Executive Summary
This document is one in a series of technical monographs providing a high-level overview of a given topic. Here, S-parameters are discussed.
Scope
S-parameters are one of several ways to characterize what is called an N-port network, where “N-port” is the number of ports in or on that network. In this context, a network is an interconnection of electrical or electronic components, comprising a device such as an attenuator, amplifier, or other component or device under test or evaluation. Although other parameter sets are defined (e.g., H-parameters, Y-parameters, etc.), S-parameters use terminating impedances for all measurements rather than terminating with opens and shorts. S-parameters are commonly measured with test equipment such as a vector network analyzer, and can easily be converted to more familiar values of gain, loss, and return loss.
Benefits
The material in this document can be used as part of technical training programs, a tutorial for individuals seeking a high-level understanding of S-parameters, and/or a refresher for those who may have forgotten some of the fundamentals of the topic.
Intended Audience
The intended audience for this document includes technical personnel from installers to engineers. The material is also suitable for those new to the cable industry.