Session 1

POWER DIVIDERS

1. Theoretical background
Power dividers are used for feeding antennas arrays, signal distribution to multiple users
in cable transmission etc. The key element in the structure of the n-port power divider is the
two output port divider.
An ideal power divider with two output ports is a reciprocal, pasiv 3-port with all ports
matched. There is no power flow between the output ports and the device divides the incident
power at port 1 to ports 2 and 3 (figure 1).

Figure 1. Common symbol for ideal power

divider with two output ports.
The scattering matrix corresponding to an ideal power divider is given in (1) where
ports 2 and 3 are assumed to be symmetrical and the reference planes where chosen in a
convenient way.
The matrix (1) cannot describe a non-dispersive 3-port (the sum of the square modulus
of elements on each line or column is not equal to 1). The power divider (even the ideal one)
with characteristics mentioned above should contain (for matching) dispersive elements
(resistors).
 1 1 
 0 
 2 2
1
[S ]   0 0  (1)
 2 
 1 
 0 0 
 2 

Power dividers can be used to sum signals from different sources, applied to ports 2 and
3. The signal al port 1 represents the sum of the two signals.
 A simple circuit, widely used, close to the ideal concept is Wilkinson power divider [1].
This device is made of two transmission lines of lengths λ/4 at nominal frequency with the
same characteristic impedance Zc and a resistance R connected between the output ports (figure
2).

2
 4  Z0 
ZC
1 R
 Z0  ZC
 4
3
 Z0 
Figure 2. Basic Wilkinson power divider/combiner

Ports 2 and 3 are isolated because a signal applied at port 2 is divided in two waves that travel
different distances to recombine at port 3; the path length difference is λ/2 so the waves will
cancel out if their amplitudes are equal.
If a signal is applied at port 1 and ports 2 and 3 are matched, then:
1 Z 2 Z 2  2 Z 02
Zi   C ⇒ S11  C2 (2)
2 Z0 Z C  2 Z 02
It can be seen that port 1 is matched when the following condition is fulfilled:

ZC  Z0  2 (3)
Using this value of Z C , one can compute S 21 :
1
S 21  S31  ku / ad   j
2
The circuit can be drawn as a 4-port symmetrical circuit (figure 3) and then solved using
specific methods [1] :
 4
2 1
R ZC
3 1
Figure 3. Wilkinson power divider as symetrical four-port network.
The circuit in figure 3 is split along its symmetry axis. For the even and odd mode we obtain
the 2-ports in figures 4a and 4b.
  4  4
2 1 2 1
ZC ZC
2Z 0 R 2 2Z 0

a) Even-mode excitation Odd-mode excitation

Figure 4. Bisection of the Wilkinson power divider of Fig. 3
The input impedance for the two circuits is:
Z2
Zi 2 p  C ⇒ S 22 p  0
2Z0
R R / 2  Z0
Z i 2i  ⇒ S 22i 
2 R / 2  Z0
For the 4-port one can write:

1 1 R  2Z 0
S 22 
2
 S 22 p  S22i   
2 R  2Z0
 S33

Ports 2 and 3 are matched if the following condition is fulfilled:

R = 2 Z0 (4)
If (3) and (4) are fulfilled, the scattering matrix of the Wilkinson divider becomes:

 j  j
 0 
 2 2
j
[S[   0 0  (5)
 2 
 j 
 0 0 
 2 

Comparing this matrix with (1), it can be seen that Wilkinson power divider has the
properties of an ideal power divider.
The drawback of the Wilkinson power divider is that the narrow bandwidth (the
transmission lines are quarter wavelength just for one frequency).
There are more complex versions for the Wilkinson power divider, with a wider bandwidth
(figure 5).
2
 4
 4  Z0 
1 ZC 2
R
 Z0  Z C1 ZC 2
3
 4
 Z0 
Figure 5. Wilkinson power divider of type 1.
All transmission lines have the same length λ/4 and R = 2 Z 0 . The optimum values for the
characteristic impedances of the lines that guarantee maximum bandwidth, are:
Z C1  1 2   Z 0  0,841  Z 0
14

(6)
ZC 2  21 4  Z 0  1,189  Z 0
Another version, with even larger bandwidth, is presented in figure 6.

 4
 4 2
Z C1
ZC 2  Z0 
1 R1 R2
 Z0  Z C1
ZC 2
 4 3
 4  0
Z

Figure 6. Wilkinson power divider of type 2.

