Hybrid implementation of a compact 2-way Wilkinson power divider/combiner for applications in the low RF band

This paper presents the design and manufacture of a compact 2-way Wilkinson power divider/combiner intended to work in the low RF frequency band. A hybrid of 3D printing, copper electroplating, and PCB technologies is used to implement the Wilkinson prototype. A high degree of compaction is achieved using helical-microstrip transmission line segments as the basic building blocks in the design of the component. The electromagnetic performance of the compact prototype is compared with that of a reference Wilkinson device implemented using standard PCB technology and working at the same central frequency. The results show similar behavior in terms of port matching and bandwidth, with an area reduction of more than 70% in the proposed design compared to the reference Wilkinson device.