Network Modeling of Aperture-Coupled Vertically Mounted Slotline Coupling Structure

A general analysis of a microstrip-to-vertically mounted slotline (VMS) coupling structure is presented with a view to developing an equivalent circuit, and the efficient evaluation of the related circuit element values is described. To check the validity of the proposed analysis and design theory, a C-band linearly tapered slot antenna fed by an aperture-coupled microstripline-to-VMS coupling structure is optimally designed, and its computed characteristics, derived from the network analysis, are compared with measurement and simulation results. Reasonable agreement was observed, fully validating the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed network model.