High efficiency directional coupler

Abstract

A circuit for processing radio frequency signals. The circuit includes a substrate where the circuit can be placed. The substrate can be a meta material and can incorporate at least one dielectric layer (100). A directional coupler (106) and at least one ground (112) can be coupled to the substrate. The dielectric layer can include a first region (102) with a first set of substrate properties and a second region (104) with a second set of substrate properties. The substrate properties can include a permittivity and a permeability. A substantial portion of the directional coupler (106) can be coupled to the second region (104). The permittivity and/or permeability of the second region (104) can be higher than the permittivity and/or permeability of the first region (102). The increased permittivities and/or permeabilities can reduce a size of the directional coupler (106) and effect a change in a variety of electrical characteristics associated with the directional coupler (106).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.