Frequently Asked Questions
At Werlatone, we know engineers, procurement specialists, and technical buyers need clear, accurate answers. Below are answers to the most common questions about our RF components, ordering process, shipping, and support.
Do you offer custom solutions?
Yes. Custom RF solutions are a core part of Werlatone’s business. Our engineering team develops high-power, broadband, and mission-critical components to meet specific electrical, mechanical, or environmental requirements.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Werlatone ships worldwide in compliance with U.S. export control regulations. International customers are responsible for duties, taxes, and import fees.
Does Werlatone provide solutions that meet MIL standards?
Yes. Many of our products are built to meet MIL-STD requirements, including:
- Environmental stress (vibration, shock, temperature)
- Electrical compliance (reliability, ruggedness)
For projects requiring full MIL compliance, please consult our engineering team.
How are your lead times determined?
Lead times depend on:
- Product type (catalog vs. custom)
- Order volume
- Current production schedule
Standard models may ship sooner, while high-power or custom designs require longer build times. Lead time is confirmed at quotation.
How do I choose the best model for my use case?
Define your requirements first:
- Frequency range
- Power handling level
- Connector type
- Environmental conditions
Our sales and engineering experts will recommend the best model for your application.
How do I place an order?
You can place an order by contacting Werlatone directly at sales@werlatone.com or calling our sales team.
We will provide a formal quotation prior to order acceptance, and purchase orders can be submitted via email.
Is there a warranty for Werlatone products?
Yes. All Werlatone products are covered by a standard one-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Extended warranty terms may be available upon request.
What are your shipping options and costs?
Werlatone ships via:
- FedEx
- UPS
- DHL
- Customer-designated carriers
Shipping costs are based on package size, weight, destination, and carrier preference. Costs are quoted with your order.
What kind of technical support do you offer?
Werlatone provides engineering-level support before and after purchase, including:
- Assistance with model selection
- Installation guidance
- Performance verification
- Troubleshooting
Our team works directly with customers to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
What payment methods do you accept?
Werlatone accepts:
- Major credit cards
- Bank wire transfers
- Net 30 terms (subject to credit approval)
New customers may be asked to provide trade references to establish account terms.
What should I do if my product isn’t working?
If your product is not performing as expected:
- Contact Werlatone Technical Support immediately.
- Provide the model number, serial number, and a description of the issue.
- Our team will guide you through troubleshooting and, if needed, issue a Return Material Authorization (RMA).
How do mismatch-tolerant RF directional couplers maintain accurate forward and reflected power measurements under high VSWR conditions?
Why are Werlatone Mismatch-tolerant® RF directional couplers ideal for high VSWR applications? Werlatone Mismatch-tolerant® RF directional couplers are particularly suitable for high VSWR scenarios because they maintain performance despite significant impedance mismatches. Their design allows for reliable operation even when the load varies, making them robust and dependable for demanding RF applications. This is ideal for monitoring power being reflected to the source while still maintaining accurate forward power measurement.
How do power handling limitations arise in directional couplers, and what design strategies mitigate thermal and voltage breakdown issues?
How does frequency bandwidth influence the design choice between lumped-element, stripline, microstrip, and waveguide directional couplers?
How does the directivity of a directional coupler affect the accuracy of power measurements?
What factors determine the optimal coupling factor of an RF Directional Coupler?
Key factors include the expected power level and dynamic range to be measured, the required sensitivity and accuracy of the detector or measurement circuitry, and the allowable insertion loss in the main signal path. It is also influenced by frequency band and bandwidth, directivity and mismatch tolerance requirements, power handling, and thermal limits.
What figures of merit should be considered when selecting the correct directional coupler for your application (insertion loss, directivity, coupling factor)?
What is the difference between a UNI, Bi, and Dual Directional Couplers?
- A unidirectional (UNI) directional coupler samples RF power in only one direction, usually forward power, and cannot measure reflections.
- A bidirectional (BI) coupler samples both forward and reflected power, enabling VSWR and return-loss measurements.
- A dual directional coupler also measures forward and reflected power but uses two independent sensing paths, giving higher accuracy and better tolerance to load mismatches, especially under high-VSWR conditions.
What parameters contribute to the total loss of a directional coupler?
Total loss in a directional coupler is influenced by many factors, including but not limited to insertion loss, coupling loss, and any inherent material absorption, but real devices also experience extra losses due to component quality and circuit layout.
