Waveguide Ferrite Devices

Waveguide ferrite devices play a pivotal role in controlling and manipulating microwave signals within waveguide systems. They include circulators and isolators, which are essential for ensuring unidirectional flow and preventing backward signal interference. These devices find extensive use in military, telecommunications, and aerospace applications, offering high isolation and low insertion loss to maintain system performance.

Dolph Microwave · Ferrite Product Series

Waveguide Ferrite Devices, Isolators & Circulators

Ferrite components for controlling the direction of microwave energy in a waveguide system. The range includes waveguide isolators and circulators, with standard models and custom mechanical or electrical configurations.

The published 30 MHz–110 GHz figure covers Dolph Microwave’s broader ferrite product series. It is not the operating range of one waveguide part. Use the model-specific frequency, insertion loss, isolation, VSWR and power data below when choosing a device.

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Waveguide ferrite device

Product overview

What is included in this ferrite range

The original product page covers waveguide ferrite devices and the wider ferrite component family. For a real order, the exact device is selected by frequency band, RF function, power level, waveguide interface and required mechanical envelope.

30 MHz–110 GHzPublished coverage for the broader ferrite product series.
Isolators & circulatorsWaveguide examples are listed with published electrical and typical values.
Several structuresStripline, coaxial, microstrip, waveguide, coaxial-stripline and waveguide-coaxial are listed.
Standard or customMechanical and electrical changes can be reviewed against the project requirement.

Original page features retained

  • Wide frequency range: frequency coverage stated as 30MHz to 110GHz for the ferrite family.
  • Diverse product line: stripline/coaxial/microstrip/waveguide isolators, circulators, switches, isolation loop components, dividers, filters and more.
  • Varied structures: stripline, coaxial, microstrip, waveguide, coaxial-stripline and waveguide-coaxial.
  • Harsh-environment use: the product literature states resistance to shock and vibration and lists airborne, bomb-borne, ship-borne and aerospace use cases.

Choose the RF function first

Isolator or circulator?

The names are related, but they are not interchangeable. Start with what the RF path needs to do, then match the operating band and power condition.

Waveguide isolator

Use an isolator when the main job is to pass power in the intended direction and reduce energy traveling back toward the source. The important order data are the full frequency band, forward power, reflected-power condition, insertion loss, isolation, VSWR, waveguide size and flange.

Waveguide circulator

Use a circulator when power needs to move from one port to the next in a defined direction. Port layout, insertion loss, isolation, power duty and the load connected to the remaining port all matter.

High-power requirement

If average or pulse power is the main constraint, do not apply a rating from another ferrite model. Dolph also lists a dedicated high-power differential phase-shift circulator & isolator range.

Original product specification example

Published family-level specification

This table keeps the four fields and values shown on the original product page. These values describe the product family, not a guaranteed specification for one part number.

FeatureSpecification
Frequency Range30MHz to 110GHz
TypesIsolators, Circulators, etc.
StructuresCoaxial, Microstrip, Waveguide
ReliabilitySuitable for harsh environments

Waveguide isolator data

Published waveguide isolator examples

The first line in a paired cell is the published electrical specification. The second line is the published typical value from the Ferrite Product Series PDF.

DeviceFrequency
Spec / typical
VSWR
Spec / typical
Insertion loss
Spec / typical
Isolation
Spec / typical
Power
Published spec
Drawing
S-Band Waveguide Isolator2.7–2.9 GHz2.7–2.9 GHz≤1.151.07≤0.2 dB0.18 dB≥20 dB27 dB4KW (Pulse)PDF p. 5
K-Band Waveguide Isolator18–26.5 GHz18–26.5 GHz≤1.21.15≤0.3 dB0.25 dB≥20 dB23 dB150W (CW)PDF pp. 5–6
X-Ku Band Waveguide Isolator8–18 GHz8–18 GHz≤1.51.45≤0.6 dB0.5 dB≥15 dB17 dB250W (CW)PDF pp. 6–7
Ka-Band Waveguide Isolator26.5–40 GHz26.5–40 GHz≤1.51.45≤0.5 dB0.45 dB≥15 dB17 dB80W (CW)PDF pp. 7–8
92–96GHz Waveguide Isolator92–96 GHz92–96 GHz≤1.351.3≤0.8 dB0.7 dB≥18 dB20 dB1WPDF pp. 8–9

Outline drawings and dimensions are provided in millimetres in the original PDF. Typical values are not acceptance limits. Confirm the exact model, test conditions and agreed specification before ordering.

