ECE 5317-6351

Microwave Engineering
Fall
2011

Prof. David R. Jackson

Dept. of ECE

Notes
20
Power Dividers
and
Couplers
Part 2
1

Directional Couplers
Four-Port
Networks

Consider a reciprocal 4-port network with

matched ports:

S12
0

S13
S23

S13

S14

S23
S24

0
S34

0
S
12

S14
S24

S34

There are 6 degrees of

freedom (independent S
parameters).

If lossless [S] is
unitary.
The device is called a directional coupler if:

S14 S23 0
2

Directional Couplers
Directional coupler:
S12
0

S13
0

S13

0
S24

0
S34

0
S
12

0
S24

S34

There are now 4

degrees of
freedom.

ports are matched.

power flows to port 4 from in the input port 1 (i.e., port 4 is isolated).

s 2 and 3 are isolated (power incident on port 2 does not get to port 3 and vice v

Directional Couplers
Directional coupler
symbol:

ports are matched.

power flows to port 4 from in the input port 1 (i.e., port 4 is isolated).

s 2 and 3 are isolated (power incident on port 2 does not get to port 3 and vice v

Directional Couplers
S12

S13

S13

0
S24

0
S34

0
S
12

S24

S34

From the unitary property of the matrix, we have the

following results:
2

S12 S13 1

(Dot column 1 with its conjugate)

*
S12 S13* S24 S34
0

(Dot column 2 with the conjugate of column 3)

S13 S24

(Dot column 1 dotted with its conjugate, subtract from column 2 dotted with its conjugate)

S12 S34

(Dot column 2 dotted with its conjugate, subtract from column 3 dotted with its conjugate,
and use the with previous result above)

Directional Couplers
(cont.)

Choose

S12 S34
S13 e j , S24 e j
The first equation is really just a choice of reference planes on
ports 2 and 3, which makes these parameters real.
2

S12 S13 1 2 2 1
*
S12 S13* S24 S34
0 e j e j 0

e j 1 e j 0
2 n

(usually, n = 0)

Directional Couplers
(cont.)
Two possible choices:

1) Symmetrical coupler( / 2)
0

S
j

0
0
j

j
0
0

0
j

o
Example: 90 quadrature hybrid coupler

2) Anti-symmetrical coupler
0;
0

0
0
-

0
0

0
-

Example: 180o rat-race hybrid coupler

Directional Couplers
Assume a signal into (cont.)
port 1
P1

P2

P4

P3

P1

Return

P1-
lossRL -10log P -20log S11
1
dB

Ideally +
dB

DirectivityD

dB

P3
S

10log 20log 31 20log

S41
S41
P4

Ideally +
dB

Isolation

dB

P1
1
10log 20log
S41
P4

Ideally +
dB

Coupling C

dB

P1
1
10log 20log
-20log
P
S
31
3

Assume ports 2-4 are matched.

A hybrid coupler is one
for which the coupling is
3 dB (equal power split
at the output ports 2
and 3):
S31

1
;
2

C dB 3 dB

Note : I dB D dB C dB

90o (Quadrature) Hybrid Coupler

A quadrature coupler is one in which the input is split into two
signals (usually with a goal of equal magnitudes) that are 90
degrees apart in phase. Types of quadrature couplers include
branchline couplers (also known as quadrature hybrid couplers),
Lange couplers and overlay couplers.
Taken from Microwaves 101
http://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/Quadrature_coup
lers.cfm
This is very useful for obtaining circular polarization:
There is a 90o phase difference between ports 2 and 3.

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

2

1
90o hybrid
4

0 j 1 0

-1 j 0 0 1
S
2 1 0 0 j

0
1
j
0

The quadrature hybrid is a lossless 4-port (the S matrix is

unitary ).
All four ports are matched.
The device is reciprocal (the S matrix is symmetric.)
Port 4 is isolated from port 1 and ports 2 and 3 are isolated
from each other.

