A new compact and wideband quadrature feeding network with an integrated asymmetrical phase shifter

Abstract

Abstract This article reports a new class of quadrature feeding network which integrates an asymmetrical phase shifter to obtain the compact size and wideband property simultaneously. By adjusting the impedance of two loading stubs, this asymmetrical phase shifter can realize 90° phase shift, impedance transformation, and phase slope alignment at the same time. Operation principle and design procedure for this introduced quadrature feeding network are provided with synthesis equations and design curves. By using the shape of Archimedes gradual‐change lines, the area of this circuit layout is fully utilized, and the overall size of the proposed feeding network is only 0.050λg2. Compared with a traditional compact design, this technique can effectively enhance the amplitude balance bandwidth by 1.7 times (from 58% to 101%) and phase balance bandwidth by 5.9 times (from 14% to 83%) as well as keep the circuit size nearly unchanged under the same conditions. To verify the design concept, two prototypes of the quadrature feeding networks are designed, fabricated, and tested. Good agreement between the measured and simulated results is achieved and they well reveal the attractive wideband equal amplitudes and 90° phase balance performance for this proposed new compact quadrature feeding network.

Keywords

• antenna feeds
• broadband antennas
• impedance matching
• microstrip antennas
• phase shifters
• UHF antennas