Slotline reverse-phased hybrid ring coupler

Abstract

A slotline directional coupler is disclosed that introduces a 180.degree. phase reversal in one of the arms of the coupler in order to isolate opposite ports of the coupler. One of the arms of the coupler is split and a quarter wave shorted slotline is added to each portion of the split coupler arm. The split coupler arm is bridged by a short conductive strap that, in a first embodiment, is grounded on both ends to the slotline ground plane or in a second embodiment, is extended to appear as though grounded. In the first embodiment, the conductive strap is separated from the ground plane by air. In the second embodiment the dielectric substrate of the coupler separates the strap from the ground plane. The conductive strap serves as a slotline-to-microstrip-to-slotline transition which introduces a 180.degree. phase shift in a signal propagating through it.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.