electronics

Article
A Unified-Mode Analysis Method for Symmetric Networks
and Its Application to Balun Design
Lei Li 1,2 , Qingbo Li 2 , Zhongxiang Shen 3, * and Wen Wu 1

1 Ministerial Key Laboratory of JGMT, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China;
lilei@hytc.edu.cn (L.L.); wuwen@mail.njust.edu.cn (W.W.)
2 Huaian Key Laboratory of Millimeter-Wave Communication Technology, Huaiyin Normal University,
Huai’an 223300, China; lqb@hytc.edu.cn
3 Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology, Jiaxing 314019, China
* Correspondence: shenzx@bit.edu.cn

Abstract: A unified-mode analysis method for modeling symmetric networks is proposed in this
paper. Adjusting to the characteristics of Marchand balun circuits, a unified-mode circuit model is
constructed by introducing virtual impedance. The tenable condition of a Marchand balun with
connecting segments is then derived. The parameter constraint of Marchand balun’s input matching is
given in a quarter-saddle diagram. Simulated results under different parameter conditions verify the
validity of the derived formulas. Based on the derived formulas, the traditional isolation circuit and
impedance matching circuit are merged with a Marchand balun to achieve matching for all ports and
full-frequency isolation between output ports. A microstrip balun with input and output impedance
values of 50 Ω, operating at 1.5 GHz, is simulated, fabricated, and measured. The simulated and
measured results of the microstrip balun are in good agreement. When the core parameters remain
unchanged, an impedance transformer is inserted in front of the input port of the balun to realize a
balun with a topology characterized by flexible impedance transformation. A balun with an input
impedance of 35 Ω and different output impedances of 50 Ω and 75 Ω is simulated and fabricated to
verify the design concept. Measured results show that an amplitude balance of less than 0.4 dB and
a phase balance of less than 3◦ for a fractional bandwidth of 50%. It should be mentioned that all
design equations are closed-form and can be readily employed to design symmetric networks.
Citation: Li, L.; Li, Q.; Shen, Z.; Wu,
W. A Unified-Mode Analysis Method Keywords: balun; Marchand balun; symmetric network; unified-mode analysis method; all-frequency
for Symmetric Networks and Its isolation
Application to Balun Design.
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925. https://
doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193925
1. Introduction
Academic Editor: Dimitra I.
Kaklamani
A balun is an indispensable component in circuits and systems involving balanced
and unbalanced signals, and baluns are widely applied in balun power division filters [1],
Received: 14 August 2024 low-noise power amplifiers [2,3], balanced mixers [4], frequency multipliers [5], and dipole
Revised: 27 September 2024 antenna feeds [6,7]. Depending on the operating frequency and applications, various
Accepted: 1 October 2024 technologies can be exploited to implement baluns, such as low-temperature cofired ce-
Published: 4 October 2024
ramic technology [8], CMOS technology [9], active devices [10], lumped elements [11–13],
transmission lines [14–24], and others [25–29]. The Marchand balun design, named after its
inventor [14], is the most popular balun configuration in microwave frequencies by virtue
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.
of its good amplitude and phase balance, wide bandwidth, and compact size.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. In general, a Marchand balun consists of two quarter-wavelength coupled-line sec-
This article is an open access article tions in cascade, with the terminations being either open- or short-circuit. Symmetric
distributed under the terms and networks [30–32] are usually analyzed by the well-known even–odd-mode excitation
conditions of the Creative Commons method [33], which was proposed by Reed and Wheeler in 1965. For instance, in [21], even–
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// odd-mode half circuits were used in the analysis and optimization of a Marchand balun.
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ In [15], the constraint relation between the impedance-transforming ratio and the coupling
4.0/). factor was derived, and the addition of a resistive network between the balun outputs was

Electronics 2024, 13, 3925. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193925 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics

Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 2 of 14

proposed to achieve balun output matching and isolation. In [8], a planar balun using aperture-
coupled microstrip-to-SIW transition was designed. This did not require the tight coupling
employed in most Marchand baluns. In [16], the impact of connecting segments on the
balun performance was analyzed. In [23], a new kind of half-wavelength uniform-impedance
structure was proposed and used to design a filtering balun with high isolation.
It is noted that the even-mode formulation procedure is repeated for odd-mode circuit
in the analysis of symmetric networks, thus increasing the analytical burden. Furthermore,
the method cannot directly reveal the evolution from the electric wall to the magnetic
wall. A unified-mode analysis method may provide a feasible remedy to the mentioned
shortcomings. In the design of coupled-line baluns, there are a lot of published papers
dealing with even- and odd-mode analysis. Almost all baluns are designed in such a way
as to improve their performances by changing the coupling factor. However, the coupling
coefficient cannot fully reflect the external characteristics of the coupled lines [32]. Because
of this, the coupling factor may be discarded, which makes the design easier, more flexible,
and more transparent to the structural parameters.
In this paper, a new method of analyzing symmetric microwave networks, i.e., a
unified-mode analysis method (UMAM), which is different from the traditional even–odd-
mode analysis method, is proposed and applied to the analysis and design of Marchand
baluns. First, the condition for the establishment of a Marchand balun with connecting
segments is obtained, and the design equations without the use of coupling coefficient
is then derived in an ideal structure. After that, the parameters of the Marchand balun
are simulated by changing the variables in the equations. Third, based on the above, a
balun with all-port matching and full-frequency high isolation between balanced ports
is proposed. The proposed balun is formed of a Marchand balun, two impedance trans-
former sections in the balance ports, one half-wavelength phase inverter, and two resistors.
Furthermore, a new class of flexible impedance transformation balun with the same ad-
vantages is presented. The balun is created by inserting an impedance converter at the
input port and keeping its key parameters unchanged. All proposed baluns are simu-
lated, fabricated, and measured. Their good performances, including all-port matching,
full-frequency high isolation, and flexible impedance transformation, have validated our
proposed design equations.

