Planar Power Divider Research Articles

Planarizing Gysel power divider/combiner with ring coupler

AbstractThis letter proposes a N‐way planar power divider/combiner using a combination of a Gysel power divider and a ring coupler. This innovative approach enables the realization of a fully planar multiway (>2) Gysel power divider. By replacing the common point of the conventional Gysel power divider with a ring coupler, the entire symmetrical divider can be implemented on a two‐layer printed circuit board. To validate the design concept, an eight‐way planar power divider is designed, fabricated, and tested. Experimental results obtained within the frequency range of 5.10–7.25 GHz (34.8% fractional bandwidth) demonstrate excellent performance. The insertion loss is below 1.24 dB, the input port return loss exceeds 12.65 dB, the output ports exhibit return loss greater than 14.83 dB, the isolation exceeds 22.41 dB, and the maximum measured phase imbalance is within ±2.7°.

Compact three-way planar power divider with a simple structure

Abstract A simple and compact three-way planar power divider, which avoids the floating common node of the isolation resistors, is presented. The proposed structure exhibits a wideband operation (measured frequency range of 1.6–3.3 GHz and bandwidth of 69.4%) with good return loss and isolation characteristics. Transmission line theory is used for the mathematical analysis and extraction of design equations, followed by simulations and experimental measurements that confirm the predicted results. The proposed divider achieves an equal power split (∼32%, −4.9 ± 0.4 dB insertion loss) between the input and each output port. The measured return loss is better than −10 dB at all ports, and the measured maximum isolation is close to −30 dB. The proposed design exhibits a fully planar structure, thus eliminating the need for a floating common node for the isolation resistors. Additionally, its structure is much simpler (i.e., no coupled lines, crossovers, or lumped capacitors are required) than other designs, achieves wideband operation, and provides design simplicity, flexibility, and easy implementation. Despite its simple noncomplicated structure, the proposed three-way planar divider achieves similar (or in some cases, better) performance and size than other more complicated structures. Furthermore, it can be expanded to an n-way structure.

High-Efficiency Full-Metal Planar Slot Array Antenna With Over 60% Bandwidth

This letter presents an ultra-wideband full-metal planar array antenna with over 60% fractional bandwidth (FBW). A single-ridge waveguide excited semi-open radiating slot is firstly designed to achieve wideband property. Then, the full-corporate feeding network, consisting of a cavity-backed layer and a planar power divider layer, is implemented based on the single-ridge waveguide to suppress the reflection in a wideband. An ultra-wideband planar array antenna is finally constructed combining these aforementioned components. An 8 × 8-element array prototype is designed, fabricated and measured, and the experimental results indicate that the impedance matching bandwidth covers 17 - 32 GHz (FBW of 61.2%). A peak gain of over 22.7 dBi and an aperture efficiency of over 81% have been achieved within the entire operating frequency band.

Design of a broadband frequency-tunable planar filtering power divider

ABSTRACT In order to meet the development requirements of multi-frequency and functional integration of radio frequency (RF) modules, a broadband tunable filtering power divider with center frequency is designed. A new structure is composed of open branch line, step impedance resonator, and double branch resonator. The filter response is realized by branch line and double branch resonator. The resonant frequency of the device can be adjusted flexibly by controlling the varactor diode loaded on the two resonators with external voltage. The double branch resonator can realize the broadband frequency adjustability, the step impedance resonator can improve part of the return loss performance of the device, so that the central frequency can achieve high performance in a wide tuning range. The research results show that the center frequency of the designed filtering power divider is adjustable in the range of 1.6 GHz to 2.7 GHz, the tuning bandwidth is 51.2%, the input return loss of each center point is better than 20 dB, and the isolation between output ports is better than 19 dB. The device is expected to be widely used in RF communication systems such as array antennas and transceiver components.

Design of a planar filtering power divider with wide-stopband suppression

ABSTRACT According to the development demand for radio frequency module function integration, a filtering power divider with wideband external suppression and high isolation is designed based on the traditional Wilkinson power divider. The working mechanism of the device is analyzed by using the odd-even mode method. Utilizing the branch loading on the coupled-line and the addition of a step impedance open-circuit stub, we can realize the filtering function, widen the passband bandwidth, and improve the performance of stopband rejection. Through the bending of microstrip line between the input and output parts, it is conducive to the physical access of isolation resistance, and the isolation performance between output ports is improved. The research results show that the central working frequency of the filtering power divider is 2.85 GHz (f 0). The 3 dB bandwidth width is 1.51 GHz, and the relative bandwidth is 52.9%. The out-of-band suppression is lower than −20 dB in the range of 3.96 to 11.1 GHz (3.89f 0), and the isolation between output ports is lower than −24.4 dB in the ultra-wideband range of DC to 12 GHz. The device has excellent application prospects in radio frequency communication systems, such as amplifiers and antenna arrays.

