Rotation of the reflection coeff. at Smith Chart w/ frequency

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of the input reflection coefficient, ρ, of a linear time-invariant (LTI) causal passive system as it relates to frequency, f, specifically its local clockwise rotation on a Smith chart. It is established that this clockwise rotation is consistent with Foster’s reactance theorem for lossless systems, where the imaginary immittance increases monotonically with frequency. However, the discussion highlights a lack of rigorous proof for lossy systems, prompting inquiries into relevant theorems or properties that could provide further insights, such as the Kramer-Kronig relations or Hilbert transform.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems
  • Familiarity with Smith charts and reflection coefficients
  • Knowledge of Foster’s reactance theorem
  • Basic calculus, particularly derivatives and curvature
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Kramer-Kronig relations and their application to passive systems
  • Explore the Hilbert transform in the context of signal processing
  • Investigate the behavior of reflection coefficients in lossy systems
  • Study advanced texts on complex impedance and its frequency response
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Electrical engineers, RF engineers, and researchers focused on passive circuit design and analysis, particularly those interested in the behavior of reflection coefficients in various system conditions.

WhiteHaired
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It is always considered that the evolution of the input reflection coefficient, ρ, of a LTI causal passive system with frequency, f, always presents a local clockwise rotation when plotted in cartesian axes (Re(ρ), Im(ρ)), e.g. in a Smith chart, as shown in the attached figure.

It must appointed that the local clockwise rotation should not be confused with the derivative of the phase with frequency, which is always negative when the curve encompasses the center of the Smith chart, but it may be positive otherwise (e.g. in a resonant series RLC circuit with R>Z0, where Z0 is the port characteristic impedance). The question here concerns the local rotation, which is always clockwise.

For lossless systems, it may be explained from the Foster’s reactance theorem, “The imaginary immittance of a passive, lossless one-port monotonically increases with frequency”, which has been demonstrated in different ways in literature. It also applies for the reflection coefficient, since the bilinear transform (from immitance to reflection coefficient) preserves orientation.

However I couldn’t find any rigorous proof for lossy systems. Books and manuscripts always reference the lossless case and the Foster’s theorem.

Do you know any reference?

In geometry, for a plane curve given parametrically in Cartesian coordinates as (x(f),y(f)), the signed curvature, k, is

k=\frac{x'y''-y'x''}{(x^{2}+y^{2})^{3/2}}

where primes refer to derivatives with respect to frequency f. A negative value means that the curve is clockwise. Therefore, the reflection coefficient of a LTI causal passive system with frequency, f, has always a negative curvature when plotted in Cartesian coordinates (Re(ρ), Im(ρ)), i.e., it satisfies:

\frac{∂Re(ρ)}{∂f}\frac{∂^{2}Im(ρ)}{∂f^{2}}<\frac{∂Im(ρ)}{∂f}\frac{∂^{2}Re(ρ)}{∂f^{2}}

or, equivalently,

\frac{∂}{∂f}\left[\frac{\frac{∂Im(ρ)}{∂f}}{\frac{∂Re(ρ)}{∂f}}\right]<0→\frac{∂}{∂f}\left(\frac{∂Im(ρ)}{∂Re(ρ)}\right)<0

The same would apply to the complex impedance Z=R+j*X, (or admittance), i.e., \frac{∂R}{∂f}\frac{∂^{2}X}{∂f^{2}}<\frac{∂X}{∂f}\frac{∂^{2}R}{∂f^{2}} and \frac{∂}{∂f}\left(\frac{∂X}{∂R}\right)<0

Is all this right?

Do you know any theorem, property of LTI causal passive systems, energy considerations from which one may conclude this? Kramer-Kronig relations or Hilbert transform?

I would appreciate your help on this.
Smith.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thank you, not for the moment.
 

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