Four-Way Orthomode Waveguide Power Dividers: Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

This paper presents two waveguide power dividers in a planar 4-way equiphasic dual-polarization power division configuration operating in the transmit Ku-band (10.7-12.75 GHz). Both concepts are primarily targeted as excitation networks for multiple accesses radiating elements or antenna arrays. The presented solutions are characterized by two different variants that accommodate for different manufacturing processes, namely subtractive manufacturing (SM) and additive manufacturing (AM). Their principal operations are described and finally their RF performance is presented and compared experimentally inter alia. The principal objective is to demonstrate the mechanical complexity of this type of microwave components and how 3D-printing enables its efficient realization via co-design.