A Compact and Broadband Balun Based on Multilayer SIW

A compact broadband balun based on a new planar wideband power divider circuit is presented in this work, which makes use of the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technique and multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) process. A broadband 180° reverse-phase characteristic between the two output ports can be easily achieved by the middle metal-ground of the SIW power divider. An elliptic coupling slot is utilized for this multilayer SIW power divider to realize a broad passband. The concept is validated by simulation and measurement. The measured results suggest that a 10 dB return loss at the input can easily be achieved, across a 50.3% relative bandwidth from 11.3 to 18.9 GHz. The measured amplitude and 180° phase imbalance between the two outputs are within 0.35 dB and 1.9°, respectively.

Design of compact planar power divider with wideband bandpass response and high in‐band isolation

Design of compact planar power divider with wideband bandpass response and high in‐band isolation

Compact high‐isolation planar eight‐way power divider using zero‐phase isolation circuit

A compact high-isolation planar eight-way power divider using a zero-phase isolation circuit is presented. The composite right- and left-handed transmission line is applied to achieve good input impedance matching, and the hybrid coplanar waveguide (CPW)/microstrip line is used to get a compact circuit size in the eight-way power-dividing circuit. In addition, the zero-phase microstrip line is applied to obtain high output isolation. The design has been verified by measurements, which show good agreement with simulations. The fabricated eight-way power divider measured results show that the central frequency of 2.2 GHz, 15 dB input return loss bandwidth of 36.4%, 0.2 dB insertion loss bandwidth of 29% and 20 dB output isolation bandwidth of 27% are achieved.

A divide‐by‐3 planar power divider with >30 dB isolation

AbstractA new three‐way planar power divider, based on recombinant structure and multisection impedance transformers achieving equal division ratio and high isolation is presented. The new design structure comprises of unequal impedance multisections, and achieves higher isolation than planarized Wilkinson dividers and smaller structure than recombinant designs. The divider is completely modeled analytically using transmission line theory, followed by verification through simulation and measurements. With an overall size of 23.5 mm × 29 mm, the divider demonstrates a bandwidth from 1.8 GHz to 2.8 GHz with measured 20 dB isolation bandwidth of 43%, peak isolation of 31 dB, insertion loss of 4.99 ± 0.5 dB and return loss better than 13 dB at 2.4 GHz. The planar structure, small size and highest reported isolation at 2.4 GHz, makes the design suitable for MMICs, antenna feed networks and power amplifier applications.

In-Phase T-Junction: Study and Application to Gysel Power Dividers for High Power-Division Ratios Requiring No High-Impedance Transmission-Line Section

A novel Gysel power divider, which can be fabricated without a need for any high-impedance transmission-line section (TL), even for the power-division ratios higher than 15 dB, is presented. To derive its design formulas, a new study on the conventional in-phase T-junctions is carried out, and two conditions are newly derived for the arbitrary power-division ratios and perfect matching at all the ports, which can be applied for any symmetric or asymmetric Gysel power divider without any additional effort to design the isolation circuit. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, two prototypes I and II at the design frequency of 1 GHz are fabricated for the power-division ratios of 17 and 20 dB, respectively. Such power-division ratios have never been tried before not only for the Gysel power dividers but also for generic planar power divider topologies without the use of high-impedance TLs for the wider bandwidths. The measured results are in good agreement with the predictions.

Design of the Filtering Power Divider With a Wide Passband and Stopband

The planar power divider with a wide passband/ stopband and filtering characteristics is proposed in this letter. In order to increase the slope rate around the passband skirt, the modified parallel-coupled bandpass filter is adopted. Moreover, utilizing the stub-loaded resonator within the filter, a wide passband can be achieved. Furthermore, the stopband bandwidth and attenuation can be extended with the stepped-impedance coupled lines. An exemplary design of the filtering power divider operated at 2 GHz is presented. In addition, the measured fractional bandwidth at 3 dB and attenuation in the stopband are 57.1% and 40 dB, respectively.

A novel planar four-way power divider with large dividing ratio

In this paper, a novel planar four-way power divider with symmetrical simple structure based on microstrip line is presented, and it’s design formulas are deduced. It can achieve arbitrary power dividing ratio, ideal matched ports, ideal isolation between four ports, and the largest power dividing ratio can be 33:1 when the port impedance is 50 Ω and the maximum ring-line impedance is 120 Ω. The relative phase difference of four output ports are 0, π/2,π,π/2 respectively. The structure has ideal matched ports and isolation between four ports. It is suitable for high-power application. Finally, an experimental prototype with power dividing ratio 5.76:5.76:1:1 is simulated and measured respectively. The measured results validate the proposed method.

Size-Reduced Planar and Nonplanar SIW Gysel Power Divider Based on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic Technology

Aiming at reducing the size of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) Gysel power divider (PD), a SIW-based planar Gysel PD is redesigned based on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). In addition, another novel SIW-based nonplanar Gysel PD is first presented and implemented on multilayer LTCC, which can further reduce size over 83% when compared with planar Gysel PD. Both of the two SIW Gysel PDs are fabricated and measured, and the measured results show that within frequency range from 17 to 19 GHz, the planar Gysel PD has the performances of return losses 20 dB, and phase ripple about ±7.5°; while the nonplanar Gysel PD has the performances of return losses 10 dB, and phase ripple about ±7°.