10

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

The quadrature hybrid is usually used as a splitter:
2

1
90o hybrid
4

+90o out of phase

-90o out of phase
3

The signal from port 1 splits evenly between ports 2 and 3, with
a 90o phase difference.

S21 jSCan
be used to produce right-handed circular polarization.
31
The signal from port 4 splits evenly between ports 2 and 3, with
a -90o phase difference.

S24 jSCan
be used to produce left-handed circular polarization.
34
11

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

(Branch-line coupler)
A microstrip realization is shown
here.

0 j 1 0

-1 j 0 0 1
S
2 1 0 0 j

0
1
j
0

Note: We only need to study

what happens when we excite
port 1, since the structure is
symmetric.
We use even/odd mode analysis
(exciting ports 1 and 4) to figure
out what happens when we
excite port 1.
12

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Even
Analysis

Y0 1 / Z 0

V3e V2 e

Ys jY0 tan sls

jY0 tan / 4
jY0

V4 e V1e
13

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Odd
Analysis

Y0 1 / Z 0

Ys jY0 cot s ls

jY0 cot / 4

V -V
o
3

o
2

jY0

V4o -V1o
14

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Consider the
general case:
+ for even
Y jY0

- for odd

In general:

ABCD Y

1
Y

0
1

Shunt load on line

ABCD

0
j 2
Z
0

jZ 0
2

cos l

ABCD line

Quarter-wave line

j / Z sin l
line
0

jZ 0line sin l

D cos l

Here : Z 0line Z 0 / 2

l / 2

ABCD ABCD Y ABCD ABCD Y

4

15

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Hence we have

1
ABCD

1 j 2

Z
0

jZ 0
2

1
Y

jZ 0Y
2
0

1 j 2
Z
0

jZ 0
2

jZ 0Y
2
jZ 0Y 2 j 2

Z0
2

jZ 0
2

jZ 0Y
2

1 0
Y 1

j + for even
Z 0 - for odd

16

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Continuing with the algebra, we have

ABCD

j
jZ 0
Z 0

1
2

jZ j j 2

Z0
Z 0
j j

1
1
j2
2 j

Z0
Z 0

m1

1
1
2 j
Z 0

jZ 0

j
jZ 0
Z

0
jZ 0

j j

jZ 0

m1

17

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Hence we have

m1

1
1

2 j
Z 0

ABCD e
0

jZ 0

m1

Convert this to S parameters (use Table 4.2 in Pozar):

S 0e

0
m1- j

m1- j
2

18

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

V1S11
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

Hence

S11 0

V1- e V1-o V1- e V1-o

1 V1- e V1-o
S11

V V
2V
2 V
V
1 e

S11 S11o 0 0

By symmetry:

S11 S22 S33 S44 0

19

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

V2 S21
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

V2 - e V2 -o V2 - e V2 -o 1 e
o
S21

S21 S21

V V
2V
2
1 -1- j 1- j

2
2
2

-j
2

-j
By symmetry and reciprocity:S21 S12 S43 S34
2

20

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

V3S31
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

V3- e V3-o V3- e V3-o V2- e V2 -o 1 e

o
S31

S21 - S21

V V
2V
2V
2
1 -1- j 1- j

-

2
2
2

-1
2

-1
By symmetry and reciprocity:S31 S13 S24 S42
2

21

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

V4 S41
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

V4 - e V4 -o V4- e V4 -o V1- e V1-o

1 e
o
S41

S
S

11
11 0

V V
2V
2V
2

By symmetry and reciprocity:S41 S14 S 23 S32 0

22

Quadrature Hybrid Coupler (cont.)

