Abstract: A transmission-line network includes first, second, third, and fourth transmission lines. Signal conductors of the first and third transmission lines are connected in series and the signal conductors of the second and fourth transmission lines are connected in series. Signal-return conductors of the first and fourth transmission lines are connected in series. The signal-return conductors of the second and third transmission lines are connected in series. A first resistor may be connected between a junction between the signal conductors of the first and third transmission lines and a junction between the signal conductors of the second and fourth transmission lines. A second resistor may be connected between a junction between the signal-return conductors of the first and fourth transmission lines and a junction between the signal-return conductors of the second and third transmission lines.

Abstract: A combiner/divider and method of designing a combiner/divider providing a single impedance transformation between a sum port and component ports with a determined insertion-loss variation over a determined operating bandwidth. Preferably the lowest number impedance-transformer sections are included that provide impedance transformation between the sum port and the component ports. A junction network preferably electrically connects a junction-network sum node to each of N junction-network component nodes. The junction-network sum node is connected to the sum port through at least a first impedance-transformer section of the ZT impedance-transformer sections. Each junction-network component node is connected to a respective one of the plurality of component ports through at least a respective second impedance-transformer section of the ZT impedance-transformer sections.

Abstract: A transmission-line assembly provides a transition between more coupled and less coupled transmission lines. The more coupled transmission lines may be configured as a dual stripline, and the less coupled transmission lines may be configured as separate striplines or a dual stripline with reduced coupling. In an intermediate section, the transmission conductors transition between the more coupled and less coupled sections and at least one transmission conductor bends. A grounded shield conductor is coplanar with and edge-coupled to the one transmission conductor and extends along the bend in the one transmission conductor. The shield conductor is not connected to either of the transmission conductors, and overlaps the other transmission conductor when viewed normal to the planes of the transmission conductors, whereby the shield conductor is broadside coupled to the other transmission conductor.

Abstract: A combiner/divider includes a plurality of input/output waveguides distributed in a plane and diverging in at least a partially common direction away from a central point. Each input/output waveguide extends from an outer node disposed distal of the central point to an inner port proximate to and spaced from the central point. Each input/output waveguide has a respective dimension in the plane that increases between the inner port and the outer node. An output/input waveguide has an aggregate port proximate to the central point and facing the inner ports. A transition waveguide defines an open cavity that flares outwardly in the plane from the aggregate port toward the inner ports and communicatively couples the output/input waveguide with the input/output waveguides. Opposing distal surfaces of the transition waveguide and inner port edges are spaced apart by a distance that decreases with increasing distance from the aggregate port.

Abstract: In a four-port transmission-line network, a first transmission line is connected to a first port, second and third transmission lines are connected to a first component port, fourth and fifth transmission lines are connected to a second component port, and a sixth transmission line is connected to a fourth port. The transmission lines are connected as baluns to the ports with the unbalanced signal on the port side and the balanced signals interconnecting with others of the transmission lines. In another example, two or more baluns are connected serially. Each balun includes two transmission lines having signal-return conductors connected together at the ends. One end of a signal conductor on the first balun forms a sum port. One end of the signal-return conductors of the second balun forms a difference port, and a capacitor connects the other end of the signal-return conductors to circuit ground.

Abstract: First ends of a plurality of sub-networks of an exemplary transmission-line network are connected together electrically in series. First ends of a plurality of transmission lines of one subnetwork are connected together in parallel and second ends are connected together in series. The one sub-network has a first-end impedance value that is different than a second-end impedance value. The second-end impedance value of the one sub-network is different than a second-end impedance value of another sub-network. A respective transmission line connects each sub-network to a common circuit node and a respective resistor interconnects each adjacent pair of the second ends of the sub-networks.

Abstract: In a four-port transmission-line network, a first transmission line is connected to a first port, second and third transmission lines are connected to a first component port, fourth and fifth transmission lines are connected to a second component port, and a sixth transmission line is connected to a fourth port. The transmission lines are connected as baluns to the ports with the unbalanced signal on the port side and the balanced signals interconnecting with others of the transmission lines. In another example, two or more baluns are connected serially. Each balun includes two transmission lines having signal-return conductors connected together at the ends. One end of a signal conductor on the first balun forms a sum port. One end of the signal-return conductors of the second balun forms a difference port, and a capacitor connects the other end of the signal-return conductors to circuit ground.