Dual-band filtering out-of-phase balanced-to-single-ended power divider with enhanced bandwidth

A novel and simple dual-band out-of-phase balanced-to-single-ended (BTSE) power divider with filtering response and enhanced bandwidth is proposed in this article. The dual-band filtering response is realized by the embedded Π-type network with short-circuited stubs, leading to an enhanced operating bandwidth. The good isolation within the whole passband is implemented only using the ground resistor. The complete theoretical analysis and closed-form equations are presented based on the equivalent even- and odd-mode circuits. And then the higher-order circuit model with the improved frequency selectivity is established based on the proposed BTSE PD. For demonstration, a brand-new and simple planar BTSE power divider operating at 1 and 2.2GHz is simulated, fabricated, and measured, which includes outstanding advantages for filtering response, return loss, insertion loss, isolation, and common-mode suppression. Finally, a good agreement between the simulated and measured results verifies the proposed design.

Design of a 2.5‐kW L‐band solid‐state pulsed power amplifier for radar applications

A compact design for a 2.5 kW solid-state power amplifier (PA) based on 330-W laterally diffused metal–oxide semiconductor transistors over 1.2–1.4 GHz is proposed. The design procedure is started with the design and implementation of a 330-W unit amplifier (UA) independently. Optimum load and source impedances of the UA are obtained by pulling the source and load impedances with the aid of the simulator utility provided in Advanced Design System. The input–output matching networks are designed and implemented using multi-section microstrip transmission lines. In order to construct a 2.5-kW high PA (HPA), the eight pieces of designed UA are combined. A low-loss 1–8 way planar binary power divider with an 8–1 way planar binary power combiner is used to divide and combine the microwave signals through eight UAs. The HPA delivers 63.7–64.3 dBm output power with 16.7–17.3 dB power gain and 55–60.4% power-added efficiency over 1.2–1.4 GHz. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the most compact HPA design using packaged transistor at L-band with such high output power level ever reported is presented.

The art of power dividing: A review for state-of-the-art planar power dividers

In this paper, massive state-of-the-art planar power dividers are presented and discussed. The innovations of these superiorly-performanced power dividers lie in the performance breakthrough, physical configurations and function integrations. Eventually, based on the trend presented, the future of the power dividers is predicted. This paper might have inspiration significance to illuminate the way for the development of power dividers.

A novel fully planar quad band Wilkinson power divider

In this paper, by using extended composite right and left handed transmission line (E-CRLH-TL), the fully planar quad band Wilkinson power divider (WPD) proposed exhibits the benefits of bandwidth enlargement, excellent isolation and equal power split between output ports in the four pass-bands. The proposed divider is designed and fabricated on a low cost substrate with dielectric constant of 4.4 and a thickness of 0.8mm as work at four arbitrary frequency bands of 2.4GHz (ISM), 3.5GHz (WiMax), 5.2GHz (WiFi) and 5.8GHz (WiFi). The results of the measured and simulated designs are in good agreement with each other which verifies the proposed design methodology. The design concept of this paper can be easily extended to various multi-band microwave devices.

A Design of 3-dB Wideband Microstrip Power Divider With an Ultra-Wide Isolated Frequency Band

A 3-dB planar wideband power divider with an ultra-wide stopband and isolated frequency band is proposed. In order to extend the passband, the quasi-coupled lines are adopted. Moreover, the open and shorted stubs added at the input and output ports, respectively, can increase the bandwidths of the passband and stopband. Furthermore, in order to broaden the isolated frequency band, the impedance $Z _{\mathrm {iso}}$ with the series connected resister and capacitor on the right side of the middle coupled line is adopted. The detailed derivation is proposed as well. In addition, this power divider is fabricated on the substrate Rogers RO4003C with a compact size of 15.19 mm $\,\times \,11.4$ mm.

Design of wideband six- and eight-way Wilkinson planar power dividers using stepped impedance transformers

In this letter, the design of planar six-way and eight-way power dividers by interconnecting power dividers with two and three output ports is studied. Using this approach, equal ripples of input reflection (S11) within a wide pass band are obtained. The interconnecting lines are used as additional matching sections. The isolation resistors are selected to obtain the optimal output port matching and isolation performances. A prototype of compact, low loss, and wideband eight-way power divider is designed, fabricated, and measured. The simulation and measurement results are in good agreement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:189–192, 2016

Implementation of a compact microstrip power divider using novel split ring resonator

A compact planar wide-band power divider for microwave wireless applications is presented. The miniaturization of the compact broadband power divider is implemented by using a novel co-directional split ring resonator (SRR) structure. The SRRs are etched on the conduct signal strip, which can be easily fabricated and integrated in planer microwave circuits. The proposed power divider has a compact size of only 15×14.97mm2. The measurement results show that the proposed power divider offers a wide bandwidth from 1GHz to 7GHz (S11<−10dB) successfully. The proposed power divider demonstrates equal dividing and good matching in all the relevant bands.