Broadband High-Power Amplifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to a broadband high-power amplifier, which comprises a signal input for receiving an input signal, at least one amplifier stage for amplifying the received input signal, a signal output for outputting the signal amplified by the at least one amplifier stage as an output signal, a monitoring unit for monitoring signal characteristics of the input signal and the output signal, and a control unit for operating the at least one amplifier stage at an optimum operating point depending on the current signal characteristics monitored by the monitoring unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a broadband high-power amplifier and a method for operating the broadband high-power amplifier. Background Art

[0002] Broadband power amplifiers can be widely used, especially for test purposes. During laboratory product development, in electronic product manufacturing, and for quality monitoring of the manufactured electronic devices, broadband high-power amplifiers are often used to perform tests, especially verification tests and validation tests. Typical tests include intermodulation tests, multi-tone tests, and peak-to-average ratio tests, as well as aging tests or impact tests. A subset of these tests can also be performed during production as part of the quality assurance process. In traditional test equipment, since broadband high-power amplifiers operate at a fixed operating point, they are often not optimally operated with respect to output power, signal quality, and efficiency.

[0003] Traditionally, high-power amplifiers are configured such that their operating point is located at the center of their linear power amplification range. The reason is that in traditional equipment, there is usually little prior knowledge of the received input signals to be amplified by the broadband high-power amplifier. In traditional equipment, power amplifiers are sized according to their maximum output power and thus are often used at less than their maximum power capabilities. Traditional broadband power amplifiers need to handle different excitation frequencies, power levels, signal types, modulation bandwidths, and load conditions. Traditional broadband power amplifiers operate at a fixed operating point defined by the operating voltage and the operating current, where the operating point is set to achieve a more or less satisfactory compromise for different operating scenarios. In traditional equipment, broadband amplifiers include a pre-configured bias operating current that is set independently of the desired output power of the broadband amplifier. In the case of low output power, the overall power of the broadband amplifier does not go to the signal output of the broadband amplifier and ultimately has to be dissipated, i.e., the power consumption of the broadband power amplifier is more or less constant regardless of the output power level of the load to which the broadband power amplifier is applied. As a result, the power efficiency of traditional broadband high-power amplifiers can be very low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a broadband high-power amplifier whose operation can be optimized according to the requirements of its environment, especially according to the requirements of a test environment.

[0005] This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a broadband high-power amplifier comprising the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadband high-power amplifier, which includes a signal input for receiving an input signal, at least one amplifier stage for amplifying the received input signal, a signal output for outputting the signal amplified by the at least one amplifier stage as an output signal, a monitoring unit for monitoring signal characteristics of the input signal and the output signal, and a control unit for operating the at least one amplifier stage at an optimal operating point depending on the current signal characteristics monitored by the monitoring unit.

[0007] According to a second aspect, the present invention further provides a method for operating a broadband high-power amplifier, the method including the features of claim 13.

[0008] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a broadband high-power amplifier having one or more amplifier stages, the method including the following steps:

[0009] monitoring signal characteristics of an input signal received at a signal input of an amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier and signal characteristics of an output signal output at a signal output of the amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier; and

[0010] controlling the at least one amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier to operate at an optimal operating point depending on the monitored signal characteristics.

[0011] According to another aspect, the present invention further provides an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test equipment, which includes: a broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the broadband high-power amplifier being used for amplifying a continuous wave or pulsed RF test signal.

[0012] In a possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit is used to operate the at least one amplifier stage at an optimal operating point, and the optimal operating point achieves at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion.

[0013] In another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit is used to continuously or adjust in preset increments a working current and / or a working voltage of at least one transistor or at least one power tube of the at least one amplifier stage to operate the amplifier stage at the optimal operating point.

[0014] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit is used to continuously or adjust in preset increments a quiescent current and / or a supply voltage of at least one transistor or at least one power tube of the at least one amplifier stage to operate the amplifier stage at the optimal operating point.

[0015] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit is configured to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics of the received input signal at the signal input of the amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier:

[0016] The average input power of the input signal, the peak input power of the input signal, the frequency of the input signal, and the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0017] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit is configured to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics of the output signal at the signal output of the broadband high-power amplifier:

[0018] Average forward power, peak forward power, phase of the forward signal, average reflected power, peak reflected power, and phase of the reflected signal.

