04 MW Microwave Dividers Couplers

Master Degree (LM) in Electronic Engineering
MICROWAVES
POWER DIVIDERS AND
DIRECTIONAL COUPLERS
Prof. Luca Perregrini
Università di Pavia, Facoltà di Ingegneria

[email protected]
http://microwave.unipv.it/perregrini/
Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 1

SUMMARY
Chapter 7

SUMMARY
• Basic properties of three-port networks
• T-junction power divider
• Wilkinson power divider
• Basic properties of four-port networks
• Waveguide directional couplers
• Quadrature (90°) hybrid
• Coupled line directional couplers
• The Lange coupler
• The 180° hybrid
• Other couplers

MOTIVATION
Power dividers and directional couplers are passive microwave
components used for power division or power combining.
May have three ports, four ports, or more, and may be (ideally) lossless.
Power dividers usually provide in-phase output signals with an equal
power division ratio (3 dB). Unequal power division is also possible.
Directional couplers can be designed for arbitrary power division. Hybrid
junctions usually have 90° or a 180° phase shift between the output ports
and equal power division.
We will first discuss some of the general properties of three- and four-port
networks, and then treat the analysis and design of several of the most
common types of power dividers, couplers, and hybrids.
MOTIVATION
Examples of application of dividers and couplers

MOTIVATION
Examples of application of dividers and couplers

BASIC PROPERTIES OF 3-PORT NETWORKS
The simplest type of power divider is a T-junction
port 2
port 1
[S]
port 3
If passive and isotropic it must be reciprocal ([S] is symmetric). To avoid

power loss, we would like to have a junction that is lossless and matched at
all ports (𝑆𝑆𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 0):
We will demonstrate it is impossible to construct such a three-port lossless

reciprocal network that is matched at all ports.

If the network is lossless, the scattering matrix is unitary:
port 2
port 1
[S]
port 3
To satisfy the right equations, at least two of 𝑆𝑆12 , 𝑆𝑆13 , 𝑆𝑆23 must be zero, but
this is inconsistent with the left equations.
This implies that a three-port network cannot be simultaneously lossless,

reciprocal, and matched at all ports.
If any one of these three conditions is relaxed, then a physically realizable
device is possible.

Allowing nonreciprocity, a lossless and matched three-ports device is
feasible:
port 2
port 1
[S]
port 3
Imposing the lossless condition (unitary scattering matrix), we have :
There are two possible solutions:
or

Assuming the phase of scattering parameters be zero (this condition can
always be satisfied by adding an additional transmission line section to any
port), the two possible solutions are
These junctions represents a circulator, which allows only the power flow
from port 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 1 (left) or from port 1 to 3, 3 to 2, 2 to 1 (right).
We will see later on how to realize such components using nonreciprocal
materials (e.g., ferrites).

Keeping reciprocity but removing the matching at one port (e.g., port 3) a
lossless junction is still feasible
Imposing the lossless condition (unitary

scattering matrix), we have :
leading to
This is quite an academic exercise, as one
port is completely decoupled from the other
two, and, therefore, this junction is useless.

T-JUNCTION LOSSLESS POWER DIVIDER
Can be used for power division or power combining, and it can be
implemented in virtually any type of transmission line medium (e.g.,
waveguide, microstrip, stripline)
H-plane waveguide E-plane waveguide Microstrip

T-junction T-junction T-junction
If the materials are low loss these can be considered lossless junctions.
Usually the used materials are reciprocal, therefore such junctions cannot
be matched simultaneously at all ports.

