ECE 5317-6351

Microwave Engineering
Fall
2011

Prof. David R. Jackson

Dept. of ECE

Notes
18
Multistage
Transformers

Single-stage
Transformer
The transformer length is arbitrary in this analysis.
Step

Z1 line

Load

Z in - Z 0
Z in Z 0

Z L - Z1
Z L Z1

From previous notes:

Step
Impedan
ce
change

0
S110 - S 22

S210 S120

Z1 - Z 0
Z1 Z 0
2 Z 0 Z1
Z0
0
1

11 Z Z
Z1
1
0
2

Single-stage Transformer
From the self-loop formula, we have
(as derived in previous notes)
(cont.)
- j 21
0
0
S
S

e
S110 21 012 L - j 21
1 - S22 L e

For the numerator:

2

2 Z 0 Z1
4 Z 0 Z1
0 0
S21
S12

2
Z1 Z 0
Z1 Z 0

Next, consider this calculation:

1 S110

2
2
2
Z1 Z 0
Z1 - Z 0

Z12 Z 02 2 Z 0 Z1 Z1 Z 0 Z1 Z 0 2 Z 0 Z1
1
1

1
2
2
2
Z

Z
Z1 Z 0
Z1 Z 0
Z1 Z 0
0
1
2

2
1

Z 02 2 Z 0 Z1 Z12 Z 02 2 Z 0 Z1
2

Z1 Z 0

4 Z 0 Z1

Z1 Z 0

Hence

2
0

S S 1- S11
0
21

0
12

Single-stage Transformer
We then have
(cont.)
S110

1 S

02
11

e- j 21

0
1 - S22
L e- j 21

Putting both terms over a common denominator, we have

S110 S110 2 L e- j 21 1 S110 2 L e- j 21

1 S110 L e- j 21

or

S110 L e- j 21

1 S110 L e- j 21
4

Single-stage Transformer
S (cont.)
e

Assuming small reflections

0
11

1 S110 L e- j 21

S110 L 1

S110 L e - j 21

- j 21

Note: It is also true that

S110 S 210 S120 L e - j 21

But S210 S120 1- S110 2 1

Denote 0 S110 , 1 L

0 1 e- j 21

Z1 - Z 0
Z -Z
; 1 L 1
Z1 Z 0
Z L Z1
5

Multistage Transformer

Assuming small
reflections:

Hence

Multistage Transformer
(cont.)

0 1 e- j 2 2 e- j 4 3e- j 6 ..... N e - j 2 N
Z n 1 - Z n
n
Z n 1 Z n
Note that this is a polynomial in powers of z = exp(-j2).

Multistage Transformer
(cont.)

0 1 e- j 2 2 e- j 4 3e- j 6 ..... N e- j 2 N
If we assume symmetric reflections of the sections (not a
symmetric layout of line impedances), we have

0 N , 1 N -1 , 2 N -2 , . . .

e- jN 0 e jN e- jN 1 e j ( N -2) e- j ( N -2) . . .

N odd last term N -1 e e

j

- j

Last term

N even last term N

2

Multistage Transformer
(cont.)
Hence, for symmetric reflections we then have

1
- jN
2
e

cos
N

cos
N
2

...

cos
N
2
n

...

N ; N even
1

n
0
2 2

2e- jN cos N cos N - 2 ... cos N - 2n ... cos ; N odd

1

n
N -1
0

Note that this is a finite Fourier cosine series.

Multistage Transformer
(cont.)
Design philosophy:
If we choose a response for ( ) that is in the form of a
polynomial (in powers of z = exp (-j2 )) or a Fourier cosine
series, we can obtain the needed values of n and hence
complete the design.

10

Binomial (Butterworth*) Multistage

Transformer
Consider:
A 1 e- j 2

Ae- jN e j e - j A e - jN 2 N cos N
N

A 2 N cos

Choose all lines to be a quarter wavelength at the center frequency so that

f f 0 i l

0
2

(We have a perfect

match at the center
frequency.)

dn
Also,
0 for n 1, 2, ..., N -1
d n
2

1st N - 1 derivatives are zero maximally flat

*The name comes from the British physicist/engineer Stephen
Butterworth, who described the design of filters using the binomial11
principle in 1930.

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Use the binomial expansion so we can express the Butterworth
response in terms of a polynomial
series:
N

1 z

CnN z n

where CnN

n 0

N!
N - n ! n!

A binomial type of response is obtained if we thus choose

A 1 e

- j 2

A CnN e- j 2 n
n 0

We want to use a multistage transformer to realize this

type of response.
0 1 e- j 2 2 e - j 4 3 e- j 6 ...... N e- j 2 N
A 1 e

- j 2

A CnN e - j 2 n
n 0

Set equal

(Both are now in the form of polynomials

12

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Note that as f 0 l 0

zero length transmisison lines

Z L - Z0
A 2N
Z L Z0

Hence

Z L - Z 0
A2
Note: A could be positive or negative
Z L Z 0
-N

Equating responses for each term in the polynomial series gives us:
n ACnN , n 1, 2,......., N
Hence

Z -Z
Z n 1 - Z n
2- N L 0 CnN
Z n 1 Z n
Z L Z 0
Z 0 Z 0 , Z N 1 Z L

This gives us a
solution for the
line
impedances.
13

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Note on reflection coefficients
n ACnN , n 1, 2,......., N
CnN

N!
N - n ! n!

