| The development of modern communication systems is challenged by increasing demands on overall performance and decreasing turn-around times. Therefore, a fast and reliable component design process is at the center of a timely system prototyping concept. This thesis focuses on developing design methodologies for passive microwave components. They are derived from the coupling between various parts of a microwave circuit and take into account the physics of electromagnetic interactions between elements.; A generalized coupling theory is presented which can consider the effects of external fields on the coupling between circuit structures. Different circuit technologies are combined to achieve a microstrip-stripline coupler design with power handling capabilities and small components size. A slot coupler design methodology is presented which uses field averaging concepts to account for coupling through large apertures. A relatively small yet high power waveguide rotary joint design is presented for X-band radar systems. An innovative topology and design concept is demonstrated for filters fabricated in LTCC technology. A theoretical model for signal tapping pads is developed and applied to a novel low pass filter design including capacitive pads and lumped inductors. A broadband equivalent circuit model for electromagnetic band gap structures is presented and its application for a printed circuit GPS antenna is illustrated.; The initial design techniques, methodologies and strategies developed in this thesis are validated by comparison with measurements or other independently obtained results, e.g., from commercially available software packages. |