The lossless T-junction divider can be modeled as a junction of three
transmission lines, with a susceptance 𝐵𝐵 representing the effect of the high-
order modes excited at the intersection.
To realize the matching at the input

port, it must be
Assuming 𝐵𝐵 is compensated by mean

of some reactive load, since for lossless transmission lines
the characteristic impedances are real, the equation become

Possible reactive compensations for a microstrip T-junction:
It is worth noting that only port 1 is matched, while port 2 and port 3 remain
unmatched (at least one). This has to be taken into account when
cascading this component to others.
The power division ratio is
𝑃𝑃1 𝑉𝑉0 2 /(2𝑍𝑍1 ) 𝑍𝑍2

= 2
=
𝑃𝑃2 𝑉𝑉0 /(2𝑍𝑍2 ) 𝑍𝑍1
and can be 1 (equal power split) if
𝑍𝑍1 = 𝑍𝑍2 𝑃𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑃2
Ideally any power ratio is possible. However, not all the ratios
are feasible, as they may require unpractical transmission line impedances:
• using microstrips very high impedances lead to extremely narrow lines,
sometime not compatible with the fabrication tolerances;
• using rectangular waveguides, increasing/decreasing the impedance
requires to narrow/widen the transversal dimension. This changes the
cutoff of the modes, and the fundamental TE10 can be below cutoff or the
high-order TE20 can be above cutoff at the operating frequency.
T-JUNCTION RESISTIVE POWER DIVIDER
A fully matched T-junction divider can be designed if lossy components are
included (e.g., lumped-element resistors, lossy film on the microstrips).
The junction in the figure provides equal output

powers 𝑃𝑃3 = 𝑃𝑃2 , and matching at all ports.
In fact
and
For the other two ports the reasoning is identical.

T-JUNCTION RESISTIVE POWER DIVIDER
Similar formulas hold looking using port 2 or 3 as input

ports, thus leading to
Since
we have
Therefore one half of the power is dissipated within the junction.

Unequal power division still preserving the marching can also be obtained.
WILKINSON POWER DIVIDER
Both in the lossless T-junction divider and the resistive divider the output
port are not isolated (i.e., a signal entering port 2 give an output on port 3,
and viceversa).
A lossy three-port network can be
made having all ports matched,
with isolation between output
ports. It is the Wilkinson power
divider.
It has also the useful property of
appearing lossless when the
output ports are matched; that is,
only reflected power from the
output ports is dissipated.
The Wilkinson power divider can be made with arbitrary power division, but
we will first consider the equal-split (3 dB) case.
It is often made in microstrip line or stripline form, as depicted in the figure
and shown in the photo.

The performance will be deduced by using the “even-odd” mode analysis
technique. This is a general and powerful technique, which will also be
useful for other networks.
The equivalent circuit is represented symmetrically, and all the impedances
are normalized to 𝑍𝑍0 . Symmetric and antisymmetric sources at the output
ports will be considered separatedly.
Even excitation:
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
Odd excitation:
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = −𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
Summing up the results
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 4𝑉𝑉0 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 0
and subtracting the results
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 0 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 4𝑉𝑉0
Even excitation: 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
Equivalent open circuit

current is zero

Even excitation: 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
+𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒
It results 𝑒𝑒
𝐼𝐼1𝑒𝑒 𝑍𝑍in
+𝑉𝑉1𝑒𝑒
Equivalent open circuit
and, since , current is zero
=1 (matched load) 𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 = 𝑉𝑉0
Moreover, exploiting the property 𝐼𝐼1𝑒𝑒 = −𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 /𝑍𝑍 of quarter-wave transmission

line, we have
𝑉𝑉1𝑒𝑒 = 2𝐼𝐼1𝑒𝑒 = −𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 /𝑍𝑍 = −𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉0 2

Odd excitation: 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = −𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
Equivalent short circuit

voltage is zero

Odd excitation: 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔 = −𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔3 = 2𝑉𝑉0
+𝑉𝑉2𝑜𝑜
It results 𝑜𝑜
𝑍𝑍in
𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟 +𝑉𝑉1𝑜𝑜
𝑍𝑍in =
2
Equivalent short circuit
and, since 𝑟𝑟 = 2, voltage is zero
𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟
𝑍𝑍in = =1 (matched load) 𝑉𝑉2𝑜𝑜 = 𝑉𝑉0
2
Since at port 1 there is a short circuit, we have
𝑉𝑉1𝑜𝑜 = 0
With this excitation, the whole power is delivered to the resistor 𝑟𝑟.

