Question
Which of the following factors determine the characteristic impedance of a parallel conductor feed line?
Answer Options
- A) The distance between the centers of the conductors and the radius of the conductors
- B) The distance between the centers of the conductors and the length of the line
- C) The radius of the conductors and the frequency of the signal
- D) The frequency of the signal and the length of the line
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The characteristic impedance (Z_0) of any parallel conductor feed line (like ladder line or window line) is determined by its physical construction. Specifically, it depends on the capacitance and inductance inherent in the line, which are purely functions of the geometric arrangement of the conductors.
For a two-wire line, Z_0 is calculated using the diameter of the wires and the spacing between them. Therefore, the characteristic impedance is determined by the distance between the centers of the conductors and the radius of the conductors. Neither the length of the line nor the operating frequency affects the characteristic impedance, as long as the geometry remains uniform.
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