Radio-frequency generator arrangement comprising a plug connection integrated in a combiner
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023723952
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-12
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-19
AI Technical Summary
High-frequency generator arrangements, particularly those using combiners for microwave signals, face issues with electromagnetic radiation leakage when modules are replaced, leading to safety hazards and system disruptions due to the design of traditional plug connections which do not effectively contain electromagnetic fields during module changes.
The integration of an opening narrowing device in the HF sockets that reduces the opening distance and cross-section when a plug is removed, featuring an electrically conductive barrier to prevent electromagnetic radiation from escaping, along with a design that ensures safe hot-plug capability and reduced radiation exposure.
Significantly reduces electromagnetic radiation emission during module replacement, enhancing safety and system reliability by containing electromagnetic fields within the socket, allowing for secure and efficient hot-plugging of HF generators without disrupting the operation of high-performance devices.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] High-frequency generator arrangement with connector integrated into a combiner
[0002] The invention relates to a high-frequency generator arrangement comprising a combiner, wherein the combiner has one or more plug connections for transmitting a high-power signal, in particular a microwave signal.
[0003] Microwave signals are used for heating, plasma generation, communications technology, radar technology, and particle accelerators for research or medical technology, for example. These applications generally require a microwave generator to generate a microwave signal, or, in the case of other high-power signals, a corresponding generator.
[0004] A solid-state high-power generator, a so-called solid-state power generator (SSPG), can be used to generate microwaves. A microwave input signal from an SSPG can be amplified by solid-state high-power amplifiers, or solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs). An SSPA is therefore a component of an SSPG. To generate high power, several SSPGs can be combined. For this purpose, a combiner is used. This is a hardware component, particularly a passive hardware component, designed to combine several input signals into a stronger output signal. The SSPG or SSPA is connected to the combiner to pass the signal from one component to the other. In such a system consisting of several SSPG modules or SSPA modules and a combiner, it may happen that a module has to be replaced, either due to a defect or for maintenance purposes.
[0005] When replacing such a module, it is advantageous if there is a plug connection between the module and the combiner with which the output signal of the module can be electrically connected to the combiner. When replacing the module, the plug connection of the module can be separated from that of the combiner. The module can then be removed from the system by fixing it to a housing, for example by screwing it. A functioning module can then be inserted in the corresponding place. This creates a period of time in which no component is connected to the corresponding sub-plug of the combiner connection by another sub-plug. The sub-plug of the combiner, which can be a socket, is open during this time and exposed to the environment. This can cause radiation to escape from the socket and also allow substances and / or radiation from the environment to enter the socket.
[0006] If the module is to be replaced during operation, the system should be configured accordingly. If the system is designed so that components, e.g. modules, can be plugged and unplugged during operation, this is referred to as hot-plug capability. For this purpose, the connectors can be designed in such a way that when a connector has multiple conductors, the conductors are not connected to the corresponding counterpart at the same time. This can be achieved by arranging the conductors in a way that is offset in the direction of movement when one sub-connector is plugged into the other. Such connectors can, for example, be designed in such a way that when plugging in the ground connection, before the line with the power signal is connected, or conversely, when unplugging the line with the power signal is disconnected before the line with the ground connection is disconnected. This is used, for example,of security.
[0007] It has been found that when such a system is in operation, electromagnetic radiation can escape from a partial connector, e.g. from a socket on a combiner, if the socket is open. Although this connection is designed as an input for receiving signals, electromagnetic radiation can be emitted here, particularly if RF signals are connected to the other inputs of the combiner. This is all the more the case the shorter the wavelength of the radiation. Particularly in the microwave range, at 300 MHz or more, and especially at 1 GHz or more, the wavelength is often so short that an open partial connector can act like a dipole antenna. This negative property worsens as connector dimensions become larger, as is often necessary, for example, as a result of long cables in order to keep electrical losses to a minimum.The emitted electromagnetic radiation can be harmful to humans, especially at high power levels, such as those found in high-performance devices. Furthermore, the radiation can also interfere with or damage other devices.
