EMTL

 

Reflection coefficient:

he reflection coefficient is used in physics and electrical engineering when wave propagation in a medium containing discontinuities is considered. A reflection coefficient describes either the amplitude or the intensity of a reflected wave relative to an incident wave. The reflection coefficient is closely related to the transmission coefficient.

A wave experiences partial transmittance and partial reflectance when the medium through which it travels suddenly changes. The reflection coefficient determines the ratio of the reflected wave amplitude to the incident wave amplitude.

Different specialties have different applications for the term.
 

Telecommunications

In telecommunications, the reflection coefficient is the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the incident wave. In particular, at a discontinuity in a transmission line, it is the complex ratio of the electric field strength of the reflected wave (E^-) to that of the incident wave (E^+). This is typically represented with a \Gamma (capital gamma) and can be written as:

\Gamma = \frac{E^-}{E^+}

The reflection coefficient may also be established using other field or circuit quantities.

The reflection coefficient can be given by the equations below, where Z_S is the impedance toward the source, Z_L is the impedance toward the load:

Simple circuit configuration showing measurement location of reflection coefficient.

\Gamma = {Z_L - Z_S\over Z_L + Z_S}

Notice that a negative reflection coefficient means that the reflected wave receives a 180°, or \pi, phase shift.

The absolute magnitude (designated by vertical bars) of the reflection coefficient can be calculated from the standing wave ratio, SWR:

| \Gamma | = {SWR-1 \over SWR+1}

The reflection coefficient is displayed graphically using a Smith chart.

Reflection coefficient:

he reflection coefficient is used in physics and electrical engineering when wave propagation in a medium containing discontinuities is considered. A reflection coefficient describes either the amplitude or the intensity of a reflected wave relative to an incident wave. The reflection coefficient is closely related to the transmission coefficient.

A wave experiences partial transmittance and partial reflectance when the medium through which it travels suddenly changes. The reflection coefficient determines the ratio of the reflected wave amplitude to the incident wave amplitude.

Different specialties have different applications for the term.
 

Telecommunications

In telecommunications, the reflection coefficient is the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the incident wave. In particular, at a discontinuity in a transmission line, it is the complex ratio of the electric field strength of the reflected wave (E^-) to that of the incident wave (E^+). This is typically represented with a \Gamma (capital gamma) and can be written as:

\Gamma = \frac{E^-}{E^+}

The reflection coefficient may also be established using other field or circuit quantities.

The reflection coefficient can be given by the equations below, where Z_S is the impedance toward the source, Z_L is the impedance toward the load:

Simple circuit configuration showing measurement location of reflection coefficient.

\Gamma = {Z_L - Z_S\over Z_L + Z_S}

Notice that a negative reflection coefficient means that the reflected wave receives a 180°, or \pi, phase shift.

The absolute magnitude (designated by vertical bars) of the reflection coefficient can be calculated from the standing wave ratio, SWR:

| \Gamma | = {SWR-1 \over SWR+1}

The reflection coefficient is displayed graphically using a Smith chart.