ELECTRICAL and ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT

Transmission Media and Antenna Systems Manual

ACTIVITY 1: Determining Transmission Response of the Two-wire line

1.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed

Logic Circuits andby the Activity
Switching Theory Manual

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

1.2 Activitys Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:

a. identify the device used to measure the transmission response of a two-wire line
b. analyze the effect of varying frequency signals applied to varying lengths of two-wire
lines
c. calculate the attenuation of a two-wire line
d.
1.3 Objectives of the Activity
The objectives of this activity are to:
a. determine the input and output voltages in a two-wire line with varying lengths
b. determine the attenuation of a two-wire line with varying lengths

1.4 Principle of the Activity

The frequency response of two-wire lines

In this manual the characteristics of two-wire lines will be discussed. The investigation
deals exclusively with the frequency response of this kind of lines. For didactic reasons
we will be using line models in these experiments. The two-wire circuit, also referred to
as Lecher line or twisted pair, have one separate go and return line each. They are
able to transmit signals from the DC range (f = 0Hz) up to a certain upper frequency limit
determined by the construction of the line. They always demonstrate low-pass
characteristics.

Design of two-wire line

Figure T1 shows the cross-section through the two-wire line as well as the field
distribution of the line. The copper wires are normally surrounded by plastic insulation.
In a communications cable at least 2 insulated wires are grouped together surrounded by
common cable sheathing. Distortions in the make-up of the field lines caused by the

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 insulation material have not been taken into consideration in Figure T1. In open-wire
lines insulation is achieved through a sufficiently large air gap (approx. X = 250 mm)
between the go and return lines, see adjacent Figure T1. Since the go and return lines
have the same capacitance with respect to earth, two-wire lines are called balanced lines,
in contrast to coaxial lines whose inner and outer conductors produce different
capacitances with respect to earth. Two-wire lines which are designed with plastic
insulated copper wires are primarily used in local telephone networks.

The equivalent circuit of a transmission line

The equivalent circuit diagram for a two-wire line with the (short) length dx is
reproduced in FigureT2. The equivalent circuit is a passive network and composed of
lumped elements R (inductance). C (conductance) and L (inductance). However, real
lines constitute spatially extended systems. In these systems it is not possible to
distinguish between a discreet, individual resistance or an individual inductance.
Consequently, lines of finite length are described by so-called quantities per unit length.

By this we mean the quantities R = R/l, G = G/l, C = C/l and L = L/l related to the
line length l, where R, G, C and L are the corresponding values along the entire length.
Any inhomogenities in the quantities per unit are ignored in this process. It is assumed
that the quantities per unit length R, L, C and G have the same value over the entire
line (homogenous line).

Figure T1 : Cross-section and field distribution in a two-

wire line
(1) Go line (copper wire)
(2) Return line (copper wire)
(3) Electric field lines
(4) Magnetic field lines
= Conductor diameter
X = Conductor spacing

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 Figure T2 : Equivalent circuit diagram for a
section of two-wire line with the length dx

1.5 Materials/Equipment

1 unit Transmission Line Model 1

1 unit Transmission Line Model 2
1 unit STE Resistor 600
2 units STE Resistors 300
2 units DMM
Bridging Plugs
Frequency Counter
Function Generator
Power Supply
Connecting Leads

1.6 Figures

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 Figure 1.Experiment set-up for determining the transmission response

(1) Power supply

(3) Function generator
(2) Frequency counter
(4) Device under test with STE elements
(Line section with l = 0.85 km, 0.9 mm from line model I)

1.7 Procedure/s

A. Transmission response of 0.85 km line

1. Use the two-wire line with l = 0.85 km, 0.9 mm
2. The Activity set-up is as shown in Figure1.
3. Feed in a sinusoidal signal into the line section (l = 0.85 km, 0.9 mm)
via 2 STE resistors each with 300 .

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 4. The generator voltage is set so that at f = 100 Hz the input voltage U1 on
the line amounts is approximately 2VRMS.
5. Set the frequencies as specified in Table 1 and enter the measured values
for U1 and U2.
6. Conduct the measurements for respective open-circuit Z2 = termination
and termination with Z2 = 600 .
7. Calculate the attenuation A and the log attenuation a of the line using:
A = U1/U2

a = 20 log A (dB)

8. Plot the values A and a with respect to the frequency f in a graph

.
B. Transmission response of a 5 km line

1. Use the two-wire line with l = 5 km, = 0.4 mm ( Transmission Line

Model 2).
2. The same procedures given in section A apply.
3. Enter the measured values in table 2.

1.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

Group Members: Signature:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 1.8.1 Data and Results

Table 1. Transmission response of 0.85 km line

Z2: Open-circuit Z2: Termination 600

U1 U2 U1 U2
f (Hz ) A a (dB ) A a (dB )
mV rms mV rms mV rms mV rms
100

200

300

400

500

600

800

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

8000

10000

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 Table 2. Transmission response of 5 km line

Z2: Open-circuit Z2: Termination 600

U1 U2 U1 U2
f (Hz ) A a (dB ) A a (dB )
mV rms mV rms mV rms mV rms
100

200

300

400

500

600

800

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

8000

10000

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE

 1.8.2 Calculations

1.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

1.8.4 Conclusion/s

1.8.5 Rating (include Rubric)

ACTIVITY 1: DETERMINING TRANSMISSION RESPONSE OF THE TWO-WIRE LINE