[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a high-frequency generator arrangement comprising a combiner having one, in particular several, RF plug sockets for transmitting a high-power signal, in particular a microwave signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal, which overcomes the disadvantages described above.
[0009] The problem is solved by an RF generator arrangement according to claim 1.
[0010] In one aspect, the radio frequency (RF), in particular microwave, generator arrangement comprises a combiner, the combiner having:
[0011] • one, especially several, RF connector sockets and
[0012] • one, in particular several, preferably one RF generator for each RF connector socket, wherein
[0013] • each RF generator has a plug at its MW output that fits the RF socket, whereby
[0014] • the radio frequency (RF) socket is suitable for transmitting an RF signal, in particular a high-power signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal, and has: a. an opening with a longest opening distance and an opening cross-section designed to receive a suitable plug, b. an external contact suitable and in particular designed for connection to a ground connection, c. an internal contact suitable and in particular designed for connection to an RF power signal, in particular a microwave signal, d. wherein the socket has an opening constriction device which is designed to reduce the opening in such a way that the opening of the socket assumes a reduced-opening state when the plug is removed, in which i. a reduced longest opening distance of this opening is reduced compared to the longest opening distance, and / or ii.a reduced opening cross-section of this opening is reduced compared to the opening cross-section, iii. in particular the opening is closed, e. wherein the opening constriction device has an electrically conductive barrier which is connected to the external contact and is designed, in the reduced-opening state, to prevent electromagnetic radiation of the RF signal, which can be emitted by the internal contact, from exiting the opening.
[0015] The term opening constriction device refers to a device, in particular a mechanical device, which is suitable for converting the cross section and / or the longest distance of an opening from a first state with an original opening cross section and / or an original longest opening distance into a second state with a reduced opening cross section and / or reduced longest opening distance.
[0016] "Longest opening distance" means the longest distance that can or could be determined with the plugged-in connector. "Reduced longest opening distance" means the longest distance that can be determined with the plugged-in connector. "Opening cross-section" means the cross-section that can or could be determined with the plugged-in connector. "Reduced opening cross-section" means the cross-section that can be determined with the plugged-in connector. These terms are also illustrated below using the example in Fig. 6 and the accompanying description.
[0017] In some circumstances, it may be sufficient to maintain the aperture cross-section and only reduce the longest aperture spacing. This is the case, for example, if the longest aperture spacing is within a quarter of the wavelength of the radiated RF signal – or a multiple thereof. In such a case, a slot-shaped aperture of this length, for example, can cause significant radiation. If this longest aperture spacing is reduced, the radiation can be significantly reduced, even if the aperture cross-section remains the same or even increases slightly.
[0018] RF signals refer to signals of 1 MHz or more. The RF connector socket can be specifically designed for frequencies of 100 MHz and above. Microwave signals refer to signals of 300 MHz or more, especially 1 GHz or more. High-power signals refer to signals of 1 kW or more, especially 5 kW or more.
[0019] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that the inner contact and the outer contact are configured such that when the plug is pulled out or plugged in, there is a position in which an electrical connection to the inner contact with the corresponding contact of the plug is separated, and at the same time an electrical connection to the outer contact with the corresponding contact of the plug is present.
[0020] In one aspect, the inner contact is recessed relative to the outer contact. This means that the inner contact is shorter than the outer contact, so that the electric fields are clearly contained within the receptacle and preferentially spread there. The aperture restriction device then further prevents the electric fields from escaping from the receptacle.
[0021] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is designed such that the barrier, when the opening is reduced, makes electrical contact with the internal contact. This allows any electrical signals at this contact to be shorted to ground. When the connector socket is arranged on a combiner, which will be described below, the distance to the star point of the combiner can be adjusted depending on the wavelength of the RF signal so that the combiner detects this branch as an open circuit at the star point.
[0022] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is configured such that the barrier, in the reduced-opening state, has no electrical contact with the internal contact. This is an alternative to the aforementioned aspect and can have advantages in certain combiner configurations. In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that the barrier has regions with a material that absorbs electromagnetic radiation. This material can be configured to preferentially absorb the electromagnetic waves and not reflect them, and can be adapted to the characteristic impedance of air, and in particular, have an impedance of approximately 300 Ω to 400 Ω.
