Directional Coupler Design Lab

Objective: Design, optimize, build, and test a Directional Coupler 1. Review the text and design a 10 dB Directional coupler (that is with a coupling coefficient of 10 dB) using microstrip line with a center frequency of 2.5 GHz. The first step is to design the directional coupler analytically assuming ideal transmission lines. 2. ADS simulation. A. Analyze the directional coupler design assuming ideal lossless lines using HPADS. Make sure that the design is matched at all ports, the proper insertion losses are realized and isolation. Also verify that the phase of the outputs behave as predicted. Print out your schematic and pertinent plots of the scattering parameters. B. Build your schematic using microstrip lines. Your substrate - specified using MSUB - is a 30 mil Arlon 320 substrate with relative permittivity of 3.20 and a loss tangent of 0.0038. The conductor is 35 m (or 1.4 mil) thick copper ( 4.7 107 S/m). Use MLIN for the uniform microstrip lines, MSTEP for any abrupt changes in line widths, and MSOBND for the 90-degree bends. Also, used MCLIN for the coupled microstrip lines. Use Linecalc to determine the length, width and separation of the coupled microstrip lines. Simulate your design using ADS. Optimize your design to realize a matched network, the proper coupling coefficient, and isolation of ports 1 and 4. C. Simulate your structure in Momentum. Try to optimize your design (manually). D. Generate your layout. Make sure that, the entire circuit should fit on a board no larger than 3" 3" board (This should not present a problem). Make sure that the port lines are appropriately laid out so that you can properly attach the SMA connectors and make the measurements. Also, remember, your reference plane for each port is 1/2" from the edge of the board. Measure your circuit: 1. Fabricate your circuit using the PC Board Etching process from the masks based on your circuit provided by the instructor. 2. Solder on edge mounted SMA connectors to your circuit board. 3. Calibrate the network analyzer from 1.5-3 GHz (if necessary). 4. Measure your 4-port parameters over this range. Lab Report: 1. Complete your lab report. Include sections on: 1) theory, 2) ADS simulations, 3) fabrication, 4) measured results, 5) conclusions. 2. When you draw your conclusions, address the following questions relating the measured results to the theoretical: How well matched are all of the ports? Did the circuit perform as expected? Were there shifts in the resonant frequency? If so, what mechanisms would result in this? What losses were observed? What loss mechanisms or other parasitic effects deteriorate the performance from the ideal?