Compact meta-material transmission line balun based on meander lines structure and MEMS technology

This paper presents a novel compact meta-structure microstrip balun, which is characterized by left-handed properties. In the novel structure, two coupled meander lines are used to generate series capacitor and series inductor. Compared with conventional composite right/left-handed transmission-line structures, the new structure has smaller size and is easily fabricated by MEMS (Micro Electromechanical Systems) technology. Using such a meta-structure, a wide band microstrip balun is designed and fabricated. Good performance in phase error in wide pass band has been achieved.