Broadband branchline coupler for S-band

The design of an S-band, broadband, microstrip 3 dB, 90 degrees branchline coupler is described and measured results for a prototype version are given. The design uses broadbanding stubs and three branches, with the central branch split into two of twice the characteristic impedance and separated by half wavelength transmission lines. This is a new technique to improve the bandwidth of which a theoretical account was given by Mayer (see ibid., vol.26, no.18, p.1477-8, 1990). Measured results for the prototype coupler show return loss greater than 17 dB and isolation greater than 16.5 dB, over a percentage bandwidth of 45%.