Balun Transformers A Balun is a device which converts balanced impedance to unbalanced and vice versa. In addition, baluns can also provide impedancetransformation, hence the name Balun Transformers.The following sections describe the properties of various commercially available baluns. Types of TransformersFollowing are the most commonly available balun transformers:I. Ruthroff1 Balun Transformers.Figure 1a Figure 1b Figure 1cIn the most common form, these use a pair of twisted magnet wire wound around a ferrite or powdered iron core.Figure 1(a) shows anequivalent circuit of the balun, and Figure 1b shows its actual implementation. Baluns of this type provide multi decade bandwidth andare generally limited to frequencies below 1.5 GHz. They also provide isolation from primary to secondary, and can provide a variety ofimpedance ratios. The higher the impedance ratio, lower the bandwidth. Variations are constructed with secondary center tap, Figure1(c).Figure 2, shows performance of such a Balun, having 1:4 impedance ratio and center-tapped secondary. (Model TC4-14+) II. Guanella2 or Transmission line transformersAs frequency of operation increases, insertion loss of Ruthroff transformers increases; so also unbalance and VSWR. Transmission linetransformers overcome these limitations.Figure 3(a) shows the equivalent circuit of a 1:1 balun. Figure 3(b) its implementation in simplest form. Figure 3(c) is its alternateimplementation. Figure 3(d) shows a 1:4 balun.Transmission line transformers provide very wide bandwidth and operate up to 3 GHz and higher. Figure 3(a) Figure 3(b) Figure 3(c) Figure 3(d) Figure 4 shows the performance characteristics of a transmission line balun implemented in LTCC. (Model TC1-1-13MG2+) III. Marchand Balun3 Transformers Transmission line transformers do not provide isolation from primary to secondary. When such isolation is essential for the performanceof the circuit, external DC blocks need to be used. Marchand Balun overcomes this problem. Fig 5 shows its schematic. Figure 5 In its original form it used coax/cavities and was very bulky. Over years of research, it was implemented in microstrip and in recent yearsin LTCC (Example: Some Mini-Circuits models with prefix TCN and NCS). LTCC baluns are very compact (such as 1206 or 0805 size).Commercial Marchand baluns operate above 600 MHz. Theoretically, they can provide any impedance ratio, but commercially availablebaluns are generally limited to 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 ratios. Figure 6 shows the performance of a Balun implemented in LTCC, (ModelTCN4-22+) In addition to being compact, LTCC baluns also provide stable performance over a wide temperature range such as -55 to100C. Characterization at arbitrary impedances Balun transformers are generally characterized in 50 or 75 ohm systems until now due to the limitation of the test instrumentation.Thanks to the availability of impedance transforming capabilities of the new network analyzers (such as Agilents ENA/PNA series), it ispossible to characterize them at any other impedances.Explanation of terms usedInsertion Loss Prior to the availability of modern network analyzers, the baluns were connected back to back and the insertion losses of two baluns weremeasured together. Insertion loss of a single balun was calculated by dividing the measured loss by two. In recent years, baluns are characterized as 3 port networks, like a two-way 180 splitter. As the impedance at the secondary ports is generally not50 ohms, impedance transformation is essential to do an accurate measurement. One method is to use resistive matching pads at the secondary4 forthat purpose. In this method insertion losses from primary dot to secondary dot and primary dot to secondary (after subtracting loss of matchingpad and 3 dB for loss due to theoretical split) are measured. The average of these two losses is specified as insertion loss.New network analyzers such as Agilents PNA series provide impedance transformation and port extension capabilities and hence there is no needto add resistive matching pads. This also enables measurement for any user-specified input and output impedances. Unbalance- Amplitude and Phase In an ideal Balun, with input at primary (unbalanced port), the output voltage at the two secondary ports should be identical in amplitude but differin phase by 180. In practical Baluns there is always a difference, amplitude unbalance (expressed in dB) and phase (deviation from 180)expressed in degrees. The set up used for charactering a balun as a 3-port network, provides two insertion losses (primary dot to secondary dot andprimary dot to secondary). The difference of these two powers in dB is called amplitude unbalance. The phase angle deviation from 180 betweenthe secondary ports is phase unbalance.Input Return Loss When the secondary is termin