Hi Guys,
From what I have been able to absorb now from all of your really terrific responses is that it is totally and completely impossible to LC match, even theoretically, a purposefully mis-matched active device*, and then look back into that mis-matched network and see a perfect 50 ohms. However, the purposefully mis-matched active device WILL get to see the impedance it wants to see. And all this is due to the reciprocal nature of LC matching networks. Thus, it would be wise, as you have all mentioned, to design any non-50 ohm LNA or PA to be as close to 50 ohms as possible, or to design the next connecting stage so that it properly works with something other than 50 ohms -- 'cause there is no way to "fix" this mis-match issue with a LC matching network. Is that correct, or have I misunderstood something? (I can't believe I didn't know -- or didn't understand -- this stuff from the get-go! A major glitch in my knowledge-base, that's for sure.)
Many Thanks,
-Bill
*The mis-match created so as to optimize an LNA transistor's input for NF, or a PA transistor's output for P1dB, to name two common reasons.(HAD TO OPEN-UP A NEW THREAD BECAUSE GOOGLE GROUPS APPARENTLY REFUSED TO POST THIS, EVEN AFTER TWO TRIES -- OR AT LEAST IT DID NOT SHOW UP)