Design of miniaturized LTCC baluns

Abstract

In this article, lumped-element loaded methods are examined for the purpose of achieving miniaturized low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) baluns. These methods have proven to be very efficient in reducing the size occupied by the baluns in these designs. Several miniaturized LTCC balun structures are analyzed using the even-odd mode analysis method and the design curves are plotted. Based on the design curves, two design examples in the LTCC environment are presented in order to demonstrate our analysis. The proposed analysis process is validated by the simulated and measured results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.