Microstrip Spiral Directional Coupler

A new microwave directional coupler with a spiral-shaped construction is described. This coupler is named the spiral coupler and is formed by coiling two edge-coupled lines. Therefore, the size of the coupler can be greatly miniaturized. Furthermore, this coupler can achieve tight coupling much easier than the conventional coupler with edge-coupled lines on account of the multiconductor structure. The spiral couplers with a total length of a quarter-wave were fabricated on alumina ceramic substrates and resulted in 3.5-dB maximum conpling for a 40-mu m strip spacing. The size of the coupler was about one-sixth of the conventional one. The spiral coupler with a total length of three quarter-waves theoretically showed 2.5-dB coupling for a 95-mu m strip spacing on an alumina substrate. The achieved coupling is due to the skillful construction of the spiral. An experimental coupler fabricated on a Teflon substrate confirmed the usefulness of this approach.