Highly compact wideband double-section rat-race hybrid with harmonic suppression using series and shunt stepped impedance transmission lines

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a size miniaturized and harmonic suppressed wideband double-section rat-race coupler (RRC). Series and shunt stepped-impedance transmission line units are proposed to replace the quarter wavelength transmission lines in the conventional design of wideband (50% fractional bandwidth) two-stage rat-race coupler. Design equations are derived using the lossless transmission line model. The proposed double-section RRC occupies only 14% area of the conventional coupler, with good return loss and isolation performances. In addition, the full-wave simulation and measured responses exhibit harmonic suppression up to at least fifth harmonic. The proposed design can be easily implemented using the standard printed circuit board etching process without any via-holes, bonding wires, and lumped elements, which make it very useful for wireless communication systems