Microstrip Isolators – A Crucial Electronic Device

Microstrip isolator is a radio frequency segregator which is made by applying microstrip technology in which a conductor is separated from the ground plane by a dielectric layer called the substrate. Microstrip lines are used to conduct microwave frequencies.

The isolator’s function is to guard other RF components from excessive signal reflection. Microstrip isolator can be built to cover different frequency ranges from 2.0 to 60 GHz.

Microstrip lines are one-directional transmission paths for RF. The Microstrip isolator captures the reflected power and dissipates it as heat.

The selected isolator path provides negligible insertion loss and excellent isolation for stripline based components and other module integrations. It is a crucial and critical device where port isolation or VSWR is concerned.

When determining the isolator for any purpose it is recommended that one first ascertains the following:

  1. – Frequency range of application.
  2. – The power load that the isolator would handle.
  3. – Insertion loss needed by the system, and
  4. – Port to port isolation needed.

Microstrip isolator circuits are used in high-frequency commercial, space, and military applications.

Microstrip technology-based devices are very economical as compared to wave-guide technology-based similar products and is far lighter and compact in dimension.

Microstrip has inherent limitations: low power handling capacity, higher losses, and moreover, it is not an enclosed device and hence prone to radiation.

Raditek offers many types of microstrip isolators on their website.