Microstrip Circulators are RF Isolators that are built using microstrip technology. These circuits are designed using microstrip transmission lines and can be used for high frequency commercial, space and military applications. When identifying microstrip isolators, you need to specify the frequency range of operation in which you plan to use the device, the power that you need the isolators to handle, the insertion loss that you system needs and the port to port isolation that you need.

A Waveguide Circulator is a 3 or 4 Port ferromagnetic device used to regulate the signal flow within a system. A signal that enters port 1 is transmitted to port 2 and isolated from port 3, a signal incident at port 2 is transmitted to port 3 and isolated from port 1, a signal incident at port 3 is transmitted to port 1 and isolated from port 2. Waveguide circulators are typically designed to have minimal loss when transmitting an input signal from one port to the next.

Drop in Circulators are those that have tab leads for interconnection and are usually based on microstrip or stripline circuitry. They can easily be 'dropped in' on a PCB board for integration in to a RF system. Drop in Isolators can be used for a wide range of military, space and commercial applications.

Coaxial Circulator are RF Circulators that are available in modules with coaxial connectors like SMA, N Type, K Type, TNC, BNC, DIN 7/16 etc. Coaxial Circulators can be used for a number of commercial, miliatary and space applications. The type of connector chosen can limit the frequency of operation of the Coaxial Circulator.

Surface Mount Circulators are RF Circulators that are available in surface mount packages. These are usually developed using ferrite technology and are quite compact in size. They can be used in a wide range of commercial, space and military applications. When identifying surface mount circulators, you need to specify the frequency range of operation in which you plan to use the device, the power that you need the circulator to handle, the insertion loss that you system needs and the port to port isolation that you need.