Differential Bi-Level Microstrip Directional Coupler with Equalized Coupling Coefficients for Directivity Improvement

In this paper, a bi-level microstrip differential directional coupler has been investigated. It has been shown that the equalization of coupling coefficients can be successfully made with the use of appropriate dielectric stack-up and conductor geometry. The application of additional top dielectric layer can ensure proper equalization of coupling coefficients by lowering the value of capacitive coupling coefficient to the value of the inductive one. The theoretically investigated coupled-line section has been used for the design of a 3-dB differential directional coupler. The measurement results are compared with the theoretical ones.