Very compact 3D-printed folded branch-line hybrid coupler based on loaded helical-microstrip transmission lines

This paper presents a 3D topology for high miniaturization of the well-known hybrid branch-line coupler at the UHF band. A preliminary work already proposed the use of helical-microstrip TLs combined with a folded structure for this purpose. This extended work includes a compactness enhancement by l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Integration (Amsterdam) 2022-05, Vol.84, p.142-150
Main Authors: Salas-Barenys, A., Vidal, N., López-Villegas, J.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3D printing
Additive manufacturing
Bandwidths
Compactness
Couplers
Electric power lines
Electroplating
Figure of merit
Helical-microstrip transmission lines
Hybrid coupler
Microstrip transmission lines
Miniaturization
Plating
Radio frequency
Three dimensional printing
Topology
Ultra high frequency band
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Summary:This paper presents a 3D topology for high miniaturization of the well-known hybrid branch-line coupler at the UHF band. A preliminary work already proposed the use of helical-microstrip TLs combined with a folded structure for this purpose. This extended work includes a compactness enhancement by loading the TL segments with capacitors. An study of loaded helical-microstrip TL is reported as well. The coupler prototypes have been simulated and fabricated by using a combination of Additive Manufacturing and copper electroplating. The performance results have been compared to the conventional model showing a good agreement. In order to place the designed devices within the state of the art a figure of merit that combines the compactness and the relative bandwidth has been proposed, showing very good results in terms of miniaturization. •Helical-microstrip TLs are interesting for compacting distributed-element devices.•Loaded TLs are an interesting for compacting when the bandwidth is out of concern.•3D-printing allows a 50-time compaction of hybrid couplers at UHF band.
ISSN:0167-9260
1872-7522
DOI:10.1016/j.vlsi.2022.02.001