Summary

0 j 1 0

-1 j 0 0 1
S
2 1 0 0 j

0
1
j
0

The input power to port 1

divides evenly between
ports 2 and 3, with ports
2 and 3 being 90o out of
phase.
23

180o Hybrid Coupler (Rat-Race Ring

Hybrid)
Applications of rat-race couplers are numerous,
and include mixers and phase shifters. The rat-race
gets its name from its circular shape, shown below.
Taken from Microwaves
101
http://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/ratrace_cou
plers.cfm

Figure 7.42 of
Pozar
Photograph of a
microstrip ring hybrid.
Courtesy of M. D. Abouzahra, MIT
Lincoln Laboratory

24

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
2
1

180o hybrid
4

0 1

-j 1 0
S
2 1 0

0 -1

1 0
0 -1

0 1

1 0

The rat race is a lossless 4-port (the S matrix is unitary).

All four ports are matched.
The device is reciprocal (the S matrix is symmetric).
Port 4 is isolated from port 1 and ports 2 and 3 are isolated from
each other.
25

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
The rat race can be used as a splitter:

In phase 180o out of phase

180o hybrid

The signal from the sum port (port 1) splits evenly between
ports 2 and 3, in phase.

S21 S31
The signal from the difference port (port 4) splits evenly
between ports 1 and 2, 180o out of phase.

S24 S34
26

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)

The rat race can be used as a combiner:

V1 V2 S12

Signal 1 (V1)

180o hybrid

V1 V2 S42

Signal 2 (V2)

The signal from the sum port (port 1) is the sum of the
input signals 1 and 2.

S12 S13
The signal from the difference port (port 4) is the
difference of the input signals 1 and 2.

S42 S43
27

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
A microstrip realization is shown
here.

0 1

-j 1 0
S
2 1 0

0 -1

1 0
0 -1

0 1

1 0
28

180o Hybrid Coupler (Magic

T)realization of a 180 hybrid coupler is shown here, called
A waveguide
o

a Magic T.

Magic T
Please see p. 361 of Pozar.

IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society

0 1

-j 1 0
S
2 1 0

0 -1

1 0
0 -1

0 1

1 0

Note the logo!

29

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)

Layout

Schematic
30

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)

Even
Analysis

Ys1 jY0 s1 tan s ls1

j Y0 / 2 tan / 4
jY0 / 2

Y0 1/ Z 0
Y0 s Y0 / 2

Ys 2 jY0 s 2 tan sls 2

j Y0 / 2 tan 3 / 4
jY0 / 2

31

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)

Odd
Analysis

Ys1 jY0 s1 cot s ls

j Y0 / 2 cot / 4
jY0 / 2
Ys1 jY0 s 2 cot s ls

Y0 1 / Z 0

j Y0 / 2 cot 3 / 4
jY0 / 2

32

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
Proceeding as for the 90o coupler, we have:

ABCD 0e

1
jY0

jY0

2
1

2
j
Z
0

0
j

1
2Z0

1
j

1
2Z0

j 2 Z 0

jY
m 0
2

j 2 Z 0

j 2 Z 0

m1

33

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
Converting from the ABCD matrix to the S matrix, we have

ABCD 0e

2
jZ
0

j 2 Z 0

m1

Table 4.2 in Pozar

S 0e

- j 1 1

2 1 m1
34

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
For the S parameters
coming from port 1 excitation, we then have:
V1S11
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

S11 S33 0

V1- e V1-o
S11
2V
1 -j

2 2
0

1 e
S11 S11o

(symmetry)

V2 S21
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

S21 S12 S34 S43 - j

2
(symmetry and reciprocity )

V2 - e V2 -o
1 e
o
S21

21
21
2V
2
1 -j
- j


2 2
2
-j

2
35

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)

V3S31
V1

a2 a3 a4 0

S31 S13 (symmetry )

j
2

V3- e V3-o
1 e
o
S31

S
S

11
11
2V
2
1 -j
j

-
2 2
2
-j

Similarly, exciting port 2, and using symmetry and

reciprocity, we have the following results:

S22 S44 0
S23 S32 S14 S41 0
S24 S42 j

2
36

Rat-Race Ring Hybrid

(cont.)
Summary

0 1

-j 1 0
S
2 1 0

0 -1

1 0
0 -1

0 1

1 0

37