2. Unified Mode Analysis

The Marchand balun structure, depicted in Figure 1, is a symmetric four-port network
consisting of two sections of coupled transmission lines, a connecting segment, a pair of
balanced output ports (Port 2 and Port 3), an unbalanced input port (Port 1), and a floating
port (Port 4). For this 4-port network, its scattering parameters, relating the incident waves
to the reflected waves at 4 ports (shown in Figure 1), can be expressed as follows:
   4 4 4 4  a 
b1 S11 S12 S14 S13 1
b2  S4 4
S22 4
S24 4  a 
S23
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW   =  21  2  3 of 16
(1)
b4  S4 4
S42 4
S44 4  a 
S43 4
41
b3 4
S31 4
S32 4
S34 4
S33 a3

where aaii and

where andb jbrepresent
j represent
thetheincident
incidentwave
waveatatPort
Port ii and the reflected
reflected wave
waveatatPort
Portj, j,
respectively. Port
respectively. Port 22 and
and Port
Port 33 may
may bebe terminated
terminated with
with the
the same
sameload
loadimpedance.
impedance.

a2 a3
Z 0e , Z 0o b2 b3 Z 0e , Z 0o
a1 a4
b1 θ e ,θ o Z c ,θ c θ e ,θ o b4
Γ

Figure 1.
Figure The configuration
1. The configurationof
ofthe
theMarchand
Marchandbalun.
balun.

Due to its symmetry, the scattering parameters of this 4-port network can be obtained
by the even- and odd-mode excitations.

 s11e + s11o e
s21 o
+ s21 s11e − s11o e
s21 o
− s21 
 
 2 2 2 2 
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 3 of 14

Due to its symmetry, the scattering parameters of this 4-port network can be obtained
by the even- and odd-mode excitations.
 se o e +so e −so e −so
11 + s11 s21 s11 s21

21 11 21
 se +2 so 2
e +so
s22 s21
2
e −so
2
e −so 
s22
 21 21 22 21 22 
S4− Port =  e 2 o 2
e −so
2
e +so
2
e +so  (2)
 s11 −s11 s21 21 s11 11 s21 21 
 2 2 2 2 
e −so
s21 e −so
s22 e +so
s21 e +so
s22
21 22 21 22
2 2 2 2

Equation (2) is the S-matrix of the 4-port Marchand balun, described by the even-mode
and odd-mode S-parameters. sije is the even-mode S-parameter, while sijo represents the
odd-mode S-parameter. In order to obtain the S-parameters of the 3-port Marchand balun,
a boundary condition is imposed at Port 4. A reflection coefficient Γ is then introduced
at Port 4, as shown in Figure 1. The relationship between the reflected wave and incident
wave at Port 4 is a4 = Γb4 . Using this, the scattering matrix of the 3-port network can be
presented as follows:
 
S11 S12 S13
S =  S21 S22 S23 
S S32 S33
 31 4 4 4 S4 4 S4 
4 + S14 S41 4 + S14 42 4 + S14 43
S11 1 − S4 S12 1 − S4 S13 1 − S4 (3)
 Γ 44 Γ 44 Γ 44 
 4 S244 S4 4 S4
S24 4 S4
S24
4 + 4 +

41 42 43
= S21 + Γ1 −S44 S22 S23
4 1 − S4 1 − S4

Γ Γ
44 44

4 4 4 S4 4 S4
4 + S34 S41 S34 S34
 
S31 4 +
S32 42 4 +
S33 43
1 4 1 4 1 4
Γ − S44 Γ − S44 Γ − S44

It is well known that the ideal conditions of a Marchand balun are S21 = −S31 and
S11 = 0, which leads to
!
S 4 S4 S 4 S4
4 4
S21 + 1 24 414 = − S31 + 1 34 414 (4)
Γ − S44 Γ − S44

