SIGW Based Bi-directional Coupler for Ku-Band Applications

Abstract

In this paper, a bi-directional coupler based on substrate integrated gap waveguide (SIGW) is presented for Ku-band applications. The proposed coupler is considered to be the first bi-directional coupler that is realized using gap waveguide technology. It operates at frequency band of 14-17 GHz. The quasi-transverse electromagnetic (Q-TEM) SIGW based coupler is excited through a co-planar waveguide (CPW). The proposed design is characterized by its compactness, planar profile structure and low signal dispersion. The design parameters were optimized using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method of analysis (CST microwave studio). The presented coupler is designed to be used as a feeding network for radar beam steering applications, adaptive antennas and beam forming networks. Furthermore, it can be considered as a good candidate in terms of power conservation concept.