The Smith chart is made up of multiple circles, and segments of circles arranged in a way to plot impedance values in the form of R ± jX (Fig.

If you have avoided the Smith chart in the past, here’s a primer on how to take advantage of it. And as you will find out, it’s useful for working out transmission-line problems and in designing impedance-matching circuits. How he came up with this is an untold story, but he provided a solution to the complex calculations on transmission lines. The intimidating graph, developed by Philip Smith in 1939, is just about as bad as it looks. Most of you have probably heard of the Smith chart.

Identify impedance-matching component values from the Smith chart.

Determine the impedance of a load at the end of a transmission line.

Plot complex impedances on a Smith chart.

Members can download this article in PDF format. A color PDF of the Smith Chart is available to download and print for use with pen and paper, or you can use it with your pen-based tablet to draw matching networks.This article is part of the Analog Series: Back to Basics: Impedance Matching Examples in the lecture are followed by our exclusive online workbook exercises which integrate a concise review of formulas with interactive calculators to help you work on class exercises. Once you have gotten familiar with the layout of the chart and have some intuition from working with the aid of the software, we can move on to working with the chart more in-depth and perform the calculations manually. Our exclusive online workbooks combine a review of principles along with exercises utilizing the online Smith Chart web app. The use of transmission lines is also explained with the aid of the software performing the calculations. Next with four basic rules and software written by the instructor, you will be able to create matching networks on the chart almost immediately. You will start with an overview of how the Smith Chart circles are derived and what they mean, along with a basic orientation of short and open circuit terminations, inductances, capacitance, etc. This course will introduce you to the Smith Chart and how it relates the reflection coefficient to impedances and admittances.

Impedance smith chart pdf