[0019] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the optimization criteria applied by the control unit to adjust the operating point of the at least one amplifier stage include: maximizing the forward power entering the load connected to the signal output of the broadband high-power amplifier, maximizing the power efficiency of the broadband high-power amplifier, and minimizing the power dissipation of the broadband high-power amplifier.

[0020] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the optimal operating point of the amplifier stage is set within or outside the linear operating range of the amplifier stage.

[0021] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amplifier stage includes a solid-state amplifier stage including a power transistor.

[0022] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amplifier stage includes a power tube amplifier stage including a power tube.

[0023] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amplifier stage includes a switching amplifier stage.

[0024] In yet another possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amplifier stage includes a conduction angle amplifier stage. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Possible embodiments of different aspects of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 A block diagram showing a possible exemplary embodiment of a broadband high-power amplifier according to a first aspect of the present invention is presented.

[0027] Figure 2 A block diagram showing another possible exemplary embodiment of a broadband high-power amplifier according to a first aspect of the present invention is presented.

[0028] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B A signal diagram is presented for illustrating the operation of a broadband high-power amplifier as compared to a conventional broadband high-power amplifier.

[0029] Figure 4 A flowchart showing a possible exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a broadband high-power amplifier according to a second aspect of the present invention is presented. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] Figure 1 A block diagram showing a possible exemplary embodiment of a broadband high-power amplifier 1 according to a first aspect of the present invention is presented. The broadband high-power amplifier 1 includes a signal output 2 and a signal output 3. The signal output 2 receives a signal from a signal source 4 via a signal line 5. The broadband high-power amplifier 1 includes at least one amplifier stage 6 for amplifying the received input signal and outputting the amplified signal at the signal output 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. As can be seen from Figure 1 an external load 7 is connected to the signal output 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1.

[0031] The broadband high-power amplifier 1 includes a monitoring unit 8 for monitoring the signal characteristics of the input signal applied to the amplifier stage 6 and the signal characteristics of the amplified output signal generated by the amplifier stage 6. As Figure 1 shown, the monitoring unit 8 is used to provide the monitored signal characteristics to a control unit 9 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. The control unit 9 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 is used to operate at least one amplifier stage 6 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 at an optimal operating point OP. The operating point OP is determined by the control unit 9 based on the current signal characteristics received from the monitoring unit 8. The control unit 9 is used to operate the amplifier stage 6 at the optimal operating point set by the control unit 9 to achieve at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion C. The control unit 9 is capable of continuously or in preset increments adjusting the operating current Ioc and / or the operating voltage Vop of at least one electronic component within the power amplifier stage 6 to operate the amplifier stage 6 at the current optimal operating point OP set according to the monitored current signal characteristics received from the monitoring unit 8.

[0032] The amplifier stage 6 may include a solid-state amplifier stage that includes power transistors. These power transistors may include bipolar transistors or MOSFETs. In this embodiment, the control unit 9 may continuously or in preset increments adjust the operating current and / or operating voltage of at least one transistor within the solid-state amplifier stage 6. In a possible embodiment, the control unit 9 may adjust the quiescent current and / or supply voltage of at least one transistor integrated in the amplifier stage 6.

[0033] In yet another possible embodiment, the amplifier stage 6 may further include a power tube amplifier stage that includes power tubes. In this embodiment, the control unit 9 may be used to continuously or in preset increments adjust the operating current and / or operating voltage of the tubes within the power tube amplifier stage 6.

[0034] In a possible embodiment, the amplifier stage 6 including power transistors and / or power tubes has a passive or active cooling device that is adjusted to cool the corresponding amplifier stage 6. The cooling device may include an air or liquid cooling device. In a possible embodiment, the active cooling device attached to the amplifier stage 6 may also be controlled by the control unit 9 according to the signal characteristics received and detected by the monitoring unit 8.

[0035] As Figure 1 shown in the embodiment of, the amplifier stage 6 may include a specific amplifier class. The amplifier stage 6 may include a switching amplifier stage and / or a conduction angle amplifier stage. The switching amplifier stage uses digital circuitry and pulse-width modulation (PWM) to continuously switch the signal between fully on and fully off between the saturation region and the cut-off region of the transistor driving the output signal to the amplifier stage. The conduction angle amplifier is defined by the length of the conduction state on a portion of the output waveform such that the output stage transistor operates in a state somewhere between fully on and fully off.

