WR-28 E-Plane Bend
The WR-28 E-Plane Bend is a precision-engineered waveguide component that redirects millimeter-wave signals by 90 degrees in the narrow wall (E-field) plane. It is specifically designed for the 26.5 - 40 GHz frequency range, serving as a critical building block in Ka-Band infrastructure.
E-plane bends curve along the shorter dimension of the rectangular waveguide cross-section, providing vertical signal routing while maintaining phase integrity. At Ka-Band frequencies (26.5-40 GHz), WR-28 components must balance high power handling with the onset of millimeter-wave skin depth challenges. The 0.280" x 0.140" aperture is the workhorse for modern 5G networks and LEO satellite constellations.
Key Features
E-Plane Geometry
Bend follows the narrow wall (shorter dimension) of the waveguide, routing signals vertically while maintaining the broad-wall dimension.
Low Insertion Loss
Optimized bend radius and CNC-machined interior walls ensure minimal signal degradation through the 90-degree turn.
Precision CNC Machined
Each bend is machined from a solid billet of OFHC copper, maintaining tight dimensional tolerances throughout the bend radius.
Gold-Plated Construction
Gold plating provides excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and consistent electrical performance over the component's service life.
Ka-Band Use Cases
5G NR Infrastructure
mmWave small cell routing
Satcom Terminals
Ka-band uplink/downlink
Airborne Radar
High-res targeting systems
Defense Comms
Secure point-to-point links
More E-Plane Bends
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an E-plane and H-plane bend?+
An E-plane bend curves the waveguide along its narrow wall (shorter dimension), shifting the electric field vertically. An H-plane bend curves along the broad wall (wider dimension), shifting the magnetic field horizontally.
Why is WR-28 the standard for early mmWave 5G?+
WR-28 covers the critical 28 GHz and 39 GHz 5G NR frequency bands (n257, n258, n260, n261). Its physical size allows for high power handling at base stations while maintaining low insertion loss before the signal is distributed to the phased array antenna elements.
What is the theoretical cut-off frequency for WR-28?+
The dominant TE10 mode cut-off frequency for a standard WR-28 waveguide is approximately 21.08 GHz. This guarantees single-mode propagation throughout the entire Ka-Band.