Broadband Power Dividers for Wi-Fi 8 | MECA Electronics

Published on February 17, 2026

Introduction : As the wireless industry transitions from Wi-Fi 7 to the upcoming Wi-Fi 8 (as per IEEE 802.11bn) standard, the primary focus has shifted from raw peak speed to “Ultra High Reliability” (UHR). Wi-Fi 8 aims to deliver consistent throughput and ultra low latency across increasingly congested spectrums, including the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands.

For hardware engineers and test lab managers, this evolution requires RF components that can handle broader bandwidths without sacrificing signal integrity. Power dividers split a single input signal into multiple identical outputs. They are critical for the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) architectures and automated test equipment (ATE) systems that drive these new wireless standards.

Product Spotlight: MECA Electronics 802-S-5.000

The 802-S-5.000 from MECA Electronics is a high performance, two way power divider specifically engineered to meet the demands of modern and future wireless platforms. While many dividers are optimized for narrow bands, this component provides true broadband solution.

Key specifications

  • Frequency Coverage : 2.00 to 8.00 GHz. This wide range covers the S-band and C-band, making it fully compatible with Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 and the anticipated requirements of Wi-Fi 8.
  • Wilkinson Topology: Utilizes a Wilkinson configuration with SMA connectors to ensure low loss and high isolation between output ports.
  • Amplitude/Phase Balance : 0.3 dB to maintain equal power distribution and 4 degrees for coherent MIMO signal processing
  • Insertion loss : About 0.5 dB
  • Isolation : 22 dB (Typically)
  • Temperature : -55 to +85 degreeC

Wi-Fi 8 design cycles often require testing across a continuous spectrum to ensure the device handles “multi link operations” (MLO) across different frequency blocks simultaneously.

The MECA 802-S-5.000 eliminates the need for multiple narrow band dividers in a test rack. Its ability to provide precision splitting from 2 to 8 GHz allows a single setup to validate 2.4 GHz legacy bands, 5.8 GHz standard bands, and the high frequency 6 to 7 GHz blocks utilized by Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8

References : Visit e-meca website for more information.

Comparative Guide : Other Wi-Fi 8 Power Dividers

While MECA Electronics offers a specialized solution for 2 to 8 GHz range, several other manufacturers provide broadband power splitting solutions for the telecommunications and defense sectors as listed in the following table.

ManufacturerProduct with features
Mini CircuitsA global leader known for a massive catalog of surface mount and coaxial power dividers (e.g. the ZN2PD and ZN4PD series) covering frequencies up to 65 GHz.
KrytarSpecializes in ultra broadband components, often reaching 0.5 to 18 GHz or higher in a single device, targeting high end electronic warfare and laboratory systems.
Spectrum Control (Inmet/Weinschel)Offers high reliability resistive and Wilkinson power dividers optimized for high power handling and precision measurement.
SigatekProvides a wide array of microwave communication components, including power dividers that reach up to 70 GHz for mmWave applications.
RF LambdaKnown for its extensive range of broadband components, including high power dividers designed for EMC testing and satellite ground stations.
RLC ElectronicsA long standing provider of high precision passive components for the aerospace and defense industries.

Conclusion

The demand for components that offer frequency flexibility is growing due to development activities in Wi-Fi 8 testing and product development. This requires stable phase and amplitude balance across the 2 to 8 GHz range fulfilled by MECA power divider.