to
find your proverbial unknown.

I already alluded to the virtue of using attenuators to increase the
power tolerance to the input of a Spectrum Analyzer, aside from this,
the only practical use of attenuators is to introduce controlled loss
to isolate the unknowns' influence.

To answer "Why Match?" returns us to isolation. Once this is
achieved, the measurement can be trusted to be faithful in proportion
to that isolation. With this example of a simple 50 to 75 Ohm
conversion, that measurement's faithful accuracy is fairly good. As
for it being a ~6dB attenuator, by placing it into another test with
an unknown, it will offer mixed results - a T or PI configuration at a
higher attenuation would be far more flexible, and faithful.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Ian Jackson December 21st 04 10:51 PM

In message , Richard Clark
writes
On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:27:54 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.

Several manufacturers of precision matching pads might disagree!


Hi Ian,

I seriously doubt it, but you are free to offer examples.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC




http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm...mber/972/ln/en
http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm...te_number/3250
http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm...mber/972/ln/en
http://www.testmart.com/estore/produ...Fsearch%2Fspec.
cfm~~MICCOM~~AGILEN~~11852B~~%20~~%20|1.html
http://www.g4fgq.regp.btinternet.co.uk/padmatch.pas
http://www.g4fgq.regp.btinternet.co.uk/padmatch.pas
http://used-line.com/b2544p1pr0-Used-pads.htm
http://www.minicircuits.com/dg03-159.pdf#search='minimum%20loss%20pad'
+ many, many more!
Ian.

--


Richard Clark December 21st 04 11:25 PM

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 22:51:30 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

In message , Richard Clark
writes
On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:27:54 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.
Several manufacturers of precision matching pads might disagree!


Hi Ian,

I seriously doubt it, but you are free to offer examples.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

+ many, many more!
Ian.


Hi Ian,

Perhaps you can share from those many, many more, those which
disagree?

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Ian Jackson December 22nd 04 12:19 AM

In message , Richard Clark
writes
On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 22:51:30 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

In message , Richard Clark
writes
On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:27:54 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

However, this is not the best design for a
matching network, they are usually three resistors in either a PI or T
configuration.
Several manufacturers of precision matching pads might disagree!

Hi Ian,

I seriously doubt it, but you are free to offer examples.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

+ many, many more!
Ian.


Hi Ian,

Perhaps you can share from those many, many more, those which
disagree?

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC


The point I was trying to make was, if the L-pad was 'not the best
design for a matching network', why are there so many about?
It gives the minimum loss for a match in both directions (with the 43and
86 ohm resistors). What works better?
Ian.
--


W9DMK December 22nd 04 01:54 AM

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:54:30 GMT, Richard Clark
wrote:

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:16:03 GMT, (Robert
Lay) wrote:

It has been suggested that a
virtue of the T pad would give a clean 6 dB loss instead of some
"not-so-nice" loss, like 5.7 dB. Well, that's not a problem because
the L-Pad can also be designed for exactly 6 dB. In fact, it can be
designed to provide ANY loss you want, so long as it's AT LEAST 5.7
dB. You see, the 5.7 dB L-Pad happens to be the MINIMUM loss design
for that particular mismatch.


Hi Bob,

The difference between 5.7 and 6dB is immaterial if neither is
calibrated. As for the desire for a nominal 6dB pad, that too is
hardly of great merit for quality measurements with a good Spectrum
Analyzer.

Just like directional coupler design, precision applications focus on
directivity and sacrifice round numbers in coupling to achieve better
separation of ports. A 6dB attenuator will isolate your precision
gear from the unknown better than a 3dB attenuator, but not as well as
a 10 or 20dB attenuator.

Now, as to the term isolation. It has a variety of meanings which in
this case means that your measurement is less perturbed by the literal
unknowns of your proverbial unknown being measured. That is, in your
attempt to find a value (the proverbial unknown) your accuracy can be
upset by variables whose magnitude can affect that accurate
determination. Large attenuators obviously de-sense the
instrumentation, but if you have sufficient dynamic range, then that
is not a debit, but actually an asset. Hence de-sense or isolation is
benign. When this large attenuator is placed on the source, it
reduces the load's influence to pull or mismatch there too.

This says nothing of actual mismatches, it simply presents what is
called swamping. That is, you introduced known and controlled losses
to buffer the measurement. Later you can subtract out the losses to
find your proverbial unknown.

I already alluded to the virtue of using attenuators to increase the
power tolerance to the input of a Spectrum Analyzer, aside from this,
the only practical use of attenuators is to introduce controlled loss
to isolate the unknowns' influence.

To answer "Why Match?" returns us to isolation. Once this is
achieved, the measurement can be trusted to be faithful in proportion
to that isolation. With this example of a simple 50 to 75 Ohm
conversion, that measurement's faithful accuracy is fairly good. As
for it being a ~6dB attenuator, by placing it into another test with
an unknown, it will offer mixed results - a T or PI configuration at a
higher attenuation would be far more flexible, and faithful.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC


Dear Richard,

OK - you're not getting any argument from me.

Bob, W9DMK, Dahlgren, VA
http://www.qsl.net/w9dmk

Richard Clark December 22nd 04 05:55 AM

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 00:19:12 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

The point I was trying to make was, if the L-pad was 'not the best
design for a matching network', why are there so many about?
It gives the minimum loss for a match in both directions (with the 43and
86 ohm resistors). What works better?
Ian.


Hi Ian,

The topic is Why Match? and the context is with bench gear,
specifically a Spectrum Analyzer. It is pleasing that no sardonic
quips as to this device's suitability for antenna matching has sallied
forth. Attenuators serve a limited purpose - Isolation. They serve
this well when they don't introduce uncontrolled error. They also
serve as range extenders as do directional couplers, often with
attenuators paired with them.

In the case of using them with couplers, they insure port isolation by
insuring port loading. They buffer any deviance from an expected 50
Ohm load that may be presented by monitoring gear attached through
them to that port. This is by and large the context of the mini
circuits links you offered. The extent of this "insurance" can be
observed by computing how much load is presented to the affected
instrument when the attenuator is left open, or shorted. T or PI
configurations show a higher tolerance. An L Pad is a special case
(less general form) of either T or PI, being that one of the three
elements is replaced with either a short or an open.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Richard Clark December 22nd 04 06:40 AM

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 00:19:12 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:
What works better?


Hi Ian,

In following up the links that you provided, there is a superior
reference found at the same site:
http://www.minicircuits.com/appnote/an70001.pdf
which in turn leads to a treasure trove on the topic that supports my
favorite discussion on Mismatch Uncertainty. By following the links,
they offer you articles and software to compute the accumulation of
errors (and loss) found in mismatched sources looking at mismatched
loads.

A notable quote:
"A fixed attenuator can help to lower the VSWR of cascaded
(connected) components by providing isolation between the
impedances, effectively masking the impedance mismatches."

For both mismatched source and load, one handy shortcut offered is
that the system suffers a SWR that is not the aggregation of the two,
but the multiple of the two. This is not particularly significant for
a source SWR of 2 seeing a load SWR of 2 (same result of 4 for either
addition or multiplication), but above this value and loss begins to
climb dramatically.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC


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