2-Way Delta Resistive Splitter

Overview

Simple 2-way equal-split resistive power divider using a Delta topology. Features three equal resistors arranged in a triangle: two series arms connecting the input node to each output port, and one shunt isolation resistor bridging the two output nodes. All resistors are equal to Z₀, providing simultaneous port matching and a 6 dB insertion loss.

Care must be taken with high-RF power as the network is dissipative.

Topology

                    ┌──[R]──────────────── Port 2
                    │              │
Port_in ── Node ───┤             [R]
                    │              │
                    └──[R]──────────────── Port 3

Key features:

Two series arm resistors (R = Z₀) from input node to each output
One isolation resistor (R = Z₀) shunting between the two output nodes
All three resistors share the same value Z₀
All ports simultaneously matched to Z₀
Fixed 2-output topology — Delta mesh does not scale gracefully to N > 2
Very broadband.

Design Equations (Equal Split, 2-Way)

Resistor Value

All three resistors share a single value:

R = Z₀

For Z₀ = 50 Ω:

Parameter	Value
R₁ (series, top arm)	50 Ω
R₂ (series, bottom arm)	50 Ω
R₃ (isolation, output shunt)	50 Ω
Insertion loss	6.0 dB

Comparison with Wye Splitter (2-Way)

	Delta	Wye
Resistor value	Z₀	Z₀/3
Insertion loss	6 dB	6 dB
Scalable to N > 2	No (mesh)	Yes

Both topologies yield identical insertion loss for the 2-way case, but the Delta adds an isolation resistor between outputs, improving output-to-output isolation.

References

[1] “Resistive power splitters”, Microwaves101.
https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/resistive-power-splitters