Question

Explain the capability of MATCHED LOADS (i.e. What is their function and when/where might an RF/microwave engineer use them?)

Answer 1

The function of matched load is to absorb all the energy from the signal source. If the load is not matched then some power will be reflected towards source therefore it is very important to use impedance matching. It is one of the very few known and reliable operating conditions.

When and where RF engineering may use them-

1. Where we do not need a specific refernce plane.

2. Where we want maximum power to be transferred to the load.

3. Whenever we want to interconnect a number of different components in the system we need to know reflection coefficients at those points when a line is properly matched we can easily calculate reflection coefficients at those points.