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I'm trying to figure out how to design power amplifiers which input and output are properly matched to 50 Ohm. My thinking was that the most bullet proofed approach would be to model an amplifier in LTspice and estimate R as U/I on both input and output. After all usually LTspice models are more or less accurate and impedance is nothing more than U/I ratio (assuming U and I are in phase, of course).

I took "Hand-on Radio Experiments" book by Ward Silver, N0AX and modeled a few amplifiers described in this book (Experiment #45 on page 93 and Experiment #46 on page 95). Since both schematic were published in QST and then in the book, they went through review by the editors and readers many times, and supposedly are well designed.

Here is the first one:

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Not surprisingly the output is 50 Ohms:

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However it seems that the input is reactive:

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OK, maybe the input impedance is not that important in this case, since the amplifier was described as a buffer for an oscillator.

Let's check the second schematic:

enter image description here

This one supposed to amplify the output of the first circuit. The output impedance is OK:

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The input current and voltage are almost in phase, but U/I is far from 50 Ohms:

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Regardless of what model tells I've built the first circuit with minor changes and in practice it works OK, giving about 10 dB amplification on HF.

The above models can be downloaded here.

Here is what I'm trying to understand: is the described method suitable to determine input and output impedance of the amplifiers or maybe I should use some other method? Should I bother if the input impedance of the amplifier is mismatched? Or maybe it's fine? If not, how large SWR can I afford? Since hFE of a transistor can vary from 30 to 300 for 2N2222 and 2N3904, and μ of Amidon ferrite cores (if used) can vary ±20% maybe LTspice is not much help anyway?

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    $\begingroup$ Great experiments! But you're not measuring the output impedance. If you measure $V_{50\Omega}/I_{50\Omega}$ on the resistor, it will always be $50\Omega$ ! The simplest way to find the (real) impedance of an unknown source is to measure $V_{OC}/I_{SC}$. In this case it will push the transistor too far from its operating point, so rather measure $V_{49\Omega}$ and $V_{51\Omega}$ and you can calculate $R_{out}$. $\endgroup$
    – tomnexus
    Aug 1, 2020 at 3:20
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    $\begingroup$ Second, you are measuring $Z_{in}$ correctly. In the first case you can estimate Zin, its magnitude is $2500\Omega$ and its phase is $-30^\circ$, so a bit capacitive. In the second, red qraph it appears your input signal is much too big, it's driving the transistor far out of its linear region. Try again with a 1 mV input signal. I think you also need a decoupling capacitor in series with V2, otherwise it will spoil the bias point of the transistor. $\endgroup$
    – tomnexus
    Aug 1, 2020 at 3:27
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    $\begingroup$ @tomnexus that sounds like most of an answer $\endgroup$
    – Phil Frost - W8II
    Aug 1, 2020 at 3:49
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    $\begingroup$ @tomnexus As Phil nicely hinted, your comments are good enough that they should be in an answer. The commenting rules state that "Comments are not recommended for ... Answering a question ...; instead, post an actual answer (or edit to expand an existing one). :-) $\endgroup$
    – Mike Waters ♦
    Aug 1, 2020 at 15:36
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    $\begingroup$ Ya I was just trying to help him fix the simulation, but you're right that was the whole point of the question. I'll transfer it later. $\endgroup$
    – tomnexus
    Aug 1, 2020 at 20:10

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