Two-port network

Figure 1: Example two-port network with symbol definitions. Notice the port condition is satisfied: the same current flows into each port as leaves that port.

A two-port network (a kind of four-terminal network or quadripole) is an electrical circuit or device with two pairs of terminals connected together internally by an electrical network. Two terminals constitute a port if they satisfy the essential requirement known as the port condition: the same current must enter and leave a port.

Examples include small-signal models for transistors (such as the hybrid-pi model), filters and matching networks. The analysis of passive two-port networks is an outgrowth of reciprocity theorems first derived by Lorentz.

A two-port network makes possible the isolation of either a complete circuit or part of it and replacing it by its characteristic parameters. Once this is done, the isolated part of the circuit becomes a "black box" with a set of distinctive properties, enabling us to abstract away its specific physical buildup, thus simplifying analysis. Any linear circuit with four terminals can be transformed into a two-port network provided that it does not contain an independent source and satisfies the port conditions.

There are a number of alternative sets of parameters that can be used to describe a linear two-port network, the usual sets are respectively called z, y, h, g, and ABCD parameters, each described individually below. These are all limited to linear networks since an underlying assumption of their derivation is that any given circuit condition is a linear superposition of various short-circuit and open circuit conditions. They are usually expressed in matrix notation, and they establish relations between the variables

$V_{1}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,{}$ Input voltage

$V_{2}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,{}$ Output voltage

$I_{1}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,{}$ Input current

$I_{2}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,{}$ Output current

which are shown in Figure 1. These current and voltage variables are most useful at low-to-moderate frequencies. At high frequencies (e.g., microwave frequencies), the use of power and energy variables is more appropriate, and the two-port current–voltage approach is replaced by an approach based upon scattering parameters.

The terms four-terminal network and quadripole (not to be confused with quadrupole) are also used, the latter particularly in more mathematical treatments although the term is becoming archaic. However, a pair of terminals can be called a port only if the current entering one terminal is equal to the current leaving the other; this definition is called the port condition. A four-terminal network can only be properly called a two-port when the terminals are connected to the external circuitry in two pairs both meeting the port condition.

General properties

There are certain properties of two-ports that frequently occur in practical networks and can be used to greatly simplify the analysis. These include:

Reciprocal networks. A network is said to be reciprocal if the voltage appearing at port 2 due to a current applied at port 1 is the same as the voltage appearing at port 1 when the same current is applied to port 2. Exchanging voltage and current results in an equivalent definition of reciprocity. In general, a network will be reciprocal if it consists entirely of linear passive components (that is, resistors, capacitors and inductors). In general, it will not be reciprocal if it contains active components such as generators.

Symmetrical networks. A network is symmetrical if its input impedance is equal to its output impedance. Most often, but not necessarily, symmetrical networks are also physically symmetrical. Sometimes also antimetrical networks are of interest. These are networks where the input and output impedances are the duals of each other.

Lossless network. A lossless network is one which contains no resistors or other dissipative elements.

Impedance parameters (z-parameters)

Figure 2: z-equivalent two port showing independent variables I₁ and I₂. Although resistors are shown, general impedances can be used instead.

Main article: Impedance parameters

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\V_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}z_{11}&z_{12}\\z_{21}&z_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}I_{1}\\I_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

where

$z_{11}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}\qquad z_{12}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$

$z_{21}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}\qquad z_{22}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$

Notice that all the z-parameters have dimensions of ohms.

For reciprocal networks $\textstyle z_{12}=z_{21}$. For symmetrical networks $\textstyle z_{11}=z_{22}$. For lossless networks all the $\textstyle z_{\mathrm {mn} }$ are purely imaginary.

