Six-Port Branch-Waveguide Directional Couplers

A new coupler configuration is presented which comprises three rectangular waveguides connected to each other by two identical arrays of branch guides. This component Is primarily designated for use In the beam-forming networks of multiple or contoured beam satellite antennas and offers the potential to reduce their complexity, insertion loss, mass and size. The analysis, synthesis and optimisation of this six-port coupler are outlined In detail. Measurements on an experimental model confirm the validity of the computer predictions.