Build a transmission line with mismatches, watch the TDR trace V(t) update live. Each discontinuity (open, short, load) shows up as a step in the trace at the right round-trip time, with the magnitude set by the reflection coefficient Γ = (Z − Z₀)/(Z + Z₀). Click on the line diagram to add a discontinuity at that position.
Click on the line diagram above to add a discontinuity at that position with the currently selected type.
① Transmission line (click to add a discontinuity at that point)
② TDR trace V(t) — voltage at the source vs time
Readouts
Pulse
V_incident
0.500 V
Rise time
step (0 s)
Discontinuities
Readout interpretation
ΔV at the step = V_inc · Γ. A positive step (ΔV > 0) means a high-impedance reflection (open, > Z₀ load). A negative step means a low-impedance reflection (short, < Z₀ load). Round-trip time 2d/v_p = distance the reflection traveled from source to discontinuity and back. Position d = τ · v_p / 2.