Note that

CNN n

N!
N!

CnN
N - ( N n) ! ( N n)! n ! ( N n)!
Hence

n N n

Although we did not assume that the reflection

coefficients were symmetric in the design process, they
actually come out that way.

14

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)

Note: The table only shows data for ZL > Z0 since the design can be reversed
(Ioad and source switched) for ZL < Z0 .
15

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Example showing a microstrip line

g 1 / 4

50 line

Z1

g 2 / 4
Z2

g 3 / 4
Z3

100 line
ZL

Z0

A three-stage transformer is shown.

16

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Note: Increasing
the number of
lines increases
the bandwidth.

Figure 5.15 (p. 250)

Reflection coefficient magnitude versus frequency for multisection
binomial matching transformers of Example 5.6. ZL = 50 and Z0 = 100.
17

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)

Use a series approximation for the ln

function:
X -1 1
ln X ;
X 1 2

X 1

Recall

Z n 1 - Z n
- N Z L - Z 0
N
2
C
n
Z n 1 Z n
Z

Z
0
L

1 ln Z n1 2- N CnN 1 ln Z L
2

Zn

Z 0

Hence

ve
recursi
sh i p
n
o
i
t
a
l
e
r

Z L
ln Z n 1 2 C ln ln Z n
Z 0
-N

N
n

18

Binomial Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Bandwidth
m 2 N A cos N m

Maximum acceptable reflection

1
N

1 m

m cos
2 A

-1

f / 2

f / 2

The bandwidth is then:

f
2
f0

f0 - f m
f0

4
4
1

2 - 2 m 2 - 2 m 2 - m 2 - cos -1 m

f0
/2

2 A

Hence

f
4
1
2 - cos-1 m
2 A
f0

1
N

1
N

19

Binomial Multistage Transformer

Summary of(cont.)
Design Formulas
f

f 0 2

A 1 e

- j 2

A CnN e- j 2 n Reflection coefficient response

n 0

CnN

Z L - Z 0
A2

Z
0
L
-N

A coefficient

Z L
ln Z n
Z 0

ln Z n 1 2- N CnN ln

N!
N - n ! n!

f
4
1
2 - cos-1 m
2 A
f0

Design of line impedances

1
N

Bandwidth

20

Example
Example: three-stage binomial
transformer

Given:

Z L 50 []
Z 0 100 []
m 0.05

N 3

50 -100
-0.0417
50 100

dB
m -26.0 [dB]

A 2-3

f
4
0.05
-1 1
BW
2 - cos
2 0.0417
f0

0.713
1
3

BW 71.3%
21

Example (cont.)
Z L
ln Z n 1 ln Z n 2 C ln
Z 0
-N

Z1 :

N
n

50
4.519
100

ln Z1 ln Z 0 2-3 C03 ln
Z1 91.7 []

Z2 :

CnN

N!
N - n ! n!

C30 = 1
C13 = 3
C32 = 3

50
4.259
100

ln Z 2 ln Z1 2-3 C13 ln

C33 = 1

Z 2 70.7 []

Z3 :

50
3.999
100

ln Z 3 ln Z 2 2-3 C23 ln
Z 3 54.5[]

22

Example (cont.)
Using the table in Pozar we have:
Z L / Z0 2 :

Z1, Z 2 , Z 3 / Z 0 1.0907, 1.4142,1.8337

(The above normalized load impedance is the reciprocal of what we actually hav
Hence, switching the load and the source ends, we have

Z1, Z 2 , Z 3 / Z 0 1.8337, 1.4142, 1.0907;

Z 0 50[]

Therefore

Z1 91.685 []

Z 2 70.711 []
Z 3 54.585 []
23

Example (cont.)

S11 dB 20 log10 f
-26

3.29 GHz

f 0 5.0 GHz

6.74 GHz

BW 69.0%

Response from Ansoft Designer

24

Chebyshev Multistage Matching

Transformer

Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind:

cos n cos 1 x , x 1

Tn x

1
cosh
n
cosh
x , x 1

T1 x x
T2 x 2 x 2 1
T3 x 4 x3 - 3x
M

For -1 x 1: Tn x 1
For x 1: Tn x 1

Tn x 2 xTn-1 x - Tn-2 x
We choose the response to be in the form of a Chebyshev polynomial.

25

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)

Figure 5.16 (p. 251)

The first four Chebyshev polynomials Tn(x).
26

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

A Chebyshev response will (cont.)
have equal ripple within the bandwidth.
Ae- jN TN sec m cos

This can be put into a form

involving the terms cos
(n ) (i.e., a finite Fourier
cosine series).

m A

Note: As frequency decreases, x increases.

