Differences in Application Between Power Dividers and Power Splitters
Application Note

Introduction
Power dividers are an RF microwave accessory constructed with equivalent 50Ω resistance at each port. These accessories divide 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 (50Ω). 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 50Ω output impedance to minimize measurement uncertainty in source leveling or ratio measurement applications.

Characteristics of power dividers and power splitters
Power dividers • Divide a signal equally for comparison measurements • All ports have equivalent 16 ²⁄ ³ resistance • Can be used as power combiners • SWR 3:1
16 2/3 ohm 16 2/3 ohm 1 16 2/3 ohm
1 50 ohm

Power splitters • Used in ratio measurements and leveling loop applications • Only the input port has a 50Ω resistance, the other two ports have 83.33Ω impedance • SWR 1:1
3 50 ohm

3

2

2

Key specifications of Agilent 11636C power dividers and 11667C power splitter
11636C power dividers • • • • Operating frequency: DC to 50 GHz ±0.3 dB amplitude tracking ± 2º phase tracking Low SWR 1.67 11667C power splitters • Operating frequency: DC to 50 GHz • <0.4dB tracking between output ports • Excellent output: 1.10 SWR at the auxiliary port

2

Power Divider and Power Splitter Applications
Power divider applications
Low power signal distribution to two antennas
In this application, a power divider divides the power into two antennas at the same time. Figure 1 shows how to make a simple connection to a power divider which distributes the low power signal equally into two antennas at one time.
Figure 1. Simple test setup for power dividing application

Intermodulation distortion (IMD) measurements
Power dividers can be used as power combiners for IMD measurements. IMD measurements require a signal with the appropriate phase relationships among the carriers to simulate real life conditions and provide repeatable results. A power divider accurately combines two signals from the two difference signal sources into one signal for the device under test (DUT). A spectrum analyzer is used to examine the output of DUT while it is being stimulated with multi-tone test signal. Figure 2 shows the traditional measurement setup used to measure the IMD product with a two-tone test stimulus.

Power divider Source

Figure 2. Power divider test setup for IMD measurements

Sig Gen 1

Power divider DUT Specturm analyzer

Sig Gen 2

3

Diversity gain measurements
The electromagnetic field in multipath environments is very strong in some positions and very weak in others. A power divider can be used to measure the diversity gain of the handset. Figure 3 shows how to connect a power divider This measurement setup is used to measure the diversity gain of digitallyenhanced cordless telecommunication (DECT) devices. The base station sends a slot through a power divider to a wall antenna selected by the switch. The handset then radiates the signal back to the base station. The handset is placed in a reverberation chamber so that a spectrum analyzer can receive and measure the radiated power of the signal.

Figure 3. Power divider test setup for diversity measurements

Switch

Power divider

Chamber

Base station

Spectrum analyzer

Power splitter applications
Gain, compression and isolation measurements
Power splitters can be use for gain, gain compression and power testing. Figure 4 shows the basic test setup for amplifier gain, compression and power testing. The power splitter provides signal rationing that improves the source match and removes re-reflected signals so gain measurements can be taken at different RF power levels without re-calibrating.

Figure 4. Simple test setup for power dividing application

Network analyzer Sweep oscillator Detector

Power splitter

DUT Detector

4

Rationing or leveling
The effective source match can be improved by rationing or leveling the source externally. These two methods also provide similar source match improvement. Figure 5 shows the source leveling technique that uses an external crystal detector. Figure 6 shows the source leveling technique using a power meter.

Figure 5. Power splitter test setup for leveling with a crystal detector

Sweep oscillator

Power splitter

To DUT

Figure 6. Power splitter test setup for leveling with a power meter

Power meter Arithmetic logic control (ALC) Recorder output

Sweep oscillator

Power splitter

Power sensor

Conclusion
Power dividers and power splitters perform different functions in test systems and, as seen in the applications above, are not interchangeable. For simple power dividing and combining, the three-resistor power divider should be used. For ratio measurement and leveling, the two-resistor power splitter is the right choice. For more information on test accessories go to: www.agilent.com/find/mta.

To DUT

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