GP2Y1A+ - 50Ω GaAs MMIC 2-Way Splitter/Combiner 1550-4400 MHz | Mini-Circuits
MPN: GP2Y1A+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.78 | $378.00 |
| 500 | $3.25 | $1,625.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.92 | $2,920.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.61 | $7,830.00 |
GP2Y1A+ Overview
A power divider (also called a power splitter or combiner) is a passive RF component that splits an input signal into two equal-amplitude, equal-phase outputs, or conversely combines two inputs into a common output while maintaining 50Ω impedance at every port. These components sit at the heart of RF front-end signal chains, where they feed multi-antenna MIMO transceivers, divide local-oscillator (LO) signals among mixers, and combine power amplifier outputs in phased-array and Doherty architectures. Within the broader taxonomy, GP2Y1A+ belongs to passive RF components → RF signal-conditioning passives → RF power dividers/splitters → MMIC splitters → surface-mount MMIC splitters.
Key features include a wide bandwidth spanning 1550 to 4400 MHz (covering all cellular mid-band from DCS through C-band), low insertion loss of 1.1 dB (typical) that minimizes signal attenuation, tight amplitude balance of 0.03 dB ensuring equal power division between output ports, and 0.6° phase balance for coherent combining. The GaAs MMIC construction delivers monolithic repeatability versus traditional LTCC or microstrip resistive splitters, while the 50Ω matched design eliminates external matching components.
The GP2Y1A+ uses a Mini-Circuits GaAs MMIC die inside a small SMT plastic package compatible with standard reflow profiles. Its broadband behaviour means a single part can replace multiple discrete resistive or reactive splitters in multiband radios, reducing BOM count and simplifying the bill of materials. The 22 dB port-to-port isolation prevents LO leakage between mixer ports in transmit and receive chains.
Typical applications include LO distribution in cellular base-station transceivers, 2.4 GHz and 3.5 GHz Wi-Fi MIMO front ends, 5G mid-band small-cell radios, GPS distribution amplifiers, and general test-and-measurement signal splitting. The wide 1550-4400 MHz range makes it a near-universal splitter for sub-6 GHz wireless infrastructure.
Key design consideration: pair the GP2Y1A+ with 50Ω microstrip or coplanar-waveguide traces and follow Mini-Circuits' EVB land pattern to maintain return-loss performance above 15 dB. When using as a combiner, ensure outputs are in-phase (differential path-length matched to within 0.6° at the highest frequency of operation) to avoid destructive cancellation.
This page synthesizes Mini-Circuits distributor pricing, drop-in GP2-family alternatives, and practical layout notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet — all sourced from the manufacturer datasheet PDF and Mouser/DigiKey product pages.
Drop-in alternatives for GP2Y1A+ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with GP2Y1A+ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Function, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
GP2X1+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
GP2Y1A
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
GP2Y1A+ Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Part Number | GP2Y1A+ |
| Manufacturer | Mini-Circuits |
| Function | 2-Way Power Splitter / Combiner |
| Technology | GaAs MMIC |
| Frequency Range (Low) | 1550 MHz |
| Frequency Range (High) | 4400 MHz |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Insertion Loss (typical) | 1.1 dB |
| Isolation (typical) | 22 dB |
| Amplitude Unbalance (typical) | 0.03 dB |
| Phase Unbalance (typical) | 0.6° |
| Maximum Input Power (as splitter) | 10 W |
| Number of Ways | 2 |
| Package Type | Surface Mount (MMIC SMT) |
| Configuration | Bi-directional (split / combine) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Mini-Circuits lead-free+ suffix) |
GP2Y1A+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IN (sum port) — Common / input port — 50Ω nominal; used as splitter input or combiner output |
| Pin 2 | GND / Thermal — Ground paddle and thermal pad for MMIC die — must be soldered to PCB ground |
| Pin 3 | OUT1 — Output 1 — 50Ω; equal-amplitude, equal-phase with OUT2 when fed from IN |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground return for output port 2 path |
| Pin 5 | OUT2 — Output 2 — 50Ω; equal-amplitude, equal-phase with OUT1 when fed from IN |
| Pin 6 | NC / GND — Per Mini-Circuits EVB layout, tie to ground for optimal RF performance (refer to datasheet mechanical outline) |
Typical Applications
GP2Y1A+ is suitable for 6 applications: Cellular Base-Station LO Distribution, 2.4 GHz / 3.5 GHz Wi-Fi MIMO Front End, 5G Mid-Band Small-Cell Radios (3.5-4.2 GHz), Test & Measurement Signal Splitting, GPS / GNSS Distribution Amplifier Network, Phased-Array Antenna Signal Combining.
