The Smith Chart was originally created many years ago as an RF engineering aid by
Phillip Smith of RCA. Actually, Smith may not have been the first inventor of this tool --
a Japanese engineer named Kurakawa independently created a similar chart about a year
before Smith. In any event, the Chart is a clever, complex number
nomograph in a circular format which is an invaluable tool in RF design.
With CAD and computer assisted engineering everywhere, it is easy
to overlook the mathematical beauty which is the foundation of the
RF art. Download one or more of the Smith Chart programs below
and learn about RF from it!
Please note that "Smith" is a registered trademark of Analog Instruments
Company of New Providence, NJ 07974. The Smith Charts shown in this web site are
proprietary to Analog Instruments Company and reproduction thereof without express written
permission is prohibited. Printed Smith Charts are available from Analog Instruments Company,
P.O. Box 950, New Providence, NJ 07974, (908) 464-4214.
"Agilent Network Analyzer Basics", From the 1998 Back to Basics Seminar, this article covers the principles
of measuring high-frequency electrical networks with network analyzers, including what kind of measurements are made with
network analyzers, and how they allow the characterization of linear and nonlinear device behavior. This article explains
RF fundamentals such as transmission lines and the Smith chart, leading to the concepts of reflection, transmission and
S-parameters. All the major components in a network analyzer are reviewed, including the advantages and limitations of
different hardware approaches, error modeling, accuracy enhancement, various calibration techniques, and typical
swept-frequency and swept-power measurements commonly performed on filters and amplifiers.
Advanced Smith Chart Freeware, July 2000 version.
Advanced Smith Chart Software with S-Parameter import/export, stability,
gain and noise, Q and VSWR circles. (306K) -- Thanks
RF Globalnet.
linSmith: Smith charting
program for Linux. Developed by John Coppens ON6JC/LW3HAZ, linSmith is a Smith
Charting program, mainly designed for educational use. As such, there is an emphasis on
capabilities that improve the 'showing the effect of'-style of operation.
RF & Microwave
References Poster
