A review of hybrid couplers: State‐of‐the‐art, applications, design issues and challenges. (16th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdulbari, Ali Abdulateef; Abdul Rahim, Sharul Kamal; Soh, Ping Jack; Dahri, Muhammad Hashim; Eteng, Akaa Agbaeze; Zeain, Mohammed Yousif
• Other Names: Vadalà Valeria guestEditor.; Crupi Giovanni guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of numerical modelling. Volume 34:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-06-16
• Subjects: branch‐line couplers -- hybrid couplers -- power dividers -- rat‐race couplers -- ring couplers -- wideband couplers; Electric networks -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 621.3011
• DOI: 10.1002/jnm.2919
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-3370

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the hybrid branch‐line coupler has attracted much attention due to its appealing features such as of low cost and ease in fabrication for wireless communications. The fifth‐generation cellular networks promise to support several wireless technologies by capitalizing a multitude of frequencies and increase data rates. To achieve that, the butler matrix technique can be used to enhance both bandwidth and data rate with the implementation of beamforming. Conventional hybrid couplers are the main component to build a butler matrix, but they are generally bulky in size and narrow in bandwidth. Moreover, requirements imposed by newer wireless technologies makes the efforts in improving size compactness and bandwidth even more challenging. On the other hand, several techniques have been proposed in literature to solve both issues. This study focuses on the design challenges and issues of hybrid coupler designs and technologies, besides underlining their promising potential. In this context, several techniques for hybrid coupler to achieve the required bandwidth and size reduction are highlighted, such as the T‐shape, meander line, two sections, three‐section, and parallel couple lines.