Bonn BDC Series Directional Couplers – 4kHz to 50GHz
Bonn Elektronik BDC coaxial directional couplers from 4kHz to 50GHz for forward and reflected power monitoring alongside RF power amplifiers, in 81 standard frequency ranges with dual and single-directional variants.
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Overview
A directional coupler samples a small, known fraction of the power travelling along a coaxial line, separately for the forward and reflected directions, without interrupting the main signal. In an EMC immunity or RF test system it sits between the power amplifier and the antenna or coupling device, feeding a power meter or the amplifier's own protection so forward power can be levelled and a high-VSWR fault detected during the test.
Bonn Elektronik's BDC range covers 4kHz to 50GHz in 81 standard frequency ranges. Each frequency range is offered in several variants that differ in coupling factor and power rating, and the variant suffix shows both: for example, BDC 1018-40/400 is a 1–18GHz coupler with 40dB coupling rated for 400W, and an "S" suffix marks a single-directional coupler. Power ratings in Bonn's datasheets run from tens of watts on SMA-connectored microwave models up to 10kW on 1 5/8" low-frequency models.
How to choose
- Frequency range: match or cover the band of the amplifier it will sit behind. Note that Bonn reuses some base model numbers (for example BDC 0110 and BDC 0103) across different frequency ranges, so always quote the frequency range as well as the model.
- Power rating: choose a rating above the amplifier's maximum output, including any headroom for modulation peaks.
- Coupling factor: higher coupling (more dB) delivers less power to the sampling port; pick it so the coupled level suits your power sensor.
- Connectors: main-line connectors range from SMA and N to 7-16 and 1 5/8" depending on power and frequency.
Bonn also offers a BDC 0160 variant specifically for ISO 11452-9 automotive immunity testing, and custom frequency ranges and coupling values on request.
Key Specifications
Example variants from Bonn datasheets
| Variant | Frequency | Coupling | Power | Directivity (min) | VSWR (max, main line) | Main line / coupled port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC 0110-70/10000 | 9kHz–100MHz | 70 ±1dB | 10,000W | 20dB | 1.2:1 | 1 5/8" / SMA-f |
| BDC 1018-30/30 | 1–18GHz | 30 ±1.4dB | 30W | 14dB | 1.5:1 | SMA-f / SMA-f |
| BDC 1018-40/400 | 1–18GHz | 40 ±1.2dB | 400W | 10dB | 1.6:1 | N-f / SMA-f |
| BDC 1018-40/400S (single-directional) | 1–18GHz | 40 ±2.2dB | 400W | 10dB | 1.6:1 | N-f / SMA-f |
Standard frequency ranges
| Model | Frequency Range |
|---|---|
| BDC 0040 | 4kHz – 400MHz |
| BDC 0050 | 4kHz – 500MHz |
| BDC 0110 | 9kHz – 100MHz |
| BDC 0125 | 9kHz – 250MHz |
| BDC 0140 | 9kHz – 400MHz |
| BDC 0150 | 9kHz – 500MHz |
| BDC 0100 | 9kHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0110 | 100kHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0103 | 500kHz – 32MHz |
| BDC 0103 | 1 – 30MHz |
| BDC 0101 | 1 – 100MHz |
| BDC 0110 | 1MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0120 | 1MHz – 2GHz |
| BDC 0103 | 1.5 – 30MHz |
| BDC 1001 | 10 – 100MHz |
| BDC 1002 | 10 – 200MHz |
| BDC 1005 | 10 – 500MHz |
| BDC 1010 | 10MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0201 | 20 – 100MHz |
| BDC 0213 | 20 – 130MHz |
| BDC 0250 | 20 – 500MHz |
| BDC 0250 | 20 – 520MHz |
| BDC 0250 | 20 – 550MHz |
| BDC 0210 | 20MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0225 | 20MHz – 2.6GHz |
| BDC 0325 | 30MHz – 2.5GHz |
| BDC 0850 | 80 – 500MHz |
| BDC 0810 | 80MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 1050 | 100 – 500MHz |
| BDC 0102 | 100MHz – 2.5GHz |
| BDC 0130 | 100MHz – 3GHz |
| BDC 0160 (ISO 11452-9) | 100 – 6000MHz |
| BDC 0160 | 100 – 6000MHz |
| BDC 0160 | 142 – 6000MHz |
| BDC 2010 | 200MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0260 | 200MHz – 6GHz |
| BDC 0330 | 300MHz – 3GHz |
| BDC 0437 | 380MHz – 3.7GHz |
| BDC 4010 | 400MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0560 | 450MHz – 6GHz |
| BDC 0580 | 450MHz – 8GHz |
| BDC 5010 | 500MHz – 1GHz |
| BDC 0530 | 500MHz – 3GHz |
| BDC 0560 | 500MHz – 6GHz |
| BDC 0518 | 500MHz – 18GHz |
| BDC 0660 | 600MHz – 6GHz |
| BDC 0742 | 700MHz – 4.2GHz |
| BDC 0780 | 700MHz – 5GHz |
| BDC 0760 | 700MHz – 6GHz |
| BDC 0780 | 700MHz – 8GHz |
| BDC 0913 | 900MHz – 1.3GHz |
| BDC 1020 | 1 – 2GHz |
| BDC 1025 | 1 – 2.5GHz |
| BDC 1040 | 1 – 4GHz |
| BDC 1060 | 1 – 6GHz |
| BDC 1080 | 1 – 8GHz |
| BDC 1018 | 1 – 18GHz |
| BDC 1026 | 1 – 26.5GHz |
| BDC 0140 | 1 – 40GHz |
| BDC 1040 | 1 – 40GHz |
| BDC 2080 | 2 – 8GHz |
| BDC 2018 | 2 – 18GHz |
| BDC 2026 | 2 – 26.5GHz |
| BDC 2639 | 2.6 – 3.95GHz |
| BDC 3012 | 3 – 12GHz |
| BDC 4080 | 4 – 8GHz |
| BDC 4012 | 4 – 12.4GHz |
| BDC 4018 | 4 – 18GHz |
| BDC 5018 | 5 – 18GHz |
| BDC 6018 | 6 – 18GHz |
| BDC 6026 | 6 – 26.5GHz |
| BDC 6040 | 6 – 40GHz |
| BDC 7018 | 7 – 18GHz |
| BDC 7010 | 7.05 – 10GHz |
| BDC 8018 | 7.5 – 18GHz |
| BDC 8012 | 8.2 – 12.4GHz |
| BDC 1218 | 12.4 – 18GHz |
| BDC 1826 | 18 – 26.5GHz |
| BDC 1840 | 18 – 40GHz |
| BDC 2640 | 26.5 – 40GHz |
| BDC 3350 | 33 – 50GHz |
Features
- 4kHz to 50GHz across 81 standard frequency ranges
- Dual-directional (forward and reflected) and single-directional variants
- Power ratings from tens of watts to 10kW depending on variant
- Low main-line insertion loss (0.1dB max on the 9kHz–100MHz 10kW model)
- ISO 11452-9 specific variant available
- Custom frequency ranges and coupling values on request
Applications
Forward and reflected power monitoring in IEC 61000-4-3, ISO 11452 and MIL-STD-461 radiated and conducted immunity systems; amplifier VSWR protection; power levelling loops; general RF and microwave power measurement.