Differences in Application Between Power Dividers and Power Splitters
Application Notes

Differences in Application Between Power Dividers and Power Splitters

Show Description

Introduction 

Power dividers are an RF microwave accessory constructed with equivalent 50 Ω resistance at each port. These accessories divide the power of a uniform transmission line equally between ports to enable comparison measurements. Power dividers provide a good impedance match at both the output ports when the input is terminated in the system characteristic impedance (50 Ω). Once a good source match has been achieved, a power divider is used to divide the output into equal signals for comparison measurements. The power divider also can be used in test systems to measure two different characteristics of a signal, such as frequency and power, for broadband independent signal sampling. Besides dividing power it also can act as power combiners because they are bi-directional. 

Power splitters are constructed of two resistors. They are used for leveling and ratio measurement applications to improve the effective output match of microwave sources. The two-resistor configuration also provides 50 Ω output impedance to minimize measurement uncertainty in source leveling or ratio measurement applications.

Table of Contents

  • Power Divider Applications
    • Low power signal distribution to two antennas
    • Intermodulation distortion (IMD) measurements
    • Diversity gain measurements
  • Power Splitter Applications
    • Gain, compression, and isolation measurements
    • Rationing or leveling
  • Conclusion