Description of Transmission Line Demonstrator TLD511

INTRODUCTION

Feedback TLD511 Transmission Line Demonstrator system is provided to demonstrate the

characteristics of transmission lines in a graphic manner. The system uses a simulated line that
effectively displays the high frequency characteristics of a transmission line at low frequencies so
that they can be easily observed. The line characteristics can be easily adjusted by the operator.
The line is completely symmetrical so that either end may be regarded as an input or an output.
The unit features large, bright LEDs, a built-in step function generator and a set of terminating
components (600W Resistor and Capacitor).

Fig 1: Transmission line demonstrator

SPECIFICATIONS

• Display: The front panel houses indicators related to a mimic diagram of the line and its terminations.
The line is represented by a 13-section illuminated display, 0.6 meters in length. Electrical potentials
are displayed on columns of LEDs which are equally spaced along the simulated line. The columns
light from the center outward, indicating the polarity and magnitude of the voltage present at that point
on the transmission line - upward denoting a positive voltage, downward negative.
• Line Length: The simulated lines length can be switched to values L, 2L and 8L. The
corresponding propagation times are 0.25 s, 0.5 s and 2 s.
• Attenuation: There is an attenuation control, which acts equally on all parts of the line and gives
continuous adjustment from nearly lossless to high loss condition.
• Hold: A manual hold facility is provided which allows the display to be held at any point.
• Step Function Generator: A step function generator is provided enabling a pulse or steady dc level
to be applied to the line at either end.
• Impedance Terminations: A set of plug-in terminating impedances (including a capacitor) is
supplied. These may be connected either in series or in parallel with the line terminations.

All the features of line performance mentioned, except the impedance of the line, can
be demonstrated with a sine-wave generator. The frequency range required is 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz, variable up to 10
V pk-pk from 600 W - output impedance.

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DEMONSTRATION

Curriculum Coverage

• Partial reflection, standing waves and superposition of incident and reflected waves
• Resonance and the effect of attenuation
• Properties of L/2 lines; resonance, 1:1 impedance transformation
• Lines with dissimilar loss-less terminations

EE 472L – Wave Propagation and Antennas Lab Page 9

Lab - 1: Standing Waves and Partial Reflection

OBJECTIVES
• Observe partial reflection at a mismatched termination
• Observe standing waves on a line with mismatched termination

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Description Quantity
TLD511 Transmission Line Demonstrator 1
Variable phase sine-wave generator (e.g. Feedback VPG608) 1
600R terminator 2
200R terminator 1
1k terminator 1
Links 2

KNOWLEDGE LEVEL
Before working on this lab you should have a basic understanding of propagation in a line, and of
characteristic impedance.

INTRODUCTION
If a transmission line is 'correctly terminated', i.e. terminated in its characteristic impedance, all the
power sent down the line is absorbed at the termination and no signal returns. If the line is open-
circuit or short-circuits at the termination, complete reflection of the signal occurs. In this lab we
shall investigate some typical cases where finite impedance, not equal to the characteristic
impedance, is used to terminate the line. A wave, traveling in a line of characteristic impedance 𝑍𝑂
and incident on a termination of impedance 𝑍𝐵 gives rise to a reflected wave whose amplitude is
that of the original wave reaching the termination multiplied by a reflection coefficient. The
reflection coefficient for the voltage wave is given as:
𝑍𝐵 − 𝑍𝑂
Г=
𝑍𝐵 + 𝑍𝑂

REFLECTION OF A PULSE
1. Connect the apparatus as shown in fig 1.1: a 600R resistor provides a 'correct termination' at
each end of the 600R line.
2. Set the various controls on the TLD511 as follows:
• hold/run switch set to 'run'
• line length distributed set to ‘8L’
• attenuation set to ‘min’
3. Switch on the power and check that the 'power' switch lights up. Operate the 'step input' switch
in the direction 'to A', just long enough to light up the second column of the display, then release
it. This should send a pulse, as fig 1.2, from the end of the line marked 'A' to the end marked
'B', where it will disappear because of the matched or correct termination.
4. Next, replace the 600R terminator at 'B' with terminators of 200R and of 1kΩ resistance in turn.
For each of these terminators, observe the sign and magnitude of the reflected pulse.

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 Figure 1-1

Figure 1-2
QUESTIONS
a) What is the value of the reflection coefficient, from your observation of the reflected pulse?

b) Does that value agree with the calculated value

𝑍𝐵 − 𝑍𝑂
Г=
𝑍𝐵 + 𝑍𝑂

c) Try a longer pulse, or several in succession!

