Design of a Compact Variable Waveguide RF Power Splitter for High-Power Applications

This work presents the design of a novel compact variable waveguide radio frequency (RF) power splitter for high-power applications. This passive RF component features a compact layout and consists of an input port, two output ports, and a circular waveguide port connecting to a polarization selective short-circuit piston. The RF power division ratio can be adjusted arbitrarily by mechanically changing the position of the piston while the input port remains matched with no reflection. An X-band prototype has been designed and tested. The design reflection is less than -35 dB, and the bandwidths at output ports 2 and 3 are 620 and 480 MHz in simulation, respectively. The cold test demonstrates a good agreement between the test and the simulation.