ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques

Dominic FitzPatrick
PoweRFul Microwave
15 Adelaide Place, Ryde
Isle of Wight, PO33 3DP, UK
dominic@powerfulmicrowave.co.uk

Abstract—this paper describes a design approach for printed the advent of higher thermal conductivity substrates. Indeed
Baluns. One route to high efficiency amplifiers is to construct a [1] itself demonstrates a planar combiner for a 1.1kW
balanced design where two transistors are driven 180° out of amplifier, Figure 1.
phase. Structures that can create these phase shifts are called The advantages from a high power amplifier point of
Baluns, BALanced to UNbalanced. Commonly these are view of a balanced (or push-pull) design are significant:
constructed from coaxial cables, often incorporating ferrites; • High efficiency
an alternative approach using planar transmission lines has
• 4x increase in device impedance compared to a
cost and assembly advantages but has suffered from being
difficult to design, partly due to a lack of adequate linear
single ended circuit.
models. Modern E-M simulations which can create an E-M • Excellent even harmonic rejection.
simulation from a conventionally described microstrip circuit • Impedance transformation.
can be utilised to accurately analyse such structures. • Increased reproducibility and lower assembly
costs.
Keywords – Balun, balanced amplifiers, push-pull, VHF
power combiners, power dividers, suspended stripline, E-M CAD.

I. INTRODUCTION
At microwave frequencies (>1GHz) the use of printed
microstrip couplers has been well established and numerous
papers have been written about the design of such structures.
Thus it came as something of a surprise when asked to
update the design of a VHF power amplifier that little had
been written about the subject of printed Baluns. Perhaps
even more surprising was that the predominant approach to
power combining at these frequencies used coaxial cables
with inherent assembly, cost and thermal issues, Figure 2. Figure 1, NXP DVB-T amplifier using planar combiners [1].
There is some debate as to which approach is better at power
handling; a useful reference on the subject [1] states that
“planar structures are not able to handle as much average II. PLANAR COUPLER THEORY
power as broadband transmission line transformers…”. It is A common error is to forget that the planar balun is not
not entirely clear to the author why this should be the case, if dependent on fractions of a wavelength, but rather relies on
good thermal design practice is followed and especially with inductive coupling. The theory of the coupling is complex
and one approach to modelling it is to use superposition
principles, as has been described in detail [2]. It is beneficial
to recall the basics of the ideal transformer behaviour in
order to start to formulate a design method for planar
couplers. In the ideal transformer two separate wires are
coiled around a former whereby the flow of current through
the one wire (the primary) causes electric and magnetic
fields which interact with the other wire (the secondary) to
cause a current to flow in this wire. In the ideal transformer it
is assumed that:
a) The magnetic flux is the same for both coils (there is
no flux leakage.
Figure 2, Freescale 1100W FM Broadcast Reference Design

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 1

ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

b) Faradays electro-motive law applies: the voltage

induced is proportional to the rate of change of PORT INDK
current times the number of turns. P=1 ID=L2
c) That there are no losses, i.e. the source and load Z=50 Ohm L=57.74 nH
power are the same. 1 2
d) That the permeability of the ideal transformer is K
independent of flux density, i.e. it is a linear device.

Further it can be shown, [3] that the ratio of the source and

L1
L2
load impedance is proportional to the square of the turns INDM
ratio. This is important as it highlights the second function of ID=M1
the balun, that of an impedance transformer. M=39.45 nH

K
In practice however:
i. There is flux leakage, which is represented by
ZL=7.5
leakage inductance.
ii. The magnetising inductance is finite. K
iii. There are copper and core (hysteresis and eddy 2 1
currents) losses. PORT INDK PORT
iv. The relative permeability of magnetic materials P=3 ID=L1 P=2
does change with DC and RF currents (and Z=ZL Ohm L=45.5 nH Z=ZL Ohm
frequency and temperature). Figure 3, Circuit Model of Mutually Coupled Inductor Balun
v. There is parasitics capacitance between coil
windings.
Insertion and Return IP Matched Coupler Coils
0 0
The coupling between the two coils is described in terms of
the mutual inductance, M, and this in turn can be used to -2
m2
-6
calculated the coupling coefficient, K, as described in {1},
DB(|S(2,1)|) (L)
m1 Coupling Port 2
Insertion Loss (dB)

Return Loss (dB)

and the relationship between secondary inductance LS and -4
DB(|S(1,1)|) (R)
I/P Match -12
the other key parameters are given in {3}, for a full DB(|S(2,2)|) (R)
derivation see [3]. The subscript “S” can be confusing for in -6 O/P Match
-18
the case of ZS and RS it refers to ‘source’ and LS it refers to m1: 98 MHz
-3.01 dB
secondary. These relationships can be modelled using a -8 m2: 98 MHz -24
-6.03 dB
linear simulator as shown in Figure 3.

