7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
Design of conventional Rat-race Coupler
Ashutosh Dubeya, Sumit Gaikwadb, Sujeet Kumar Kannaujiac, Jairaj Gunjald ,Dr.Varsha
Shah
a,b,c,d
Student, Electronics and Telecommunication, Rizvi College of Engineering
e
Principal ,Rizvi College of Engineering
a
[email protected] ,
[email protected],
c
[email protected] ,
[email protected] Abstract – This paper presents the deign of rat-race coupler using CST microwave and implemented on FR4 substrate
of 1.6mm it was conventional rat-race coupler and has features like low cost, planar structure, low insertion loss. This
is designed at operating frequency of 1.8Ghz.
Key words: Combiner,Rat race, coupling.
1. INTRODUCTION :
The Rat Race Coupler is a device used in microwave system. It is a four port device where two ports
are λ/4 apart from each other and one port 3λ/4 apart which provides a phase shift of 270⸰ .Here,we can
use any port as an input port and power gets coupled to other two ports providing 3db coupling and one
port is an isolated port due to cancellation of phase at that port .The rat race coupler is used in many
microwave circuit e.g.:- the rat race coupler is used to provide input to many antenna systems. Here,3db
coupling corresponds to equal (half) power division at other 2 ports. The advantages of rat race couple
incudes simple design, low cost, and even planer structure. There are two main limitations related to rat
race couplers namely the undesired interference and also the restrictions over the bandwidth[1].
To overcome the disadvantage of narrow bandwidth we can use a λ/4 couple lines instead of 3λ/4
couple line and eliminate without deviating from operating frequency and also by using shunt reactive
element which uses capacitor and inductor. To overcome the disadvantage of interference we can use a
T section stub on a ring of rat race coupler[1].
A conventional rat race coupler is a four port device and 3 ports are separated by a distance of λ/4 and
1 port is separated by a distance of 3 λ/4. The impedance of ring is √2 *Zo.
Figure 1- ring hybrid, or rat-race copuler
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B8 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
2. OPERATION:
When the input is applied to port 1 the power is divided and reaches port 2 and port 3 with a phase of
90⸰ and 90⸰ from both sides due to a separation of λ/4 and half power is coupled to port 2& 3 respectively
, and power reaches port 4 with a phase of 360⸰ and 180⸰ from both side due to which phase cancellation
occurs at this port and hence it is referred to as isolated with respect to the applied input.
The coupler is a four port network with a 180 degree phase shift between the two output ports. It can
also be operated so that the outputs are in phase. With reference to the figure signal applied at port 1
will evenly split into 2 in phase components at port 2 and 4 whereas port 3 is isolated. If the input is
applied to port 3 signal wil evenly split at port 2 and 4 with a phase shift of 180◦ and port 1 will be
isolated. If working as a combiner with input signals applied to port 2 and 4 the sum of the inputs will
be formed at port 1 and difference of input will occur at port 3.
2.1. EVEN-ODD MODE ANALYSIS WHEN INPUT PORT IS PORT 1,[1].
The mode analysis is performed for two modes i.e. the even and the odd mode to obtain the required S-
matrix of rat race coupler.
Fig 2. (a) even mode (b) odd mode circuit when input is from 1 and 3 port
Even -odd mode analysis: when input is given to port 1 at ring junction which will further divide in to
two equal components at port 2 and port 3 with same phase and at port 4 out of phase due to which it is
a isolated port.