27

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
We have that, after some algebra,
T1 sec m cos sec m cos
T2 sec m cos sec 2 m 1 cos 2 -1
T3 sec m cos sec 3 m cos 3 3cos - 3sec m cos
M
Tn sec m cos 2 sec m cos Tn-1 sec m cos - Tn-2 sec m cos

T1 x x
T2 x 2 x 2 1
T3 x 4 x 3 - 3 x

Hence, the term TN (sec,

cos) can be cast into a
finite cosine Fourier series
expansion.

M
Tn x 2 xTn -1 x - Tn -2 x
28

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Transformer design

Ae- jN TN sec m cos

2 e- jN 0 cos N 1 cos N - 2 .... n cos N - 2 n .....

the above formula we can extract the coefficients n (no general formula is given

As f 0 l 0

0 ATN sec m

Z L - Z0
Z L Z0

Z L - Z 0
1

Z
TN sec m
0
L

29

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
At
m

m m A TN sec m cos m A TN 1 A
A m
At 0 :

0 ATN sec m
TN sec m 0

Z L - Z0
Z L Z0

sec m 1

A has the same sign as Z L - Z 0

Hence

A sgn Z L - Z 0 m
30

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)

Note: The table only shows data for ZL > Z0 since the design can be reversed
31
(Ioad and source switched) for ZL < Z0 .

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

(cont.)
Bandwidth
BW

4
f
2- m
f0

At f 0 : ATN sec m

Z L - Z0
1 Z -Z
1 Z L - Z0
TN sec m L 0
Z L Z0
A Z L Z 0
m Z L Z0
cosh N cosh -1 sec m

1
1 Z L - Z0
-1
sec m cosh
cosh

m Z L Z0
N

Hence

X -1 1
ln X ;
X 1 2

X 1

1
1
Z L
-1
sec m cosh
cosh
ln

N
2

m
Z 0

32

Chebyshev Multistage Transformer

Summary (cont.)
of Design Formulas
f

f 0 2

Ae - jN TN sec m cos Reflection coefficient response

1
1
Z L
-1
sec m cosh
cosh
ln

N
2

m
Z 0

m term

A sgn Z L - Z 0 m A coefficient
No formula given for the line impedances. Use
the Table from Pozar or generate (by hand) the Design of line impedances
solution by expanding ( ) into a polynomial
with terms cos (n ).

f
4
2 - m
f0

Bandwidth
33

Example
Example: three-stage Chebyshev
transformer

Given

Z L 100[]
Z 0 50[]
m 0.05

Assumed symmetry : 3 = 0 , 2 = 1

A sgn Z L - Z 0 m A 0.05
N 3 A e- j 3 T3 sec m cos
Ae- j 3 sec3 m cos 3 3cos - 3sec m cos
2 e- j 3 0 cos 3 1 cos
(finite Fourier cosine series form)

Equate
34

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer
Equating
coefficients from the previous equation on the last slide, we hav
2 0 A sec3 m
2 1 3 A sec3 m - 3 A sec m
1

1
100
cosh -1
ln

3
2
0.05
50

Also, sec m cosh

1.408

m 44.7 o 0.780[rad] BW 1.007 100.7%

BW

1
3
0.05 1.408
2

f
4
2 - m
f0

0 3 0.0698

1
3
3 0.05 1.408 - 3 0.05 1.408
2
1 2 0.1037
35

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer
Next, use

Z n 1 - Z n
n
Z n 1 Z n

Z n 1 Z n

1 n
1- n

1 0.0698 57.5

1- 0.0698
1 0.1037 70.8
Z 2 57.5

1- 0.1037
1 0.1037 87.2
Z 3 70.8

10.1037

Z1 50

Z1 57.5

Z 2 70.8

Z 3 87.2

Checking consistency :
Z 4 Z L 87.2

1 0.0698
1- 0.0698

100.3

36

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer
Alternative method:

Z n 1 - Z n 1 Z n 1
n
ln
ln Z n 1 ln Z n 2 n
Z n 1 Z n 2 Z n
ln Z1 ln Z 0 2 0
ln 50 2 0.0698
4.051
ln Z 2 ln Z1 21
4.259
ln Z 3 ln Z 2 2 2
4.466

Z1 57.49
Z 2 70.74

Z 3 87.05
37

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer
From Table m 0.05, N 3, Z L / Z 0 2, Z 0 50
Z1 1.1475 50 57.4

Z 2 1.4142 50 70.7
Z 3 1.7429 50 87.1

38

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer

S11 dB 20 log10 f
-26
2.51 GHz

7.5 GHz

f 0 5.0 GHz

BW 99.8%

Response from Ansoft Designer

39

Example: 3-Section Chebyshev

Transformer
Comparison of Binomial (Butterworth) and Chebyshev

The Chebyshev design has a higher bandwidth (100% vs. 69%).

The increased bandwidth comes with a price: ripple in the passband.

Note: It can be shown that the Chebyshev design gives the

highest possible bandwidth for a given N and m.

40

Tapered Transformer
The Pozar book also talks about using continuously tapered lines to
match between an input line Z0 and an output load ZL. (pp. 255-261).
Please read this.

41