4 S4
S14
4 41
S11 + 1 4
=0 (5)
Γ − S44
When Port 4 is open [14], this means that Γ = 1. Substituting (2) into (4) and (5),
respectively, yields the expressions of the reflection and transmission coefficients of the
even-mode and odd-mode circuits:
e se − so


e s21 11 11
s21 + e − so = 0 (6)
2 − s11 11

e − so 2


e o s11 11

s11 + s11 + e + so
=0 (7)
2 − s11 11
e = 0, which is the well-known condition for a
It can be directly seen from (6) that s21
e o can be denoted as follows:
Marchand balun [32]. It is known that s11 and s11

e YS − Yine
s11 = (8a)
YS + Yine

o YS − Yino
s11 = (8b)
YS + Yino
where YS is the terminal admittance of Port 1, and Yine and Yino are the even-mode and
odd-mode input admittances with two output ports (Port 2 and Port 3), terminated with a
 YS + Yine

YS − Yino
s11o = (8b)
YS + Yino
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 4 of 14
where YS is the terminal admittance of Port 1, and Yine and Yino are the even-mode and
odd-mode input admittances with two output ports (Port 2 and Port 3), terminated with
a load
load admittanceYYL. The
admittance . TheMarchand
Marchandbalun’s
balun’seven-mode
even-modeand andodd-mode
odd-mode circuits
circuits are
are shown
shown
L
in Figure
Figure 2a,b.
2a,b. Substituting (8a) and (8b) into (7)
(7) obtains
obtains the
the following
following equation:
equation:

1 1 +1 1 = 22 (9)
+ Y =Y (9)
YineYine Yino
ino YSS

YL
Z 0e , Z 0o
YS Z c ,θ c 2

Yine θ e ,θ o
(a)

YL
Z 0e , Z 0o
YS Z c ,θ c 2

Yino θ e ,θ o
(b)

YL
Z 0e , Z 0o
YS Z c ,θ c 2 Zv

Yineo θ e ,θ o Yceo
(c)
Marchand balun:
Figure 2. Half circuits of the Marchand balun: (a) even-mode; (b) odd-mode;
odd-mode; (c)
(c) unified-mode.
unified-mode.

For symmetric microwave networks, the analysis method based on even- and odd-
mode excitations is the most popular [30,33]. However, two analysis processes are mostly
repeated for both modes. In fact, even-mode and odd-mode iterations are the only two
limiting cases. For symmetric networks, based on the characteristics of their even–odd-
mode circuits, a unified-mode analysis method is proposed here. The idea of the unified-
mode analysis is to connect a grounding virtual impedance Zv to the center of symmetric
microwave networks. When an odd mode is excited, Zv is zero; for an even-mode excitation,
Zv is infinite. Because the odd and even modes are not distinguished, the analysis process
is reduced by half. Figure 2c demonstrates the unified-mode model of a Marchand balun,
and its admittance matrix for the port voltages and currents is as follows:
 
M2
M1 − M +4Yceo M3 − MM+ 2 M4
   
I1 Yceo  V1
=  1 1
M22
(10)
I2 M − M2 M4 M − V2
3 M1 +Yceo 1 M1 +Yceo

where Yceo is the unified-mode admittance, as shown Figure 2c. M1 , M2 , M3 , and M4 are
expressed as follows:
j
M1 = − (Y0e + Y0o ) cot θ (11a)
2
j
M2 = − (Y0e − Y0o ) cot θ (11b)
2
j
M3 = (Y0e − Y0o ) csc θ (11c)
2
j
M4 = (Y0e + Y0o ) csc θ (11d)
2
Y0e and Y0o are even- and odd-mode characteristic admittances of the coupled trans-
mission line, respectively. θ is the corresponding electrical length. When the balanced ports
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 5 of 14

are terminated with a load of YL , the input admittance shown in Figure 2c is expressed
as follows:
M M − M ( M +Yceo )
Yineo = M1 + M3 ( M 2+Y4 )( M3 +Y1 )− M22
1 L 1 ceo
M2 M3 − M4 ( M1 +YL ) (12)
+ M4 ( M +Y )( M +Y )− M2
1 L 1 ceo 2

For the unified-mode circuit shown in Figure 2c, Yceo is given as follows:

1 Zc + jZv tan θc /2
Yceo = (13)
Zc Zv + jZc tan θc /2

The corresponding even- and odd-mode admittances, i.e., Yce and Yco , are shown to be

1 Zc + jZv tan θc /2 j tan θc /2

Yce = lim = (14)
Zv →∞ Zc Zv + jZc tan θc /2 Zc

1 Zc + jZv tan θc /2 1
Yco = lim = (15)
Zv →0 Zc Zv + jZc tan θc /2 jZc tan θc /2
where Zc is the characteristic impedance of the connecting segment, and θc is its correspond-
ing electrical length. Substituting M1 , M2 , M3 , and M4 in (11), and (13) into (12) yields

