Power divider/coupler question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the functionality of a 3-port power divider, specifically its behavior when used as a coupler. When two signal sources are connected to the outputs of the divider and analyzed at the input port, the expected output should be the summation of the two input signals. However, the user observed that the signals did not appear to combine as anticipated on the spectrum analyzer, indicating potential issues with signal interaction. MiniCircuits is recommended as a reliable source for further information on couplers and dividers.

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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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