The purpose of a Cross-Guide coupler is to allow the engineer at the earth station or VSAT site a way of accurately measuring the output of a satellite amplifier. A cross-guide-coupler has a wave-guide flange that connects to the output flange of the amplifier and a second flange to connect to antenna feed or dummy load.

Each Cross-Guide coupler has an attenuated co-ax connector for connection to a spectrum analyzer or a power meter to accurately measure the flange output of the amplifier.

The co-ax connectors are typically type N or SMA.