(Y0e − Y0o )2 (Y0e + Y0o )2

Yineo = + (16)
4YL 4Yceo

We can then substitute (13) and (14) into (16) to obtain

(Y0e − Y0o )2 (Y0e + Y0o )2

Yine = + (17)
4YL 4Yce

(Y0e − Y0o )2 (Y0e + Y0o )2

Yino = + (18)
4YL 4Yco
After that, substituting (17) and (18) back into (9) yields
2YL Yce
ZS =
Yce (Y0e −Y0o )2 +YL (Y0e +Y0o )2
2YL Yco (19)
+
Yco (Y0e −Y0o )2 +YL (Y0e +Y0o )2

This formula is not only the input port matching condition at the center frequency, but
also the condition for the establishment of a Marchand balun with connecting segments.
When the output ports are naturally separated, i.e., θc approaches 0 degree, (19) can
be simplified as
2YL
lim ZS = (20)
θ c →0 (Y0e − Y0o )2
Equation (20) reveals the quantitative relationship between the unbalanced input
port impedance (ZS ), the balanced output port impedance (ZL ), and even–odd-mode
impedances of the coupled transmission lines (Z0e , Z0o ). In addition, the quantitative
relation is plotted and shown in Figure 3, which is a quarter-saddle diagram for designing
a Marchand balun.
To validate the above theoretical analysis, keeping the input impedance constant, the
corresponding output port impedances can be calculated according to (20) by varying
the even–odd-mode impedances of the coupled transmission line. For instance, the input
port reference impedance ZS is set to 50 Ω. Then, the calculated results for several sets of
designs are listed in Table 1. The center frequency is fixed at 1.5 GHz. The simulated results
of the Marchand balun are then shown in Figure 4.
 Equation (20) reveals the quantitative relationship between the unbalanced input
port impedance ( Z S ), the balanced output port impedance ( Z L ), and even–odd-mode
impedances of the coupled transmission lines ( Z 0 e , Z 0 o ). In addition, the quantitative rela-
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 tion is plotted and shown in Figure 3, which is a quarter-saddle diagram for designing a
6 of 14
Marchand balun.

Figure 3.
Figure Thequarter-saddle
3. The quarter-saddle diagram
diagram of
of aa Marchand
Marchand balun.
balun.
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7
Table 1. Even-odd-mode and output impedances of a Marchand balun with ZS = 50 Ω.
To validate the above theoretical analysis, keeping the input impedance constant, the
corresponding output port impedances
A can be calculated
B according to (20) by Cvarying the
even–odd-mode impedances of the coupled transmission line. For instance,
reference impedance Z is set to 50 Ω. Then, the calculated resultsthe input port sets o
for several
Z0e , Z0o (Ω) 42.40, 22.95
S 98.36, 37.74 133.61, 46.25
signs are listed in Table
ZL (Ω) 100 1. The center frequency
150 is fixed at 1.5 GHz.
200 The simulated re
of the Marchand balun are then shown in Figure 4.

(a) (b)

(c)
Figureresults
Figure 4. Simulated 4. Simulated results ofbalun
of a Marchand a Marchand = 50 Ω:
with ZS balun with ZS =matching
(a) the 50 Ω: (a) of 11 |; (b) theof S11 ; (b
the|Smatching
magnitude of |magnitude
S21 | and |S31 S21 the
of|; (c) and S31 ; of
phase (c)Sthe phase
21 and . S21 and S31 .
S31of

To further verify
Table the theoretical and
1. Even-odd-mode analysis,
outputfor the givenof
impedances even–odd-mode impedances
a Marchand balun with Z S = 50 of
Ω.
a coupled transmission line, i.e., Z0e = 42.40 Ω and Z0o = 22.95 Ω, there are many sets of
data satisfying our requirements (20), and a few A of them are listed inBTable 2. At the center C
frequency of 1.5 GHz,Z 0e , the
Z 0o (simulated
Ω) results illustrated
42.40,22.95 in Figure 5 are obtained using133.61,46.25
98.36,37.74 the
data shown in Table 2.
ZL (Ω ) 100 150 200

To further verify the theoretical analysis, for the given even–odd-mode impeda
of a coupled transmission line, i.e., Z 0 e = 42.40 Ω and Z0o = 22.95 Ω, there are many
of data satisfying our requirements (20), and a few of them are listed in Table 2. A
center frequency of 1.5 GHz, the simulated results illustrated in Figure 5 are obtained
ing the data shown in Table 2.
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 7 of 14

Table 2. Input and output impedances of a Marchand balun with Z0e = 42.40 Ω & Z0o = 22.95 Ω.

D E F
ZS (Ω) 50 70 100
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW
ZL (Ω) 100 70 50

(a) (b)

(c)
Figure
Figure 5. Simulated 5. Simulated
results results ofbalun
of a Marchand a Marchand
with Z0e balun with ΩZ 0&
= 42.40 e =Z42.40
0o = Ω 22.95 0o =(a)
& ZΩ: 22.95
theΩ: (a) the
|; (b)oftheS11magnitude
matching of |S11 ing ; (b) the magnitude of |SS31
of |S21 | and 21 |; and S31phase
(c) the of S
; (c) the phase
21 and ofS31S 21
. and S31 .

