Ultrabroadband 90° Hybrids: Part 1 Even-Mode Impedances

Parent Category: 2021 HFE

Correction:

Due to a misprint in last month’s issue affecting the equations on this page, HFE is re-printing it here with corrections.

By Dr. John Howard and Steve Jalil

An extension of Tresselt’s(1) 90-degree hybrid theory introduces an improvement of bandwidth compared to the present theory. Using four weighting methods of Gibb’s phenomena reduction, low coupling ripples are achieved for a very wide bandwidth.

Introduction: Tresselt has provided an equi-ripple, multi-octave 90-degree hybrid design capable of developing 90-degree hybrids exceeding 18:1 bandwidth with increased ripple.  Application of four weighting correction methods to the Gibb’s phenomena extends the bandwidth of the 90-degree hybrids up to 120:1 with reduced ripple.

Theoretical and Computational Results:

The conventional frequency response of a 90° hybrid coupler can be given by equation 1 below.

Equation 1 exhibits the Gibbs phenomenon.  Applying appropriate weighting functions in order to improve the Gibbs phenomenon results also in diminishing all other response ripples.  One may seek to have all ripple values equal (2) but as long as the Gibbs ripple is below some desired value there is no reason to introduce further computational complications.

A 3dB 90-degree hybrid coupler is unrealizable due to the very high coupling impedance required at the center section of the 90-degree hybrid.  Therefore, two -8.343dB symmetrical couplers are connected in tandem to achieve the -3dB response required.

Tresselt shows that the inverse Fourier Transform of equation 1 is related to the even mode impedance of the hybrid coupler by

Where p(x) is the reflection coefficient distribution along the length of the hybrid coupler and u is defined in reference 1. Using the method provided by Tresselt the impedance variation from the center to the end of the 90-degree hybrid coupler is given in figure 1 through 4.

Where u is related to the hybrid coupler bandwidth.