Patent ID: 8818263

Claim:
A system of directing signals, the system comprising: a first-direction path configured for a first-direction signal that propagates in a first direction; a second-direction path configured for a second-direction signal that propagates in a second direction that is opposite the first direction of the first-direction signal; a common port; a power splitter/combiner including a first port communicatively coupled to the first-direction path, a second port communicatively coupled to the second-direction path, and a third port communicatively coupled to the common port, the power splitter/combiner configured to receive the first-direction signal from the first-direction path at the first port and to direct the first-direction signal to the third port such that the first-direction signal is directed toward the common port and away from the second-direction path, wherein one or more of: the first port of the power splitter/combiner is configured to provide substantial impedance matching with at least one component of the first-direction path communicatively coupled to the first port; the second port of the power splitter/combiner is configured to provide substantial impedance matching with at least one component of the second-direction path communicatively coupled to the second port; and the third port of the power splitter/combiner is configured to provide substantial impedance matching with the common port.