The optimum values for the characteristic impedances of the lines that guarantee maximum
bandwidth, are:

ZC1  23 4  Z 0  1, 682  Z 0 ; R1  2  Z 0
(7)
Z C 2  21 4  Z 0  1,189  Z 0 ; R2  6,8  Z 0

2. Lab Assignment

2.1. Studies on Wilkinson divider/combiner

2.1.1. Compute the characteristic impedance, electrical length of transmission lines from the
Wilkinson power divider and the resistance R such as the central frequency is f 0 = 1GHz and
the reference impedance is Z 0 = 50 Ω (figure 2).

2.1.2. Consider an ideal power divider. The software ANSOFT DESIGNER SV will be used
to edit the coupler’s scheme. Use the symbol Transmission line - electrical length from the
Ideal distributed category. For the resistor use the category Lumped.
2.1.3. The circuit will be analyzed in a frequency domain 0.1…2GHz with a 1MHz step.
Visualize the variation with frequency of the modulus of scattering parameters for divider:
coupling (S21 = S31), isolation between output ports (S23 = S32), return losses (S11, S22 = S33).
Note their values at nominal frequency.
2.1.4. Determine the power divider bandwidth, defined as the frequency domain where the
directivity is higher than 30 dB.
2.1.5. Consider a Wilkinson power divider in microstrip technology.
Edit the substrate, using “TRL – Microstrip - Single” option from the “Circuit” menu.
From the programme data base select the dielectric FR4 Epoxy (εr = 4.4 , TAND = 0.02) with
a thickness H = 1.6mm and a distance HU = 10mm between the substrate and the superior
screen. For metallization one should use cooper with thickness 35 μm.
Design the transmission lines and edit the scheme using a resistor from the category
“Vendors”.
2.1.6. Analyze the circuit with losses and compare results with the ones obtained for the ideal
model.
2.1.7. Analyze the circuit in a wider frequency band (0. 1…6 GHz).

2.2. Studies on Wilkinson divider/combiner – type 1

2.2.1. Design an improved Wilkinson power divider with a wider bandwidth (figure 5).
Consider as parameters: central frequency f 0 = 1GHz and the reference impedance is Z 0 = 50
Ω. Determine the characteristic impedances of transmission lines Z C1 , respectively Z C 2 and
the electrical length of transmission lines. Determine the resistance R.
2.2.2. Edit the scheme of the ideal power divider.
2.2.3. Analyze the circuit in the frequency domain 0.1…2 GHz and visualize the frequency
variation of the modulus of scattering parameters for divider. Note their values at nominal
frequency.
2.2.4. Determine the bandwidth of the divider (isolation > 30 dB).
2.2.5. Design a wider bandwidth divider -type I- in microstrip technology using the same
substrate as in p.2.1.5.
2.2.6. Edit the scheme, analyze it in the 0.1…2GHz domain and visualize its characteristic
parameters variation with frequency. Compare results of ideal model with the realistic
transmission line model.

2.3. Studies on Wilkinson divider/combiner - type 2

2.3.1. Design an improved Wilkinson power divider with a wider bandwidth (figure 5).
Consider as parameters: central frequency f 0 = 1GHz and the reference impedance is Z 0 = 50
Ω. Determine the characteristic impedances of transmission lines Z C1 , respectively Z C 2 and
the electrical length of transmission lines. Determine the resistance R1 and R2 .

2.3.2. Edit the ideal power divider scheme.

2.3.3. Analyze it in the frequency domain 0.1…2 GHz and visualize the frequency variation of
the modulus of scattering parameters for divider.
2.3.4. Determine the bandwidth of the divider (isolation > 30 dB).
2.3.5. Design a wider bandwidth divider -type II- in microstrip technology using the same
substrate as in p.2.1.5.
2.3.6. Edit the scheme, analyze it in the 0.1…2GHz domain and visualize its characteristic
parameters variation with frequency. Compare results of ideal model with the realistic
transmission line model.
3. Questions and exercises
3.1. Explain the differences between the values of the dividers’ scattering parameters, at
nominal frequency, obtained in the case of the ideal circuit and in case close to reality (losses
included).
3.2. Why is the frequency bandwidth higher for type two and type three?
3.3. Explain the frequency variation for the divider scattering parameters, in the (0.1…6 GHz)
frequency domain.
4. References

1.George Lojewski Microunde. Dispozitive şi circuite

Ed.Teora, Bucureşti, 1999