Power combiners/dividers are invaluable components when summing the contributions of multiple power amplifiers (PAs) or splitting signals into lower-power multiple signals. A line of power combiners/dividers from MECA Electronics (Denville, NJ) combine the traits most desirable in this type of component, including low insertion loss, low VSWR, good power-handling capabilities, and high isolation between channels. The components detailed here range in frequency from 0.8 to 3.0 GHz, making them applicable for all cellular, personal-communications-services (PCS) and wireless-local-area-network (WLAN) systems.

The broadest-frequency models include two-way power splitter model R2N-1.900-M01 and three-way power splitter model R3N-1.900-M01, both for use from 0.8 to 3.0 GHz. The two-way splitter features 1.10:1 typical VSWR and 1.20:1 maximum VSWR with 0.3 dB typical insertion loss. The amplitude imbalance is typically 0.1 dB. The worst-case phase imbalance is 2 deg. The two-way splitter handles RF input power levels to 200 W.

Three-way power splitter model R3N-1.900-M01 exhibits typical VSWR of 1.15:1. The typical insertion loss is 0.3 dB. The amplitude imbalance is typically 0.1 dB with worst-case performance of 0.2 dB. The maximum phase imbalance is 3 deg. The three-way power splitter also handles input levels as high as 200 W. Both the two- and three-way power splitters measure 5.25 × 1.00 × 0.81 in. (13.34 × 2.54 × 2.1 cm) and are supplied with Type N female connectors. The connectors are constructed with silver-plated brass to minimize passive intermodulation distortion (PID) in wireless communications systems. The splitters are rated for operating temperatures from −55 to +85°C.

At lower frequencies, in cases where high port-to-port isolation is desired, the company offers the two-way model H2N-0.900 power combiner/divider and the four-way model H4N-0.900 power combiner/divider, both from applications from 0.8 to 1.0 GHz (see figure). The two-way component features typical VSWR of 1.10:1 with typical insertion loss of 0.2 dB. The worst-case amplitude imbalance is 0.1 dB while the worst-case phase imbalance is 2 deg. Isolation between ports is at least 20 dB. The combiner/divider handles a total of 100 W RF power, or 25 W maximum per port. MECA Electronics, Inc., 459 East Main St., Denville, NJ 07834; (866) 444-MECA, (973) 625-0661, FAX: (973) 625-1258, e-mail: sales@e-meca.com, Internet: www.e-meca.com.