Abstract: A power sampler may include a sampling circuit interposed in one leg of a differential-signal circuit. An input balun may convert a single-ended signal from a signal source into a differential signal on first and second differential-signal input ports. An output balun may convert an output differential signal to a single-ended output signal to a signal load. The sampling circuit may include an inductance and a coupling circuit. The inductance may be an inductor and have an impedance higher than a source impedance. The coupling circuit, which may be a balun, is connected to the inductance and outputs a single-ended sample signal having a magnitude proportional to the inductance impedance at the design frequency. A second coupling-circuit output conducts an output differential signal and may be connected to the output balun.

Abstract: A transmission-line-based impedance transformer including first and second couplers, with each coupler including respective pairs of coupled signal conductors. The signal conductors are connected sequentially in series between an input port and an output port and may form a single spiral configuration. A signal conductor of one coupler may be connected in series between the two signal conductors of another coupler. The couplers have characteristic impedances between an input impedance and an output impedance. A signal conductor of a coupler may include first and second conductor portions disposed in respective spaced-apart parallel planes, with the other signal conductor of the coupler disposed physically directly between the conductor portions. A signal conductor in the spiral may be shielded from coupled signal conductors by ground conductors disposed in respective spaced-apart parallel planes on opposite sides of the shielded signal conductor.

Abstract: A combiner/divider includes a transition waveguide interposed between a plurality of input/output waveguides and an output/input waveguide. The input/output waveguides are preferably distributed in a radial sector extending in the E-plane of the input/output waveguides. The input/output waveguides extend from inner nodes disposed proximate to and spaced from a sector center to outer nodes disposed along an arc of the sector. At least some of the input/output waveguides taper in size from the inner nodes to the outer nodes. Walls between adjacent input/output waveguides also may taper in width between the inner nodes and the outer nodes. The output/input waveguide has an inner port facing and spaced from the inner nodes of the input/output waveguides. A transition waveguide extends between the input/output waveguides and the output/input waveguide and has side walls extending along the radii of the sector for communicatively coupling the output/input waveguide with input/output waveguides.

Abstract: A transmission-line-based impedance transformer including first and second couplers, with each coupler including respective pairs of coupled signal conductors. The signal conductors are connected sequentially in series between an input port and an output port and may form a single spiral configuration. A signal conductor of one coupler may be connected in series between the two signal conductors of another coupler. The couplers have characteristic impedances between an input impedance and an output impedance. A signal conductor of a coupler may include first and second conductor portions disposed in respective spaced-apart parallel planes, with the other signal conductor of the coupler disposed physically directly between the first and second conductor portions. A transmission-line signal conductor in the spiral may be shielded from coupled signal conductors by ground conductors disposed in respective spaced-apart parallel planes on opposite sides of the shielded signal conductor.

Abstract: A multilayer coupler may include electromagnetically coupled planar first and second signal conductors that are separated by a gap, extend adjacent each other along a ground plane, and change orientation in a bend. A plate may be positioned along the bend between the ground plane and the signal conductors. The ground plane may have an opening extending along the bend and the plate. A multilayer coupler may include two coupled signal conductors formed in a loop having a four-wire section in which different sections of the two signal conductors overlap in a four-wire section. In a transition region in which the coupler transitions from the four-wire section to a two-wire section, an isolating ground plane may separate the two two-wire sections extending from the four-wire section. A bend in the transition region may include a plate between the two signal conductors and the ground plane.

Abstract: A multilayer coupler may include electromagnetically coupled planar first and second signal conductors that are separated by a gap, extend adjacent each other along a ground plane, and change orientation in a bend. A plate may be positioned along the bend between the ground plane and the signal conductors. The ground plane may have an opening extending along the bend and the plate. A multilayer coupler may include two coupled signal conductors formed in a loop having a four-wire section in which different sections of the two signal conductors overlap in a four-wire section. In a transition region in which the coupler transitions from the four-wire section to a two-wire section, an isolating ground plane may separate the two two-wire sections extending from the four-wire section. A bend in the transition region may include a plate between the two signal conductors and the ground plane.