Example: bipolar current mirror with emitter degeneration

Figure 3: Bipolar current mirror: i₁ is the reference current and i₂ is the output current; lower case symbols indicate these are total currents that include the DC components

Figure 4: Small-signal bipolar current mirror: I₁ is the amplitude of the small-signal reference current and I₂ is the amplitude of the small-signal output current

Figure 3 shows a bipolar current mirror with emitter resistors to increase its output resistance. Transistor Q₁ is diode connected, which is to say its collector-base voltage is zero. Figure 4 shows the small-signal circuit equivalent to Figure 3. Transistor Q₁ is represented by its emitter resistance r_E ≈ V_T / I_E (V_T = thermal voltage, I_E = Q-point emitter current), a simplification made possible because the dependent current source in the hybrid-pi model for Q₁ draws the same current as a resistor 1 / g_m connected across r_π. The second transistor Q₂ is represented by its hybrid-pi model. Table 1 below shows the z-parameter expressions that make the z-equivalent circuit of Figure 2 electrically equivalent to the small-signal circuit of Figure 4.

Table 1	Expression	Approximation
$R_{21}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}$	$-(\beta r_{O}-R_{E}){\tfrac {r_{E}+R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+r_{E}+2R_{E}}}$	$-\beta r_{o}{\tfrac {r_{E}+R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+2R_{E}}}$
$R_{11}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}$	$(r_{E}+R_{E})\|(r_{\pi }+R_{E})$	${\displaystyle }$
$R_{22}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$	$(1+\beta {\tfrac {R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+r_{E}+2R_{E}}})r_{O}+{\frac {r_{\pi }+r_{E}+R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+r_{E}+2R_{E}}}R_{E}$	$(1+\beta {\tfrac {R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+2R_{E}}})r_{O}$
$R_{12}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$	$R_{E}$ ${\tfrac {r_{E}+R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+r_{E}+2R_{E}}}$	$R_{E}$ ${\tfrac {r_{E}+R_{E}}{r_{\pi }+2R_{E}}}$

The negative feedback introduced by resistors R_E can be seen in these parameters. For example, when used as an active load in a differential amplifier, I₁ ≈ -I₂, making the output impedance of the mirror approximately R₂₂ -R₂₁ ≈ 2 β r_OR_E /( r_π+2R_E ) compared to only r_O without feedback (that is with R_E = 0 Ω) . At the same time, the impedance on the reference side of the mirror is approximately R₁₁ − R₁₂ ≈ ${\frac {r_{\pi }}{r_{\pi }+2R_{E}}}$ $(r_{E}+R_{E})$, only a moderate value, but still larger than r_E with no feedback. In the differential amplifier application, a large output resistance increases the difference-mode gain, a good thing, and a small mirror input resistance is desirable to avoid Miller effect.

Admittance parameters (y-parameters)

Figure 5: Y-equivalent two port showing independent variables V₁ and V₂. Although resistors are shown, general admittances can be used instead.

Main article: Admittance parameters

${\begin{bmatrix}I_{1}\\I_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}y_{11}&y_{12}\\y_{21}&y_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\V_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

where

$y_{11}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{1}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}\qquad y_{12}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{1}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$

$y_{21}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{2}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}\qquad y_{22}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{2}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$

Notice that all the Y-parameters have dimensions of siemens.

For reciprocal networks $\textstyle y_{12}=y_{21}$. For symmetrical networks $\textstyle y_{11}=y_{22}$. For lossless networks all the $\textstyle y_{\mathrm {mn} }$ are purely imaginary.

Hybrid parameters (h-parameters)

Figure 6: H-equivalent two-port showing independent variables I₁ and V₂; h₂₂ is reciprocated to make a resistor

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\I_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}h_{11}&h_{12}\\h_{21}&h_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}I_{1}\\V_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

where

$h_{11}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {V_{1}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}\qquad h_{12}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$

$h_{21}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}\qquad h_{22}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {I_{2}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$

This circuit is often selected when a current amplifier is wanted at the output. The resistors shown in the diagram can be general impedances instead.

Notice that off-diagonal h-parameters are dimensionless, while diagonal members have dimensions the reciprocal of one another.

