Hybrid mode analysis of parallel coupled inset dielectric guides

The inset dielectric guide has shown potential for circuit and antenna applications. An efficient hybrid mode method, based on integral equation formulation and Galerkin´s procedure, is presented for a rigorous analysis of parallel coupled inset dielectric guides. In comparison to experimental data, this model is seen to give more accurate calculations of the propagation and coupling characteristics than achieved in previous publications. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the influence of various structural parameters on frequency dependent coupling characteristics. It is found that high and flat coupling coefficients can be obtained by using very small guide separation and by the appropriate choice of slot height. Therefore this structure appears to be very useful for broadband coupler applications