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Abstract

A 3-dB compact hybrid coupler is presented in this paper in an ultra-wideband frequency range from 1.5 GHz to 3.2 GHz with 90˚ phase deference between the two output ports. The proposed coupler is formed by two notched elliptically shaped microstrip lines and four phase shifters, which are broadside coupled through an elliptically shaped slot. A combination of impedance matching technique and structural modification then has been employed to increase coupler efficiency. The design is demonstrated assuming a 0.51-mm-thick Rogers RO4350B substrate. Results of simulation and measurements show that the designed device exhibits a coupling of 3±1 dB across the aimed bandwidth. This ultra-wideband coupling is accompanied by smooth isolation in the order of better than 25 dB and return loss in the order of better than 17 dB. The manufactured device including microstrip ports and phase shifters occupy an area of 35 mm × 30 mm × 1.1 mm (0.27λ × 0.23λ × 0.009λ) which makes it a compact suitable device for UHF applications and measurements, specifically measuring and determining isolation in in-band full duplex transceivers, because of its smooth isolation versus frequency and ultra-wideband bandwidth.

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Dr. Soheyl Soodmand

Dr. Mark Beach

Dr. Kevin Morris