Patent attributes
According to one exemplary embodiment, a three-way splitter includes a printed element and a resistive network comprising discrete resistors. A first printed branch, second printed branch, and third printed branch distribute a received communication signal to respective outputs having substantially the same phase, frequency, and impedance. Each printed branch includes a number of substantially ninety-degree angles. In one embodiment, the printed branches are quarter wavelength transmission lines in a frequency range of 1.5 GHz. In one embodiment, the three-way splitter consumes less than one square inch of surface area on a printed circuit board, and can be used in a satellite receiving system, for example. In this embodiment, the three-way splitter is utilized for frequencies in the range of approximately 900 MHz to 2.2 GHz.