Broadband 4 $times$ 4 Butler Matrices as a Connection of Symmetrical Multisection Coupled-Line 3-dB Directional Couplers and Phase Correction Networks

An innovative approach for realization of broadband 4 times 4 Butler matrices, in which broadband symmetrical multisection 3-dB/90deg directional couplers are used as basic elements, has been presented. A new technique for realization of center crossover together with 45deg phase shifters is proposed where phase correction networks, consisting of a number of coupled-line sections, are applied. The use of the proposed phase correction networks allows to achieve equal-ripple 45deg differential phase characteristics in a wide frequency range. Numerical results for the design of broadband 4 times 4 Butler matrices consisting of multisection symmetrical 3-dB/90deg directional couplers having three, five, seven, and nine coupled-line sections in conjunction with phase correction networks having an appropriate number of coupled-line sections are given in a tabular form. A method of performance improvement for broadband Butler matrices by the combinatory use of directional couplers consisting of different number of coupled-line sections is also proposed. To verify the presented analysis a broadband 4 times 4 Butler matrix consisting of six 3-dB/90deg three-section symmetrical coupled-line directional couplers and two single-section coupled-line phase correction networks has been designed, manufactured, and measured. Results of measurements of the designed Butler matrix fully confirm the validity of the proposed technique of broadband 4 times 4 Butler matrix realization.     

Low‐cost broadband microstrip antenna array for 24 GHz FMCW radar applications

Two designs of microstrip antenna arrays consisting of eight radiating elements and operating within a broad frequency range having the center frequency of 24 GHz are presented. One of the proposed antenna arrays uses a single laminate layer with a ground plane on one side and radiating elements on the other side, the other one is a double layer structure, where the radiating elements with beam‐forming network are placed on the top layer and are fed with the use of the slot coupler. The application of U‐slot radiating elements with enlarged inner parasitic patch allows us to achieve reflection coefficient better than 10 dB within the assumed bandwidth of currently developed FMCW radars, which is 23–25 GHz frequency range. The theoretical analysis as well as experimental results of the manufactured 2 × 4 antenna arrays is shown. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2013.     

Broadband magic‐Ts with the use of coupled‐line directional couplers and left‐handed transmission line sections

The problem of broadband magic‐T realization with the use of coupled‐line directional couplers and left‐handed (LH) transmission‐line sections has been comprehensively investigated. Broadband amplitude characteristics of the proposed networks are ensured with the use of coupled‐line couplers, whereas the required phase characteristics have been achieved by the appropriate selection of right‐ and left‐handed transmission line sections. To analyze the properties of the proposed networks, a model of an ideal left‐handed transmission line has been utilized. The presented concept has been verified by two designs of broadband magic‐Ts operating in 2.5–3.5 GHz and 0.8–2.3 GHz, respectively. The obtained results proved that the proposed magic‐T networks allows one to obtain broadband amplitude and phase responses together with its compact structure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 24:513–521, 2014.