Coupled mode analysis of forward and backward coupling in multiconductor transmission lines

The nonorthogonal coupled mode theory is extended to the analysis of multiconductor transmission lines by including backward coupling. Coupling coefficients are expressed as overlap integrals of the eigenfields and currents belonging to individual lines. These eigenmode solutions are calculated using the finite-difference time-domain method, which can provide a broadband solution through a single simulation. General termination conditions are given, and scattering parameters of a multiconductor transmission line can be obtained directly by solving the coupled mode equations subject to these termination conditions. As illustrative examples, several configurations of coupled microstrip lines are analyzed, and numerical results are presented. It is observed that both the forward and backward coupling results agree fairly well with results from Advanced Design System Momentum software.