2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)

Design and Analysis of Various Wilkinson Power

Divider Networks for L Band Applications
Debajit De Anand Prakash Neela Chattoraj P. K. Sahu Anju Verma
EE Department D&E RS/NS2 ECE Department EE Department EE Department
NIT Rourkela BEL Bengaluru BIT Mesra NIT Rourkela NIT Rourkela
Rourkela, India Bengaluru, India Ranchi, India Rourkela, India Rourkela, India
de.debajit118@gmail.com anandprakash@bel.co.in nchattoraj@bitmesr.ac.in pksahu@nitrkl.ac.in 214ee1432@nitrkl.ac.in

Abstract - Different Wilkinson Power Divider Networks using TABLE I

stepped multiple sections of the conventional Wilkinson COMPARISON OF PASSIVE POWER DIVIDERS
Divider are presented in this paper. The operating frequency
range has been chosen as 1.25 GHz to 1.45 GHz. As, the chosen Passive Power Divider Advantage Disadvantage
frequency range lies in the L band, these power dividers can be T-Junction Lossless Not matched at all ports
used as feeding network for antenna arrays operated in the L and No isolation
band. We have fabricated and tested the 2:1, 4:1, 8:1 and 16:1 between the ports.
Wilkinson Power Divider Networks to validate all their Can be No isolation between the
simulation results. All these structures have been designed and matched at all output ports. Poor power
Resistive
simulated in CST MWS. ports handling, limited by
resistor tolerances. Lossy
Keywords – Wilkinson Power Divider, Return Loss, Isolation, S- Wilkinson Lossless (if Reflected power is
Parameters, Antenna Array Feeding. matched at all dissipated through
ports) isolation resistor if
I. INTRODUCTION mismatching is occurred.

The use of three-port power dividers is especially

important for antenna array systems that utilize a power- From the above comparison, it can be understood that,
splitting network, such a corporate or parallel feed system. the Wilkinson divider is the best choice in the above
The corporate feed is simply a device that splits power comparison and will be used in the optimized design of the
between n numbers of output ports with a certain corporate-fed network for the array.
distribution while maintaining equal path lengths from input
to output ports. It can be implemented with n-way power The Wilkinson power divider is a basically a three port
splitters where three-port power dividers are commonly network that is lossless when the output ports are matched,
used. The flexibility of the two-way divider's feed structure only reflected power is dissipated. Input power can be split
allows use of multiple stepped-sections to achieve power into two or more in phase signals with the same amplitude.
division with the capability of wideband operation. The For a two way Wilkinson power divider using Ȝ/4
bandwidth is primarily limited by the match of the radiating impedance transformer having characteristic impedance
elements, although using high-isolation power dividers ¥2Z0 [1]. Generally, in microwave engineering field, all the
reduces the dependence on the match of the loads. Wilkinson Power Dividers are considered as microstrip lines
as shown in Fig. 1 (a). The equivalent circuit for the same
The history of the three-port power divider began in 1960 has been shown in Fig. 1 (b).
when Wilkinson described a device that separated one signal
into n number of equal signals of equal phase and amplitude
[1]. Theoretically, perfect isolation between all output ports
was achieved at one center frequency. One limitation of the
corporately fed array is space usage that the feeding network
requires. The designer is often faced with challenge of
choosing a topology for the 2-way divider that reduces the
total size of the feeding network layout and also avoids the
coupling between the two impedance transformers.
Therefore, careful optimization of the individual 2-way
power divider topology needs to be included in the design of
the feeding network.

Table I shows a comparative study of advantages and

disadvantages for different Passive Power Dividers. Figure 1. (a) An equal-split Wilkinson Power Divider Microstrip form &
(b) Equivalent transmission line circuit

