Telecommunications
In telecommunications, the reflection coefficient is the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the incident wave. In particular, at a discontinuity in a transmission line, it is the complex ratio of the electric field strength of the reflected wave to that of the incident wave . This is typically represented with a (capital gamma) and can be written as:
The reflection coefficient may also be established using other field or circuit quantities.
The reflection coefficient can be given by the equations below, where is the impedance toward the source, is the impedance toward the load:
Notice that a negative reflection coefficient means that the reflected wave receives a 180°, or, phase shift.
The absolute magnitude (designated by vertical bars) of the reflection coefficient can be calculated from the standing wave ratio, :
The reflection coefficient is displayed graphically using a Smith chart.
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