-10 -30

= 20 45 70 95 120 145 170 195 220

 × 
Frequency (MHz)
{1}
Figure 4, Narrow band response of capacitively tuned input.
 
=   = 
{2}

  Output Phase Performance
 = × 
{3} 90 190

 
0 186
In order to match the inductance of the input of the
Phase Difference (deg)

transformer a shunt capacitor is added. This resonates with

Phase (deg)

-90 182
the inductance of the primary to give a good, if narrow band
match, as shown in Figure 4. The phase difference between
-180 178
the output ports remains a constant 180° in both the matched
and unmatched case although the actual phase trajectory
changes, Figure 5. The anti-phase performance is intuitive, -270 174

the current flowing in the two output ports being in opposite

directions. The impact of the input resonating capacitor can -360 170
20 70 120 170 220 270 300
probably best be seen by looking at the changes to the Frequency (MHz)
impedances on a Smith Chart, Figure 6. The dashed lines Port 2 Phase Shift Matched (L, Deg) Phase Difference Matched (R, Deg) Port 3 Phase Shift UnMatched (L, Deg)

shows the impedances of the purely inductive coupled coils Port 3 Phase Shift Matched (L, Deg) Port 2 Phase Shift UnMatched (L, Deg) Phase Difference UnMatched (R, Deg)

and for reference the solid red line along the perimeter of the Figure 5, 180° phase differential between Balun ports
chart is an inductor of the same value as the primary.

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 2

ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

match. This second capacitor not only ‘tightens’ the

Coupled Coil Impedances resonance at the output ports, but also introduces an
98 MHz

1.0
Swp Max
inflection in the input impedance trajectory, which broadens
0. 8
r -0.0 Ohm 300MHz
x 35.5 Ohm
6

the input match, Figure 7. An attractive part of this approach

0.

0
98 MHz

2.
r 102.3 Ohm is that the parasitic capacitance of an amplifier’s port
98 MHz
4
0. x 149.6
.0
Ohm impedance can be absorbed into this resonating capacitor.
r 8.8 Ohm 3

x 19.2 Ohm 4.
0 The next stage in the design process is to attempt to
0. 2
5. 0 realise these coupled inductances in suspended stripline.
The problem then comes translating these values into ‘real’
10 .0
circuit values, i.e. the width and length of the tracks and the

10.0
impact of the substrate thickness and dielectric. It is not
0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0
5.0
0

clear what coupling factor, K, one will get in practice at the

-1 0.0
outset (it can be calculated retrospectively). The authors of
2
[1] found the mathematical approaches impractical and so
-0 . 98 MHz 98 MHz
r 50.7 Ohm r 149.7 Ohm
-5 .
0
settled for an iterative approach using 3D E-M analysis
.0
x 0.1 Ohm x 1.4 Ohm
-4
approach.
.0
.4
-3
-0
Inductor Capacitively Matched I/P
.0

III. SUSPENDED STRIPLINE IMPLEMENTATION

-2
.6

Input Port O/P with I/P capacitor

-0

-0 .8

Swp Min In its most basic implementation the printed balun

-1.0

Output Port 10MHz

consists of two tracks printed on opposite sides of a printed
Figure 6, impedance of purely inductive coupled inductors SBCPL
(dashed) and effect of resonating input capacitor. ID=TL1
W1=0.3 mm
W2=1.81 mm
The mutual inductance, secondary and lower load L=70 mm
impedances reduce the effective reactance of the primary PORT Offs=0 mm SSUBT
P=1 Acc=1 Er1=1
coil. The effect of the resonating capacitor matches the Z=50 Ohm Er2=3.25
TSwitch=T2=-T
1 3
primary at the fundamental frequency. Er3=1
The bandwidth can be improved by the addition of W1 Tand1=0.0
Tand2=0.0025
capacitance on the output ports; if this is tuned to a slightly Tand3=0
different frequency to that at the input, then the effective H1=5 mm
2 4 H2=0.27 mm
bandwidth can be extended. However nothing in this life is W2 H3=5 mm
free and the cost of this bandwidth is a reduction in input T=0.018 mm
CAP PORT CAP PORT Rho=1
ID=C1 P=2 ID=C2 P=3 Name=SSUBT1
Capacitively Tuned Coupled Coils C=67 pF Z=7.5 Ohm C=83 pF Z=7.5 Ohm
1.0

