Full-wave analysis of aperture-coupled microstrip lines

Two methods are presented for the analysis of aperture-coupled microstrip lines. Assuming a quasi-transverse electromagnetic traveling wave incident on the feeding line, an expression for the wave on the coupled line is derived. First, the moment method is used and the current on the coupled line is represented by a traveling wave propagating away from the slot. In the second method, the reciprocity theorem is applied to the coupled line. Both the moment method and the reciprocity method make use of the exact Green functions and produce results that are in very close agreement. An equivalent circuit is derived and the S-parameters are computed. Theoretical results are verified with measurements.>