Waveguide circulator data

Published waveguide circulator examples

These rows come from the same Ferrite Product Series document and keep the published electrical, typical and power values separate.

DeviceFrequency
Spec / typical
VSWR
Spec / typical
Insertion loss
Spec / typical
Isolation
Spec / typical
Power
Published spec
Drawing
S-Band Waveguide Circulator2.7–2.9 GHz2.7–2.9 GHz≤1.21.09≤0.2 dB0.18 dB≥25 dB30 dB40KW (pulse)PDF pp. 13–14
S-Band Phase Shift Waveguide Circulator2.998 GHz2.998 GHz≤1.151.08≤0.2 dB0.15 dB≥28 dB31 dB40MW (pulse)PDF pp. 14–15
X-Band Phase Shift Waveguide Circulator10–10.6 GHz10–10.6 GHz≤1.151.09≤0.3 dB0.2 dB≥20 dB25 dB28KW (pulse)PDF pp. 15–16
92–96GHz Waveguide Circulator92–96 GHz92–96 GHz≤1.351.3≤0.8 dB0.7 dB≥18 dB20 dB1WPDF pp. 16–17

The published 40MW pulse value belongs to the 2.998 GHz S-band phase-shift circulator row only. Do not use it as a family-wide power rating.

Broader ferrite product series

Other structures listed in the same PDF

The page is about waveguide ferrite devices, but the linked ferrite document also contains stripline, coaxial, microstrip and SMT examples. They are kept here so buyers who need a different package do not lose the original product-series data.

Show published non-waveguide isolator examples
DeviceFrequency
Spec / typical
VSWR / Return Loss
Spec / typical
Insertion loss
Spec / typical
Isolation
Spec / typical
Power
X-band Stripline Isolator8–12 GHz8–12 GHzVSWR ≤1.201.10≤0.4 dB0.25 dB≥20dB30 dB50W (CW)
X-band Stripline Isolator8–8.4 GHz8–8.4 GHzVSWR ≤1.251.08≤0.3 dB0.18 dB≥20dB25 dB200 W (pulse)
Ku-band Stripline Isolator14–18 GHz14–18 GHzVSWR ≤1.351.28≤0.5 dB0.5 dB≥16 dB16.5 dB30W (CW)
C-Ku Band Microstrip Isolator6–18 GHz6–18 GHzVSWR ≤1.71.62≤1.0 dB0.9 dB≥13 dB15 dB16W (CW)
S-band Coaxial Isolator2.7–2.9 GHz2.7–2.9 GHzVSWR ≤1.201.10≤0.3 dB0.2 dB≥20dB25 dB60W (CW)
S-band Stripline Isolator2.7–2.9 GHz2.7–2.9 GHzReturn loss ≥20 dB24 dB≤0.25 dB0.19 dB≥20dB24 dB2KW (pulse)
Show published non-waveguide circulator examples
DeviceFrequency
Spec / typical
VSWR
Spec / typical
Insertion loss
Spec / typical
Isolation
Spec / typical
Power
C-Band Coaxial Circulator4–8 GHz4–8 GHz≤1.351.3≤0.5 dB0.45 dB≥17 dB19 dB80W (pulse)
128MHz Stripline Circulator0.128 GHz0.128 GHz≤1.21.15≤0.40 dB0.32 dB≥20dB25 dB22KW (pulse); Average power 2KW
180.7–190.7MHz Stripline Circulator0.1807–0.1907 GHz0.1807–0.1907 GHz≤1.21.15≤0.30 dB0.25 dB≥20dB25 dB2KW CW
S-Band Stripline Circulator2.9–3.3 GHz2.9–3.3 GHz≤1.221.17≤0.30 dB0.23 dB≥20 dB22 dB150 W (Pules)
X-band SMT Circulator8.5–10.5 GHz8.5–10.5 GHz≤1.31.25≤0.45 dB / ≤0.90 dB0.40 dB / 0.82 dB≥18 dB / ≥30 dB19 dB / 31 dB20W (pulse)
Ku-band Stripline Circulator16–17 GHz16–17 GHz≤1.251.18≤0.4 dB0.35 dB≥20 dB22 dB60W (pulse)
C-band Microstrip Circulator5–6 GHz5–6 GHz≤1.251.16≤0.5 dB / ≤1.0 dB0.44 dB / 0.92 dB≥18 dB / ≥30 dB19.5 dB / 31 dB30W (pulse)
Ku-band Microstrip Circulator14–18 GHz14–18 GHz≤1.41.27≤0.65 dB / ≤1.1 dB0.6 dB / 1.0 dB≥13 dB / ≥25 dB15 dB / 27 dB20W (pulse)
Ka-band Microstrip Circulator26.5–40 GHz(10%) 33–37 GHz≤1.31.25≤0.8 dB0.6 dB≥18 dB19 dB15W (pulse)

