This calculator determines the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) from the forward (Pf) and reflected (Pr) powers. It helps evaluate the quality of impedance matching between a source and a load in RF systems, ensuring efficient signal transmission.
Formula
VSWR = (1 + √(Pr / Pf)) / (1 − √(Pr / Pf))
Explanation of the formula
The VSWR is calculated from the ratio between the reflected power and the transmitted power. A VSWR value close to 1 indicates almost perfect matching, while a high value reveals losses due to reflections. The calculation uses the square root of the Pr/Pf ratio to derive the ratio of incident and reflected voltages.
Uses of the calculator
- Evaluate the effectiveness of impedance matching of an antenna or transmission line.
- Diagnose power losses due to reflections.
- Optimize the performance of RF transmitters and receivers.
- Practical tool for engineers, RF technicians and electronics students.