Characteristics of a microstrip transmission line (MTL)

1.1 Objective:
1.2 Theory.
1.3 Design Specifications
1.4 Software Design
1.5 Simulated Results
1.6 Observation made
2 Characteristics of a Branch Line Coupler (BLC) in microstrip
2.1 Objective
2.2 Theory
2.3 Design Specifications
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2.4 Software Design.
2.5 Simulated Results
2.6 Observations made
3 Characteristics of a Inset Fed Patch Antenna (IFPA) in Microstrip
3.1 Objective
3.2 Theory.
3.3 Design Specifications
3.4 Software Design
3.5 Simulated Results
3.6 Observation made
4 Characteristics of a low pass filter (LPF) in microstrip
4.1 Objective
4.2 Theory
4.3 Design Specifications
4.4 Software Design
4.5 Simulated Results
4.6 Observations made

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List of Figures
1 Microstrip Transmission Line
2 Microstrip Transmission Line in Ansys HFSS
3 S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS
4 Layout of a branch line directional coupler
5 Microstrip Branch Line Coupler in Ansys HFSS.
6 S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS
7 Layout of a transformer coupled patch antenna in Microstrip
8 Inset Fed Patch Antenna in Ansys HFSS
9 S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS
10 Final layout of the Low pass filter in Microstrip
11 Low pass filter in Microstrip
12 S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS 13 Power Divider without resistor
14 Power Divider with resistor
15 Power Divider without resistor Circuit Schematic in Ansys HFSS 16

Power Divider with resistor Circuit Schematic in Ansys HFSS.

17 Power Divider without resistor S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS
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18 Power Divider with resistor S-Parameters in Ansys HFSS

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF A MICROSTRIP TRANSMISSION LINE
(MTL)

1.1 Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to study characteristics of a microstrip transmission line.
The students will measure return loss and transmission loss of a 50-ohm microstrip line in the
frequency band 4-6 GHz.

1.2 Theory
A microstrip transmission line is a type of electrical transmission line used to transfer high-
frequency signals or microwave signals between components on a printed circuit board
(PCB) or an integrated circuit (IC). It is a widely used transmission line structure due to its
simplicity, ease of fabrication, and cost-effectiveness.

Figure 1: Microstrip Transmission Line

The microstrip transmission line consists of a conductor trace and a ground plane on a
dielectric substrate. The conductor trace is a thin strip of conductive material (usually copper)
that runs along the top surface of the dielectric substrate. The ground plane is a conductive
layer that runs along the bottom surface of the substrate, providing a return path for the signal
currents.

1.3 Design Specifications

1. Substrate:
Arlon AD320A
Relative Permittivity = 3.2 Dielectric Loss Tangent of 0.0032.

2. Height of Substrate: 0.762

1.4 Software Design

L: Length of Transmission Line
Width of Transmission Line 2.407mm

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF A BRANCH LINE COUPLER (BLC) IN
MICROSTRIP

2.1 Objective
The objective of this experiment is to study characteristics of a microstrip branch line
coupler. The students will feed power to one of the ports of the coupler and plot reflected
power as well as power emerging out of other three ports of the coupler. The students will
also determine centre frequency and 20-dB isolation bandwidth of the coupler.

2.2 Theory
A microstrip branch-line coupler, also known as a quadrature hybrid coupler, is a four-port
passive microwave device used in RF and microwave systems. It is designed to split an input
signal into two equal amplitude and phase signals at its output ports. It is commonly used in
various applications, including balanced amplifiers, mixers, power dividers, phase shifters,
and modulators.

Figure 4: Layout of a branch line directional coupler

The branch-line coupler consists of four ports, labelled as Port 1, Port 2. Port 3. and Port 4.
The structure of a microstrip branch-line coupler is based on the principle of 3-dB couplers. It
is typically implemented on a microstrip substrate, making it suitable for integration into
printed circuit boards and microwave integrated circuits.
The working principle of a microstrip branch-line coupler involves the use of transmission
lines and phase shifts to achieve the desired signal splitting behaviour.

2.3 Design Specifications

1. Substrate:
Arion AD320A Relative Permittivity 3.2 Dielectric Loss Tangent of 0.0032.

2. Height of Substrate: 0.762

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2.4 Software Design
Zo = Z_{b} - 50 ohms line
w = 1.834 mm l_{1} = 9.32mm
Z_{a} = 35.4 ohms line
w - 3.048 mm, l_{2} = 49.13mm

2.6 Observations made

Analysing the S-parameters of the branch-line coupler provides crucial insights into its
impedance Hatching, power division, isolation, and frequency performance. It helps validate
the coupler's but ability for specific applications and guides the design refinement process to
achieve desired performance characteristics. Proper optimization ensures that the branch-line
coupler functions as an efficient and accurate signal splitter in various RF and microwave
systems.