The input impedance at port 1 when ports 2 and 3 are matched is obtained
from the equivalent circuit in the figure:
Due to the symmetry, no current flows through 𝑟𝑟, and it can be removed:
1 2
𝑍𝑍in = 2 =1
2

In conclusion we have:
or
0 −𝑗𝑗/ 2 −𝑗𝑗/ 2
𝑆𝑆 = −𝑗𝑗/ 2 0 0
−𝑗𝑗/ 2 0 0
If port 1 is excited, the power is equally divided between ports 2 and 3 (no
losses). Ports 2 and 3 are isolated (no cross-coupling).

The bandwidth can be increased by cascading several sections.
Equal power split

wideband
Wilkinson divider

Bandwidth comparison between a single stage and a three stage 3-dB
Wilkinson divider:
0 0.5𝑓𝑓0 𝑓𝑓0 1.5𝑓𝑓0 2𝑓𝑓0 0 0.5𝑓𝑓0 𝑓𝑓0 1.5𝑓𝑓0 2𝑓𝑓0
Single stage Three stage

WILKINSON UNEQUAL POWER DIVIDER
Wilkinson-type power dividers can also be made with unequal power splits.
If the power ratio between ports 2 and 3 is
𝑃𝑃3
= 𝐾𝐾 2
𝑃𝑃2
then the following design equations apply:

Also in the case of unequal split the bandwidth can be increased by
cascading several sections.
Unequal power split wideband Wilkinson divider

WILKINSON N-WAY POWER DIVIDER
The Wilkinson divider can also be generalized to an N-way divider.
This circuit can be matched at all ports, with isolation between all ports.
A disadvantage, however, is the fact that the divider requires crossovers for
the resistors for 𝑁𝑁 ≥ 3, which makes fabrication difficult in planar form.

Some of the limits of 3-port junctions can be overcome using a 4-port
network.
port 1 port 2
[S]
port 4 port 3
We will show that any reciprocal, lossless, matched four-port network is a

directional coupler (i.e., entering one port the output is on other two ports,
while the remaining port is decoupled).

Starting from the general scattering matrix for a reciprocal and matched 4-
port
and considering the unitary condition for lossless, from rows 1 and 2 and
rows 3 and 4 we have
∗
𝑆𝑆24 ( )
subtracting
∗
𝑆𝑆13 ( )
and from rows 1 and 3 and rows 4 and 2 we have
𝑆𝑆12 ( )
subtracting
𝑆𝑆34 ( )

One possibility to satisfy these equation is
This is a directional coupler, because one port is always decoupled.

In this case, the rows’ self products give
Without loosing generality we can chose

(𝛼𝛼, 𝛽𝛽, 𝜃𝜃, 𝜙𝜙 are real)
because the phase reference on 3 out of 4 ports can be adjusted arbitrarily

by adding a transmission line section.
From the product of rows 2 and 3 we obtain
Two particular choices are commonly considered:
symmetric coupler (𝜃𝜃 = 𝜙𝜙 = 𝜋𝜋/2) antisymmetric coupler (𝜃𝜃 = 0, 𝜙𝜙 = 𝜋𝜋)
These two couplers differ only in the choice of the reference planes
From the scattering matrices it is clear that 𝛼𝛼 and 𝛽𝛽 are not independent:

Other choices of the scattering parameters that satisfy the above equations
exist, but in all cases they lead to two fully decoupled two-port sub-
networks, which is a useless solution (refer to Pozar’s book for the
demonstration).

Usual symbols for the directional coupler are

Some parameters are defined
to describe the directional
coupler behaviour
The ideal coupler has infinite directivity and isolation.

