KYOCERA AVX has released a line of integrated thin film (ITF) hybrid couplers to facilitate the evolution of high-frequency wireless systems in industrial, automotive, telecommunications and telemetry applications.

Hybrid couplers are four-port directional couplers that split input signals into two equal-amplitude 3dB outputs whose phases are shifted by 90˚. Many also support performance monitoring and inject signals without interrupting the original signal.

The DB0402 hybrid couplers have field-proven multilayer thin-film technology engineered to provide high-frequency performance in microwave and RF bands spanning 3000 to 4100MHz and enable the quick adjustment of RF parameters. They also feature compact, rugged constructions that measure 0.1 by 0.058 by 0.035cm, enabling board space savings, and lead-free nickel terminations compatible with reflow, wave, vapour phase and manual soldering techniques, enabling reliable automated assembly.

Additional benefits include1W continuous power handling, insertion loss of -0.5dB typical and -0.8dB maximum, high isolation, amplitude and phase balance (0.6dB typical, 1.2dB maximum and 2˚ typical, 5˚ maximum, respectively), temperature stability, linearity improvements, low parasitics, high part-to-part and lot-to-lot repeatability, solderability, self-alignment during reflow, and effective heat dissipation.

The series (www.kyocera-avx.com/products/rfmicrowave/couplers/hybrid-3db-couplers-90/db0402) is available in four frequency bands with typical performance of 3200, 3500, 3700 and 3800MHz and is rated for 50Ω impedance and operating temperatures from -40 to +85˚C. It’s also compliant with IATF and RoHS requirements, manufactured in ISO 9001 facilities, and packaged on tape and reel for automated assembly.

Applications extend through the industrial, automotive, telecommunications and telemetry industries and include basestations, wireless LANs, mobile communications, 4G, 5G and 6G LTE infrastructure, satellite TV receivers, GPS, RF balanced amplifiers, signal distribution, heavy-duty radios, vehicle location systems, and other high-frequency wireless systems.

“The rapid evolution and expansion of 5G, satcom and other high-frequency wireless technologies is fuelling the evolution of enabling technologies, including millimetre wave and MIMO antennas, which are empowered by innovative microwave and RF components, like our new 3dB, 90˚ hybrid couplers,” said Mohammed Abu-Naim, RF product manager at KYOCERA AVX (www.kyocera-avx.com) in North America. “Our new hybrid couplers provide customers with space- and cost-saving options for maximising repeatable, high-frequency RF performance in compact and handheld industrial, automotive, telecommunications and telemetry applications with high power handling and wide operating frequency requirements.”