[0036] The monitoring unit 8 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 is used to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics of the signal input 2: the average input power of the input signal, the peak input power of the input signal, the frequency of the input signal, and / or the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0037] The monitoring unit 8 is further used to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics at the signal output 3: the average forward power, the peak forward power, the phase of the forward signal, the average reflected power, the peak reflected power, and / or the phase of the reflected signal.

[0038] The optimization criterion C for the operating point OP of the regulating amplifier stage 6 applied by the control unit 9 can be predefined or selected by the user or the test equipment controller. The optimization criterion C can include maximizing the forward power into the load 7 connected to the signal output 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. Additionally, at least one optimization criterion C for the operating point OP of the regulating amplifier stage 6 applied by the control unit 9 can also include maximizing the power efficiency of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In yet another possible embodiment, the optimization criterion C for the operating point OP of the regulating amplifier stage 6 applied by the control unit 9 can also include minimizing the power dissipation of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. The optimal operating point OP set by the controller unit 9 in response to the received signal characteristics detected by the monitoring unit 8 can be within the linear operating range of the amplifier stage 6 or outside the linear operating range of the amplifier stage 6.

[0039] The signal supplied to the signal input 2 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 by the signal source 4 can include an RF signal, in particular an RF test signal. The RF test signal can include a continuous wave or a pulsed RF test signal. As Figure 1 shown, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can form part of an electromagnetic compatibility EMC test equipment.

[0040] Figure 2 A block diagram of yet another possible exemplary embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 includes a number of amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C connected in series between the signal input 2 and the signal output 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. Each of the amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C is monitored by an associated monitoring unit 8A, 8B, 8C, and the monitoring units 8A, 8B, 8C provide the detected signal characteristics to the control unit 9, which is used to operate at the optimal operating point OP A , OP B , OP COperate each of the amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C, where each operating point OP achieves at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion C. Thus, each amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C can be operated according to the same optimization criterion or different optimization criteria. The optimization criterion C can be predefined and selected according to the capabilities of the corresponding amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C. The amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can include different types of amplifier stages, especially switching amplifier stages such as class-D amplifier stages and / or non-switching conduction angle amplifier stages such as class-A, class-B, class-AB, and class-C amplifier stages. The different criteria used by the control unit 9 for one or several amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C can be stored locally in the memory 10 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible implementation, the optimization criterion C applied to define the operating point OP of a specific amplifier stage can be selected by a selection signal SEL applied to the selection input 11 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. The selection signal SEL can be applied to the selection input 11 from an external controller, for example, from the external controller of a test device of a test equipment. Additionally, the selection signal can be applied by the user via the user interface UI of the user equipment. The criterion C stored in the local memory 10 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can include maximizing the forward power into the load connected to the signal output 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. Additionally, the criterion C can also include maximizing the power efficiency of the corresponding amplifier stage controlled by the control unit 9. Additionally, the optimization criterion C stored in the local memory 10 can also include maximizing the power dissipation of the corresponding amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In yet another possible implementation of the broadband high-power amplifier 1, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can also include a configuration memory 12, as shown in the implementation of Figure 2 . In a possible implementation, the configuration memory 12 can indicate the amplifier classes of the different amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C integrated in the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible implementation, the control unit 9 can read the associated amplifier class specified in the configuration memory 12 for each power amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C, and thus set the optimal operating point OP for the corresponding amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C according to the amplifier class of the corresponding amplifier stage and according to at least one optimization criterion C selected for the corresponding amplifier stage in response to the applied selection signal SEL. The operating point OP set by the control unit 9 can be within or outside the linear operating range of the corresponding amplifier stage. The control unit 9 can adjust the static or bias current and / or the supply voltage of at least one transistor or tube element of the corresponding amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C to operate the corresponding amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C at the determined optimal operating point OP. The adjustment of the static or bias current and / or the supply voltage can be performed continuously or in preset increments by the control unit 9 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. InFigure 2 In an exemplary embodiment of the description, each amplifier stage 6A, 6B, 6C includes an associated internal monitoring unit 8A, 8B, 8C, and the internal monitoring units 8A, 8B, 8C are used to monitor the signal characteristics at the signal input and signal output of the corresponding amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C. In an alternative embodiment, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 includes a signal monitoring unit, and the signal inputs 2 and signal outputs 3 of the selected amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C are switched to the signal monitoring unit through a multiplexer controlled by the control unit 9. In this embodiment, a single signal monitoring unit 8 can detect the signal characteristics of the selected amplifier stage.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the selection control signal SEL applied to the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can identify a specific amplifier stage within a group of available amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C, and can also indicate an associated optimization criterion C for the selected amplifier stage.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, the number and type of different amplifier stages integrated in the broadband high-power amplifier 1 can be changed according to the application and usage of the broadband high-power amplifier 1.