At the center
Table frequency
2. Input and of output
1.5 GHz, the input
impedances of port is exactly
a Marchand matched,
balun with Z 0eas shown
= 42.40 Ω &in Z 0o = 22.95
Figures 4a and 5a. Under the same input impedance, Figure 4b,c demonstrate that a larger
output impedance leads to a wider bandwidth, higher D amplitude balance, E and also better F
phase linearity. When Z0e Zand S ( Ω )Z0o are kept constant,50 a larger input impedance
70 results in a 100
wider bandwidth, a smaller Z L amplitude
(Ω ) balance, and100
better output phase linearity,
70 as shown 50
in Figure 5.
Because of the unavoidable physical separation between balanced ports, it is always
At the center frequency of 1.5 GHz, the input port is exactly matched, as sho
necessary to insert additional lines between them. Equation (19) shows that connecting
Figures 4a and 5a. Under the same input impedance, Figure 4b,c demonstrate that a
segments have a direct relationship with input port matching. Under the conditions of
output impedance leads to a wider bandwidth, higher amplitude balance, and also
Z0e = 42.40 Ω and Z0o = 22.95 Ω, and Zc = 35.33 Ω, Figure 6a reveals the effect of
phase linearity. When Z0e and Z0o are kept constant, a larger input impedance r
different electrical lengths on input port matching. When θc = 1.8◦ , the influence of different
in a wider bandwidth,
characteristic impedances of the connectinga smaller amplitude
section balance,
on the input portand better is
matching output
shownphase
in linear
shown in Figure 5.
Figure 6b. It is seen that the change in θc has a great influence on input port matching.
Because of the unavoidable physical separation between balanced ports, it is a
necessary to insert additional lines between them. Equation (19) shows that conn
segments have a direct relationship with input port matching. Under the conditi
Z 0 e = 42.40 Ω and Z0o = 22.95 Ω, and Z c = 35.33 Ω, Figure 6a reveals the effect of
ent electrical lengths on input port matching. When θ c = 1.80, the influence of diff
characteristic impedances of the connecting section on the input port matching is s
in Figure 6b. It is seen that the change in θ c has a great influence on input port mat
Electronics 2024,Electronics
13, 3925 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 14 9 o

(a) (b)
Electronics
Electronics 2024,
2024, 13,
13, xx FOR
FOR PEER
PEER REVIEW
REVIEW 10
10 of
of 16
16
Figure 6. The Figure
influence 6. The influence
of the connecting of the connecting
segment segment
on the on the
input port input port
matching: matching:
(a) Z (a)andZc = 35.3 Ω
c = 35.3 Ω
◦ ο
different values of θc ; (b)
different values 1.8 θ cand
θc = of θ c = 1.8 values
; (b)different of Zc . values of Zc .
and different
3. Marchand
3. Marchand Balun Balun with
with Matching
Matching and and Isolation
Isolation
ItItisisknown
knownthat,that,inin principle,
principle, a Marchand
a Marchand balun balun cannot
cannot be matched
be matched Ω 50
to 50 to Ω three
at all at all
ports simultaneously [21]. Meanwhile, the even–odd-mode impedances of the coupled cou-
three ports simultaneously [21]. Meanwhile, the even–odd-mode impedances of the line
pled
are line are determined
determined by the lineby the line
width width W, h,
W, thickness thickness h, the
the relative relative permittivity
permittivity of the
of the dielectric
dielectric and
substrate, substrate,
the gapand the gapthe
between between
lines. Itthe lines. It is challenging
is challenging to directly to directly determine
determine the above
the above parameters
parameters in a way that in can
a way thatthe
satisfy cangiven
satisfy the giventransformation.
impedance impedance transformation.
In [15], for the In
50–40 Ω impedance-transformation
[15], for the 50-40 Ω impedance-transformationbalun, Langebalun, couplersLange werecouplers
designedwere designedthe
to achieve to
achieve the
required required
coupling coupling factor.
factor.
On
Onthe the other
other hand,
hand, isolation
isolationbetween
betweenand and the
the matching
matchingof of balanced
balanced ports
ports are
are essential
essential
in
in many
many applications.
applications. A A network
network with
with balanced
balanced port port isolation
isolation and and matching
matching is is shown
shown in in
Figure
Figure7,7,whichwhichisisconstructed
constructedbyby a half-wavelength
a half-wavelength inverter
inverter andandtwotwo
isolation resistors.
isolation Its
resistors.
ABCD-matrix
Its ABCD-matrix at the center
at the frequency
center frequency can can
be expressed
be expressed as as

A  AB B  11 2R 2R 
   
= −
C CD D  0 0 11 @@f f
= − (21)
(21)
@0f00

whereRRis equal
where is equal to the
to the impedance
impedance of the
of the balanced
balanced ports.
ports.

