Chapter 7

Power Dividers and Couplers

• Three Port Network S Parameter Matrix

• Review of Power Dividers and Couplers
• Directional Coupler
• Hybrid Couplers
• The Lossless T Junction
• Junction T Example
• The Resistive Divider
• Scattering Matrix of the Resistive Divider
 Three Port Network S Parameter

The scattering matrix of an arbitrary three port network

has nine independent variables:
 S11 S12 S13 
 S    S 21 S 22 S 23 
 S31 S32 S 33 

If all the components of the network are passive and it does not
contain any active component, then its S parameter matrixS ijmust
 S jibe
reciprocal. The [S] matrix will also be symmetric.
Usually to avoid power loss, we would like to have a network that is
matched at all ports and is lossless.
However, it is impossible to construct a three port lossless reciprocal
network that is matched at all ports.
 Three Port Network S Parameter

If all the three ports are matched the [S] matrix can be
written as:
0 S12 S13 
 S    S12 0 S 23 
 S13 S 23 0 

If the three port network is not reciprocal then Sij  S ji

and its [S] matrix will not be symmetric.
 Power Dividers and Couplers
In low frequency design, it is common to sum signals
by adding their currents or voltages. In high frequency
design direct summation is not used. Instead there is a
class of circuits used to sum or split power.

Power Splitter
Power Combiner
 Power Dividers and Couplers

Two basic types of these circuits are: Power Divider and

Power Combiner.

 1

Three port networks are shown here, but both dividers and combiners
can be multi-port networks. The most common value for  in splitter
is –3 dB (when P2 = P3 ). The power ratio in splitter can range up to
–40 dB for one path.
 Directional Coupler
One specific class of power divider is the directional coupler. This
is a four port device that samples the power flowing into port 1
coupled in to port 3 (the coupled port) with the remainder of the
power delivered to port 2 (the through port) and no power delivered
to the isolated port.
Directional Coupler
Input Through

Isolated Coupled

Usually the isolated port is terminated within the coupler casing.

In such case, the coupler appears to be a three port device. In ideal
case no power is delivered to port 4 (the isolated port).
 Directional Coupler
Directional Coupler
Input Through

Isolated Coupled

Directional couplers are described by three specifications:

• Coupling (C) - The ratio of input power to the couple power.
• Directivity (D)- The ratio of coupled power to the power at the isolated
port.
• Isolation (I) – The ratio of input power to power out of the isolated port.
P   P3  P I  DC
C  10 log 1  D  10 log  I  10 log 1  dB
 P3   P4   P4 
 Hybrid Couplers
• Hybrid couplers are special cases of
directional couplers, where the
coupling factor is 3 dB.
• There are two types of hybrids. 0 1 j 0
 
1) The quadrature hybrid has a 90 S  1 1 0 0 j 
degree phase shift between port 2 2  j 0 0 1
 
and 3 when fed from port 1, with 0 j 1 0
the following [S] matrix.

2) The magic-T hybrid or rat-race 0 1 1 0

hybrid has a 180 degree phase shift  0  1
1 1 0
between port 2 and 3 when fed from S 
2 1 0 0 1
port 4, with the following [S] 
0  1 1 0

matrix:
 The Lossless T Junction
The simplest type of power divider is the T junction. T
junction can be implemented using virtually any type of
transmission line. However, the T junction is very simple to
implement, it must be treated with care because it does not
offer any isolation between its ports.

1 1 1
Matching requirement for the T junction input:  
Z 2 Z 3 Z1
 The Lossless T Junction
In order for the input port to be matched, the output lines
must be matched (terminated in their characteristic
impedance).
The power dividing ratio can be selected by using different
values of characteristic impedance for ports 2 and 3.

P1  P2  P3  P1   P1    1
1 Vo2 1 Vo2 Z1
P2   P1    
2 Z2 2 Z1 Z2

1 Vo2 1 Vo2 Z1
P3   P1    
2 Z3 2 Z1 Z3
 The Lossless T Junction

Input matching requirement:

Z L  Z1  Z 2 || Z 3   Z1 Z 2 Z 3  Z1Z 2  Z1Z 3
1    0
Z L  Z1  Z 2 || Z 3   Z1 Z 2 Z 3  Z1Z 2  Z1Z 3
Z 2 Z3
Z 2 Z 3  Z1 ( Z 2  Z 3 )  Z1 
Z 2  Z3
Therefore, the input to the T junction can be matched through the
correct choice of impedances in port 2 and 3. What about
matching of port 2 and 3?
 The Lossless T Junction
Now lets consider matching of port 2.
Z L  Z 2  Z1 || Z 3   Z 2 Z 2 Z 3  Z1Z 2  Z 2 Z 3
2   
Z L  Z 2  Z1 || Z 3   Z 2 Z 2 Z 3  Z1Z 2  Z 2 Z 3

If port 2 is matched, then 2 = 0 and we will have:

Z1 Z 3
Z1 Z 3  Z 2 ( Z 1  Z 3 )  0  Z2 
Z1  Z 3
Z2Z3
Substitution of Z1  yields Z2 = 0.
Z 2  Z3

Which shows that the lossless T junction cannot be matched

at all three ports simultaneously. (Problem 7.1 Pozar)
 Junction T Example
The resistive power divider for an equal power split.

If the T junction contains lossy components then it is

possible to match all the three ports. In this case the signal
power will be reduced due to loss in the junction.
 The Resistive Divider

Assuming that all the lumped-element resistors are terminated

in the characteristic impedance Zo, the input impedance looking
into any port is:
Zo  Zo Z  Z o 2Z o
Z in     Zo   o  Zo   Z in    Zo
3  3  3  3 3
Since the network is symmetric from all three ports, the
output ports are also matched. Therefore, S11=S22=S33=0
 The Resistive Divider

The voltage at the center of the junction is:

2Z o
3 2
V  V1  V1
Zo 2Z o 3

3 3
The output voltages V2 and V3 are equal to:
Zo 3 1
V2  V3  V  V  V1
Z 4 2
Z0  0
3
 Scattering Matrix of the Resistive Divider
Since the network is symmetric and reciprocal, S 21=S31=S23=1/2.
0 1 1 
 S   1 1 0 1
2
1 1 0
Thus, the output power is –6 dB below the input power level
(lossy).
The power delivered to the input1and
V 2 outputs of the divider are:
Pin  1
2 Zo

P2  P3 
1
1 2 V1  2


1 V12 1
 Pin
2 Zo 8 Zo 4
Half of the supplied power is dissipated in the resistors.