Splitter Vs. Power Divider

Calibrate signals with splitters and compare signal qualities with dividers.

Some electricians use the terms "power splitter" and "power divider" interchangeably, but in fact they refer to two different devices with significant differences. While both devices divide power from a single source into two separate transmission lines, they differ in design and applications.

Design Differences

Both a power splitter and divider have three ports, but a splitter has two resistors, while a divider has three. All three ports on dividers have equivalent resistance, whereas the input port of a splitter has higher resistance than the two output ports. Power dividers are bidirectional or reciprocal devices, meaning they can split or combine power, while power splitters are unidirectional, meaning they cannot combine power.

Splitter Applications

Use power splitters on tasks requiring one of the outputs to be a reference in calibrating ratios or to provide a leveling loop. Use a splitter anytime calibrating precise power measurements. Dividers can't perform any functions involving unequal signals without mismatch.

Divider Applications

Use power dividers for dividing a single source of power into two equal transmissions or combining two equal sources into a single transmission. Comparing simultaneous measurements of two different qualities of the same signal, such as power and frequency, would require a divider. So would distributing a lower power signal to two separate antennas.

References

• Agilent Technologies: Differences in Application Between Power Dividers and Power Splitters
• Aeroflex Weinschel: Frequently Asked Questions About Power Splitters and Dividers
• Agilent Technologies: What Differentiates a Power Splitter and Power Divider and When Should One Be Utilized Over the Other?
• Measurment Science Conference: Choosing the Right Power Splitter: Two-resistor or Three-resistor
• Broadwave Technologies: Power Dividers