R
R Z11,,θ
Z θ11 R
R

Figure
Figure7.7.
Figure Isolation
7.Isolation and
Isolationand matching
andmatching network
matchingnetwork at
networkat the
atthe balanced
thebalanced output
balancedoutput ports.
outputports.
ports.

Based on
Based on (20)
(20) and
and the
the isolation
isolation circuit
circuit structure
structure shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 7,
7, impedance
impedance con-
con-
verter
verter [32] is introduced at the output ports. A balun schematic with all-port matching
[32] is introduced at the output ports. A balun schematic with all-port matchingandand
full-frequency
full-frequencyisolation
isolationbetween
betweenbalanced
balancedports
portsisisproposed
proposedand
andshown
shownin inFigure
Figure8.8.

Z
Z LL Z22 ,,θθ22
Z Z11,,θθ11
Z Z33,,θθ33
Z Z
ZLL
R
R R
R
Z
Z00ee ,, Z
Z00oo Z
Z00ee ,, Z
Z00oo
Z
ZSS

θθee ,,θθoo Zcc ,,θθcc

Z θθee ,,θθoo

Figure
Figure 8. The
8. The
Figure8. schematic
Theschematic
schematicofof the
ofthe proposed
theproposed balun
proposedbalun with
balunwith all-port
withall-port matching
all-portmatching and
matchingand full-frequency
andfull-frequency isolation
full-frequencyisolation
isolation
between
between balanced
betweenbalanced ports.
balancedports.
ports.

In
Inorder
orderto
to demonstrate
demonstratethe thedesign
designapproach
approachused
usedto
todevelop
developaa Marchand
Marchandbalun
balunwith
with
matching
matching and
and isolation,
isolation, aa balun
balun with
with input
input and
and output
output impedance
impedance values
values of 50 Ω
of 50 Ω and
and
operation at the center frequency of 1.5 GHz is designed. Based on the theoretical analysis
in the previous section, the width of the coupled is 1.167 mm, and the gap is g = 0.1 mm.
The theoretical values of the impedances Z 22 , Z 33 , and R , indicated in Figure 8, are cal-
culated using the following equations:
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 9 of 14

operation at the center frequency of 1.5 GHz is designed. Based on the theoretical analysis
in the previous section, the width of the coupled is 1.167 mm, and the gap is g = 0.1 mm.
The theoretical values of the impedances Z2 , Z3 , and R, indicated in Figure 8, are calculated
using the following equations:
√ Z0e Z0o
Z2 = Z3 = 2 (22)
Z0e − Z0o
 2
2 Z0e Z0o
R= (23)
ZS Z0e − Z0o
The electrical lengths of θ2 and θ3 are about π/4. All parameters are summarized in
Table 3. The simulated results obtained using ANSOFT HFSS are shown in Figure 9. To
further prove the design concept, the circuit is realized on a microstrip and fabricated on a
substrate (dielectric constant: 9.8, thickness: 0.635 mm). The photo of the fabricated balun
is shown in Figure 9c and its scattering parameters are measured using an Agilent N5244A
vector network analyzer.

Table 3. Parameters of a Marchand balun with 50–50 Ω.

Characteristic Impedance and Isolation Resistances (Ω)

Z0e , Z0o Zc Z1 Z2 Z3 R
42.40, 22.95 35.33 96.03 69.66 69.66 100
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 16
Electrical Length (Degree)
θe , θo θc θ1 θ2 θ3
94.48, 82.73 balun 1.8
is shown in Figure180.93
9c and its scattering parameters
90.06 are measured90.06
using an Agilent
N5244A vector network analyzer.

(a) (b)

(c)
Figure and
Figure 9. Simulated 9. Simulated
measuredand measured
results of 50–50 Ω. of
results (a)50-50
InputΩ.port
(a) Input port S-parameters.
S-parameters. (b) Output(b)port
Output port
S-parameters. (c) Output phase difference and
S-parameters. (c) Output phase difference and prototype. prototype.

Table 3. Parameters of a Marchand balun with 50-50 Ω.

Characteristic Impedance and Isolation Resistances ( Ω )

Z 0 e , Z0 o Zc Z1 Z2 Z3 R

42.40,22.95 35.33 96.03 69.66 69.66 100

Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 10 of 14

It is seen that the measured results of the fabricated Marchand balun are in excellent
agreement with the simulated ones. At the center frequency, all ports are very well matched.
The isolation between the output ports is around 20 dB. The magnitude imbalance is less
than ±0.39 dB for a fractional bandwidth of 50%, and the phase difference between the
balanced ports is within 180◦ ± 2.7◦ . In addition, the layout of the isolation and matching
circuits can be optimized to achieve a very compact size.