Special cases when the coupling factor is 𝐶𝐶 = 3 dB (𝛼𝛼 = 𝛽𝛽 = 1/ 2):
hybrid coupler magic-T and rat-race coupler

BETHE HOLE WAVEGUIDE DIRECTIONAL COUPLER
One of the simplest directional couplers is obtained using two waveguides
coupled through a single small hole in the common broad wall (known as
Bethe hole coupler).
Two configurations are

possible, as shown in
the figures
parallel waveguides
offset hole
waveguides skewed
centered hole
Principle of operation of the parallel
waveguides Bethe offset hole coupler.
The aperture can be replaced
with equivalent electric (𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒 ) and
magnetic (𝑃𝑃�𝑚𝑚 ) dipole moments:
3 4 upper 3 4
waveguide
lower
1 𝐸𝐸� 2 waveguide �TE
1 𝐻𝐻 2
TE10 10
+ 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒 + + −
3 4 3 4
𝑃𝑃�𝑚𝑚
1 2 1 2

By changing the transverse
position 𝑠𝑠 of the hole the
weight of the electric and
magnetic excitation can be
tuned to achieve cancellation
of waves in port 4.
positive interference negative interference
𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
3 + + 4
𝑃𝑃�𝑚𝑚
1 TE10 2

From the theory of excitation 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
of waveguides through 3 + + 4
− +
𝐴𝐴10 𝑃𝑃�𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝐴10
apertures, we found
1 2
𝐴𝐴
where

The field of the TE10 mode is 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
3 + + 4
− +
1 2
𝐴𝐴
Since the hole is placed in 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑠𝑠, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏, 𝑧𝑧 = 0, the equivalent electric (𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒 )
and magnetic (𝑃𝑃�𝑚𝑚 ) dipole moments become

Substituting and calculating 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
the integrals, we obtain 3 + + 4
− +
1 2
𝐴𝐴
+
𝐴𝐴10
−
𝐴𝐴10
where .
For a round aperture with radius 𝑟𝑟0 the polarizabilities are

The output signal in port 4 is 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
zero when 3 + + 4
− +
1 2
𝐴𝐴
position 𝑠𝑠
of the hole

The coupling and directivity 𝑃𝑃�𝑒𝑒
are 3 + + 4
− +
1 2
𝐴𝐴
−
𝐴𝐴10 depends 𝑟𝑟0 , therefore the radius 𝑟𝑟0 of the aperture is derived from the
specification set for the coupling 𝐶𝐶.

For the skewed Bethe hole
coupler, assuming 𝑠𝑠 = 𝑎𝑎/2,
the skew angle 𝜃𝜃 is adjusted
for cancellation at port 4.
The normal electric field does not change with 𝜃𝜃 ,
but the transverse magnetic field components are
reduced by cos 𝜃𝜃, leading to
+
By imposing 𝐴𝐴10 = 0 it results
skew angle 𝜃𝜃

The coupling coefficient can
be simplified as
Once its value is set, the radius of the hole can be calculared.
The angular geometry of the skewed Bethe hole coupler is often a

disadvantage in terms of fabrication and application.
Both coupler designs (parallel and skewed waveguides) operate properly

only at the design frequency; deviation from this frequency will alter the
coupling level and the directivity.

Both coupler designs (parallel and skewed waveguides) operate properly
only at the design frequency; deviation from this frequency will alter the
coupling level and the directivity.
Example:
Directivity is more
sensitive (it depends
on the cancellation
of two waves).

MULTIHOLE WAVEGUIDE DIRECTIONAL COUPLER
If the coupler is designed with a series of coupling holes, the extra degrees
of freedom can be used to increase the bandwidth.
The principle of operation of a two-hole coupler will be firstly discussed, and

then it will be extended to a multihole structure.