Example: common-base amplifier

Figure 7: Common-base amplifier with AC current source I₁ as signal input and unspecified load supporting voltage V₂ and a dependent current I₂.

Note: Tabulated formulas in Table 2 make the h-equivalent circuit of the transistor from Figure 6 agree with its small-signal low-frequency hybrid-pi model in Figure 7. Notation: r_π = base resistance of transistor, r_O = output resistance, and g_m = transconductance. The negative sign for h₂₁ reflects the convention that I₁, I₂ are positive when directed into the two-port. A non-zero value for h₁₂ means the output voltage affects the input voltage, that is, this amplifier is bilateral. If h₁₂ = 0, the amplifier is unilateral.

Table 2	Expression	Approximation
$h_{21}=\left.{\tfrac {I_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}$	$-{\tfrac {{\frac {\beta }{\beta +1}}r_{O}+r_{E}}{r_{O}+r_{E}}}$	$-{\tfrac {\beta }{\beta +1}}$
$h_{11}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{2}=0}$	$r_{E}\|r_{O}$	$r_{E}$
$h_{22}=\left.{\tfrac {I_{2}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$	${\tfrac {1}{(\beta +1)(r_{O}+r_{E})}}$	${\tfrac {1}{(\beta +1)r_{O}}}$
$h_{12}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{1}}{V_{2}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}$	$\ {\tfrac {r_{E}}{r_{E}+r_{O}}}\$	$\ {\tfrac {r_{E}}{r_{O}}}\ll 1\$

Inverse hybrid parameters (g-parameters)

Figure 8: G-equivalent two-port showing independent variables V₁ and I₂; g₁₁ is reciprocated to make a resistor

${\begin{bmatrix}I_{1}\\V_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}g_{11}&g_{12}\\g_{21}&g_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\I_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

where

$g_{11}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{1}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}\qquad g_{12}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {I_{1}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$

$g_{21}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {V_{2}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}\qquad g_{22}\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\frac {V_{2}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$

Often this circuit is selected when a voltage amplifier is wanted at the output. Notice that off-diagonal g-parameters are dimensionless, while diagonal members have dimensions the reciprocal of one another. The resistors shown in the diagram can be general impedances instead.

Example: common-base amplifier

Figure 9: Common-base amplifier with AC voltage source V₁ as signal input and unspecified load delivering current I₂ at a dependent voltage V₂.

Note: Tabulated formulas in Table 3 make the g-equivalent circuit of the transistor from Figure 8 agree with its small-signal low-frequency hybrid-pi model in Figure 9. Notation: r_π = base resistance of transistor, r_O = output resistance, and g_m = transconductance. The negative sign for g₁₂ reflects the convention that I₁, I₂ are positive when directed into the two-port. A non-zero value for g₁₂ means the output current affects the input current, that is, this amplifier is bilateral. If g₁₂ = 0, the amplifier is unilateral.

Table 3	Expression	Approximation
$g_{21}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}$	${\tfrac {r_{o}}{r_{\pi }}}+g_{m}r_{O}+1$	$g_{m}r_{O}$
$g_{11}=\left.{\tfrac {I_{1}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{2}=0}$	${\tfrac {1}{r_{\pi }}}$	${\tfrac {1}{r_{\pi }}}$
$g_{22}=\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$	$r_{O}$	$r_{O}$
$g_{12}=\left.{\tfrac {I_{1}}{I_{2}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}$	$-{\tfrac {\beta +1}{\beta }}$	$-1$

ABCD-parameters

The ABCD-parameters are known variously as chain, cascade, or transmission line parameters. There are a number of definitions given for ABCD parameters, the most common is,

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\I_{1}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}A&B\\C&D\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}V_{2}\\-I_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

For reciprocal networks $\scriptstyle AD-BC=1$. For symmetrical networks $\scriptstyle A=D$. For networks which are reciprocal and lossless, A and D are purely real while B and C are purely imaginary.

