Design and Manufacturing of Ku Band Coupler

Abstract

This paper reports a novel approach for a microstrip based parallel line coupler designed at centre frequency of 16 GHz. The design is based on analytical computations and is simulated in Serenade Harmonica and validated experimentally. For experimental validation, a prototype was fabricated and tested using network analyzer. An issue of less spacing between parallel lines was identified and solved in a distinguished way i.e., by optimizing the shape ratios for the best response. Fabrication was done on GML substrate with thickness of 30 mils (0.762 mm) having relative permittivity of 3.2. Response of manufactured device was recorded over a 1.6 GHz bandwidth (10% of centre frequency) for its implementation at narrowband reception channel with required coupling of -11.5 dB. Experimental results of manufactured device were found in good agreement with simulation results in terms of coupling factor and S-Parameters. Device technology developed is found precise, simple and cheap, and is suitable for mass production.