RF Isolators
An RF Isolator is a two-port device that protects RF components in a system from excessive signal reflection. It is a non-reciprocal device that ensures all the power is transmitted from port 1 to port 2 while isolating absorbing/isolating any power incident at port 2. An isolator is often placed at in front of a sensitive component in the Rx/Tx chain to avoid unwanted signals from damaging sensitive components.
Selecting RF Isolators
When selecting an RF Isolator, knowing the parameters you need to specify is important. Below are a list of the key parameters to look out for when selecting an isolator:
Isolation (dB): Level of Isolation from the output port to the input port. The higher the isolation the better the components are protected.
Insertion Loss (dB): The signal loss from port 1 to port 2.
Power (W): This is the power level that the isolator can handle while maintaining its electrical characteristics. The forward power is the level of power that the isolator can handle an incident at port 1. The reverse power is the level of power incident at port 2 that the isolator can absorb.