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B9 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
The amplitude of scatter wave will be,
We can calculate reflection and transmission co-efficient using ABCD matrix of odd and even mode
of two port circuit .The result is
With the help of parameter conversion method,
Using above equations,
B1= 0; B2= -j/ √2; B3= -j/√2 ; B4=0
This shows input port 1is matched and port 4 is isolated and power is evenly divided in phase between
port 2 and port 3. Result of above analysis is shown in first row and column of S-matrix
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B10 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
2.2. EVEN ODD ANALYSIS WHEN INPUT PORT IS PORT 4,[1].Now consider power is applied
at port 4 and it arrives at port 2 and 3 with 180 relative phase and these two components will 180 out of
phase at port 1. This decomposition results into super position of two circuits and excitation
Fig 3. (a) even mode (b) odd mode circuit
Amplitude of scatter wave is
The ABCD matrix of above circuits are
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B11 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
By using parameter conversion method
Using result of above equation gives,
Which short port 1 is isolated and port 4 is match port and at port 2 and port 3 power get divide with
180phase difference.
This will result in to fourth row and column of S-matrix
Remaining element in matrix found by using symmetry consideration. Bandwidth is limited here due
to dependence of ring length on frequency it generally provide 20-30% bandwidth. To increase
bandwidth we can use additional sections or a symmetric ring circuit.
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B12 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
3. COUPLER DESIGN AND ANALYSIS:
In the given proposed model the dielectric material is fr4(εr=4.4) and height is h=1.6mm for the
operating frequency =1.8 GHz. The w/h ratio is chosen as < 2. Conventional Coupler dimension are
calculated using the following formulas
The Width for input (Z = 50Ω) and width for branches ( ZA= ZB = 70.7Ω) ,[3] is calculated using the
formula
The effective dielectric constant εeff1 (Z = 50Ω) and εeff2 for branches ( ZA = ZB = 70.7Ω), [3] is
calculated using
The Wavelength is calculated with the known C= 3X108 m⁄s (velocity of light ) and with given operating
frequency, [3] f= 1.8 GHz
The outer and inner radius of the Rat-Race coupler ,[3] is calculated using
Inner radius of the ring = r-(w/2) and the outer radius = r+(w/2),[3].
The values of the design parameters like the width of input branches , radius of the ring , inner and the
outer radius and the wavelength obtained using the above mentioned formula and are tabulated below
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B13 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
Table no.1: Calculated and optimize parameters of coupler
S.NO Parameters Value
1 Frequency 1.8 GHz
2 Width for input 3.0608mm
3 Width for branches 1.6227mm
Radius
4 Inner radius 21.7mm
5 Outer radius 23.7mm
4. SIMULATED RESULT:
Fig 4. S-parameter plot after simulation
5. CONCLUSION:
Hence we concluded that we design the ratrace coupler and simulated result is when input power applied
to port 2 have 3dB coupled power to port 1 and port 4 and port 3 is isolated port . Fabricated ratrace
coupler is shown below.
Fig 4. Fabricated ratrace coupler
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B14 April 2019
7th International Conference on Global Technology Initiatives
REFERENCES:
[1] David. M.Pozar, ‘‘Microwave Engineering,” John Wiley,Fourth edition.
[2] Annapurna Das, Sisir K Das, ‘‘ Microwave Engineering. McGraw Hill Education, Third edition.
[3] B. Pavithra, Dr.S.Maheswari ,‘‘Design Of Compact 180 Degree Hybrid Coupler Using T-shape
Structure”.Phoenixes on Emerging Current Trends in Engineering and Management (PECTEAM),AER
vol. 142.2018.
[4] K.-K. M. Cheng and F.-L. Wong, “Dual band rat race coupler design using tri-section branch-line,”
Electronic Letters, vol. 43, no. 6, March. 2007.
[5] Slawomir Gruszczynski and Krzysztof Wincza, “Broadband Rat-Race Couplers With Coupled-Line
Section and Impedance Transformers”, IEEE Microwave and wireless components letters, VOL. 22,
NO. 1, JANUARY 2012.
[6] Tadashi Kawai, Isao Ohta, and Akira Enokihara , “Design methods for broadband 3 dB branch-line
and rat-race hybrids”, IEICE Electronics Express, Vol.10, No.12,2013
Rizvi College of Engineering, Bandra B15 April 2019
