Term #1,337
characteristic impedance
Claim Term
characteristic impedance
Origin matter
—
Reference Case 1
FSP1843
Date Added
7/16/20
Created
7/16/20, 2:35 PM
Modified
7/16/20, 2:35 PM
Full Desc
"Characteristic impedance" refers to a ratio of the amplitudes of voltage and current of a single signal wave propagating along the line; that is, a wave travelling in one direction in the absence of reflections in the other direction. Characteristic impedance (usually written Z0) is typically defined in relation to a uniform transmission line. Alternatively, and equivalently, characteristic impedance can be defined as the input impedance of a transmission line when the transmission line's length is infinite. Characteristic impedance is determined by the geometry and materials of the transmission line and, for a uniform transmission line, is not dependent on the uniform transmission line's length. The SI unit of characteristic impedance is the ohm.The characteristic impedance of a lossless transmission line is purely real, with no reactive component. Energy supplied by a source at one end of such a line is transmitted through the line without being dissipated in the line itself. A transmission line of finite length (lossless or lossy) that is terminated at one end with an impedance equal to the characteristic impedance appears to the source like an infinitely long transmission line and produces no reflections. (Search "characteristic impedance" on Wikipedia.com May 17, 2020. Modified. Accessed June 2, 2020.)