This article presents the configuration and design method of a compact ultra wideband 3dB quadrature coupler employing a microstrip/slot technology. The proposed device uses two substrates with a common ground plane. It is formed by two identical multisection elliptical conducting strips, which are broadside coupled through a multisection elliptical slot in the ground plane. Results of simulation and measurements show that the coupler exhibits a coupling equal to 3 +/- 1 dB for the band 2.3-12.3 GHz. The isolation and return loss are better than 23 dB across that band. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.