Integration of CPW quadrature couplers in multilayer thin-film MCM-D

Abstract

In this paper, the design, integration, and measurement of quadrature couplers integrated in a multilayer thin-film multichip-module technology are discussed. We have investigated four-and six-finger coplanar-waveguide (CPW) Lange couplers and a coupler based on reentrant sections. Three methods for the design of CPW Lange couplers are compared for the first time. The method of Paolino consistently results in the best performance. The four-finger Lange coupler results in a 3.2+/ 0.2-dB coupling bandwidth from 10.8 to 14.9 GHz, with a return loss better than 18 dB and an isolation better than 20 dB. The six-finger Lange coupler results in a 3.2+/ 0.5-dB coupling bandwidth from 9.5 to 17 GHz, with a return loss and isolation better than 16 dB. The coupler using reentrant sections results in a 3.4+/ 1.1-dB coupling bandwidth from 6.9 to 18.8 GHz with a return loss and isolation better than 21 dB. It is shown that CPW Lange couplers are not sensitive to planarization effects, while for the design of couplers using reentrant sections, the effect should be taken into account. The Lange couplers have the additional advantage that they are easier to design, have a lower insertion loss, and can be very well predicted using method-of-moments simulations.

MEMS for wireless communications: from RF-MEMS components to RF-MEMS-SiP

“…This design library allows microwave circuit design in the frequency range 1-100 GHz in a way similar to the design of MMICs. Typical examples of passive structures that may be integrated as distributed structures are coplanar Lange couplers or ring couplers, power splitters and baluns [125,126]. Such structures are for example required for balanced or low-noise amplifiers, balanced modulators and image reject mixers.…”

Isolation Optimization Method on the Coupler

“…In [5] used two diode capacitance variables in the circuit that are useful as tuning to obtain the desired working frequency, from the simulation results obtained an improvement of isolation of -52 dB [6]. In [3] size reduction, weight but has a higher level of integration and lower power consumption as in [7] in the form of Monolithic Microwave Integrated-Circuit (MMIC) and thin-film multichip module technology (MCM-D ) [8] integrated into microstrip [6] and T / R swiching circuit [9]. For this purpose a design is needed that is integrated between active and passive components.…”

Improvement Branch Line Coupler Isolation in S Band Frequency

“…These applications offer a high level of integration to reduce the size, weight and lower power consumption [3]. Components on the form of Monolithic Microwave Integrated-Circuit (MMIC) [7] and Multilayer thinfilm multichip module technology (MCM-D) [8], which is integrated in the form of microstrip [6] and T / R switching circuit [9]. it is necessary to design integration of the active and the passive component.…”