Two-hole coupler: two small apertures spaced 𝜆𝜆𝑔𝑔 /4.
A wave entering at port 1 is mostly transmitted through to port 2, some
power is coupled through the apertures. Each aperture will radiate a forward
wave component and a backward wave component into the upper guide,
with different amplitudes.
At port 3 both waves are
in phase (same path,
same hole coupling).
Practically not frequency
dependent.
At port 4 the waves
cancel out (same hole
coupling, 𝜆𝜆𝑔𝑔 /2 difference
in path). The cancellation
is frequency sensitive.

In the multihole coupler design, we synthesize the directivity response, as
opposed to the coupling response, as a function of frequency.
We assume the power exiting port 2 is almost identical to the one entering
port 1 (i.e., the coupling is much lager than 3 dB).
4 3
1 2
𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛 is the coupling coefficient of the nth aperture in the forward direction.
𝐵𝐵𝑛𝑛 is the coupling coefficient of the nth aperture in the backward direction
No assumptions on the apertures’ shapes, dimensions, and lateral positions.
The amplitudes of the
forward and backward
waves are
Therefore, the coupling and directivity become

Assuming the apertures
are round holes with
radii 𝑟𝑟0 , … , 𝑟𝑟𝑛𝑛 , … , 𝑟𝑟𝑁𝑁 , the
coupling coefficients are
the coupling and directivity can be simplified as
Frequency independent
Slowly varying
with frequency
Frequency dependent
Therefore 𝑟𝑟0 , … , 𝑟𝑟𝑛𝑛 , … , 𝑟𝑟𝑁𝑁 ,
can be chosen to
synthesize a desired
directivity.
The function
is very similar to , found in

the design of multisection transformers.
Therefore, the same theory can be applied, and, in particular, binomial

(maximally flat) and Chebyshev (equi-ripple) functions can be synthetized.

Binomial response
From the required

bandwidth decide the
order 𝑁𝑁 of the binomial
expansion, and let
where 𝐶𝐶𝑘𝑘𝑁𝑁 are the binomial coefficients. The coupling coefficient become
Since the quantities 𝐾𝐾𝑓𝑓 , 𝑁𝑁, and 𝐶𝐶, are known, the constants 𝑘𝑘 for a required
coupling can be identified and, from it, the radii of the holes.
The spacing between the holes should be d = 𝜆𝜆𝑔𝑔 /4 at the center frequency.

Chebyshev response
See the Pozar’s

book for the design
procedure.
Example:
forth-order Chebyshev
polynomial: the bandwidth
is largely enhanced

QUADRATURE (90°) HYBRID
This type of quadrature hybrids are 3 dB directional couplers, often made in
microstrip line or stripline form but feasible also in waveguide and coax
technology, are also known as a branch-line hybrid.
The scattering matrix must be
High degree of symmetry, as any port can be used as the input port. The
output ports will always be on the opposite side of the junction from the input
port, and the isolated port will be the remaining port on the same side as the
input port.

By using the even/odd mode analysis it can be demonstrated (see Pozar’s
book) that the following microscrip circuit lead to the proper scattering
matrix:
Some full-wave optimization for the fine tuning of the performance, as the
reactive effect of the intersection is not considered in the even/odd mode
analysis.

Due to the quarter-wave length requirement, the bandwidth of a branch-line
hybrid is limited to 10%–20%.

Larger bandwidth can be
obtained with multisection
structures.

Branch coupler in waveguide technology.

COUPLED LINE DIRECTIONAL COUPLERS
Two unshielded transmission lines in close proximity interact, leading
to power coupling from one line to the other. Such lines are referred
to as coupled transmission lines.
Some examples are shown in the figures:
Planar or edge-coupled striplines Stacked or broadside-coupled stripline
Coupled microstrip lines

Due to symmetry, the even/odd
analysis technique can be applied
Assuming the voltage at the

input port is 2𝑉𝑉0 , the voltages
at ports 2 and 4 are
calculated as follows:
• apply 𝑉𝑉0 to port 1 and 3
(even excitation),
• apply 𝑉𝑉0 to port 1 and −𝑉𝑉0
to port 3 (odd excitation),
• sum up the effects on ports
2 and 4.

