Experiment No:

Introduction to Transmission Line Demonstrator TLD 511 and study of wave

Propagation, Dispersion and Attenuation along a transmission Line.
Objective:
To enable students to visualize propagation of a disturbance, such as a pulse, and of a wave, in an
ideal non-reflecting line and to demonstrate the principle effects of losses in the line, attenuation
and dispersion associated with distortion of amplitude-frequency and phase frequency
characteristics.

Equipment:

TLD 511 Transmission Line Demonstrator

Function Generator
Feedback VPG608 600R Terminator

Theory:
The Transmission Line Demonstrator TLD511 visually clarifies transmission line concepts by
graphically displaying, at low frequency, the characteristics of a transmission line. The
Transmission Line Demonstrator TLD511 has been designed to reproduce at low frequencies the
essential characteristics of a transmission line, which would normally only be observed by more
complex equipment operating at high frequencies. The line is represented by a 13-section
illuminated display, 0.6 metres in length. Electrical potentials are displayed on columns of LEDs
which are equally spaced along the simulated line. The columns light from the centre outward,
indicating the polarity and magnitude of the voltage present at that point on the transmission line
upward denoting a positive voltage, downward negative.
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. A manual hold facility is provided which
allows the display to be held at any point. 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. The wave velocity

4L per second is chosen so that the progress of a wave along the line can be easily observed. A
step function generator is provided enabling a pulse or steady dc level to be applied to the line at
either end. 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, which are 4 mm
socket/binding posts. All the features of line performance mentioned, except the impedance of
the line, can be demonstrated with no more additional equipment than a sine-wave generator. The
frequency range required is 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz, variable up to 10V pk-pk from 600W output
impedance.

Wave propagation
There are many situations in which it is desired to connect a generator to a distant load. The
generator may be of high power as in a power station, or of low power, as with a microphone; it
may be of low as well as high frequency depending upon application. But in each case a pair of
conductors is required to convey the power from generator to load. Such a pair of conductors is
called a Transmission Line. When a signal is applied to a transmission line at one end is not
immediately affected. Instead the signal travels along the line with a finite velocity and reaches
the load somewhat later. The potential difference between the conductors is associated with a
electric field and current is associated with magnetic field. The maximum speed of propagation
of the wave can be equal to the speed of light. In case of a sine wave different phases of the wave
will be distributed in distance along the line. A complete cycle of the wave occupies a distance
along the line which is called wavelength. The wavelength is inversely proportional to the
frequency of the wave, they are related to the propagation velocity as v=f.

Attenuation and Dispersion

There is a resistance to flow of current in conductors and it gives rise to energy losses. Further
losses arise due to imperfections in the insulation between conductors, such as surface leaking
across insulations, or dielectric losses. As a result if the power of a signal is W (watts) at the
sending end, it may be reduced to W at some distance along the line; the same distance further
o again it will be W. the signal is said to be attenuated. This decrease in power is exponential
and is given factor per unit distance.

In mathematical terms all line properties i.e. propagation, attenuation and dispersion are given in
terms of following four Line Constants:
L

the inductance of the line per unit distance (H/m)

the resistance of the line per unit distance (/m)

the capacitance of the line per unit distance (F/m)

the conductance of the line per unit distance (/m)

Procedure:

Connect the system as shown in the following figure

Set the TLD511 control as follows:

Hold/Run set to Run
Line/Length to 8L
Distributed attenuation is set to minimum

The generator output is initially set to zero and its frequency to 0.75Hz, preferably on a

range setting useable also at up to 2Hz.

First we will see the propagation of a pulse. Operate the switch for step input to A briefly.
The switch should be released after light has appeared in the second column. A pulse
having width of two columns should appear travelling to the end B of the line and
disappear

Now operate with a step input to B and observe the propagation pattern.
Now we will observe the propagation of a sine wave along a transmission line. For this
purpose change the line length to 2L and raise the output voltage of the generator to give

full height indication in each column.

Observe that the shape of wave remains unchanged as it travels down the line and change

in phase of sinusoid may be related to delay experienced by signals travelling on the line.
Now observe the wavelength of the travelling wave by operating Hold switch. Release
Hold for a second and operate again at different parts of the input cycle: different parts

of the sine wave are displayed, but always the same fraction of a wavelength.
Release the Hold. Raise the frequency gradually to 2Hz. Now find the change in

wavelength spectrum by operating the Hold again.

Use the relationship v=f and find wavelength if v is taken as 4L m/s as L is length. 4L is

fixed by the 0.25s propagation time of length L of the line.

Now we will observe the attenuation effects for this purpose set the line/Length to 2L by

keeping other parameters same.

Connect the equipment as shown

Set the generator frequency preferably on a range allowing continuous variation between

2 and 0.5 Hz.

Choose the frequency of about 1.7 Hz such that with maximum attenuation and amplitude

of four units at the second column, the amplitude at termination B is one unit.
Now raise the generators output to give a travelling sine wave display of full column
amplitude. Gradually raise the distributed attenuation control to max. Observe the

reduction of signal along the line. This is an exponential character of attenuation.

Reduce the frequency of generator and observe the reduced attenuation.
Now we will observe the dispersion effects. Disconnect the generator.
Set the line length to 8L and distributed attenuation control about mid way.
Operate the step input to A switch until the second display column lights, to produce a

travelling pulse.
Observe that the pulse is diminished by the attenuation s it travels forward and as it
travels it develops a tail.

Repeat this observation with various amounts of attenuation.

Observations:

Sr. No.

Observations
Direction of

propagation for
step input to A
Direction of

propagation for
step input to B
Wavelength of

sine wave at
different points
Wavelength of

sine wave at
frequency of
2Hz
Effect of reduced

frequency on
attenuation level
Changing

attenuation
levels effect on
signal