Patent attributes
In a balun for mutually converting an unbalanced line for unbalanced input/output and a balanced line for balanced input/output, the unbalanced line and the balanced line are microstrip lines including a signal line arranged on one main surface of a substrate and a ground conductor arranged on the other main surface of the substrate. The balun further includes a slot line formed by a aperture line arranged in the ground conductor in the other main surface. The microstrip line as the unbalanced line includes one end portion used as an input/output end and the other end portion that traverses the slot line, electromagnetically couples to the slot line, and functions as an electric short-circuited end. The central portion of the microstrip line as the balanced line traverses the slot line and electromagnetically couples to the slot line. Both ends of this microstrip line serves as the input/output ends.