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF A INSET FED PATCH ANTENNA (IFPA) IN
MICROSTRIP

3.1 Objective
The objective of this experiment is to study return loss characteristics of the Inset fed patch
antenna. The students will determine the resonance frequency and 10-dB return loss and fed
pate

3.2 Theory
An Inset Fed Patch Antenna (IFPA) in microstrip technology is a planar antenna that consists
of a metallic patch placed on one side of a dielectric substrate. The metallic patch is fed by a
microstrip transmission line embedded within the substrate. The substrate acts as the
dielectric support and
separates the patch from the ground plane on the opposite side.

Figure 7: Layout of a transformer coupled patch antenna in Microstrip

The antenna's performance, radiation pattern, bandwidth, and impedance matching depend on
the dimensions of the patch and substrate. IFPAs in microstrip technology are widely used in
wireless communication applications due to their low profile, ease of fabrication, and
compatibility with printed circuit boards (PCBs). They are suitable for various devices,
including portable electronics, wireless routers, and satellite communication systems.

3.3 Design Specifications

1. Substrate:
Arion AD320A Relative Permittivity = 3.2 Dielectric Loss Tangent of 0.0032.

2. Height of Substrate: 0.762

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3.4 Software Design
50 ohms line: 37.577mm Width of 50 ohms line: 1.836mm Patch Length: 16.52am Patch
Width: 20.685mm Inset Dimensions: 5.45mm, 0.25mm

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF A LOW PASS FILTER (LPF) IN
MICROSTRIP

4.1 Objective
The objective of this experiment is to study characteristics of a microstrip low pass filter. The
plot the transmission and md reflection cut-off frequency, ne attenuation maximum insertion
loss/return loss in the pass band determine students will determine attenuation at -500 MHz
away from the cut off frequency.

4.2 Theory
A microstrip low-pass filter of Chebyshev type is a type of RF/microwave filter that is
designed to allow signals with frequencies below a certain cutoff frequency to pass through
while attenuating signals with frequencies above the cutoff. Chebyshev filters are known for
their sharp roll-off and are commonly used in applications where steep rejection of higher
frequencies is required.

Figure 10: Final layout of the Low pass filter in Microstrip

The microstrip low-pass filter is constructed using microstrip transmission lines and reactive
components (inductors and capacitors) that are implemented on a dielectric substrate. The
design based on the Chebyshev filter response, which allows for a trade-off between the
sharpness of the roll-off and the amount of ripple in the passband.

4.3 Design Specifications

1. Substrate: Arlon AD320A Relative Permittivity - 3.2 Substrate 1.834 Dielectric Loss
Tangent of 0.0032.

2. Height of Substrate: 0.762

4.4 Software Design

L1-L9-2.5 mm, L2-L82.3 mm, L3-L75.4 mm, L4L6-2.46 mm and L5-6 mm. The line widths
were: 0.3 mm for high impedance lines and 6 mm for low impedance lines.

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Observations made
S-parameters analysis of the microstrip low-pass filter of characteristics in Chebyshev type
confirms its equiripple the passband, providing a sharp roll-off and good stopband
attenuation. The filter er passband ripple, and cutoff frequency are essential parameters to
consider in the design the specific application requirements. Proper optimization and analysis
are necessary to achieve the desired filter performance.

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF A POWER DIVIDER (PD) IN MICROSTRIP

5.1 Objective
The objective of this experiment is to study characteristics of a microstrip power divider. The
students will feed power to the input port of the power divider and plot reflected power as
well as power emerging out of other two ports. The experiment will be repeated with
isolation resistor in place. The students will determine power split and isolation at the centre
frequency with and without the isolation resistor.

5.2 Theory
Microstrip Power Dividers are passive devices used in RF and microwave systems to split an
input signal into multiple output signals. They can be designed with or without a resistor.
Power Divider Without Resistor:

Figure 13: Power Divider without resistor

Achieves equal power splitting among output ports. Analyses S-parameters for power
splitting and impedance matching. Focuses on frequency range, isolation, and minimizing
losses. Suitable for applications requiring equal power distribution. Power Divider With
Resistor:

Figure 14: Power Divider with resistor

Allows unequal power splitting among output ports. Includes a resistor in parallel with one
output port. Used for applications needing different power distribution, like amplifiers with

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different gains. Requires careful resistor value selection for desired power division ratin.
Impedance matching is crucial for signal integrity.

5.3 Design Specifications

1. Substrate:
Arlon AD320A
Relative Permittivity 3.2 Dielectric Loss Tangent of 0.0032.

2. Height of Substrate: 0.762

5.4 Software Design

50ohms w = 1.834mm Z_{0} = 5 Z = 70

Observations made
S-parameters analysis of Power Dividers (PD) in microstrip technology provides crucial
information about their impedance matching, power splitting efficiency, frequency response,
isolation, and losses. Power dividers without a resistor aim for equal power division among
output ports, with $21 close to unity and $11 close to zero. On the other hand, power dividers
with a resistor achieve unequal power division, with $21 reflecting the power division ratio.
The design and optimization of these power dividers are essential to meet specific application
requirements in RF and microwave system.

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