[0043] In Figure 2 a possible embodiment of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 as shown in the embodiment, the amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C can be formed by plug-in amplifier stages, and in a possible implementation, the plug-in amplifier stages can be received through the receiving slots of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible implementation, a first type of amplifier stage can be inserted into the first receiving slot of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 to define the first amplifier stage 6A. A second amplifier stage of the same or different amplifier type can be inserted into the second receiving slot of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 to provide the second amplifier stage 6B of the broadband high-power amplifier 1, etc. In addition, in the configuration memory 12, different types and performance specifications of the inserted amplifier stages can be stored in the memory and used by the control unit 9 to calculate the optimal operating point OP. In a possible implementation, the configuration data stored in the configuration memory 12 can also be input via the configuration interface of the broadband high-power amplifier 1.

[0044] In Figure 2 the described embodiment, the different amplifier stages 6A, 6B, 6C are connected in series with each other. In an alternative embodiment, the amplifier stages can also be connected in series and / or in parallel with each other. As Figure 1 、 Figure 2The broadband high-power amplifier 1 shown in the embodiment can be used in electromagnetic compatibility EMC test equipment. The broadband high-power amplifier 1 can be used to amplify continuous wave or pulsed RF test signals. Electromagnetic compatibility EMC is defined as the ability of devices and systems to operate in an electromagnetic environment without damaging their functions and without failure, and vice versa, that is, the ability of devices and systems to ensure that operations do not affect the electromagnetic environment to the extent that other devices and systems are not adversely affected. EMC testing is a means of verifying the capabilities of devices and systems. Interference sources may include natural sources (atmospheric noise, electrostatic discharge) and technical sources. Interference technical sources may include intentional RF signal generation, such as telecommunications systems or other systems such as navigation systems or microwave ovens. Technical sources may also include unintentional RF generation sources that provide broadband low RF energy. These RF generation sources may include power electronics, computers, energy distribution devices, ignition systems, etc.

[0045] Electronic components or devices must meet certain electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) and / or electromagnetic interference (EMI) specifications. As part of an EMC test procedure, a sensitive test can be performed on the device under test DUT. During the test, the device under test DUT experiences an electromagnetic field. The device under test DUT is checked to determine whether it still operates correctly and is therefore immune to disturbances from external sources such as signals from a broadcast transmitter or a mobile phone base station. The electromagnetic field can be generated by a broadband power amplifier, which transmits the required output power and is robust to mismatches. In a possible embodiment, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 used in the test equipment is tuned by a control unit 9 to provide an optimal operating point OP applied to at least one amplifier stage 6. The control unit 9 can take into account the selected optimization criteria read from the memory 10, the amplifier class of the corresponding stage read from the configuration memory 12, and the current signal characteristics of the corresponding amplifier stage 6 received from the integrated monitoring unit 8 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible embodiment, the broadband amplifier 1 can generate an amplified signal, especially an amplified test signal in a frequency range between about 9kHz and 6GHz.

[0046] Figure 3A , Figure 3B The operation of the broadband high power amplifier 1 according to the present invention is explained in comparison with a conventional broadband high power amplifier. Figure 3A The operating point OP of a conventional broadband high power amplifier is illustrated, wherein the conventional broadband high power amplifier has a fixed bias current to operate its integrated amplifier stage at the fixed operating point OP. Figure 3B As shown, the broadband high power amplifier 1 comprises amplifier stages whose operating points are controlled by a control unit 9. The control unit 9 can, for example, dynamically change the bias or quiescent current I of at least one amplifier stage during operation. 偏置 ,like Figure 3BAs shown. For example, the bias current can be reduced from 100% to 30% according to the current signal characteristics detected by the monitoring unit 8, as Figure 3B shown.

