WR-28 Medium Power Termination
The WR-28 Medium Power Termination is a precision-engineered waveguide component that absorbs moderate RF energy, providing a perfect 50-ohm (normalized) match to prevent reflections. It is specifically designed for the 26.5 - 40 GHz frequency range, serving as a critical building block in Ka-Band infrastructure.
Medium-power terminations utilize a precision-tapered lossy dielectric wedge that gradually absorbs the RF wave over several wavelengths, preventing any sudden impedance steps. 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
Broadband Coverage
Full-band performance across the complete operating frequency range with consistent impedance matching.
Moderate Power Handling
Enhanced absorptive element with improved thermal capacity for sustained operation under moderate power conditions.
Production Ready
Built for reliability in automated production test lines and system integration environments.
Field Deployable
Compact enough for field applications while exceeding the power handling capability of low power loads.
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 Medium Power Terminations
Frequently Asked Questions
How is VSWR minimized in a termination?+
The absorbing element is machined into a sharp spear or wedge shape. When the RF wave hits the tip, it sees almost empty space. As it travels deeper, the wedge gets thicker, gradually absorbing the power so no distinct "wall" ever bounces the signal back.
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.