A compact wideband coupler design for 5G applications

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a compact broadband coupler specifically dedicated to 5G applications. The innovative approach proposed skillfully merges two distinct methods: the use of stepped impedance structures and meanders. The aim is not only to miniaturize the structure and extend the bandwidth, but also to maintain high performance, particularly within the 3.5 GHz core frequency band. The effectiveness of this approach is reflected in a remarkable reduction in size, down by 59% compared with conventional designs. In addition, the achievement of a large fractional bandwidth 40% is a significant result of this study. Equally important, this coupler offers a precise quadrature phase difference between its two output ports. The extensive experimental results confirm the relevance of this innovative approach, making it a promising choice for the design of compact, high-performance couplers for state-of-the-art 5G applications.