How do phase and amplitude imbalance between input paths affect combining efficiency and isolation in an RF power combiner?
How does load mismatch at the output of a power combiner reflect back to individual amplifiers, and how is this mitigated?
Isolation vs Output Termination VSWR For a Combining Hybrid
Inherent isolation degrades as a function of Output Termination VSWR. As the Output Termination VSWR approaches 2.5:1, a combiner with infinite Inherent Isolation provides only 2 dB more Isolation than one with 15 dB Inherent Isolation, and only 1 dB more than a unit with 20 dB Inherent Isolation. Therefore, any investment in a unit with greater than 20 dB Inherent Isolation, operating into an Output Termination VSWR greater than or equal to 2.5:1, should be reviewed
What are the differences between coherent and non-coherent RF power combiners?
What are the differences between isolated and non-isolated RF power combiners?
The primary difference between reactive power combiners and power combiners with isolation is what happens when signals are fed to the combiner inputs that are not perfectly matched in amplitude and/or phase. In an isolated combiner, the amplitude and/or phase error is terminated in a resistive network, whereas reactive combiners reflect non-coherent signals back to the inputs. Reactive combiners are less complex and can be made with lower loss and thus more efficient in applications where the sources can be protected with isolators or other means.
What are the key differences in loss, bandwidth, and power handling between Wilkinson, hybrid, and corporate RF power combiner architectures?
What mechanisms limit the maximum power handling of an RF power combiner, and how can thermal and voltage stress be reduced?
How do amplitude and phase imbalances in a 180° hybrid combiner impact combining efficiency and return loss?
How do amplitude imbalance and phase error in a 90° hybrid affect isolation, and combining efficiency?
What are the main differences in performance, bandwidth, and isolation between 180° and 90° hybrid couplers, and when would you choose one over the other?
What determines the power-handling capability of a 90° hybrid coupler?
How do conductor losses and dielectric breakdown influence the design?
What factors limit the bandwidth of a 90° hybrid coupler, and how do branch-line, and coupled-line implementations compare in bandwidth and fabrication complexity?
What factors limit the power-handling capability of a 180° hybrid combiner?
What is the difference between a 3-port and a 4-port 180° hybrid combiner?
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Can Werlatone RF Digital Power Meters be networked for remote monitoring?
Werlatone RF Digital Power Meters are designed for networked RF power monitoring through TCP/IP connectivity and SNMP programmability. Multiple units can be connected over LAN and accessed through a browser interface or integrated into centralized monitoring software. This makes them especially well-suited for transmitter sites, broadcast facilities, and mission-critical RF installations where remote visibility and centralized control are essential.
Do Werlatone Digital Power Meters require field calibration?
No field calibration is required. Werlatone RF digital power meters are factory calibrated and traceable to NIST standards, ensuring accurate RF power measurement out of the box. Users simply enter the operating frequency, and the meter automatically references its internal multi-point calibration data. This eliminates downtime associated with manual calibration and makes Werlatone meters a dependable solution for precision RF power monitoring across wide frequency ranges.
What alarm and protection features are included in Werlatone’s RF Power Meters?
Werlatone digital RF power meters include fully programmable alarm thresholds for forward power, reflected power, VSWR, and temperature. When limits are exceeded, the unit can activate visual indicators or relay outputs to trigger protective system responses. These built-in RF system protection features allow the meter to function as part of a closed-loop safety system, helping safeguard amplifiers, combiners, and transmission lines in high-power RF environments.
What display options and user controls are available?
Werlatone RF digital power meters offer flexible user interface options for both local and remote operations. Power levels can be displayed in kW, watts, or dBm, while load match can be viewed as VSWR, return loss, or Rho. Units support TCP/IP, SNMP, RS-485 serial communication, and password-protected access for secure operation. Programmable reporting and email notifications further enhance remote RF power monitoring capabilities, making Werlatone meters adaptable to a wide range of system integration requirements.
What parameters can Werlatone Digital Power Meters measure in an RF system?
Werlatone RF Digital Power Meters provide real-time measurement of forward power, reflected power, VSWR, and temperature within high-power RF systems. These critical RF power monitoring parameters help operators verify efficient power transfer, detect impedance mismatches, and prevent transmitter damage caused by excessive reflective power. Integrated temperature sensing adds another layer of system protection, making Werlatone’s meters ideal for broadcast, defense, industrial, and test applications requiring reliable forward and reflected power measurement.