PD4W18-12LF

RF power dividers/splitters are designed to split a signal into multiple signals through a variety of methods. The most general types of RF power dividers/splitters are directional wideband power dividers/splitters, quadrature hybrid power dividers/splitters, micro-strip power dividers/splitters, Wilkinson power dividers/splitters and rat-race power dividers/splitters. Among the various types, the PD4W18-12LF application field and working principle focuses on the Wilkinson power dividers/splitters.

Wilkinson power dividers/splitters, invented by Ernest Wilkson, make use of two four-port networks and a resistor to divide the signal into multiple signals. Generally speaking, the PD4W18-12LF family of products is used to divide or combine signals within a wide frequency range of 10MHz to 18GHz, and is suitable for a wide range of applications such as: communications systems, test instrumentation, microwave radio, cellular CDMA systems, WiMAX, radar/EW systems, etc.

The PD4W18-12LF series Wilkinson power dividers/splitters consist of two four-port networks. The two four-port networks are connected together by a resistor. The first four-port network consists of two parallel 50-ohm resistors in series with a transmission line, and provides the termination feature used to transform two ports to the other two ports. The second four-port network comprises a resistor connected between two sections of the transmission line. The transmission line sections are connected in series and placed symmetrically on both sides of the resistor.

The working principle of the PD4W18-12LF Wilkinson power dividers/splitters is relatively simple. If there is an input signal at port 1, the signal will be divided into two identical signals, one delivered to port 2 and the other to port 3. The signals delivered to ports 2 and 3 will have an phase difference of 180 degrees with each other. Similarly, if there is an input signal at port 2, the signal will be divided into two signals, one delivered to port 1 and the other to port 3. The signals delivered to ports 1 and 3 will have zero degree phase difference. If there is a signal input at port 3, the signal will be divided into two signals, one delivered to port 1 and the other to port 2, and the signals delivered to ports 1 and 2 will have again a phase difference of 180 degrees.

The PD4W18-12LF Wilkinson power dividers/splitters offer many advantages over other types of power dividers/splitters, such as lower insertion loss, low VSWR, wide frequency range and good isolation. The PD4W18-12LF is a cost-effective alternative and is especially suitable for applications that require at least 6db of insertion loss, such as weather radar systems, medical systems, instrument calibration and antenna arrays.

To sum up, the PD4W18-12LF application field and working principle focuses on the Wilkinson power dividers/splitters, which offer advantages such as lower insertion loss, low VSWR, wide frequency range and good isolation. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as communications systems, test instrumentation, microwave radio, cellular CDMA systems, WiMAX, radar/EW systems, etc.