What are Hybrid Couplers?
A hybrid coupler is a special case of directional coupler that divides an input signal evenly between two output ports with 3 dB coupling. The output signals can have a phase difference of 90 degrees or 180 degrees, which classifies hybrid couplers into 180-degree hybrid couplers and 90-degree hybrid couplers.
90° Hybrid Couplers
A 90° Hybrid Coupler is a 4 port device that is used to equally split an input signal with a 90° phase shift between the ports. To illustrate operation, a signal at the input port (port 1) is divided between the two output ports with half the power flowing to the 0° port and the other half flowing to the 90° port. Any reflection from mismatches at the output port flow to the Isolated port (port 4). This is one of the reasons hybrid couplers are used to split signals in applications where unwanted reflections can damage the circuit. This type of coupler is also known as a Quadrature coupler.
everything RF has listed 90° Hybrid Couplers from the leading manufacturers - API, MECA, Mini-Circuits, IPP, Werlatone etc. Use the parametric search tool to narrow down on the products - Download Datasheets and Request Quotations. These are directed to the manufacturers or reps in your region who will get back to you with the details. Click Here to start searching.
180° Hybrid Couplers
A 180° Hybrid Coupler is a four port device that is used either to equally split an input signal with a 180° phase shift between the ports or to combine two signals that are 180° apart in phase. 180° Hybrid Couplers usually consist of a center conductor ring with a circumference of 1.5 times the wavelength (6 times the quarter wavelength). Each port is separated by a quarter wavelength (90° apart). This configuration creates a low loss device with low VSWR and excellent phase and amplitude balance. This type of coupler is also know as a “rat race coupler”.
everything RF has listed 180° Hybrid Couplers from the leading manufacturers - API, Mini-Circuits, Quantic PMI, IPP, Werlatone etc. Use the parametric search tool to narrow down on the products - Download Datasheets and Request Quotations. These are directed to the manufacturers or reps in your region who will get back to you with the details. Click here to start searching.
Hybrid Coupler Selection
When selecting a hybrid coupler it is important to know the parameters that you need to specify. The key parameters would be Type, Frequency, Insertion Loss, Isolation and Power.
