What are the main functions of circulators in drone signal jammers?

Circulators play a vital role in drone signal jammers, ensuring efficient signal transmission, isolation, and protection of sensitive RF components. Here are their main functions:

1. Signal direction control (isolation)

(1) Circulators are non-reciprocal devices that route signals in a fixed loop path (e.g., port 1 → port 2 → port 3 → port 1).

(2) In jammers, they isolate the transmitted signal from the reflected power, preventing self-interference and improving jamming accuracy.

2. Protect RF amplifiers

(1) High-power jammers generate powerful RF signals that can reflect back and damage the transmitter.

(2) Circulators redirect the reflected energy to a dummy load (port 3) instead of the amplifier, enhancing system robustness.

3. Multi-channel signal management

(1) Advanced jammers use circulators to switch between multiple antennas or frequency bands without leaking signals.

(2) Can simultaneously jam different drone communication links (e.g., control, video, GPS).

4. Frequency Stability and Efficiency

(1) Minimizes insertion loss (less than 0.5 dB in high-quality circulators), ensuring maximum power reaches the antenna.

(2) Supports wideband operation (e.g. 1-6 GHz), which is critical for covering different drone frequencies.

5. Integration with other components

(1) Often paired with isolators to further suppress unwanted reflections.

(2) Used in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) jammers to manage complex signal routing.

GaN 100W Digital source signal amplifier Module with Circle Protection

Why are circulators essential?

Without circulators, jammers suffer from the following problems:

❌ Signal feedback interferes with transmission

❌ Amplifiers burn out due to reflected power

❌ Energy loss causes reduced jamming range

Example: In a 10-channel drone jammer, a circulator ensures that each channel operates independently without crosstalk, improving reliability for military or critical infrastructure protection.

For best performance, the circulator in a jammer should have:

✔ High isolation (>20 dB)

✔ Low VSWR (<1.5:1)

✔ Thermal stability (for outdoor deployment)