Swp Max
0. 8

300MHz
98 MHz
6
0.

r 139.3 Ohm
2.

4 x -6.9 Ohm
0.
0
3.

0
4.
5. 0
Figure 8, Simple planar balun transformer.
0. 2

10 .0 circuit board. This is easily and quickly analysed [4] in

MWO using the circuit as shown in Figure 8. This model
10.0
0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0
5.0

provides a quick and useful starting point, as it can be

0

98 MHz
r 43.9 Ohm quickly optimised and gives values for the line widths as
x -1.5 Ohm -1 0.0 well as giving an assessment of the impact of different
2
substrate materials and thicknesses. However there are
-0 .
drawbacks. The model assumes that the tracks follow the
0
-5 .
.0
-4
same paths on opposite sides of the board (although they can
.4
-3
.0
be offset), and there are no models for bends so the layout is
-0
S(1,1) not practical. If we look at the balun implemented in [1] we
.0
-2

can see that the underside track is a spiral whilst that on the
.6
-0

S(2,2)
top is a dimple ‘C’ shape, Figure 9. In this case the
-0 .8

Swp Min
-1.0

S(3,3) 10MHz
unbalanced signal enters (or leaves) the spiral inductor on the
Figure 7, Impedance trajectories after capacitive tuning at lower out end and the grounded end is connected through via
input and output. holes to the ‘virtual’ ground at the mid-point of the upper

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 3

ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

It is clear that there are a number of options that we could

take depending on how great an impedance transform we
would wish to achieve with the balun. Note that we have
only assumed a single frequency in the calculation and that
the wider the bandwidth the larger will be the variation in K.
As a general rule, for wider bandwidths we would attempt a
lower impedance transformation, in order to minimise ripple.
High Z ratios ~10 can be achieved is loss is not a critical
factor, however particularly in power amplifiers it is unlikely
that one would try to achieve more than a 5:1 transformation.
In this example therefore we might select a value for n of 4,
which still makes the job of matching to 2.5Ω from 12.5Ω
challenging, (but not nearly as difficult as from 50Ω).
Table 1, provides starting values, which can be ‘plugged
into the equivalent circuit model, Figure 3, and then
Figure 9, 3-D drawing of balun from [1]. optimised for the required bandwidth. This then provides the
template for optimising the simple balun, Figure 8, against. It
trace. The space above and below the balun typically to >5x may be possible to include variables such as substrate
the substrate thickness, should be air of dielectrically filled, thickness and dielectric constant, although these may be
but a ground post could have been brought up into the centre. determined by other factors, for example the line widths for
Alternatively the outer end could have been grounded and matching, cost and availability. Higher thermal conductivity
centre linked to the unbalanced port (e.g. via a jumper). RF substrates (flexible/soft) are becoming available, but with
From the designers perspective the problem we have is that limited choice in dielectric constant. Also the load
for the layout of structures the microstrip/stripline models are capacitance can be included as a variable, but the next stage
the most convenient, whilst the accuracy comes from of matching will be needed to compensate for any remaining
running an E-M simulation of a specifically defined reactance.
structure. From the simple model values, the more complicated
Fortunately the Axiem simulator from AWR allows the shape desired can be created, again using the line widths and
best of both worlds, geometry can be defined using circuit lengths of the simple circuit as a starting point. Typically the
models and the software uses these to create the shapes for a input line will have been optimised to a narrow width, whilst
structure that can be analysed using the E-M engine. the output line will be much wider, as the inductance ratio
IV. DESIGNING A PLANAR BALUN USING AXIEM will have been attempted to be achieved with the same
length line. By making the two lengths different more
The first stage is to use the look at the impedance that practical line widths can be used.
you are trying to match to and separate the resistive and The shape and size of the single turn is easiest to define
reactive components. It is not necessary to achieve the entire first. That of the spiral is more complicated and the line
match with the balun, it may be advantageous to take it in lengths are best described in relation to one side of a turn
stages, as the greater the impedance step the higher the Q and taken as a reference. In this way only one parameter need be
the narrower the bandwidth. For example with a balun changed to alter all the others. If the impedance ratio chosen
centred at 98MHz, used to input match a very high power is not too large a single turn may be sufficient. It is of course
device such as the NXP BLF178, the resistive element is of necessary to consider the current handling of the tracks when
the order of 2.5Ω and the reactive –j6.8Ω (equivalent to a deciding on the line width to use, thus for higher currents
240pF capacitor), Table 1 gives the possible balun inductor wider lines will need to be longer to achieve the required
values. inductance.
For a ZS of 50Ω and a LS of 11nH (to resonate with CL of 240pF) Conventional microstrip models are used to define the
for a K=0.8 geometry. The shapes that are associated with the E-M
ZL n LP M CP analysis are defined and an E-M extraction block is added to
50 1 7.0 7.0 375.0 the schematic, as shown in Figure 11. Those elements such
as the ports, ground connection and the MSUB not part of
25 2 14.1 9.9 187.5 the E-M analysis are in blue. The “Extract” block contains
12.5 4 28.1 14.1 93.8 the E-M analysis parameters such as the cell size, simulation
10 5 35.2 15.7 75.0 engine and which block defines the materials used. The
“Stackup” parameter refers to a multiple substrate definition
8.3 6.0 42.4 17.3 62.3 element which allows different material layers to be used,
4 12.5 87.9 24.9 30.0 thus giving the user control of the normal substrate
2 25 175.8 35.2 15.0 parameters, conductor materials and also the air gaps.
In the schematic both track patterns have been defined;
Table 1, possible transformer parameters for different one of the element parameters select which side of the board
impedance ratios.
a particular section is on. It is essential to ensure that all of