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 2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)
The S-parameter matrix for the Wilkinson power divider
can be found using even-odd mode analysis which uses
circuit symmetry and superposition. As a first step the
circuit in Fig. 1 (b) has been redrawn with all impedances
normalized to Z0 as shown below in Fig. 2.
Figure 2. Normalized and Symmetric Form of Power Divider Circuit
There is no current flow between the r/2 resistors or the
short circuit between the inputs of the two transmission lines
at port 1. Therefore, the above circuit can be bisected and
separated into two systems, even and odd, which are shown
in Fig. 3 (a) and (b) respectively. Each system can be then
analyzed separately [2] [3].
Figure 3. Bisection of the circuit of Fig. 2 for (a) Even mode excitation and
(b) Odd mode excitation
For Even mode analysis, the input impedance at Port 2 of
the circuit in Fig. 3 (a) is checked where Z=¥2.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
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For, Odd mode analysis, the input impedance at Port 2 of
the circuit in Fig. 3 (b) is found again as
(6)
Voltages at port 2 and port 1 are
(7)
(8)
The circuit shown below in Fig. 4 (a) and its bisection (b)
has been used to find S11.
Figure 4. (a) Terminated Power divider & (b) Bisection of the circuit
When ports 2 and 3 are terminated with matched loads,
there is no current flow through the normalized isolation
resistor and it can be removed. The input impedance at port
1 is
(9)
As a summary, S11 = 0 for Zin = 0 at port 1; S22 = S33 = 0
for Output matched for even/odd modes; S23 = S32 = 0 due to
short or open at bisection; S13 = S31 = -j/¥2 due to symmetry
of ports 2 and 3; S12 = S21 = (V1e + V1O) / (V2e + V2O) = -j/¥2
due to symmetry due to reciprocity.
The S-parameter matrix for the Wilkinson power divider
can be found using even-odd mode
analysis which uses circuit
symmetry and superposition and it
can be written as in [4]:
The performance of the Wilkinson divider/coupler is
commonly evaluated by the following figures of merit: RL1
[dB] = 20log|S11| and RL2 [dB] = 20log|S22|; Return loss at
ports 1 and 2. CP12 [dB] = 20log|S12|; Coupling between
ports 1 and 2. IL23 [dB] = 20log|S23|; Isolation between ports
2 and 3 [5].
 2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)

II. DESIGN & ANALYSIS

The Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave
Studio is used for Design and Simulation of Wilkinson
power divider networks 2:1, 4:1, 8:1 and 16:1. The NELCO
substrate of permittivity 3.8 and thickness of 2.4 mm has
been used in the fabrication process. The dimension of the
whole power divider can be calculated using the formulae
available in the literatures [6-8].

A. 2:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Network

Figure 6. (a) Simulated 4:1 Wilkinson Power Divider

The fabricated 4:1 Wilkinson power divider is shown in

Fig. 6 (b).

Figure 5. (a) Simulated 2:1 Wilkinson Power Divider

The straight Ȝ/4 split section 2:1 divider is being the

conventional Wilkinson divider design is modeled first. Fig.
2 shows the 2:1 model in CST MWS. The model shown in
Fig. 5 (a) is matched terminated to 50 ȍ at all ports. In this
power divider the power at each of the output port is half the Figure 6. (b) Fabricated. 4:1 Wilkinson Power Divider
power of the input port. So the transmission loss should be
3.0 dB at each output port. The fabricated 2:1 Wilkinson C. 8:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Network
power divider is shown in Fig. 5 (b).
Fig. 7 (a) shows the 8:1 Power Divider Network model in
CST MWS. The 3D model design has been made compact
as compared to conventional one. The fabricated 8:1
Wilkinson power divider is shown in Fig. 7 (b).

Figure 5. (b) Fabricated. 2:1 Wilkinson Power Divider

B. 4:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Network

Fig. 6 (a) shows the 4:1 Power Divider Network model in
CST MWS. In this power divider, the power at each of the
output port is the 1/4th power of the input port power. So the
transmission loss should be 6.0 dB at each output port.
Figure 7. (a) Simulated 8:1 Wilkinson Power Divider
In this power divider, the power at each of the output port
is 1/8th power of the input port power. So, the transmission
loss should be 9.0 dB at each output port.

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 2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)

Figure 9. Simulated 2:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Return Loss Plot

Figure 7. (b) Fabricated. 8:1 Wilkinson Power Divider

D. 16:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Network The Fig. 10 shows the fabricated 2:1 Wilkinson power
divider Return Loss plot between port 1 and port 2.
Fig. 8 shows the 16:1 Power Divider Network model
in CST MWS. In this power divider, the power at each of
the output port is the 1/16th power of the input port power.
So the transmission loss should be 12.0 dB at each output
port.

Figure 10. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 2

The Fig. 11 shows the fabricated 2:1 Wilkinson power

divider Return Loss plot between port 1 and port 3. There is
almost equal power division to the two output ports.

Figure 8. Simulated 16:1 Wilkinson Power Divider

III. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

A. Simulation and Measurement Results of 2:1 Power
Divider Network

The input port has been taken as port 1, the output port
from the left hand side end to the right hand side end has
been given numbering as port 2, port 3. So in this case there
is port 1, port 2 and port 3. Fig. 9 shows the simulated return
loss plot of 2:1 power divider network.
Figure 11. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 3

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 2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)

Fig. 12 shows the isolation between port 2 and port 3.

