Questions & Answers on Couplers

Feb 20, 2017

A regular directional coupler is a 4 port network, similar to what is seen in the diagram below. Port 1 is the input port, port 2 is the output port, port 3 is the coupled port and port 4 is the isolated/terminated port. The power passes from the input port (port 1) to the output port (port 2) in transmission line 1. A portion of the power is coupled with transmission line 2, the amount of power c...read more

What is an RF Tapper?

Couplers RF Basics

Editorial Team

Apr 9, 2018

An RF Tapper is a device used to split an input signal into two parts. The ratio in which the signals are split is called the Split Ratio - This usually varies from 1:2 to 1:10000 - Depending on the application and power level. In theory, RF signal tappersare very similar to directional couplers.Differences between RF Signal Tappers and Directional CouplersTappers usually operate over a broader fr...read more

What is Directivity in a Coupler?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Aug 1, 2018

The Directivity in a coupler is the ratio between the input signal at the coupled port and the unwanted reflected signal at the coupled port. Itis a measure of how well the coupler isolates two opposite-traveling (forward and reverse) signals at the coupled port.This might sound confusing, so let me illustrate this using a diagram. See the figure below of a regular 4-port directional coupler. Port...read more

What is a Branchline Coupler?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Mar 21, 2018

A Branch Line Coupler is the simplest type of a Quadrature Coupler or 90° Hybrid Coupler. This device is basically a 3 dB, four port directional coupler with 90° phase difference between its output ports. It can be used as a single antenna Transmitter/Receiver system or an I/Q signal splitter/combiner.90 Degree Hybrid Coupler Schematic

What is a Proximity Coupler?

Couplers RF Basics

Editorial Team

Feb 13, 2017

A proximity coupler has no directivity, so insertion loss to the coupled port is the same from either RF port. Either input port can be used to input power in to a proximity coupler and the other port automatically acts as the coupled port. In a regular directional coupler, the input port and the coupled port is fixed and are not interchangeable.

What is a Bi-Directional Coupler?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Mar 17, 2017

A bi-directional coupler is a type of RF coupler where the input and output ports are interchangeable. When port 1 is the input port, it works like a regular directional coupler. Port 1 is the input port, port 2 is the output port, port 3 is the coupled port and port 4 is the isolated/terminated port. The power passes from the input port (port 1) to the output port (port 2) in transmission line 1....read more

What is a Directional Coupler?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Aug 14, 2018

A directional coupler is a 4-port device that is used to sample a small amount of input signal power for measurement purposes. As seen in the diagram below, Port 1 is the input port, port 2 is the output port, port 3 is the coupled port and port 4 is the isolated/terminated port.When an input signal travels from port 1 to port 2, a part of this signal is coupled to port 3. The portion of the power...read more

What is Coupling Factor or Coupling Ratio?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Aug 29, 2018

The Coupling factor/Coupling Ratio is the ratio of incident power to the coupled power, measured in dB.So when we say a coupler has a coupling value of 3 dB, it means that 50% of the power is coupled to the coupled port of the coupler and the rest of the power is routed to the output port of a coupler. If the coupling value is 30 dB, this means that 0.1% of the power is coupled to coupled port and...read more

What is the Difference between a 3-Port Coupler and 4-Port Coupler?

Couplers

Editorial Team

Jan 10, 2019

A directional coupler is usually a 4-port device with an Input Power, Coupled Port, Output Port and Isolated Port. In a 3-Port Coupler, the isolated port is terminated internally. The performance (directivity) of a 4-port directional coupler can be impacted by the quality of impedance match (termination) at the isolated port. As a result of this, 3-Port couplers where the isolated port is internal...read more

What is a Lange Coupler?

Couplers

Answer

What is a Bridge Coupler?

Couplers

Answer

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