Abstract: A multilayer capacitor may include a capacitor stack having pluralities of first and second plate electrodes connected to respective stack face terminals. Two face terminals on different stack sides are connected to the first plate electrodes. Two different face terminals also on different stack sides are connected to the second plate electrodes. Respective base conductors connect to the two sets of face terminals for connecting the capacitor to an external circuit. Three face terminals may be connected to the first or second plate electrodes. The base conductors may connect to the face terminals at the same relative position of the capacitor stack, at different relative positions of the capacitor stack. A capacitor stack may be positioned with a stack end facing a base substrate. Two multilayer capacitors may be mounted electrically in parallel with one or more lossy elements spanning a gap between the capacitors.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power divider/combiner assembly includes a divider network, a plurality of amplifiers, and a combiner network. The divider network divides a received divider-network input signal into N divider-network output signals. The divider network includes at least one divider and at least one divider phase-shift circuit. The plurality of amplifiers include N amplifiers for amplifying the divider-network signals. The combiner network is for combining the N amplified signals into a combiner-network output signal. The combiner network includes at least one combiner and at least one combiner phase-shift circuit. Each phase-shift circuit is configured to produce a respective non-zero phase shift between divider output signals or between combiner input signals.

Abstract: A multilayer capacitor may include a capacitor stack having pluralities of first and second plate electrodes connected to respective stack face terminals. Two face terminals on different stack sides are connected to the first plate electrodes. Two different face terminals also on different stack sides are connected to the second plate electrodes. Respective base conductors connect to the two sets of face terminals for connecting the capacitor to an external circuit. Three face terminals may be connected to the first or second plate electrodes. The base conductors may connect to the face terminals at the same relative position of the capacitor stack, at different relative positions of the capacitor stack. A capacitor stack may be positioned with a stack end facing a base substrate. Two multilayer capacitors may be mounted electrically in parallel with one or more lossy elements spanning a gap between the capacitors.

Abstract: A coupled-line coupler having a coil in one of the coupled lines may include first and second conductors having at least first and second coupled sections in which the first and second conductors are closely coupled. A coil extending around an axis may be formed in the first conductor. At least a portion of the coil may be between the first and second coupled sections. A first portion of the first conductor may cross over a second portion of the first conductor when viewed along the axis. At least a first capacitor may be connected between a circuit ground and the first conductor at a position of the coil between and spaced from the first and second coupled sections.

Abstract: A transmission-line network may include a transmission-line sub-network. The sub-network may include at least first and second transmission lines having respective first ends connected electrically in series relative to a first circuit node and respective second ends connected electrically in parallel relative to a second circuit node. A third transmission line may have a first end directly connected to the second circuit node and a second end electrically connected to the second end of the first transmission line. A fourth transmission line may have a first end directly connected to the second circuit node and a second end electrically connected to the second end of the second transmission line. The transmission-line network may further include an impedance assembly disposed relative to the third and fourth transmission lines configured to produce resistance between the second end of the third transmission line and the second end of the fourth transmission line.

Abstract: A divider may include a first node, a second node, a third node, at least a first divider section, and a first bridging assembly. The first divider section may include associated first and second transmission lines that respectively include first and second conductors that couple the first node to the second and third nodes. The first bridging assembly may include first and second resistors, and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth conductors. First ends of the third and fourth conductors may be respectively connected to the first and second conductors. Second ends of the third and fourth conductors may be grounded. The fifth and sixth conductors may be connected together and their opposite ends may be respectively terminated to ground by the first and second resistors. The third and fifth conductors may be closely inductively mutually coupled, and the fourth and sixth conductors may be closely inductively mutually coupled.

Abstract: A hybrid coupler may include first, second, third, and fourth ports, and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth transmission lines. Each of the transmission lines may include a signal conductor inductively coupled to a signal-return conductor. The first, second, third, and fourth transmission lines may be connected together to form a loop with the first, second, and third transmission lines in series and the fourth transmission line twisted. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth transmission lines may respectively connect respective junctions of the loop to the first, second, third, and fourth ports. A junction of the signal-return conductors of the first, fourth, and fifth transmission lines may not be directly connected to ground. Similarly, a junction of the signal conductor of the fourth transmission line and the signal-return conductors of the third and eighth transmission lines may not be directly connected to ground.