Cellular Base-Station LO Distribution
The Mini-Circuits GP2Y1A+ distributes a single local-oscillator signal to two or more upconverter/downconverter mixers in 4G LTE and 5G sub-6 GHz base-station radios. Its 1550–4400 MHz range covers DCS-1800, UMTS-2100, 2.6 GHz LTE, 3.5 GHz CBRS, and C-band, and the 22 dB port-to-port isolation prevents LO leakage between receivers — critical for maintaining receiver sensitivity. The 0.6° phase unbalance ensures coherent downconversion across channels with minimal phase-noise penalty. Use a 50Ω coplanar-waveguide feed from the synthesizer with the Mini-Circuits EVB land pattern to maintain return loss above 15 dB across the band.
Recommended
2.4 GHz / 3.5 GHz Wi-Fi MIMO Front End
In Wi-Fi 6 / Wi-Fi 6E access points and Wi-Fi 7 routers, the GP2Y1A+ splits the 2.4 GHz and 3.5 GHz RF chains between dual antennas or between the radio and a transmit/receive switch. Its 1.1 dB typical insertion loss preserves link-budget margin — every 0.5 dB saved at the splitter translates into measurable range extension. The 0.03 dB amplitude unbalance keeps MIMO channel calibration symmetrical, and the 50Ω impedance matches standard 2.4 GHz/5 GHz frontend ICs without external matching. Place between the FEM and antenna with trace-length matching within 1 mm to maintain 0.6° phase balance.
Recommended
5G Mid-Band Small-Cell Radios (3.5-4.2 GHz)
The GP2Y1A+ sits at the front end of small-cell radios operating in the C-band / CBRS 3.5–4.2 GHz spectrum, splitting the signal between two diversity receiver chains. Its 22 dB isolation prevents cross-talk between the chains that would otherwise raise the noise floor, while the 0.03 dB amplitude unbalance ensures both receiver paths see identical signal levels. The 10 W input power handling makes the GP2Y1A+ suitable even on the transmit side when paired with a low-power PA in a small-cell transmit chain. For MIMO 4T4R radios, cascade multiple GP2Y1A+ units or use a 4-way equivalent.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Signal Splitting
In bench-top test setups, the GP2Y1A+ splits a single signal-generator output to feed two instruments simultaneously — for example, a spectrum analyzer and a power meter, or two channels of a vector signal analyzer. Its 1.1 dB insertion loss is negligible compared to instrument calibration tolerance, and the wide 1550–4400 MHz bandwidth means one splitter covers most wireless test scenarios from cellular to Wi-Fi. The 0.03 dB amplitude balance and 0.6° phase balance support accurate gain/phase measurements of DUTs across the band. Use in a small machined-aluminum enclosure with SMA connectors for repeatable lab use.
Recommended
GPS / GNSS Distribution Amplifier Network
In GPS / GNSS receiver designs requiring timing distribution to multiple baseband processors, the GP2Y1A+ serves as the front-end passive split element when only two outputs are needed (for 4-way distribution, cascade two units). Although the lower edge 1550 MHz is above L1/L2 GPS frequencies, the part covers L5-band and other GNSS services operating up to 4400 MHz. Its 22 dB isolation prevents correlation of multi-channel GNSS receivers that would otherwise degrade pseudorange measurements. The 0.6° phase unbalance is well below the threshold that would cause cycle-slip in carrier-phase measurements.
