Component high frequency characterization in arbitrary source and load impedances

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a technique that takes ordinary S-parameters, measured in a standard 50 Ω characteristic impedance test environment, and mathematically produce a new set of S-parameters based on any arbitrary source and load impedance. A review of S-parameter theory is first presented followed by a brief discussion on today's network analyzer which is the most common test instrument used to measure S-parameters. The mathematical algorithms to convert 50 Ω S-parameters to arbitrary impedance S-parameters are then derived and incorporated into a computer program written by the author. This program, called CONVERTZ, automatically downloads 50 Ω S-parameters from a network analyzer, applies user-defined source and load impedances, and uploads the new S-parameters to the network analyzer's memory. The various advantages and features of CONVERTZ are then discussed followed by two sample applications for the program. The first deals with the design and measurement of a resistive attenuator and how CONVERTZ can be used as a tool for performance verification. The second is a thorough study regarding the relationship that exists between a device characterized by CONVERTZ and the total amount of energy that can be radiated from a system containing this same device.