Guided Wave Propagation

The Smith chart is, fundamentally, a graphical representation of the interrelationships between electrical parameters of a uniform waveguide. Accordingly, its design and many of its applications can best be described in accordance with principles of guided wave propagation. The qualitative descriptions of the electrical behavior of a waveguide, as presented in this chapter, will provide a background for better understanding the significance of various interrelated electrical parameters which are more quantitatively described in the following chapter. As will be seen, many of these parameters are represented directly by the coordinates and associated scales of a Smith chart, and their relationships are basic to its construction.