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 4

ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

MCURVE
ID=TL2 MLIN MCURVE
W=W1 mm ID=TL26 ID=TL10
ANG=90 Deg W=W1 mm W=W1 mm
R={W1/2} mm L=L6 mm ANG=90 Deg
MTRACE2 MCURVE
MCURVE R={W1/2} mm
ID=X8 ID=TL15
ID=TL22 W=W2 mm W=W2 mm
W=W2 mm L=WL2 mm
MLIN ANG=90 Deg W1: 1 L3=15
ANG=90 Deg BType=2
PORT ID=TL32 R={W2/2} mm G: 0.8
R={W2/2} mm M=1
P=2 W=4 mm L1: 1.4 L4=L2+W1+G
Z=50 Ohm L=3 mm MLIN L2: 15
ID=TL29 L3: 15 L5=L3+W1+G
W=W1 mmL4: 16.8
MBENDRWX
W2=8 MLIN L=L7 mm L5: 16.8 L6=L2+2*W1+2*G MLIN
ID=MS1
MLIN W1=W2 mm WL1=1 ID=TL1 L6: 18.6 ID=TL21
PORT ID=TL33 W2=4 mm W=W2 mm L7={L5+W1+G} W=W1 mm
P=3 W=4 mm
Z=50 Ohm WL2=9 L=WL2 mm L={L5-7} mm
L=3 mm MBENDRWX L8=L6+1
ID=MS2
W1=4 mm
W2=W2 mm MLIN
ID=TL12 MCURVE
MTRACE2 W=W1 mm ID=TL9
EXTRACT MCURVE ID=TL35 MCURVE L={L1+5} mm W=W1 mm
ID=EX2 ID=TL24 W=W2 mm ID=TL4 ANG=90 Deg
EM_Doc="EM_Extract_Doc_OP" W=W2 mm L=WL2 mm W=W2 mm R={W1/2} mm
Name="EM_Extract_OP" ANG=90 Deg BType=2 ANG=90 Deg
Simulator=AXIEM R={W2/2} mm M=1 R={W2/2} mm
X_Cell_Size=0.2 mm
Y_Cell_Size=0.2 mm
STACKUP="SUB2"
Override_Options=Yes
MCURVE
Hierarchy=On MLIN MLIN
MSUB ID=TL3 PORT
SweepVar_Names="" ID=TL23 ID=TL25
Er=3 W=W1 mm P=1
ANG=90 Deg W=W1 mm W=W1 mm Z=50 Ohm
H=0.762 mm L=L8 mm L=3 mm
T=0.07 mm R={W1/2} mm
Rho=1
Tand=0.0025
ErNom=3
Name=MSUB1

