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:
[ ]
1
1
1
]
1

33 32 31
23 22 21
13 12 11
S S S
S S S
S S S
S
If all the components of the network are passive and it does not
contain any active component, then its S parameter matrix must be
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.
ji ij
S S
Three Port Network S Parameter
If all the three ports are matched the [S] matrix can be
written as:
[ ]
1
1
1
]
1

0
0
0
23 13
23 12
13 12
S S
S S
S S
S
If the three port network is not reciprocal then
and its [S] matrix will not be symmetric.
ji ij
S S
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 P
2
= P
3
). 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
Isolated
Through
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
Isolated
Through
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.

,
_

3
1
log 10
P
P
C

,
_

4
3
log 10
P
P
D

,
_

4
1
log 10
P
P
I
dB C D I +
Hybrid Couplers

Hybrid couplers are special cases of

directional couplers, where the
coupling factor is 3 dB.

There are two types of hybrids.

1) The quadrature hybrid has a 90
degree phase shift between port 2
and 3 when fed from port 1, with the
following [S] matrix.
2) The magic-T hybrid or rat-race
hybrid has a 180 degree phase shift
between port 2 and 3 when fed from
port 4, with the following [S]
matrix:
[ ]
1
1
1
1
]
1

0 1 0
1 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 0
2
1
j
j
j
j
S
[ ]
1
1
1
1
]
1

0 1 1 0
1 0 0 1
1 0 0 1
0 1 1 0
2
1
S
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.
Matching requirement for the T junction input:
1 3 2
1 1 1
Z Z Z
+
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.
1 1 3 2 1
P P P P P + +
1 +
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
Z
Z
Z
V
P
Z
V
P
o o

3
1
1
2
1
3
2
3
2
1
2
1
Z
Z
Z
V
P
Z
V
P
o o

The Lossless T Junction
Input matching requirement:
( )
( )
0
||
||
3 1 2 1 3 2
3 1 2 1 3 2
1 3 2
1 3 2
1
1
1

+ +

Z Z Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z
Z Z Z
Z Z
Z Z
L
L
3 2
3 2
1 3 2 1 3 2
) (
Z Z
Z Z
Z Z Z Z Z Z
+
+
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.
( )
( )
3 2 2 1 3 2
3 2 2 1 3 2
2 3 1
2 3 1
2
2
2
||
||
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z
Z Z Z
Z Z
Z Z
L
L
+ +

If port 2 is matched, then
2
= 0 and we will have:
3 1
3 1
2 3 1 2 3 1
0 ) (
Z Z
Z Z
Z Z Z Z Z Z
+
+
Substitution of yields Z
2
= 0.
Which shows that the lossless T junction cannot be matched
at all three ports simultaneously. (Problem 7.1 Pozar)
3 2
3 2
1
Z Z
Z Z
Z
+

Junction T Example
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 power divider for an equal power split.
The Resistive Divider
Assuming that all the lumped-element resistors are terminated
in the characteristic impedance Z
o
, the input impedance looking
into any port is:
o
o o
in o
o
o
o o
in
Z
Z Z
Z Z
Z
Z
Z Z
Z +

,
_

,
_

+ +
3
2
3 3 3 3
Since the network is symmetric from all three ports, the
output ports are also matched. Therefore, S
11
=S
22
=S
33
=0
The Resistive Divider
The voltage at the center of the junction is:
1 1
3
2
3
2
3
3
2
V
Z Z
Z
V V
o o
o

The output voltages V

2
and V
3
are equal to:
1
0
0
3 2
2
1
4
3
3
V V
Z
Z
Z
V V V
o

+

Scattering Matrix of the Resistive Divider
Since the network is symmetric and reciprocal, S
21
=S
31
=S
23
=1/2.
Thus, the output power is 6 dB below the input power level (lossy).
The power delivered to the input and outputs of the divider are:
[ ]
1
1
1
]
1

0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0
2
1
S
o
in
Z
V
P
2
1
2
1

( )
in
o o
P
Z
V
Z
V
P P
4
1
8
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
3 2

Half of the supplied power is dissipated in the resistors.