Z-parameters and Y-parameters are two different types of two-port network parameters used to characterize linear electrical circuits. They are particularly useful in analyzing and designing networks like amplifiers, filters, and transmission lines. The main difference between Z-parameters and Y-parameters lies in the variables they use to describe the relationships between the voltage and current at the input and output ports of the two-port network.
Z-parameters (Impedance parameters):
Z-parameters are also known as impedance parameters or open-circuit parameters. They describe the relationship between the voltage and current at the input and output ports of a two-port network when one port is open-circuited (i.e., no current flows into or out of the port). There are two Z-parameters: Z11 and Z22, representing the input and output impedances, respectively, when the other port is open.
Z11 (Z_in): Input impedance when the output port is open.
Z22 (Z_out): Output impedance when the input port is open.
Z12 (Z_in_out): Transfer impedance from port 2 to port 1 with port 1 shorted.
Z21 (Z_out_in): Transfer impedance from port 1 to port 2 with port 2 open.
Z-parameters are expressed in ohms (Ω) for impedance and siemens (S) for transfer impedance.
Y-parameters (Admittance parameters):
Y-parameters are also known as admittance parameters or short-circuit parameters. They describe the relationship between the voltage and current at the input and output ports of a two-port network when one port is short-circuited (i.e., voltage across the port is zero). There are two Y-parameters: Y11 and Y22, representing the input and output admittances, respectively, when the other port is short-circuited.
Y11 (Y_in): Input admittance when the output port is short-circuited.
Y22 (Y_out): Output admittance when the input port is short-circuited.
Y12 (Y_in_out): Transfer admittance from port 2 to port 1 with port 1 shorted.
Y21 (Y_out_in): Transfer admittance from port 1 to port 2 with port 2 short-circuited.
Y-parameters are expressed in siemens (S) for admittance and ohms (Ω) for transfer admittance.
In summary, Z-parameters use impedance as the primary variable and are defined with one port open-circuited, while Y-parameters use admittance as the primary variable and are defined with one port short-circuited. Both parameter sets are useful for different applications and can be converted into each other using simple mathematical transformations.