Electronic – Why do we use S-parameters for High frequency signals

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I have read at numerous places that S-parameters are used for analyzing systems which deal with high frequency. But why only high frequency? From what I have read, I have understood the following about S-parameters:

When a system is considered a box, then the relationship between the currents and voltages from its ports combined with the impedance at each port result in S-parameters.

How does frequency come into picture here?

Best Answer

S-parameters can be used at any range of frequencies that's the first point. The second point is understanding what a simple matrix of s parameters represents because two of the parameters are reflection coefficients and although they are of interest (generalism alert!) at any frequency, they tend to be ignored (because they don't offer any significant benefit) at (say) audio frequencies. The reason is because in audio, outputs tend to be low impedance whilst inputs tend to be high impedance. This kind of makes s-parameters to unwieldy for any circuit analysis other than when matched impedances are used. That leaves RF generally.

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