RF Terminations and Loads
RF Loads
The trusted standard in high-power RF termination
Bird’s RF Loads are trusted around the world to safely absorb RF energy and protect critical systems from reflected power. Built for durability, precision, and performance, our load family covers a wide range of power levels, frequencies, and connector types supporting everything from lab or field testing, to high-power embedded applications.
In RF systems, a load is more than just an endpoint it’s a safeguard for performance and reliability. A poorly designed or fragile termination can introduce reflections, degrade signal quality, or break down under load, leading to unpredictable system behavior and costly downtime. Whether in a lab, a network, or a high-power environment, your load must hold up physically and electrically.
Load Selection: What Really Matters
RF Performance
Choose a load with the right frequency range, a power rating that handles both average and peak power, and a low VSWR for efficient signal absorption. For pulsed or modulated signals, check the peak-to-average ratio to avoid overload.
Mechanical
Consider the connector or flange type to match your system interface, the cooling method: water, or oil based on your power and environment, and any mounting or space constraints that could affect installation.
Environment
Make sure the load can handle your ambient temperature and has adequate coolant flow and quality if required. Also consider shock, vibration, altitude, and humidity tolerance especially in field or mobile environments.
