Characterizing Transmission Transformers for Multiple Use

A method is developed that enables the transformer designer to graphically present the total response of any transmission transformer. The method centers about "Response Contours" which are the loci of constant response on an impedancefrequency plane. The contours enable the designer or the user to apply a transformer anywhere within its entire region of useful response. This method differs from the conventional approach where a transformer is designed and characterized for a specific application, but by nature is capable of a wide range of application. Using "Response Contours", a previously coded transformer may be used in many applications thereby avoiding needless duplications of design. The contours may be easily and directly predicted from the conventional transformer equivalent circuit elements. The theoretical contours are very accurate for units with bandwidths exceeding one decade of frequency. The method developed here is applied to the complex transfer ratio, transformer loss and phase response for both matched and mismatched terminations. However, the concepts may be easily extended to reflection coefficient in the frequency domain and pulse response in the time domain.