A new simplified approach for design of dual-band Wilkinson power divider with two and three transmission line sections using only even-mode analysis

In this paper, design of dual-band equal-split Wilkinson power divider (WPD) with two and three transmission line (TL) sections is tackled from the perspective of a new simplified mathematical approach as compared to the previously presented work. It is mathematically proven and experimentally verified that only even-mode circuit analysis suffices for outlining the design guidelines for such WPDs which greatly reduces the mathematical complexity. Owing to the cascaded nature of the TL sections and using even-mode analysis, firstly, design equations and design graph are drawn for the two TL sections WPD. The technique is then extended to the design of a three TL sections WPD with simplifications in the circuit, rendering the approach much simpler and mathematically less rigorous (as compared to the previous work). The comparisons of the proposed and previous design approach are drawn. To prove the efficacy of the presented simplified design approach, a two TL sections and a three TL sections WPD are designed at 1GHz and 2.4GHz and fabricated. The measured S-parameters show good conformance with the simulated results indicating practical viability of the presented simplified approach. For instance the insertion loss in the two and three TL section is better than 3.2dB. The return loss and isolation between the ports in two TL sections WPD come out to be better than 28dB and 29dB, and in three TL sections is better than 30dB and 29dB respectively at the two design frequencies. © 2016 SBMO/SBMag.