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1 - Pulses on Transmission Lines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2026

Richard Collier
Affiliation:
University of Kent, Canterbury
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Summary

This chapter introduces the theory of lossless transmission lines based on an equivalent circuit. The three key parameters, the velocity of propagation, the characteristic impedance and the reflection coefficient are shown to be linked to the circuit parameters. Using these concepts, there are examples of step waves reflecting from resistances at the end of transmission lines. In some examples, there are also reflections from the source resistance as well. These multiple reflections are analysed to show that they reach a steady state predicted by circuit theory. Pulses on transmission lines are described by taking a positive step wave and then adding a delayed negative step wave. The energy in a pulse is shown to consist of an equal amount of electric and magnetic energy. The chapter ends with examples of reflections from both a capacitor and an inductor.

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