multicoupler

A multicoupler is an electronic device that allows multiple receivers to share a single antenna without significantly degrading the performance of any individual receiver. It is essentially a passive or active splitter and combiner network designed to minimize signal loss and isolation issues. In a simple passive multicoupler, the received signal is divided among the connected receivers. This division inherently leads to some signal attenuation. More advanced active multicouplers incorporate amplifiers to compensate for this signal loss, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio for each receiver.

The primary function of a multicoupler is to provide isolation between the receivers. Without adequate isolation, signals transmitted by one receiver could interfere with another, leading to desensitization or unwanted signals. Multicouplers are designed to prevent this by attenuating signals passing from one receiver's output to another's input. They are commonly used in applications where space or cost constraints make it impractical to use a separate antenna for each receiver, such as in radio communications, amateur radio, and some monitoring systems. The design and performance of a multicoupler are critical for maintaining the sensitivity and selectivity of the receivers it serves.