It results
where
leading to

If we let
it can be easily demonstrated that
and
Not only port 1 is matched, under this condition all the ports are matched
by symmetry.

If we let
we have
For 𝜃𝜃 = 𝜋𝜋/2, the coupler is 𝜆𝜆/4 long, and
as desired.
Once the required coupling 𝐶𝐶 is given, the needed even/odd impedances
can be calculated as 𝜖𝜖𝑟𝑟 = 10
For a microstrip implementation, the

following formulas allows for calculating
the physical dimensions:

Example of microstrip directional coupler
𝜆𝜆/4

To enhance the bandwidth, multisection couplers can be considered.
Can achieve decade bandwidths, but coupling levels must be low. Because
of the longer electrical length, it is more critical to have equal even- and odd-
mode phase velocities. Stripline is the preferred medium for such couplers.
Mismatched phase velocities will degrade the coupler directivity, as will
junction discontinuities, load mismatches, and fabrication tolerances.
Example of multisection couplers

LANGE COUPLER
Coupled lines can hardly achieve coupling factors of 3 or 6 dB. The coupling
increases using several lines parallel to each other. A practical
implementation of this idea is the Lange coupler, where 4 coupled lines are
used with interconnections to provide tight coupling (interdigitated lines).
This coupler can easily
achieve 3 dB coupling
ratios, with an octave or
more bandwidth.
Phase difference between
output ports 2 and 3 is 90°,
so it is a quadrature hybrid.
Main disadvantages: very
narrow and close together
lines, bonding wires across
the lines increases
complexity.

LANGE COUPLER
A slightly modified version is the
unfolded Lange coupler.
Its (approximate) study can be

reduced to a two-wire coupled model.
The even/odd impedances are

directly related to the coupling

LANGE COUPLER
Example of Lange coupler.

180° HYBRID
Four-port network with a 180° phase shift between the two output ports. It
can also be operated so that the outputs are in phase.
A signal applied to port 1 will be evenly

split in-phase at ports 2 and 3, and port
4 will be isolated.
If the input is port 4, it will be equally
split with 180° phase difference at ports
2 and 3, and port 1 will be isolated.
When operated as a combiner, with
input signals applied at ports 2 and 3,
the sum of the inputs will be formed at
port 1, while the difference will be
formed at port 4.
Ports 1 and 4 are referred to as the sum and difference ports, respectively.

180° HYBRID
The ring hybrid, or rat-race, can easily be
constructed in planar (microstrip or stripline) form,
although waveguide versions are also possible.
Hybrid waveguide
Planar 180◦ hybrid uses
junction, or magic-T.
tapered matching sections
and coupled lines.

180° HYBRID: RAT-RACE COUPLER
The rat-race can be analyzed considering the properties of the transmission
lines.
Excitation at port 1
Sum in
phase
(out 90°)
90° 450°=90°
90° 90° 90°

90° 270° 90° 270° 90° 270°
90° 90° 90° 90°
450°=90°
180° 360°=0°
Sum in
phase No
(out 90°) output

The rat-race can be analyzed considering the properties of the transmission
lines.
Excitation at port 4
Sum in
phase
(out -90°) No
270° 270° output
360°
90° 90° 180° 90°

90° 270° 90° 270° 90° 270°
90° 450°=90° 90°
90°
Sum in
phase
(out +90°)

Example of rat-race coupler implementation

180° HYBRID: MAGIC T
The magic T is the intersection
of 4 waveguide sections, with
some compensating elements.
The principle of operation is shown in the following figures
Input the H-port, in-phase output Input the E-port, out-of-phase output
at port 1 and 2, E-port isolated at port 1 and 2, H-port isolated
Example of rat-race coupler implementation

Just for fun!
The logo of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technique Society (the most
important microwave society worldwide) is a combination of 2 magic-T:
https://www.mtt.org/
OTHER COUPLERS
Moreno crossed-guide coupler: two waveguides at right angles are coupled
in the common broad wall through two apertures (usually crossed slots).
By proper design, the two wave components excited by these apertures can
be made to cancel in the back direction.