Construction details

Processes listed in the ferrite series document

These are the manufacturing details stated for the named component categories. They should not be read as a promise that every model uses every material or process.

Waveguide components

  • The cavity has a conductive-oxidation finish.
  • Cavities are connected by screws.
  • Ferrite substrate, supporting medium, balance tab, permanent magnet and cavity are assembled using a bonding process.

Microstrip components

  • Input/output thin-film microstrip circuits are formed by vacuum sputtering.
  • The listed layers are tantalum nitride, chromium, copper and gold.
  • The microstrip circuit substrate and bottom plate use solder paste or a solder lug.
  • Substrate, supporting medium, balance tab and permanent magnet are bonded.

Stripline / coaxial components

  • The stripline circuit is copper-plated or silver-plated.
  • The resistor and cavity use a soldering process; the published soldering temperature is 205 °C.
  • Ferrite substrate, supporting medium, balance tab, permanent magnet and magnetic circuit use X98-11 acetal drying glue, cured at 150 °C.
  • The shell coating is copper-plated.

Applications stated on the original page

Where these ferrite devices are used

Application names are kept from the original product page. The final device still needs to be checked against the actual operating and environmental conditions.

Cellular backhaul PTP radios

Microwave point-to-point radio links where reverse-signal control and directional RF routing are required.

Defense systems

Radar and communications. The ferrite document also lists airborne, bomb-borne and ship-borne use cases.

Space applications

Satellite communication and aerospace projects, subject to the qualification needed for the specific program.

Commercial telecommunications

Networking and broadcast microwave systems where insertion loss, isolation and interface fit need to be controlled.

Scientific research

Physics and engineering laboratory setups that use ferrite components for routing, isolation or test-system protection.

For a usable quotation

Send the RF data that changes the part

A short RFQ with the right information is more useful than a long general description. If a parameter is not fixed yet, send the system drawing or mating-part information and mark it as open for review.

Email RFQ details to [email protected]
  • Required functionIsolator, circulator or another ferrite component.
  • Operating frequencyFull band, not only the center frequency.
  • Power conditionCW or pulse power; include pulse width and duty cycle when relevant.
  • RF targetsMaximum insertion loss, minimum isolation and permitted VSWR or return loss.
  • Waveguide interfaceWR size, port arrangement and both flange designations.
  • Mechanical limitsMaximum envelope, port orientation, mounting and available space.
  • EnvironmentOperating temperature and any shock, vibration or platform requirements.
  • DocumentationQuantity, drawing format, RF test data and qualification records needed with the order.

Customization and support

Standard models and project-specific designs

The original page states that Dolph Microwave can develop ferrite devices to suit mechanical and electrical requirements, including high-power applications. It also lists soft ferrites and metallic powders used for components such as lightweight microwave and infrared absorbing materials. Those broader material capabilities are not standard features of every waveguide ferrite device.

Before changing a standard device

Start by checking whether the required frequency band, insertion loss, isolation and power already fit a published configuration. Custom work is most useful when the flange, envelope, port layout, power condition or electrical target is outside the standard option.

Waveguide circulators · Waveguide isolators · High-power differential phase-shift devices

Technical note: Family coverage, typical values and individual model specifications are different things. For procurement, use the exact model drawing, flange designation, test conditions and specification agreed in the quotation. The original product page also states that standard catalog models and custom designs are available.

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