[0023] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that the barrier is configured to obstruct the electromagnetic radiation radiating through the opening when the opening is reduced. Thus, it fulfills a further advantageous purpose and supports the reliability of the system.
[0024] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that the aperture constriction device comprises an elastically deformable, in particular resilient, component for narrowing the longest aperture distance. This can also be, for example, a steel spring, in particular a spiral spring arrangement. Thus, the aperture constriction device can automatically move into the reduced-aperture state when the connector is removed.
[0025] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that the barrier has a flap that is particularly designed to be held in the reduced-opening state by an elastically deformable, particularly resilient, component. This facilitates handling.
[0026] In one aspect, the RF receptacle is characterized in that the internal contact is constructed of an erosion-resistant material. This is advantageous when the connectors are opened while a current is flowing and inductive components are connected to the plug or receptacle. Opening the contact then often leads to arcing, which can contaminate the contacts. This can lead to undesirable contact problems. If the internal contact is constructed of an erosion-resistant material, such contamination can be reduced.
[0027] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is characterized in that it has exactly one inner and, in particular, also exactly one outer conductor, and in that it is, in particular, a coaxial connector. Particularly in such embodiments of the connector socket, such an opening constriction device can preferably be used to reduce radiation.
[0028] In one aspect, the RF connector socket is configured to be mounted on a housing wall, in particular on a combiner housing wall. This facilitates handling.
[0029] In one aspect, a plug connection is provided with the RF connector socket and a plug whose contacts are adapted to the contacts of the RF connector socket.
[0030] In one aspect, the connector is characterized in that the RF connector socket and plug can be separated and / or connected during operation without affecting the operation of the connected components, in particular that the connector is hot-plug capable.
[0031] As previously mentioned, a combiner is provided comprising one, in particular several, of the previously described RF connector sockets. A combiner refers to an RF, in particular microwave, power combiner configured to combine multiple input power signals into one output power signal.
[0032] The combiner can also be designed for an RF signal with a frequency of 1 MHz or more, in particular for a frequency of 100 MHz or more, particularly preferably for a frequency in the microwave range of 300 MHz or more, in particular 1 GHz or more. The combiner can also be designed for high-power signals at its inputs at 1 kW or more, in particular at 5 kW or more.
[0033] The combiner can be designed such that several RF generators, each having a previously described plug matching the RF plug sockets on the combiner, are arranged next to one another, in particular directly next to one another, and can be plugged and unplugged during operation, in particular in a preferred direction. Thanks to the narrowed opening, the RF plug sockets can be arranged relatively close to one another, which is advantageous for the now quite small RF generators if one wants to place them close to one another. Plugging and unplugging during operation works particularly well if the connections for an input signal and the power supply of the RF generators are also arranged on the same front side as the plugs for connecting to the combiner.The previously described sockets on the combiner are particularly advantageous because the interference that escapes from the combiner when the RF generator is unplugged does not feed back to the input signal and the power supply.
[0034] Each RF generator can have one or more amplifier modules.
[0035] The amplifier modules can each have water cooling.
[0036] The amplifier modules can each have a circulator.
[0037] Several amplifier modules in an RF generator can combine their respective output power via special combiners, in particular a 90° hybrid coupler, in order to be able to lead it to the output of the RF generator.
[0038] The RF, particularly microwave, generator arrangement can be configured for operation with a particle accelerator (linear particle accelerator). Interchangeable RF generators are particularly advantageous here, since such particle accelerators are very difficult to start up.
[0039] The following description of preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to explain the invention in more detail. Individual features of these embodiments can also be used separately from other features of the respective embodiments to further develop the previously described methods or devices according to the invention.