[0047] Figure 4 FIG. shows a flowchart of a possible exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a broadband high-power amplifier 1 according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0048] In Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment, the method includes two main steps. In a first step S1, the signal characteristics of an input signal received at a signal input and the signal characteristics of an output signal output from a signal output of an amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 are monitored by, for example, a monitoring unit 8 as Figure 1 shown.

[0049] In another step S2, at least one amplifier stage 6 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 is controlled to operate at an optimal operating point OP depending on the monitored signal characteristics. In step S2, the operating current and / or operating voltage of at least one transistor or tube of the amplifier stage 6 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 is adjusted continuously or in preset increments to operate the corresponding amplifier stage 6 at the optimal operating point OP, where the optimal operating point OP is determined in response to the monitored signal characteristics according to at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion C.

[0050] Figure 4 The method described in can be used to optimize the operation of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 for EMC immunity tests (product qualification tests, wireless communications, and / or impact tests). For EMC test equipment, there is good prior knowledge of the level or content and modulation scheme, such as the signal shape fed into the signal output of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. The control unit 9 uses this knowledge to continuously operate at least one amplifier stage around or at least near an ideal operating point by closely monitoring different parameters or signal characteristics and by adjusting the bias current and / or supply voltage of the corresponding amplifier stage 6 according to at least one optimization criterion C. Continuous monitoring and adaptation of the operating parameters of the amplifier stage 6 further results in good overload protection of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 at any time. By operating at least one high-power amplifier 1 at the adjusted operating point OP, the energy consumption and / or heat dissipation of the amplifier stage 6 can be reduced.

[0051] Based on the signal characteristics of detection and monitoring, the output power relative to the maximum possible output power, and / or frequency and / or load conditions, the operating point OP can be adjusted by the control unit 9 by adaptively and continuously dynamically adjusting the quiescent current of one or more transistors of the solid-state amplifier stage and / or by adaptively and continuously adjusting the voltage, especially the drain voltage, of one or more transistors of the solid-state amplifier stage. By reducing the power consumption of the power amplifier stage, additional advantages can be achieved, such as reduced acoustic noise due to less need to cool the amplifier stage 6 with a cooling fan. In addition, the operating life of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 is extended.

[0052] The operating point OP of at least one power amplifier stage 6 is optimized by the control unit 9 according to power, frequency, signal characteristics, and load conditions to achieve one or more of the optimization criteria C including maximizing the forward power entering the load, achieving the best possible in-band and out-of-band signal quality and maximizing power efficiency (especially reducing power), and achieving a reduction in power dissipation, where the advantage of the reduction in power dissipation is a reduced fan speed of the cooling fan and / or a reduced noise generated by the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible implementation, the signal applied to the broadband high-power amplifier 1 may also include voice and / or video signals. In another possible implementation, the signal applied to the broadband high-power amplifier 1 may include a test signal, especially an RF test signal used to test electronic devices in test equipment. The broadband high-power amplifier 1 according to the present invention may include amplifier stages 6 of the same or different amplifier classes. The operating point OP of each amplifier stage 6 can be optimized by the control unit 9 based on the characteristics tested, i.e., based on the current operating state of the broadband high-power amplifier 1. In a possible implementation, the broadband high-power amplifier 1 may be integrated into a test or measurement device for testing a device under test DUT. The control unit 9 may include at least one processor for generating control signals to adjust the operating current and / or operating voltage of at least one amplifier stage within the broadband high-power amplifier 1.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the control unit 9 accesses other configuration parameters and other information related to setting the operating point OP of different amplifier stages, such as information about the resistance of the load 7 connected to the output terminal 3 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1 and / or information about the signal source 4 connected to the signal input 2 of the broadband high-power amplifier 1.

Claims

1. A broadband high-power amplifier (1), comprising: - a signal input (2) for receiving an input signal; - a plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) for amplifying the received input signal, wherein the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) includes different types of amplifier stages (6), and the different types of amplifier stages (6) are selected from switching amplifier stages and non-switching conduction angle amplifier stages; - a signal output (3) for outputting the signal amplified by the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) as an output signal; - wherein each amplifier stage of the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) includes an associated internal monitoring unit (8A, 8B, 8C), and the associated internal monitoring unit (8A, 8B, 8C) is used to monitor the signal characteristics of the signal input and signal output of the corresponding amplifier stage (6A, 6B, 6C); and - A control unit (9) for operating each of the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) at respective optimum operating points (OP A , OP B , OP C ) depending on signal characteristics monitored by the associated internal monitoring units (8A, 8B, 8C), wherein the control unit is adapted to operate the plurality of amplifier stages at the optimum operating points which achieve at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion, and wherein the control unit is adapted to take into account, for each of the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C), the selected optimization criterion, the amplifier class of the corresponding stage (6A, 6B, 6C) and the signal characteristics of the corresponding amplifier stage (6A, 6B, 6C) received from the associated internal monitoring unit of the broadband high-power amplifier (1).