There is isolation of 22 dB between the two output ports.

Figure 15. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 3

Figure 12. Isolation Plot between port 2 & port 3

B. Simulation and Measurement Results of 4:1 Power

Divider Network
The input port has been taken as port 1, the output port
from the left hand side end to the right hand side end has
been given numbering as port 2, port 3 and so on. Fig. 13
shows the simulated return loss plot of 4:1 power divider.

Figure 16. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 4

Figure 13. Simulated 4:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Return Loss Plot

Fig. 14, 15, 16 and 17 show the fabricated Return Loss
plot between port 1 and port 2, port 1 and port 3, port 1 and
port 4, port 1 and port 5 respectively. From these plots, it is
obtained that, there is almost equal power division to the all
four output ports.
Figure 17. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 5
Fig. 18, 19 and 20 show the measured Isolation Plots
between all the output ports. Table II provides the
measurement results of Isolation between Output Ports 2, 3,
4 and 5 of the 4:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Network.

Figure 14. Return Loss Plot between port 1 & port 2 Figure 18. Isolation Plot between port 2 & port 3

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 2016 3rd International Conference on Signal Processing and Integrated Networks (SPIN)
Figure 19. Isolation Plot between port 3 & port 4
Figure 20. Isolation Plot between port 3 & port 4
TABLE II
MEASURED ISOLATION BETWEEN ALL THE OUTPUT PORTS
Between Output Ports 2&3 3&4 4&5
Isolation 21 dB 26 dB 21 dB
C. Simulation Results of 8:1 Power Divider Network
Fig. 21 shows the simulated return loss plot of 8:1 power
divider. The input port has been taken as port 1, the output
port from the left hand side end to the right hand side end
has been given numbering as port 2, port 3 and so on. So in
this case there is port 1, port 2, port 3, port 4, port 5, port 6,
port 7, port 8 and port 9. The plot in Fig. 21 shows that there
is almost equal power division to the all eight output ports.
Figure 21. Simulated 8:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Return Loss Plot
D. Simulation Results of 16:1 Power Divider Network
The input port has been taken as port 1, the output port
from the left hand side end to the right hand side end has
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been given numbering as port 2, port 3 and so on. So in this
case there is port 1, port 2, port 3, port 4, port 5, port 6, port
7, port 8 and port 9 and so on till port 16. Fig. 22 shows the
simulated return loss plot of 16:1 power divider network.
The plot shows that there is almost equal power division to
the all sixteen output ports.
Figure 22. Simulated 8:1 Wilkinson Power Divider Return Loss Plot
IV. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, Wilkinson power divider networks 2:1, 4:1,
8:1 and 16:1 are presented. There is almost equal power
division at the all output ports and very good isolation
between the output ports is obtained in the required
frequency range of 1.25-1.45GHz. These power divider
networks are fabricated and tested. The test results shows
very closed matching between the simulated and fabricated
results. Hence, as a feeding network, this proposed
Wilkinson Power Divider can be a better choice for an
antenna array operated in L band. In the modeling of
Wilkinson power divider network 8:1, size reduction has
been done. The very slight difference that is coming
between the simulated and fabricated models are because of
cable losses, connector losses, interference by the other
power sources in the measurement setup.
REFERENCES
[1] J. Wilkinson, "An n-Way Hybrid Power Divider", IRE Trans.
Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 8, January 1960, pp. 116–118.
[2] S. B. Cohn, "A Class of Broadband Three-Port TEM-Mode Hybrids",
IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 16, February 1968, pp.
110–116.
[3] R. B. Ekinge, "A New Method of Synthesizing Matched Broad-Band
TEM-Mode Three-Ports", IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech.,
Vol. 19, January 1971, pp. 81–88.
[4] L. I. Parad and R. L. Moynihan, "Split-Tee Power Divider", IRE
Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 8, January 1965, pp. 91–95.
[5] Tang, X. Mouthaan K.., “Analysis and design of compact two-way
Wilkinson power dividers using coupled lines.” APMC, Singapore
(2009), 1319–1322.
[6] Bahl, I.J., Gupta K. C., “Average Power Handling Capability of
Microstrip Lines”, IEE Jour. on Microwaves, Optics and Acoustics,
January, 1979.
[7] Harlan H. Howe, “Stripline Circuit Design”, Artech House, 1974, pp.
102-110.
[8] Pozar D. M., “Microwave Engineering”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
2005, third ed., pp. 318-324.