OTHER COUPLERS
Schwinger reversed-phase coupler: the directivity is essentially independent
of frequency. In-phase combining at the coupled (backward) port is very
frequency sensitive.

OTHER COUPLERS
Riblet short-slot coupler: coupling takes place in the region where part of the
common wall of the waveguides has been removed.
In this region both the TE10 (even) and
the TE20 (odd) modes are excited, and
by proper design can be made to cause
cancellation at the isolated port and
addition at the coupled port.
The width of the interaction
region must be small enough
to prevent propagation of the
undesired TE30 mode. This
coupler can usually be made
smaller than other waveguide
couplers.

OTHER COUPLERS
Symmetric tapered coupled line coupler: the logical extension of the
multisection coupled line coupler, with good bandwidth characteristics. This
coupler provides a 90◦ phase shift between the outputs.
Both the conductor width and separation can be adjusted to provide a
synthesized coupling or directivity response. Computer optimization starting
from a stepped-section approximation is typically done.

OTHER COUPLERS
Couplers with apertures in planar lines: in principle, the design of such
couplers can be carried out using the small-hole coupling theory and
analysis techniques. The evaluation of the fields of planar lines, however, is
usually much more complicated than for rectangular waveguides.
Microstrip-to-microstrip Microstrip-to-waveguide Microstrip-to-

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04 MW Microwave Dividers Couplers

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Master Degree (LM) in Electronic Engineering

Università di Pavia, Facoltà di Ingegneria

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 1

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 2

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 3

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 5

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 6

If passive and isotropic it must be reciprocal ([S] is symmetric). To avoid

We will demonstrate it is impossible to construct such a three-port lossless

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 7

This implies that a three-port network cannot be simultaneously lossless,

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 8

Imposing the lossless condition (unitary scattering matrix), we have :

There are two possible solutions:

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 9

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 10

Imposing the lossless condition (unitary

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 11

H-plane waveguide E-plane waveguide Microstrip

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 12

To realize the matching at the input

Assuming 𝐵𝐵 is compensated by mean

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 13

𝑃𝑃1 𝑉𝑉0 2 /(2𝑍𝑍1 ) 𝑍𝑍2

and can be 1 (equal power split) if

𝑍𝑍1 = 𝑍𝑍2 𝑃𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑃2

The junction in the figure provides equal output

For the other two ports the reasoning is identical.

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 16

Similar formulas hold looking using port 2 or 3 as input

Therefore one half of the power is dissipated within the junction.

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 19

Equivalent open circuit

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 21

Equivalent open circuit

and, since , current is zero

=1 (matched load) 𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 = 𝑉𝑉0

Moreover, exploiting the property 𝐼𝐼1𝑒𝑒 = −𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 /𝑍𝑍 of quarter-wave transmission

𝑉𝑉1𝑒𝑒 = 2𝐼𝐼1𝑒𝑒 = −𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉2𝑒𝑒 /𝑍𝑍 = −𝑗𝑗𝑉𝑉0 2

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 22

Equivalent short circuit

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 23

Since at port 1 there is a short circuit, we have

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 24

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 25

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 26

Equal power split

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 27

0 0.5𝑓𝑓0 𝑓𝑓0 1.5𝑓𝑓0 2𝑓𝑓0 0 0.5𝑓𝑓0 𝑓𝑓0 1.5𝑓𝑓0 2𝑓𝑓0

Single stage Three stage

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 28

then the following design equations apply:

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 29

Unequal power split wideband Wilkinson divider

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 30

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 31

We will show that any reciprocal, lossless, matched four-port network is a

Microwaves, a.a. 2020/21 Prof. Luca Perregrini Microwave resonators, pag. 32

and from rows 1 and 3 and rows 4 and 2 we have