[0040] They show:
[0041] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plug connection in the unplugged state;
[0042] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another plug connection in the unplugged state;
[0043] Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a plug connection as in Fig. 1 or 2 in the partially inserted state; Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a plug connection as in Fig. 1, 2 or 3a in the fully inserted state;
[0044] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative connector in the unplugged state;
[0045] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plug connection as in Fig. 4 in the partially inserted state;
[0046] Fig. 6 is a front view of a plug socket in the unplugged state;
[0047] Fig. 7 several RF generators and a combiner with corresponding connectors.
[0048] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all embodiments.
[0049] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a plug connection 100. This has a first plug component in the form of a plug 110. Furthermore, a second plug component in the form of a socket 120 is shown, which matches the first plug component in the form of a plug 110.
[0050] The connector socket 120 is designed as a radio-frequency (RF) connector socket and is suitable for transmitting a signal, in particular a high-power signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal. The connector socket 120 is designed here as a coaxial connector socket with precisely one inner conductor 123 and precisely one outer conductor 121, which is tubular in shape.
[0051] The outer conductor 121 can be electrically connected to ground, in particular connected. It can be electrically and mechanically connected to a housing wall 141 of the combiner 400.
[0052] The inner conductor of the connector socket 123 can be electrically connected to the RF signal, in particular the high-power signal, in particular the high-power microwave signal. This inner conductor 123 can have an electrical connection to the interior of the combiner 400 for transmitting the RF signal, in particular a high-power signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal.
[0053] Inner conductor 123 and outer conductor 121 are electrically separated by an insulator 122. The outer diameter of the inner conductor 123, the inner diameter of the outer conductor 121 and the electrical properties of the insulator can be designed such that the plug socket 120 has a predefined characteristic impedance of, for example, 50 Ω. This can be designed in particular to reduce electrical reflections of the incoming and outgoing electromagnetic waves at the plug socket 120.
[0054] The plug socket 120 has an opening 132 into which the plug 110 can be inserted. The opening 132 has a longest opening distance 132a, which is indicated in Fig. 1 as a dashed line with a double arrow. The opening 132 has an opening cross-section 132q, which is indicated in Fig. 1 as a dotted oval line.
[0055] The connector 110 here also has an outer conductor 111 and an inner conductor 113, as well as insulation that electrically separates the outer conductor 111 from the inner conductor 113. The connector 110 can be attached to a housing wall of an RF generator, e.g., an SSPG, as shown in Fig. 1, so that RF signals can be routed from the SSPG to the inner conductor.
[0056] The plug socket 120 has an opening-restricting device 130. The opening-restricting device 130 has a barrier 133, which is movably mounted in a joint 134. Other fastening devices allowing movement are also conceivable. The barrier 133 is configured here to be moved by one or more spring elements 135 into a position in which the opening cross-section 132a of the plug socket is reduced to a reduced opening cross-section 132c when the plug 110 is not inserted into the socket. The direction of movement of the barrier 133 is shown by the arrow 131. In Fig.1, the plug 110 is not inserted and consequently the socket 120 is in a reduced-opening state 132b, in which the reduced cross-section 132r of the opening 132 is reduced compared to the opening cross-section 132q and the reduced longest opening distance 132c of this opening 132 is reduced compared to the longest opening distance 132a.
[0057] In this case, the barrier 133 is in particular electrically conductive and connected to the external contact 121 and is configured, in the reduced-opening state, to prevent electromagnetic radiation of the RF signal, which can be emitted by the internal contact 123, from exiting the opening.
[0058] This expressly does not mean a small constriction of the opening cross-section, such as those possibly already known from the prior art, such as locking devices, contact springs or other elastic contact devices inside the outer conductor of a plug. What is meant here is a clearly deliberate constriction that is designed and configured to block electromagnetic radiation. For this purpose, for example, the longest opening distance in the reduced-opening state 132b can be designed to be smaller than X / 10, where X is the wavelength of the RF signal. The "longest opening distance" means, for example, the diameter of a round opening. However, other openings are also conceivable, e.g. an oval, a square or slit-shaped opening. Another conceivable opening constriction device 130 would be an aperture, as is known from cameras and as shown as an example in Fig. 6.For all these openings, the longest opening distance can be determined geometrically both in the reduced-opening state 132b and in the fully open state.
