Converting Single to Mixed-Mode S-Parameters

Figure 1: Model of two transmission lines with crosstalk
showing the transmission and crosstalk related S-parameters.

We have introduced mixed mode S-parameters and developed a formal structure for handling them. It is now time to discuss converting single-ended S-parameters into mixed-mode S-parameters. This is important because every instrument manufacturer obtains mixed mode S-parameters by first measuring single-ended S-parameters, then converting them mathematically to mixed-mode. This assumes that the interconnects being measured are passive, linear and time invariant.  Let’s begin with our model of two transmission lines with crosstalk shown in Figure 1.

Driving the input port differentially means that the differential voltage at the input is:

a₁-a₃

Similarly, the differential output is:

b₂-b₄

Remember that these quantities are vectors with magnitude and phase components, and the math operations are vector operations. With the input and output as defined, we are going to calculate the mixed mode S-parameter SDD21—that is, differential in on port 1 and differential out on port 2.

With reference to Figure 1:

SDD21 = 0.5*(S₂₁-S₂₃+S₄₃-S₄₁)

The b₂ term is S₂₁-S₂₃. The b₄ term is – (-S₄₃ + S₄₁) = S₄₃ – S₄₁. The factor 0.5 is a normalizing factor.

Applying the same technique using the input S-parameters S₁₁, S₁₃, S₃₃ and S₃₁ (not shown in the figure), we can calculate the differential input SDD11:

SDD11 = 0.5*(S₁₁-S₁₃+S₃₃-S₃₁)

The calculation of all the mixed-mode S-parameters from the single-ended S-parameters using vector algebra can be labor intensive. However, doing the calculation with matrices simplifies the process.  

Figure 2: The matrix statement that converts single-ended
into mixed-mode S-parameters. The “a”s are
the input signals, and the “b”s are the output signals.

Let’s look at the basic calculation of differential signals from single-ended signals in matrix form, as seen in Figure 2. If you’re familiar with matrix math, you can read the differential signal input as a1-a3.  Likewise, the differential output is b2-b4.  The matrix form is a more concise way of expressing the relationships, and it contains all the possible mixed signal components.

Notice that again, the port assignments are very important. This is the matrix based on the assignments shown in Figure 1; a different port assignment will require a different matrix.

Single-ended S-parameters relate single-ended inputs into single-ended outputs.  That statement in matrix notation looks like this:

b_s = S_s a_s

Where:  a_s is the single-ended input vector

            b_s is the single-ended output vector

  S_s is the single-ended S-parameter matrix

 Likewise, the relationship for the mixed signal inputs and outputs is:

b_d = S_d a_d

Where:  a_d is the mixed-mode input vector

            b_d is the mixed-mode output vector

  S_d is the mixed-mode S-parameter matrix

Figure 3: Solving for mixed-mode S-parameter matrix, S_d, 
in terms of single-ended S-parameter matrix, S_s.

The goal is to determine the mixed-mode S-parameter matrix from the singled-ended S-parameter matrix.

With some basic matrix math, we can accomplish that as shown in Figure 3.

The M matrix is the transform matrix that relates how single-ended vector elements combine to create the mixed-mode elements. M-1 is the inverse of the transform matrix.

Figure 4: Table of mixed-mode S-parameters
derived from single-ended S-parameters.

Figure 4 shows the detailed solution to deriving mixed-mode S-parameters from the single-ended S-parameters:

Luckily, if you have a WavePulser 40iX, you do not have to do the math yourself. The instrument does it for you at the touch of a button.

Dr. Eric Bogatin discusses this at more length in his webinar on Mixed Mode S-parameters and TDR Responses.

See also:

Introduction to Mixed-Mode S-parameters

Back to Basics S-parameters

What S-parameters Reveal About Interconnects, Part I

What S-parameters Reveal About Interconnects, Part II

What S-parameters Reveal About Interconnects, Part III

Serial Data Channel Emulation and S-parameters

Six Ways Not to Be Confused by S-parameters, Part 1 

Six Ways Not to Be Confused by S-parameters, Part 2

Reading S-parameters: Ripples

Reading S-parameters: Monotonic Drop Offs

Reading S-parameters: Broad Dips

Reading S-parameters: Sharp Dips