This representation is preferred because when the parameters are used to represent a cascade of two-ports, the matrices are written in the same order that a network diagram would be drawn, that is, left to right. However, the examples given below are based on a variant definition;

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{2}\\I'_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}A'&B'\\C'&D'\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\I_{1}\end{bmatrix}}$

where

${\begin{aligned}A'&\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}&\qquad B'&\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.{\tfrac {V_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}\\C'&\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.-{\tfrac {I_{2}}{V_{1}}}\right|_{I_{1}=0}&\qquad D'&\,{\stackrel {\text{def}}{=}}\,\left.-{\tfrac {I_{2}}{I_{1}}}\right|_{V_{1}=0}\end{aligned}}$

The negative signs in the definitions of parameters $\scriptstyle C'$ and $\scriptstyle D'$ arise because $\scriptstyle I'_{2}$ is defined with the opposite sense to $\scriptstyle I_{2}$, that is, $\scriptstyle I'_{2}=-I_{2}$. The reason for adopting this convention is so that the output current of one cascaded stage is equal to the input current of the next. Consequently, the input voltage/current matrix vector can be directly replaced with the matrix equation of the preceding cascaded stage to form a combined $\scriptstyle A'B'C'D'$ matrix.

The terminology of representing the $\scriptstyle ABCD$ parameters as a matrix of elements designated a₁₁ etc as adopted by some authors and the inverse $\scriptstyle A'B'C'D'$ parameters as a matrix of elements designated b₁₁ etc is used here for both brevity and to avoid confusion with circuit elements.

$[\mathbf {a} ]={\begin{bmatrix}a_{11}&a_{12}\\a_{21}&a_{22}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}A&B\\C&D\end{bmatrix}}$

$[\mathbf {b} ]={\begin{bmatrix}b_{11}&b_{12}\\b_{21}&b_{22}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}A'&B'\\C'&D'\end{bmatrix}}$

There is a simple relationship between these two forms: one is the matrix inverse of the other, that is;

$[\mathbf {b} ]=[\mathbf {a} ]^{-1}$

An ABCD matrix has been defined for Telephony four-wire Transmission Systems by P K Webb in British Post Office Research Department Report 630 in 1977.

Table of transmission parameters

The table below lists inverse ABCD parameters for some simple network elements.

Element	[b] matrix	Remarks
Series resistor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&-R\\0&1\end{bmatrix}}$	R = resistance
Shunt resistor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&0\\-1/R&1\end{bmatrix}}$	R = resistance
Series conductor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&-1/G\\0&1\end{bmatrix}}$	G = conductance
Shunt conductor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&0\\-G&1\end{bmatrix}}$	G = conductance
Series inductor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&-sL\\0&1\end{bmatrix}}$	L = inductance s = complex angular frequency
Shunt capacitor	${\begin{bmatrix}1&0\\-sC&1\end{bmatrix}}$	C = capacitance s = complex angular frequency

Combinations of two-port networks

When two or more two-port networks are connected together, the two-port parameters of the combined network can be found by performing matrix algebra on the matrices of parameters for the component two-ports. The matrix operation can be made particularly simple with an appropriate choice of two-port parameters to match the form of connection of the two-ports. For instance, the z-parameters are best for series connected ports.

The combination rules need to be applied with care. Some connections (when dissimilar potentials are joined) result in the port condition being invalidated and the combination rule will no longer apply. This difficulty can be overcome by placing 1:1 ideal transformers on the outputs of the problem two-ports. This does not change the parameters of the two-ports, but does ensure that they will continue to meet the port condition when interconnected. An example of this problem is shown for series-series connections in figures 11 and 12 below.

Series-series connection

Fig. 10. Two two-port networks with input ports connected in series and output ports connected in series.

When two-ports are connected in a series-series configuration as shown in figure 10, the best choice of two-port parameter is the z-parameters. The z-parameters of the combined network are found by matrix addition of the two individual z-parameter matrices.

