Flexible Design of a Compact Coupled-Line Power Divider

Studies indicate that the size reduction of a conventional coupled-line power divider can be implemented with the introduction of reactive elements at the output ends of the pair of coupled-line sections. A theoretical analysis of such a kind of power dividers is performed, and simple design equations are presented in this paper. By choosing the electrical length of the coupled-line section as 30°, a very compact coupled-line power divider is demonstrated. Centered at 1.5 GHz, a validation circuit is optimally designed, built and experimentally verified. Measurements, which match the predictions, confirm the proposed compact divider topology and design procedures.