4. Flexible Impedance Transformation Design

It should be mentioned that previous balun designs have several drawbacks. All
Marchand balun designs operate exclusively at a fixed reference port impedance, such
as 50 Ω. In practical applications, specifically in end-fire antenna feeding and12balanced
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW of 16
amplifiers, the impedance of antenna ports or power transistors may be different from
50 Ω. Therefore, the redesign of a balun with a different impedance based on the theoretical
analysis
analysis presented in this
presented in this paper
paperisisnecessary.
necessary.Based
Basedon onthe
thetheoretical
theoreticalanalysis
analysis inin Section 2
Section
and thethe
II and sample
sampledesign
designin in
Section 3, III,
Section andand operating
operatingunder
underthethe
condition that
condition thethe
that balun
balunstruc-
ture and core parameters designed in Section 3 should remain unchanged,
structure and core parameters designed in Section III should remain unchanged, an im- an impedance
converter is introduced
pedance converter at the input
is introduced at theport.
inputThe
port.balun schematic
The balun with with
schematic flexible impedance
flexible im-
transformation is shown in Figure 10.
pedance transformation is shown in Figure 10.

ZL Z 2 ,θ 2 Z1 ,θ1 Z 3 ,θ 3 ZL

R R
Z0e , Z0o Z0e , Z0o

θ e ,θ o Z c ,θ c θ e ,θ o
Z T ,θ T
ZS

Figure
Figure 10. The schematic
10. The schematicof
ofthe
theflexible
flexibleimpedance
impedance transformation
transformation balun.
balun.

To
To validate the design
validate the designconcept,
concept,two
twobaluns
balunswith
with flexible
flexible impedance
impedance transformation
transformation
and operation at a center frequency of 1.5 GHz are designed. Keeping the design
and operation at a center frequency of 1.5 GHz are designed. Keeping the design structure structure
and core parameter unchanged in Figure 8, according to [32], the theoretical values
and core parameter unchanged in Figure 8, according to [32], the theoretical values of the of the
impedance Z and R, indicated in Figure 10, are calculated by the following
impedance ZTT and R , indicated in Figure 10, are calculated by the following equations:equations:
p
= ZZ
ZZTT = SZSLZL (24) (24)

Z0e Z0o 2 2
 
2
R = 2  Z0e Z0o  (25)
R =ZS  Z0e − Z0o  (25)
Z S  Z0 e − Z0 o 
The electrical length of θ T remains about λ/4, which can be finetuned to slightly
The electrical
optimize the balunlength of θT remains
performance. All theabout λ 4 , which
parameters can baluns
of these be finetuned to slightly
are listed in Table 4
and their the
optimize simulated results are shown
balun performance. All theinparameters
Figures 11of and 12. baluns
these In addition, these
are listed in two
Tablebaluns
4
are
andalso
theirfabricated
simulated using
resultsthe
aremicrostrip implementation
shown in Figures 11 and 12. In a substrate (dielectric
addition, these constant:
two baluns
are thickness:
9.8, also fabricated
0.635using
mm).the microstrip
The implementation
photographs a substrate
of the fabricated (dielectric
baluns are also constant:
displayed in
9.8, thickness: 0.635 mm). The photographs of the fabricated baluns are also
Figures 11c and 12c. The fabricated baluns are measured with an Agilent N5244A vector displayed in
Figures 11c and 12c. The fabricated baluns are measured with an Agilent
network analyzer, and then their measured results are presented in Figures 11 and 12. N5244A vector
network analyzer, and then their measured results are presented in Figures 11 and 12.
Table 4. Parameters of a Marchand balun with 30–50 Ω and 35–75 Ω.

ZS , ZL Characteristic Impedance and Isolation Electrical Length

(Ω) Resistances (Ω) (Degree)
ZS ZL ZT R θT
35 50 42.10 100 91.55
35 75 51.03 70 94.61
 Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 16
Electronics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 16

Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 11 of 14

(a) (b)
(a) (b)

(c)
(c)
Figure 11.11.
Figure
Figure
Simulated
11. Simulated
and
Simulated andmeasured
measured
and measured
results of aofbalun
results
results of a balun
withwith
a balun 35-50
with 35-50 35–50
Ω. Ω.Input
Ω. (a)
(a) Input
port S-parameters.
(a)port
Input (b)
port S-parameters.
S-parameters. (b)
Output port
(b) Output S-parameters. (c)
port S-parameters. Output phase
(c) Output difference and
phase difference prototype.
and prototype.
Output port S-parameters. (c) Output phase difference and prototype.

