Smith Charts vs AetherRF Lite

A great experience of the Smith chart. Also in dark mode. Design matching networks, insert S parameters and convert them, or import from touchstone file. Compute stability circles, equi gain and noise circles.  Easy interaction with the Smith chart. This chart can easily replace a physical one, making its use much faster. Smith chart interactivity: - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac (on Apple Silicon). - Drag and zoom in the chart. - Create multiple Smith Charts and name them. - Switch easily between input and output planes. - Use a ruler and drag it to obtain the wavelength toward generator of a point on the chart, instantly. - Tap the chart to show the coordinates in algebraic notation, you will see also magnitude and phase of that location, and the corresponding impedance. - Insert circles by hand; modify the radius dragging a circle to keep the center in place, or press to translate them and modify the radius keeping the opposite side in place. Then use the padlock button to disable interaction of gestures with circles. - You can also insert a custom circle and a segment in the input and in the output plane, defining its center and radius in a textfield. - Export to file, image or PDF Advanced tools for engineering: Matching networks: - Choose electronic components to design a matching network for your device. - Available components are: L, C, R, Z and lines (transmission line, parallel or series stub, open or shorted). - For each component it is possible to specify the parasites. - For transmission lines, it is possible to choose between Z0, K or L, C representations, and converting between the two (also for parasites). - Tapping on a component it is added to the network and the impedance seen from your device toward the matching network is shown on the smith chart. - You can create a matching network both for input and output planes of the device. - Each network has its own termination (source or load), which can be a one port device or a two ports device where you can choose a termination for the second port. - Each termination can be defined by network parameters (S, Z, Y or h) and the parameters can be imported from a touchstone file. - Components supported: Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor, General impedance (R+jX), Transmission line, Parallel stub, series Stub (both shorted or open). - Each component can be cascaded in series or in parallel, no limits of components. - You can choose a frequency for the impedance calculation and a frequency span for the plot on the Smith Chart. - For S parameters, you can specify a dedicated characteristic impedance, the tool will renormalize the Γ of that termination to be correctly shown on the Smith chart, when the smith chart is defined on a different characteristic impedance. Device analysis: - You can insert the following parameters of a device: network parameters (S, Z, Y or h), specifications (Ga, Gp, Gt, NF), noise data (gamma s optimum noise, minimum NF, rn) and the input/output reflection coefficients. - You can convert network parameters (S, Z, Y, h), and the port type (Γ, Z, Y). - While you are inserting data, you will see the computed results appearing on the chart and on the relative fields. - Results representable on the smith chart: input/output stability circles, power gain and noise circles (equiGa, Gp, Gt, NF circles), reflection coefficients towards load and source and optimum power coefficients. - Other results: obtained power gains and noise (Ga, Gp, Gt, NF) and stability (D, K, kind of stability). - You can display on the Smith chart the input impedance of your component versus frequency (as a function of load impedance) when importing a touchstone file. - For S parameters, you can specify a different characteristic impedance and the tool will automatically convert it to the one defined for the Smith chart, it will let you know the new renormalized parameters.

Aether Lite is an RF and Microwave engineering suite for professionals, students, and enthusiasts. Explore the full RF design workflow — from system link budgets to impedance matching — at no cost. Aether Lite limits the number of blocks in a budget to 3 and the number of budgets in a project to 2. A full-featured version (Aether) without these limitations is also available. System Budget Calculator: • Cascade Analysis: Chain amplifiers, mixers, filters, and attenuators to compute system Noise Figure, Gain, IP3, and P1dB. • Link Budget: Calculate received power, SNR, and link margin for wireless systems. • Export cascade diagrams as PDF, SVG or draw.io. Filter Designer (limited edition, max 3rd order): • Filter Synthesis: Butterworth and Chebyshev responses. • Filter Classes: Low Pass, High Pass and Band Pass. • Passive LC ladder implementation with frequency and component scaling. • S-parameter simulation with magnitude, phase/delay, and schematic views. IQ Simulator: • Signal Generator: Create CW, two-tone, and Gaussian noise signals, or load IQ data files. • Spectrum, IQ waveforms and constellation visualization. Smith Chart Designer (lite version): • Interactive Smith Chart with schematic editor. • L, C, R, Transmission Lines, and S2P blocks. • Amplifier Design with Gain and Stability Circles. • Frequency sweep and Monte Carlo analysis. Data Explorer: • Import Touchstone (.sNp) files. • Cartesian, Polar, and Smith Chart visualizations. • Marker system and snapshot comparison. Analytical & Transmission Line Tools: • Closed-form models for common transmission line geometries. • Resonator and Attenuator Designers. Export & Share: • PDF reports, PNG/SVG screenshots, draw.io diagrams, Touchstone files. Upgrade to Aether for the full feature set: • No limitations on number of blocks in a budget or budgets in a project • Advanced filter types: Elliptic, Legendre-Papoulis, higher-order synthesis • Trace Designer: Full 2D BEM solver for PCB transmission lines For support or feature requests, please contact us.