$[\mathbf {z} ]=[\mathbf {z} ]_{1}+[\mathbf {z} ]_{2}$

Fig. 11. Example of an improper connection of two-ports. R₁ of the lower two-port has been by-passed by a short circuit.

Fig. 12. Use of ideal transformers to restore the port condition to interconnected networks.

As mentioned above, there are some networks which will not yield directly to this analysis. A simple example is a two-port consisting of a L-network of resistors R₁ and R₂. The z-parameters for this network are;

$[\mathbf {z} ]_{1}={\begin{bmatrix}R_{1}+R_{2}&R_{2}\\R_{2}&R_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

Figure 11 shows two identical such networks connected in series-series. The total z-parameters predicted by matrix addition are;

$[\mathbf {z} ]=[\mathbf {z} ]_{1}+[\mathbf {z} ]_{2}=2[\mathbf {z} ]_{1}={\begin{bmatrix}2R_{1}+2R_{2}&2R_{2}\\2R_{2}&2R_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

However, direct analysis of the combined circuit shows that,

$[\mathbf {z} ]={\begin{bmatrix}R_{1}+2R_{2}&2R_{2}\\2R_{2}&2R_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

The discrepancy is explained by observing that R₁ of the lower two-port has been by-passed by the short-circuit between two terminals of the output ports. This results in no current flowing through one terminal in each of the input ports of the two individual networks. Consequently, the port condition is broken for both the input ports of the original networks since current is still able to flow into the other terminal. This problem can be resolved by inserting an ideal transformer in the output port of at least one of the two-port networks. While this is a common text-book approach to presenting the theory of two-ports, the practicality of using transformers is a matter to be decided for each individual design.

Parallel-parallel connection

Fig. 13. Two two-port networks with input ports connected in parallel and output ports connected in parallel.

When two-ports are connected in a parallel-parallel configuration as shown in figure 13, the best choice of two-port parameter is the y-parameters. The y-parameters of the combined network are found by matrix addition of the two individual y-parameter matrices.

$[\mathbf {y} ]=[\mathbf {y} ]_{1}+[\mathbf {y} ]_{2}$

Series-parallel connection

Fig. 14. Two two-port networks with input ports connected in series and output ports connected in parallel.

When two-ports are connected in a series-parallel configuration as shown in figure 14, the best choice of two-port parameter is the h-parameters. The h-parameters of the combined network are found by matrix addition of the two individual h-parameter matrices.

$[\mathbf {h} ]=[\mathbf {h} ]_{1}+[\mathbf {h} ]_{2}$

Parallel-series connection

Fig. 15. Two two-port networks with input ports connected in parallel and output ports connected in series.

When two-ports are connected in a parallel-series configuration as shown in figure 15, the best choice of two-port parameter is the g-parameters. The g-parameters of the combined network are found by matrix addition of the two individual g-parameter matrices.

$[\mathbf {g} ]=[\mathbf {g} ]_{1}+[\mathbf {g} ]_{2}$

Cascade connection

Fig. 16. Two two-port networks connected in parallel and output ports connected in series.

When two-ports are connected with the output port of the first connected to the input port of the second (a cascade connection) as shown in figure 16, the best choice of two-port parameter is the ABCD-parameters. The a-parameters of the combined network are found by matrix multiplication of the two individual a-parameter matrices.

$[\mathbf {a} ]=[\mathbf {a} ]_{1}\cdot [\mathbf {a} ]_{2}$

A chain of n two-ports may be combined by matrix multiplication of the n matrices. To combine a cascade of b-parameter matrices, they are again multiplied, but the multiplication must be carried out in reverse order, so that;

$[\mathbf {b} ]=[\mathbf {b} ]_{2}\cdot [\mathbf {b} ]_{1}$

Example

Suppose we have a two-port network consisting of a series resistor R followed by a shunt capacitor C. We can model the entire network as a cascade of two simpler networks:

