A novel reconfigurable coupler for intelligent SOP RF front-ends

Author

Marcaccioli, Luca ; Lugo, Cesar ; Tentzeris, Manos M. ; Papapolymerou, John ; Sorrentino, Roberto

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electron. & Inf. Eng., Perugia Univ., Italy

Volume

1

fYear

2005

fDate

4-6 Oct. 2005

Abstract

A novel class of planar reconfigurable directional couplers for intelligent system on package (SOP) RF front-ends is presented. Reconfigurability is obtained by modifying the electrical parameters of the coupled lines so as to tune the coupling ratio. RF switches such as MEMS or PIN diodes can be used to enable a wide range of reconfigurability in a very compact and low-loss device. The performance and the limitations of the coupler are discussed and design equations are provided. A hardwired prototype in microstrip technology has been manufactured. The novel concept introduced, however, is technology independent so that the reconfigurable coupler can be fabricated in microstrip, stripline or coplanar configurations.

Keywords

coupled transmission lines; microstrip directional couplers; system-in-package; MEMS; PIN diodes; RF switches; coplanar configuration; coupled lines; intelligent SOP RF front-ends; intelligent system on package; microstrip fabrication; microstrip technology; planar reconfigurable directional couplers; reconfigurable coupler; stripline configuration; Directional couplers; Equations; Intelligent systems; Manufacturing; Micromechanical devices; Microstrip; Packaging; Prototypes; Radio frequency; Switches;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Microwave Conference, 2005 European

Print_ISBN

2-9600551-2-8

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EUMC.2005.1608788

Filename

1608788