Ultra-wideband in-phase power divider using stepped-impedance three-line coupled structure and microstrip-to-slotline transitions

A compact in-phase power divider utilising a stepped-impedance three-line coupled structure and microstrip-to-slotline transitions is presented. The equivalent circuit of the structure is used to predict the required dimensions for ultra-wideband performance. The length of the structure, excluding the input/output ports needed for the measurements, is around a quarter guided wavelength. The simulated and measured results for the two developed devices indicate equal in-phase power division with less than 0.1 dB and 2° amplitude and phase imbalances, respectively. The return loss at the three ports is more than 15 dB in one prototype, whereas the isolation is more than 13 dB in the other across the band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz.