Week 10
Wilkinson Power Dividers
I revisit transmission lines through Wilkinson and branch-line networks using my assignments, Cadence circuits, and S-parameter figures.
What I connect in this unit
A Wilkinson divider uses two quarter-wave arms for equal power split and an isolation resistor to absorb odd-mode energy between outputs. Under symmetric matched conditions S21 and S31 have equal magnitude, while isolation depends on the resistor and arm electrical length.
Concept map
- Quarter-wave arms
- Equal split
- Isolation resistor
- S21 and S31
Technical anchor
For an equal split, each arm uses sqrt(2)Z0, the isolation resistor uses 2Z0, and arm length is λg/4 at the design frequency. Ideal transmission to either output is about -3.01 dB.
How I review it
Define a four-curve check that reads S21/S31 amplitude balance, S11 input match, and S23 output isolation at the same frequency marker.
Connection to the full course
Unit 10 of 12. Unit numbers arrange the saved assignments and circuits by concept flow rather than attendance weeks.