Improving Load Range of Dual-Band Impedance Matching Networks Using Load-Healing Concept

A novel and very simple scheme to mend conventional dual-band impedance matching networks is presented. It involves the employment of a load-modifying element (load-healer) so as to extend the range of frequency-dependent complex load that could be matched. Two simple load-healers incorporated in the conventional T-network are used to illustrate the concept. The proposed scheme can be successfully applied in many situations where conventional matching networks are severely limited. Two prototypes operating concurrently at 1 and 2 GHz are designed corresponding to the two types of load-healer. They are implemented on FR4 substrate having a dielectric constant of 4.6, a substrate height of 1.5 mm, and a 35-μm copper cladding. The prototypes exhibit good agreement between their EM simulated and measured results.