Darktrax
Full Member level 5
In previous discussions in this forum on Wilkinson splitter/combiners, a key point made clear was that the Wilkinson, when used as a combiner, has to have both inputs driven in phase.
It could combine signals that had derived from a single source, and previously split (and maybe then amplified), but it would not be suitable for combining two independent signals. As a splitter of course, it will function well.
The "Rat Race Ring", like Wilkinson, is also made up of quarter and three-quarter wave sections of transmission line, and also has features like the line impedances being (Port_Impedance)*SQRT(2).
My question is, when used as a combiner, is the Rat-Race-Ring subject to the same limitations as the Wilkinson?
Do the inputs have to also be in phase to get a rat-race to work, or can it be used to combine independent signals?
It could combine signals that had derived from a single source, and previously split (and maybe then amplified), but it would not be suitable for combining two independent signals. As a splitter of course, it will function well.
The "Rat Race Ring", like Wilkinson, is also made up of quarter and three-quarter wave sections of transmission line, and also has features like the line impedances being (Port_Impedance)*SQRT(2).
My question is, when used as a combiner, is the Rat-Race-Ring subject to the same limitations as the Wilkinson?
Do the inputs have to also be in phase to get a rat-race to work, or can it be used to combine independent signals?