I'm not real sure where this fits exactly, so putting it here, where they are usually used, seems like good enough.
-----
Wish this were all my thoughts, it's expressed pretty well. It isn't just my thinking but that of several other people who really do know what they are talking about, 'experts'.
-----
""By far, most misconceptions regarding baluns are due
to the many radio operators who perceive these devices
as conventional transformers that transmit the energy
from input to output by flux linkages and not as
transmission line transformers, which transmit energy
by an efficient transmission line mode."
(I would change that 'efficient' to 'in-efficient, personally - 'Doc)
"If the writers had accepted the correct model for
these devices (given to us by Guanella and Ruthroff),
which shows that *THEY ARE REALLY CHOKES* (lumped
elements) and configurations of transmission lines
(distributed elements), ..." emphasis mine(author's, not mine - 'Doc).
"In fact, the perception that the transmission line
transformer is actually a conventional transformer
is so prevalent, that a new name for this class of
devices should be considered -
*broad band transmission line matching networks*.
This name (without the word transformer) would help
in dispelling inaccurate perceptions and in
standardizing the schematic diagrams.""
also
"It's real easy to get caught up in the definitions. A transformer transforms
impedance, voltage or current and often isolates but not necessarily. A
choke uses the magnetic field created by the AC current through it to oppose
that current. The wiki points out there are balanced and unbalanced
signals. Webster says balanced and unbalanced lines. Someone posted that
coax is in fact a balanced line. OK that can be oddly true, but it can be
unbalanced by how you connect it. So it can be part application, part
configuration, part common word usage that might not be purely accurate, and
where you are focusing your attention."
-----
Which all goes to say that aside from the application, the definition of a balun or unun can be a 'sticking point' causing controversy. It depends on 'where' the user is coming from, what his understanding is of the nature of the problem that would warrant using this type of device. Which 'box' his thinking is in, sort of. Thinking 'out of the box' is an okay idea, but it merely means stepping out of one 'box' into another 'box'.
Is this an 'ultimate' type way of thinking about bauns/ununs? Nope, but it does shed some light on the whole mess that might help.
- 'Doc
There was also some discussion about using ferrite cores as a way of doing the same thing a baun/unun does. The biggest draw back to that method is weight. The typical number of ferrite cores used isn't enough, they get saturated. So, more is better, generally. Which brings up the size of the supporting structure/device, is it big enough? There's always -something-, ain't there?
-----
Wish this were all my thoughts, it's expressed pretty well. It isn't just my thinking but that of several other people who really do know what they are talking about, 'experts'.
-----
""By far, most misconceptions regarding baluns are due
to the many radio operators who perceive these devices
as conventional transformers that transmit the energy
from input to output by flux linkages and not as
transmission line transformers, which transmit energy
by an efficient transmission line mode."
(I would change that 'efficient' to 'in-efficient, personally - 'Doc)
"If the writers had accepted the correct model for
these devices (given to us by Guanella and Ruthroff),
which shows that *THEY ARE REALLY CHOKES* (lumped
elements) and configurations of transmission lines
(distributed elements), ..." emphasis mine(author's, not mine - 'Doc).
"In fact, the perception that the transmission line
transformer is actually a conventional transformer
is so prevalent, that a new name for this class of
devices should be considered -
*broad band transmission line matching networks*.
This name (without the word transformer) would help
in dispelling inaccurate perceptions and in
standardizing the schematic diagrams.""
also
"It's real easy to get caught up in the definitions. A transformer transforms
impedance, voltage or current and often isolates but not necessarily. A
choke uses the magnetic field created by the AC current through it to oppose
that current. The wiki points out there are balanced and unbalanced
signals. Webster says balanced and unbalanced lines. Someone posted that
coax is in fact a balanced line. OK that can be oddly true, but it can be
unbalanced by how you connect it. So it can be part application, part
configuration, part common word usage that might not be purely accurate, and
where you are focusing your attention."
-----
Which all goes to say that aside from the application, the definition of a balun or unun can be a 'sticking point' causing controversy. It depends on 'where' the user is coming from, what his understanding is of the nature of the problem that would warrant using this type of device. Which 'box' his thinking is in, sort of. Thinking 'out of the box' is an okay idea, but it merely means stepping out of one 'box' into another 'box'.
Is this an 'ultimate' type way of thinking about bauns/ununs? Nope, but it does shed some light on the whole mess that might help.
- 'Doc
There was also some discussion about using ferrite cores as a way of doing the same thing a baun/unun does. The biggest draw back to that method is weight. The typical number of ferrite cores used isn't enough, they get saturated. So, more is better, generally. Which brings up the size of the supporting structure/device, is it big enough? There's always -something-, ain't there?
