What's the difference between power spliter and power coupler?

"power splitter" and "power coupler" are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them.

Power Splitter:

Primarily designed to divide a single input signal into multiple output signals.

The output signals are typically identical in amplitude and phase.

Commonly used in various applications, such as cable television networks, antenna systems, and RF (radio frequency) circuits.

Power Coupler:

More versatile than a power splitter, as it can both divide and combine signals.

It can be used to couple a portion of a signal to a secondary path while allowing the remaining signal to continue to the main path.

Commonly used in applications where a portion of the signal needs to be monitored or measured without interfering with the main signal path.

Key Differences:

Purpose: Power splitters are primarily for signal division, while power couplers can divide and combine signals.

Output: Power splitters typically have identical output signals, while power couplers can have different output levels and phases depending on the coupling ratio.

Applications: Power splitters are more common in applications where signal distribution is the primary goal, while power couplers are used in a wider range of applications, including signal monitoring, measurement, and feedback control.

In summary:

Both power splitters and power couplers are used to manipulate radio frequency signals.

Power splitters are primarily for dividing signals, while power couplers can both divide and combine signals.

The choice between a power splitter and a power coupler depends on the specific application and the desired signal characteristics.