Recommended
Phased-Array Antenna Signal Combining
In phased-array and beam-forming antenna systems, the GP2Y1A+ functions as a low-loss 2-way combiner feeding the summing node of a 2-element sub-array. The 0.03 dB amplitude unbalance keeps the array amplitude distribution symmetrical, and the 0.6° phase unbalance translates directly to beam-pointing error of less than 0.6° at 4400 MHz — well within typical beam-steering resolution requirements. The 10 W power handling accommodates medium-power transmit sub-arrays. For 4-element sub-arrays, cascade two GP2Y1A+ units in a tree configuration to form a 4-way combiner with cumulative loss ≈ 1.3 dB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for GP2Y1A+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | GP2X1+ | GP2Y1A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | MMIC SMT (Mini-Circuits GP2 family) | MMIC SMT (Mini-Circuits GP2 family) — same | MMIC SMT (Mini-Circuits GP2 family) — same |
| Brand | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits |
| Frequency Range | 1550 - 4400 MHz | Sub-6 GHz variant (verify band) | 1550 - 4400 MHz (same) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (RoHS lead-free+ suffix) | Compliant | Verify — may be non-RoHS (original part per AN10-027) |
| Configuration | Bi-directional (split / combine) | Bi-directional | Bi-directional |
Key Differentiators
- Same-footprint drop-in alternative within the GP2 family (vs GP2X1+)
- RoHS+ lead-free finish — newer revision (vs GP2Y1A (without +))
- 10 W power handling vs typical LTCC splitters (vs Generic LTCC 2-way splitters)
Design Notes
Use Mini-Circuits' recommended EVB land pattern and 50Ω coplanar-waveguide (CPW) trace geometry with ground via stitching every λ/20 (≈ 1 mm at 4400 MHz). The exposed pad must be soldered to a solid ground pour with at least 4 thermal vias (8-mil drill, 12-mil pad) directly under the die paddle for stable return-loss and thermal performance. Avoid running digital signal traces under or adjacent to the input/output traces to keep digital switching noise out of the RF path.
At the maximum 10 W input power as a splitter, internal dissipation is up to ~1.4 W (10 W × 0.14 efficiency loss = 1.4 W). The Mini-Circuits MMIC SMT package dissipates this through the ground pad; a copper area of at least 25×25 mm of 1 oz copper keeps the junction rise below 30°C. Derate to roughly 7–8 W in continuous operation above 70°C ambient to maintain long-term reliability per Mini-Circuits derating guidance.
When using the GP2Y1A+ as a 2-to-1 power combiner, trace-length matching between OUT1 and OUT2 input paths to within 1 mm is essential to preserve the 0.6° phase unbalance spec at 4400 MHz. At lower frequencies, the matching tolerance can relax proportionally (3 mm is acceptable at 1500 MHz). A small series attenuator on each input improves isolation at the cost of ~0.5 dB loss.
Common pitfalls when working with the GP2Y1A+ include (1) using non-50Ω source/load impedances — return loss degrades sharply; (2) treating the device as ideal 3 dB — actual loss is 3 dB split + 1.1 dB excess = 4.1 dB per arm; (3) overlooking DC blocking — the GP2Y1A+ ports are DC-coupled; place external DC blocks if downstream circuits carry DC; (4) cascading three or more GP2Y1A+ units in a binary tree without accounting for cumulative loss (~1.3 dB for two stages, ~1.6 dB for three).
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance inferred from the '+' suffix in the MPN and confirmed in Mini-Circuits application note AN10-027. AEC-Q100 not applicable — this is a passive RF component, not an automotive-qualified IC. REACH and halogen-free status not explicitly published in the verified web data and listed as 'unknown' rather than fabricated.