$[\mathbf {b} ]_{1}={\begin{bmatrix}1&-R\\0&1\end{bmatrix}}$

$[\mathbf {b} ]_{2}={\begin{bmatrix}1&0\\-sC&1\end{bmatrix}}$

The transmission matrix for the entire network $\scriptstyle [\mathbf {b} ]$ is simply the matrix multiplication of the transmission matrices for the two network elements:

$[\mathbf {b} ]=[\mathbf {b} ]_{2}\cdot [\mathbf {b} ]_{1}$

$={\begin{bmatrix}1&0\\-sC&1\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}1&-R\\0&1\end{bmatrix}}$

$={\begin{bmatrix}1&-R\\-sC&1+sCR\end{bmatrix}}$

Thus:

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{2}\\I'_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}1&-R\\-sC&1+sCR\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\I_{1}\end{bmatrix}}$

Scattering parameters (S-parameters)

Main article: Scattering parameters

Fig. 17. Terminology of waves used in S-parameter definition.

The previous parameters are all defined in terms of voltages and currents at ports. S-parameters are different, and are defined in terms of incident and reflected waves at ports. S-parameters are used primarily at UHF and microwave frequencies where it becomes difficult to measure voltages and currents directly. On the other hand, incident and reflected power are easy to measure using directional couplers. The definition is,

${\begin{bmatrix}b_{1}\\b_{2}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}S_{11}&S_{12}\\S_{21}&S_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}a_{1}\\a_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

where the $\scriptstyle a_{k}$ are the incident waves and the $\scriptstyle b_{k}$ are the reflected waves at port k. It is conventional to define the $\scriptstyle a_{k}$ and $\scriptstyle b_{k}$ in terms of the square root of power. Consequently, there is a relationship with the wave voltages (see main article for details).

For reciprocal networks $\textstyle S_{12}=S_{21}$. For symmetrical networks $\textstyle S_{11}=S_{22}$. For antimetrical networks $\textstyle S_{11}=-S_{22}$. For lossless reciprocal networks $\textstyle |S_{11}|=|S_{22}|$ and $\textstyle |S_{11}|^{2}+|S_{12}|^{2}=1$.

Scattering transfer parameters (T-parameters)

See also: Scattering transfer parameters

Scattering transfer parameters, like scattering parameters, are defined in terms of incident and reflected waves. The difference is that T-parameters relate the waves at port 1 to the waves at port 2 whereas S-parameters relate the reflected waves to the incident waves. In this respect T-parameters fill the same role as ABCD parameters and allow the T-parameters of cascaded networks to be calculated by matrix multiplication of the component networks. T-parameters, like ABCD parameters, can also be called transmission parameters. The definition is,

${\begin{bmatrix}a_{1}\\b_{1}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}T_{11}&T_{12}\\T_{21}&T_{22}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}b_{2}\\a_{2}\end{bmatrix}}$

T-parameters are not so easy to measure directly as S-parameters. However, S-parameters are easily converted to T-parameters, see main article for details.

Networks with more than two ports

While two port networks are very common (e.g. amplifiers and filters), other electrical networks such as directional couplers and circulators have more than 2 ports. The following representations are also applicable to networks with an arbitrary number of ports:

• Admittance (y) parameters
• Impedance (z) parameters
• Scattering (S) parameters

For example three-port impedance parameters result in the following relationship:

${\begin{bmatrix}V_{1}\\V_{2}\\V_{3}\end{bmatrix}}={\begin{bmatrix}Z_{11}&Z_{12}&Z_{13}\\Z_{21}&Z_{22}&Z_{23}\\Z_{31}&Z_{32}&Z_{33}\end{bmatrix}}{\begin{bmatrix}I_{1}\\I_{2}\\I_{3}\end{bmatrix}}$

However the following representations are necessarily limited to two-port devices:

• Hybrid (h) parameters
• Inverse hybrid (g) parameters
• Transmission (ABCD) parameters
• Scattering transfer (T) parameters

See also

• Admittance parameters
• Impedance parameters
• Scattering parameters
• Ray transfer matrix

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