(a) (b)
(a) (b)

(c)
(c)
Figure 12. Simulated and measured results of a balun with 35-75 Ω. (a) Input port S-parameters. (b)
Figure 12. Simulated
Figure
Output
and measured
Simulated and(c)
12. S-parameters.
port
resultsresults
measured
Output phase
of a balun with 35-75
of a balun
difference with
and
Ω.
35–75
prototype. Ω. (a)port
(a) Input S-parameters.
Input (b)
port S-parameters.
Output port S-parameters. (c) Output phase difference and prototype.
(b) Output port S-parameters. (c) Output phase difference and prototype.
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 12 of 14

The simulated and measured results of the balun when ZS = 35 Ω and ZL = 50 Ω are
shown in Figure 11. It is seen that they are in excellent agreement. The frequency shift in
both simulated and measures results is unnoticeable. At the center frequency of 1.5 GHz,
the insertion loss is less than 0.4 dB and all ports are very well matched (the measured
return loss results are better than 23 dB). In addition, the measured isolation between two
output ports is better than 20 dB for all frequencies. The measured magnitude imbalance
between the balanced ports is better than ±0.35 dB within the fractional bandwidth of 50%,
and the measured phase difference is within 180◦ ± 2.5◦ .
For the other balun, with ZS = 35 Ω and ZL = 75 Ω, the simulated and measured
S-parameters are shown in Figure 12. Similar to the previous balun, the measured results of
this balun agree very well with the simulated ones. All the ports of the balun with different
port impedances are very well matched with a return loss better than 20 dB at the center
frequency. The insertion loss is still less than 0.4 dB at 1.5 GHz. The measured isolation
between two output ports is better than 16 dB at all frequencies. The measured magnitude
imbalance is better than ±0.35 dB within the fraction bandwidth of 50%, and the phase
difference between balanced ports is within 180◦ ± 2.2◦ .
From the results presented in Figures 11 and 12, it is seen that baluns with flexible
impedance transformation can also be designed to have excellent performance, which
proves the validity of the formulated equations. Although excellent agreement between
simulated and measured results is observed, there are two obvious differences. One is
the center frequency drift directions of |S22 | and |S33 |. In Figure 11b, the small drift
values of |S22 | and |S33 | are to the right and left of the center frequency, while they are
reversed in Figure 12b. The frequency shifts are caused by the discrepancy between the
odd- and even-mode electrical lengths of the coupled lines and the electrical lengths of the
impedance converters. The other one is the isolation between output ports. It is seen that
the | | of 35–50 Ω balun is better than that of the balun with 35–75 Ω, which is mainly
caused by the resistor R, the impedance matcher, and outport impedance.
To clearly demonstrate the advantages of our proposed baluns, a detailed comparison
with other reported baluns is presented in Table 5. Because there are only subtle differences
in many parameters between various baluns, such as phase balance, amplitude balance, and
return loss, we only compare their implemented functions here. According to the derived
formulas, the balun structure has the advantages of all-port matching, full-frequency
high isolation between the output ports, flexible impedance transformation, and low
insertion loss.

Table 5. Comparison with published works.

f0 IL All-Frequency Isolation
Ref. Methodology All-Port Matching
(GHz) (dB) (dB)
[12] 0.9 G even–odd mode 0.8 no no
[8] 61.75 equivalent circuit 2.5 no no
[27] 14.88 electric field 1.1 no <−7.5 dB
[16] 1.8 voltage wave 0.84 no no
[17] 2.45 circuit theory 0.62 no no
[23] 2.42 coupling matrix 1.5 yes <−13 dB
[15] 2 voltage wave 0.5 yes <−10 dB
This Work 1.5 UMAM 0.39 yes <−19.5 dB
<−20.2 dB (35–50 Ω)
This Work (with FIT) 1.5 UMAM 0.4 yes
<−15.9 dB (35–75 Ω)
f0 : center frequency; FIT: flexible impedance transformation.
Electronics 2024, 13, 3925 13 of 14

5. Conclusions
In this paper, a unified-mode analysis method for modeling symmetrical networks has
been proposed, and the conditions of Marchand balun have then been derived. The validity
of the derived formulas has been verified through simulations. Based on the derived
formulas, a balun structure with all-port matching, full-frequency isolation between output
ports, and flexible impedance transformation has been proposed. Prototypes operating at
the center frequency of 1.5 GHz have been simulated and fabricated, and the measured
results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. Closed-form design equations can
facilitate the design and development of new balun structures. The proposed analysis
method can also be applied to calculate the S-parameters and ABCD-parameters of other
symmetric networks.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, L.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Methodology, L.L., Q.L., Z.S. and
W.W.; Software, L.L. and Q.L.; Validation, L.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Formal analysis, L.L., Z.S. and W.W.
Investigation, L.L., Q.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Resources, L.L., Q.L., and W.W.; Data curation, L.L., Q.L. and
Z.S.; Writing—original draft, L.L.; Writing—review & editing, L.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Visualization, L.L.;
Supervision, L.L., Q.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Project administration, L.L., Q.L., Z.S. and W.W.; Funding
acquisition, W.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported by the Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education
Institutions of China under Contract 22KJA510001 and by the Huaian Natural Science Research
Project under Contract No. HABL202106.
Data Availability Statement: No new data were created.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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