Reactive Power Dividers
Reactive Power Dividers are electronic devices that split an input signal into two or more equal/unequal output signals. They are wideband devices that do not dissipate power as heat and can handle high input RF power levels. Reactive power dividers are ideal for splitting signal power in various RF and microwave systems applications such as antenna feeds, power-dividing phased array radar, test equipment and instrumentation, commercial communications, SATCOM, military communications, signal processing, and more.
These power dividers can be fabricated using waveguides, striplines, microstrip, transformers, and other technologies. These dividers come in various configurations, including in-phase, 180° out-of-phase (180° hybrids), 90° out-of-phase (quadrature hybrids), and other specialized configurations. They are available in 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, ...., N-way configurations. The Wilkinson and hybrid dividers are examples of reactive power dividers.
Figure 1: Example of a 2-way reactive power divider (Wilkinson and Hybrid power divider) (Image source: Digikey)
One of the main benefits of using reactive power dividers is that they tend to have lower losses compared to resistive power dividers. Resistive power dividers dissipate power as heat due to the inherent resistance in the components, leading to more significant losses. Reactive dividers, while not completely lossless, typically exhibit lower losses because they use reactive components like inductors and capacitors to split signals without directly dissipating power as heat.
Note: The power dividers can also be used as combiners to combine multiple input signals into a single output by interchanging input and output ports (i.e., applying input power in opposite directions).
Key Specifications of Reactive Power Dividers:
- Operating Frequency: This is the frequency range at which a power divider is fully functional or performs best.
- Insertion Loss (dB): It is the loss in the transmitted signal power due to the insertion of a device in a transmission line.
- Configuration: The number of ways the input signal is split by the power divider (2 Way, 3 Way, 4 Way....N Way).
- Phase Shift: It is the change in phase between the input signal and the output signal, measured in degrees (°). The power divider can provide a phase shift of 0° (in-phase), 90°, 180°, etc.
- Power Handling (W): The level of input RF power that the device can handle while maintaining its electrical characteristics.
- Isolation (dB): This is the output port-to-port isolation. The higher the isolation, the better.
- Amplitude and Phase Balance: Amplitude balance is a measure of how evenly the power is split between the outputs of an n-way power divider. Phase balance is a measure of the differential phase shift between the output signals of the power divider.
- Impedance: Power Dividers are usually available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm configurations.
- Package Type: Power Dividers are available in several packaging options. Some package types include - Modules with Connectors, Surface Mounts, Plug-In, Flat Packs, and Drop-In. Modules with connectors have multiple options like SMA, N-Type, K-Type, BNC, TNC, etc.
everything RF has listed Reactive Power Dividers from the leading manufacturers. Use the parametric search tools to narrow down on products based on your requirements. Once you find parts that meet your specifications, download the data sheet, compare products, and request quotations. Inquiries sent via everything RF are directed to the manufacturers, who get back to you with a quote or information.
