Power divider/coupler question

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A 3-port power divider with one input and two outputs provides equal outputs, typically -6 dB from the input level. When connecting two signal sources to the outputs and measuring at the input port, the expectation is that the output should reflect the summation of the two input signals. However, the discussion highlights that this may not occur, especially when one signal is continuous and the other is a short pulsing signal, leading to unexpected results on the spectrum analyzer. The conversation also notes that not all couplers are directional, which can affect signal behavior. For further information, resources from MiniCircuits are recommended for understanding couplers and dividers in microwave engineering.
Firefox123
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Quick question on couplers/dividers...

Imagine a 3 port power divider...one input and two outputs that give equal outputs...say -6db from the input level.

Now say we connect the two outputs to two signal sources and connect a spectrum analyzer to the input port of the divider...so we are connecting the divider as if it were a coupler...

Should the output (taken at the divider input) necessairly be the summation of the two inputs (which are normally the outputs of the divider)?

I have seen someone do this in the past and from what I remember the two signals(one was a continuous signal and the other was a very short lived pulsing signal) really didnt appear to add together on the analyzer display...

All I have is my undergrad microwave engineering textbook to go off of, so if anyone knows some good weblinks for microwaves/couplers/dividers please let me know...Thanks.
Russ
 
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Some couplers are directional, and some are not. MiniCircuits is a very popular source for couplers, and they have some good app notes as well:

http://www.minicircuits.com/application.shtml
 
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