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STANDING WAVE DUE TO A MISMATCH

Figure 1-3
1. Remove the terminators and connect the generator, two links, and a 600R terminator as shown
in fig 1.3.
2. On the TLD511 set the line length to 'L'. (Other controls should be at 'run' and 'min').
3. On the generator, set the frequency to about 2.5Hz, and adjust the amplitude until the traveling
wave on the display is just lighting two sections up and two down in each column of the display.
Let us call this ± 2 units of amplitude.
4. Remove the 600R terminator. A standing wave appears.
5. Substitute the 1kΩ terminator. Note that the standing wave is reduced. Note its minimum and
maximum values and compare them with the values of the reflected pulse in previous section.
QUESTIONS
a) How do you explain the maximum amplitude in terms of the reflection coefficient found
previously?

b) Note carefully where the maximum and minimum voltages occur. Replace the 1kΩ
terminator with one of 200R.

c) Note what similarities and differences you see between this situation and the one with 1
kΩ.

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 STANDING WAVE AS SUM OF INCIDENT AND REFLECTED WAVES

Figure:1-4
1. Remove the terminator from the line. Connect one output of the VPG608 to each end of the
line, as indicated in fig 1.4. Since each output of the VPG608 has an impedance of 600R, the
line is now correctly terminated at both ends.
2. Verify that with either output set to zero amplitude, the other will send a signal along the line
which is a traveling wave, Le without reflection.
3. Set the amplitude of one output to 4V peak-to-peak. (This is the value of the internal EMF, so
that, with the 600R load of the line, the terminal voltage is half this). Set the other output to 2V
peak-to-peak. You now have a signal of2V peak-to-peak amplitude traveling from 'A' to 'B',
and one of 1 V peak-to-peak amplitude traveling from 'B' to 'A'.
4. Adjust the phase of one output of the VPG608, using the PHASE and LAG/LEAD controls.
Note the shift of the maxima and minima along the line as the phase is changed.
QUESTIONS
If the phase is adjusted first to give the same standing wave as with200R termination in the second
experiment, and then to give the same as with 1kB, how will the two phase settings differ? Verify
your answer! The only changes you need make to connections are to remove the live (upper) lead
of the generator and plug in the appropriate terminator to the line.

SUMMARY
In this lab you found that a signal on a line of characteristic impedance 𝑍𝑂 , on reaching a
termination of impedance 𝑍𝐵 gives rise to a reflected signal of k times the amplitude, where k, the
reflection coefficient
𝑍𝐵 − 𝑍𝑂
Г=
𝑍𝐵 + 𝑍𝑂
The reflection of a cyclic signal gives rise to standing waves whose magnitude depends on the
reflection coefficient.

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 ASSESSMENT SHEET

EE472L Wave Propagation and Antennas Lab

Lab Rubric

CLOs PLOs Blooms Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Score

Taxonomy
2.1-3.0 1.1-2.0 0.1-1.0 0
Can Can setup and Can setup and Cannot
independently handle the handle the setup or
CLO-1 PLO-5 P-3 (Guided setup, operate apparatus with apparatus with handle the
Response) and handle the minimal help some help apparatus
apparatus
All required data Data recorded and Data recorded Data
is recorded and presented is and presented is recorded
presented complete, but partially only with
CLO-2 PLO-5 P-4 accurately and accuracy is not as complete. The considerable
(Mechanism) completely in the per requirement. required format assistance
required format The required is followed but from
format is followed. with few instructor
deficiencies.
Analyzes and Analyzes and Analyzes data Unable to
interprets data interprets data correctly analyze and
correctly for all correctly for few however unable interpret
CLO-3 PLO-4 C-4 (Analysis) tasks/ tasks/ to interpret it for data for any
experiments in experiments in the tasks/ tasks/
the lab lab experiments in experiments
the lab in the lab
Demonstrates Does not
complete follow
compliance with related
N/A N/A
CLO-4 PLO-6 P-3 (Guided related practices practices of
Response) of safety and safety and
health. health.
Data is well Data is Data is not
CLO-5 PLO-10 C-3 N/A organized, the student Technically good technically
(Applying) understands the but not well good neither
concept of organized. organized.
intellectual property

Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates

extensive knowledge of the some knowledge incomplete
C-2 knowledge of the topic by responding of the topic by knowledge of
CLO-6 (Comprehensio topic by precisely to all responding the topic by
PLO-9 responding questions accurately to all responding
n) precisely to all questions. inaccurately
questions to all
questions
A-3 (Valuing) Student arrives Student does
CLO-7 PLO-8 N/A N/A on time not arrive on
time
Total Score in Lab /16

Instructor’s Signature: __________________ Date: ___________________

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