WR-28 Waveguide Tee
The WR-28 Waveguide Tee is a precision-engineered waveguide component that splits a single millimeter-wave signal into two paths, or combines two signals together. It is specifically designed for the 26.5 - 40 GHz frequency range, serving as a critical building block in Ka-Band infrastructure.
Available in E-plane (series) or H-plane (shunt) configurations, the Tee creates a precision 3-port junction. Due to the physics of the junction, a perfect match at all three ports requires an internal matching post. 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
Dual Configuration
Available in E-plane (series) and H-plane (shunt) configurations to meet different signal phase and power division requirements.
Precision Port Alignment
CNC-machined port interfaces with tight tolerances ensure accurate waveguide alignment and repeatable flange mating on all three ports.
Low Junction Loss
Optimized tee geometry minimizes mismatch loss at the three-port intersection, maintaining signal integrity across the full operating bandwidth.
Gold-Plated Construction
OFHC copper body with gold plating provides excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and consistent long-term electrical performance.
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 Waveguide Tees
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Magic Tee?+
A Magic Tee is a specialized 4-port component that combines an E-plane Tee and an H-plane Tee into a single unit. It acts as a 180-degree hybrid coupler, perfectly isolating the E and H ports from each other.
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.