Current Applied Physics, Vol.7, No.5, 463-468, 2007
V-band directional tandem coupler of monolithic uniplanar structure
We present a uniplanar coplanar-waveguide 3-dB tandem coupler operating at V-band frequencies. The uniplanar structure is monolithically fabricated by using two-section parallel-coupled lines and air-bridge crossovers replacing the conventional multilayer or bonded structures. Due to an optimized tandem structure and non-bonded crossovers minimizing the parasitic components, a maximum coupling of 2.5 dB is measured at 62 GHz with a 2 dB bandwidth of 83%, while a high directivity factor of 33 dB is simultaneously obtained at 58-62 GHz. Over the entire design frequency range of 30-90 GHz, we achieve good phase unbalance of 90 +/- 6.0 degrees, as well as return loss and isolation lower than -23 and -16 dB, respectively. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.