2. The broadband high-power amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (9) is used to continuously or adjust the operating current and / or operating voltage of at least one transistor or at least one tube of the amplifier stage (6) in a preset increment to operate the amplifier stage (6) at the optimal operating point.

3. The broadband high-power amplifier according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (9) is used to continuously or adjust the quiescent current and / or supply voltage of at least one transistor or at least one tube of the amplifier stage (6) in a preset increment to operate the amplifier stage (6) at the optimal operating point.

4. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring unit (8) is used to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics of the received input signal at the signal input of the amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier: The average input power of the input signal, the peak input power of the input signal, the frequency of the input signal, and the bandwidth of the input signal.

5. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring unit (8) is used to monitor at least one of the following signal characteristics of the output signal at the signal output of the amplifier stage of the broadband high-power amplifier: Average forward power, peak forward power, phase of the forward signal, average reflected power, peak reflected power, and phase of the reflected signal.

6. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the optimization criterion applied by the control unit (9) to adjust the operating point of the amplifier stage (6) comprises: Maximizing the forward power entering a load (7) connected to the signal output (3) of the broadband high-power amplifier (1), maximizing the power efficiency of the broadband high-power amplifier (1), and minimizing the power dissipation of the broadband high-power amplifier (1).

7. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the optimal operating point of the amplifier stage (6) is within or outside the linear operating range of the amplifier stage (6).

8. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the amplifier stage (6) comprises: a solid-state amplifier stage including a power transistor; and / or a power tube amplifier stage including a power tube.

9. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the amplifier stage (6) includes a switching amplifier stage and / or a conduction angle amplifier stage.

10. The broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the amplifier stage (6) includes passive or active cooling means for cooling the corresponding amplifier stage (6).

11. An electromagnetic compatibility EMC test equipment, comprising at least one broadband high-power amplifier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, the broadband high-power amplifier being used for amplifying a continuous wave or pulsed RF test signal.

12. A method for operating a broadband high-power amplifier (1), the broadband high-power amplifier (1) having a plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C), wherein, the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) includes different types of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C), the different types of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) being selected from a switching amplifier stage and a non-switching conduction angle amplifier stage, the method includes the following steps: (a) Monitoring (S1) the signal characteristics of the input signal received at the signal input of each amplifier stage (6A, 6B, 6C) of the broadband high-power amplifier and the signal characteristics of the output signal output at the signal output of each amplifier stage (6A, 6B, 6C) of the broadband high-power amplifier, wherein each amplifier stage in the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) includes an associated internal monitoring unit (8A, 8B, 8C); and (b) The control unit controls (S2) the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) of the broadband high-power amplifier (1) to operate at respective optimal operating points (OP A , OP B , OP C ) that depend on the signal characteristics monitored from the associated internal monitoring units (8A, 8B, 8C), where the optimal operating points achieve at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion, and where the control unit is configured for each amplifier stage of the plurality of amplifier stages (6A, 6B, 6C) to take into account the selected optimization criterion, the amplifier class of the corresponding stage, and the signal characteristics of the corresponding amplifier stage received from the associated internal monitoring unit of the broadband high-power amplifier (1).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the operating current and / or operating voltage of at least one transistor or at least one tube of the amplifier stage (6) is continuously or adjusted in preset increments to operate the amplifier stage (6) at the optimal operating point, the optimal operating point being determined in response to the monitored signal characteristics according to at least one predefined or selected optimization criterion.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the monitored signal characteristics of the input signal include: the average input power of the input signal, the peak input power of the input signal, the frequency of the input signal, and the bandwidth of the input signal, wherein the signal characteristics of the output signal include: average forward power, peak forward power, phase of the forward signal, average reflected power, peak reflected power, and phase of the reflected signal.

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