[Ralph] is excited about impedance matching, and why not? It is important to match the source and load impedance to get the most power out of a circuit. He’s got a whole series of videos about it. The latest? Matching using a PI network and the venerable Smith Chart.
We like that he makes each video self-contained. It does mean if you watch them all, you get some review, but that’s not a bad thing, really. He also does a great job of outlining simple concepts, such as what a complex conjugate is, that you might have forgotten.
Smith charts almost seem magical, but they are really sort of an analog computer. The color of the line and even the direction of an arrow make a difference, and [Ralph] explains it all very simply.
The example circuit is simple with a 50 MHz signal and a mismatched source and load. Using the steps and watching the examples will make it straightforward, even if you’ve never used a Smith Chart before.
The red lines plot impedance, and the blue lines show conductance and succeptance. Once everything is plotted, you have to find a path between two points on the chart. That Smith was a clever guy.
We looked at part 1 of this series earlier this year, so there are five more to watch since then. If your test gear leaves off the sign of your imaginary component, the Smith Chart can work around that for you.
Amazing video, amazing channel. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I know him, he is very good, but somebody should tell ol john his clock is not running. He does a good series on vna’s if I recall.
Unique Approach: Applying the Smith Chart to Pi Network design is a clever way to visualize impedance matching.
Practical Insight: Helps RF engineers better understand Pi network behavior using a familiar tool.
This document helped my understanding quite a bit too:
https://www.cypress.com/file/136236/download
I think another good reference is going to the source itself. “Electronic Applications of the Smith Chart” by Phillip Hagar Smith (the man himself). I have the physical book, but it can also be found on some download sites.
“It is important to match the source and load impedance to get the most power out of a circuit.”
Batteries and power outlets beg to differ.
I wonder if there’s an engineer or ham out there with a full back tat of the Smith chart…
What use would that be?
Put it on your thigh, where you can use it.
Well you convince all your buddies to get it and then you work at desks seated behind each other, so only the guy in front needs the thigh tat
Just barfed in my mouth a little.
The thought of an office full of shirtless RF engineers or hams.
Shorts would be bad enough.
IMHO emergency thigh Smith chart tats should be for emergency only.