Development of branchline coupler using parallel coupled transmission lines

This paper investigates the development of branchline coupler using parallel coupled transmission lines on planar microstrip using CST Studio Suite 2010 design tool. This project operates within 4 GHz to 8 GHz frequency band. Two designs are proposed in this project which are basic branch line coupler and branch line coupler with parallel line feeding technique. The main purpose of this study is to improve bandwidth while compare the performance of both designed coupler. The designs are then investigated using CST Microwave Studio simulation tool. The designs are fabricated on microstrip printed circuit board and measured using vector network analyzer. The simulated and experimental results of both developed couplers are compared and analyzed. The overall simulated percentage bandwidth of the proposed coupler is covered from 4 to 8 GHz with percentage bandwidth of 32.32%.