Miniature microwave devices based on a combination of natural right-handed and metamaterial left-handed transmission lines

Departement of Microelectronics et Radio, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University 5 Prof. Popov Str., St. Petersburg 197376, Russia

Corresponding author: IBVendik@eltech.ru

Received: 18 February 2008
Revised: 8 September 2008
Accepted: 20 October 2008
Published online: 10 March 2009

Abstract

The general approach to a design of miniature microwave devices based on a combination of transmission line sections with positive and negative dispersion is considered. Such lines, which are also known as right- and left-handed transmission lines, exhibit different dispersion characteristics. Using combination of these lines gives additional degrees of freedom for improvement of microwave device performance. At the same time, there is a possibility to decrease dimensions of the devices drastically. The following passive devices are under consideration: broadband digital phase shifters, directional couplers, dual-band resonators and filters exhibiting no spurious response. The potential benefit of this approach to the design of microwave devices is discussed.