Konferenzbeiträge

Metamaterial transmission lines can be realized as a combination of transmission line sections with positive and negative dispersion. Such lines, which are also known as right- and left-handed transmission lines, exhibit different dispersion characteristics. Compared to homogeneous networks, the use of cascaded line sections gives additional degrees of freedom for improving the performance of microwave devices. For the design process, LC-equivalents of the right- and left-handed transmission line sections are used. This facilitates the consideration of tunable capacitors, e.g., varactor diodes, to provide frequency tuning of the devices. At the same time, the geometrical dimensions of the devices can be drastically reduced. This paper presents the results of simulation and experimental investigation of a miniature rat-race-ring and a dual-band filter free of spurious response, both manufactured as fully-integrated ceramic multilayer modules based on Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramics. The design of tunable versions of these devices is also discussed.

This paper focuses on applications of the metamaterial left-handed transmission lines to the design of novel Wilkinson-type power dividers. Novel configurations of broadband 180&ayn; Wilkinson power dividers suitable for practical implementation are proposed. A concept of designing dual-band Wilkinson power dividers based on a combination of right-handed and lefthanded transmission line sections is considered as well. A band broadening technique for the dual-band Wilkinson power dividers is discussed.