Figure 11, Balun circuit schematic, with elements associated with E-M analysis highlighted.

the sections are joined and for this reason it is useful to make In this case we have just shown the resonating capacitors,
sure that dimensions are multiples of the grid spacing. In this Figure 12, but other matching elements could also have been
case a single turn of both primary and secondary are used, included.
and the layout is shown in Figure 10. Note that this does not The results of optimising the capacitor values for a 3dB
include the capacitors or grounding method, these must be split are shown in Figure 13. As can be seen with this
added as in a normal layout. construction there is an imbalance of 0.5dB between the
The E-M section of the circuit is separated out for speed ports. There are a number of techniques that can be
of analysis; when this part of the circuit does not change it employed to correct for this and their effects can be quickly
does not get re-examined, thus saving time. Instead it is appreciated using this simulation. Care must be taken to
included as a block and the other circuit elements included. maintain the 180° phase difference with any correction, as
this is the fundamental requirement of the balun. The anti-
phase response required is met as shown in Figure 14.
SUBCKT ZL=6.25
PORT ID=S1 PORT
P=1 NET="Output Balun" P=2
Z=50 Ohm Z=ZL Ohm
1 2

3
CAP
ID=C1
C=81.91 pF
CAP
PORT ID=C2
P=3 C=211.4 pF
Z=ZL Ohm
Figure 12, Top level analysis schematic with E-M block
Figure 10, Layout of balun transformer. contained in a sub circuit.

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 5

ARMMS Conference April 2013 Powerful Microwave Dominic FitzPatrick

Double Tuned Balun Split Double Tuned Balun Phase Response

0 0 200 0
DB(|S(2,1)|) (R) DB(|S(2,3)|) (L) DB(|S(3,1)|) (R)
Port 2 Port 2-3 Port 3
195 108 MHz -45
88 MHz 180 Deg
190 181 Deg -90

Phase Difference (deg)

m1

Insertion Loss (dB)

-5 m2 -3 185 -135

Phase (deg)
Isolation (dB)

180 -180

175 -225
-10 -6
170 -270
Port 2 (R, Deg)

m1: 98 MHz m2: 98 MHz 165 Phase Difference (L, Deg) -315
-3 dB -3.46 dB Port 3 (R, Deg)
-15 -9 160 -360
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150
Frequency (MHz) Frequency (MHz)

Figure 13, Tuned Balun power split. Figure 14, Tuned Balun Phase Response.

Simulation time for this structure is less than 1 minute on method,” IEEE Transactions Microwave Theory
a fairly standard laptop and therefore tuning and optimisation Techniques, vol. 42, pp. 1223-1228, July 1994.
of the design is practical. Automatic optimisation is feasible;
however (as with most optimisation routines) a close eye
needs to be kept on the design to ensure that the layout stays
with realisable parameters. By setting the elements to “auto-
snap” and limiting the optimisation to varying dimensions by
the grid layout size should restrict this problem.

V. CONCLUSION
An approach has been demonstrated to both enhance the
understanding and to enable the design of a useful balun
construction that is suitable for volume, high power, VHF-
UHF applications. The use of Axiem ™ E-M simulation
engine from AWR has been found to be very useful in
accurately creating suspended stripline layouts for which
conventional linear circuit models do not exist.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Thanks go to Andy Wallace of AWR for his help in
implementing the model in Microwave Office.

VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] NXP, “AN10858: 174 MHz to 230 MHz DVB-T power

amplifier with the BLF578,” NXP, 2010.
[2] D. Jaisson, “Planar Impedance Transformer,”
Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques,
vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 592-595, May 1999.
[3] P. Abrie, “Chapter 5: Coupled Coils and Transformers,”
in RF and Microwave Amplifiers and Oscillators, 2nd
ed., Artech House, 2009.
[4] M. Bazdar, A. Djordjevic, R. Harrington and T. Sarkar,
“Evaluation of quasi-static matrix paramters for
multiconductor transmission lines using Galerkin's

Modelling of a Printed VHF Balun Using E-M Simulation Techniques 6