[0059] The opening restriction device 130 can automatically adjust to the reduced-opening state 132b when the plug 110 is pulled out. No additional manual intervention is then necessary.
[0060] Mechanical aids can be provided so that the opening constriction device 130 moves from the reduced-opening state 132b to the fully open state upon insertion of the plug. Insertion of the plug is thus possible without additional manual intervention.
[0061] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the plug connection 100. In Figure 2, the plug 110 is also not inserted, and consequently the socket 120 is in a reduced-opening state 132b. In this case, the opening constriction device 130 is designed such that the opening 132 is completely closed in this state.
[0062] Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view of a plug connection as shown in Fig. 1 or 2, in which the plug 110 is partially, but not yet fully, inserted into the socket 120. The opening constriction device 130 is automatically opened by the plug. For this purpose, the barrier 133 was moved into the open state by axially inserting the first plug section 110 into the second plug section 120. The barrier 133, which can be electrically conductive, electrically connects the outer conductor 121 of the plug socket 120 with the outer conductor 111 of the plug 110. However, there is still no contact between the inner conductor 123 of the plug socket 120 and the inner conductor 113 of the plug 110. This has the advantage that both devices connected to the plug connectors, e.g. combiner to the plug socket 120 and generator to the plug 110, can be brought to a common potential, e.g.a common ground potential before the RF signals are electrically connected. This is particularly advantageous in hot-pluggable systems.
[0063] Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of a connector as shown in Fig. 1, 2, or 3a, with the plug 110 now fully inserted into the socket 120. In contrast to Fig. 3a, the two internal contacts, the inner conductor 123 of the socket 120 and the inner conductor 113 of the plug 110, are now electrically connected to one another, allowing an RF signal to flow from a generator into the combiner. The opening constriction device 130 is fully open here. It also ensures good electrical contact between the outer conductors 121, 111 of the connector 100 through its elastic design and spring contacts.
[0064] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the plug connection. The opening constriction device is configured as an elastic component, the barrier 133. Due to the choice of its geometric shape, this component is capable of radial compression under axial force. Thus, when axial force is applied, the opening is opened for the insertion of another sub-plug. When no plug connection is established, the opening is constricted or closed by the opening constriction device, which consists exclusively of the barrier 133. In the inserted state, as shown in Figure 5, the barrier 133 lies outside the area required by the first sub-plug 110 to move into the second sub-plug 120 for connection.
[0065] Fig. 6 shows a front view of a plug socket in the unplugged state. The barrier is designed in the form of a diaphragm, as is known from cameras. Fig. 6 illustrates that both the reduced longest opening distance 132c and the longest opening distance 132a can be determined geometrically, as can both the reduced opening cross-section 132r and the opening cross-section 132q.
[0066] Figure 7 schematically shows, together and individually in a perspective view, several RF generators 410a, 410b ... 410n, each having an amplifier module, and a combiner 400 with corresponding plug connections 100a, 100b, ... 100n. The generators 410a, 410b ... 410n are preferably each of identical construction. The generators 410a, 410b ... 410n can, in particular, be individually plugged in and unplugged under voltage and current. The generators 410a, 410b ... 410n are preferably configured here as solid-state high-power microwave generators (SSPGs).
[0067] The RF generators 410a, 410b ... 410n can be arranged close to one another, in particular directly next to one another, and can be connected with their output via the previously described plug connections 100a, 100b, ... 100n directly to the combiner without the need for intermediary bypass arrangements in a hot-pluggable manner.
[0068] A similar arrangement with several RF generators (PAU) and a combiner (SCU) is shown, for example, in US Pat. No. 9,492,567 B1, "Combined RF / microwave amplifiers with individual power supplies." As can be seen from the description, and in particular from Fig. 3 described therein, the connectors (connector 3021) do not have an opening constriction device as described here. Fig. 6 shows a combiner (SCU) and describes it in the description. Here, too, no opening constriction device is provided on the high-power connectors 601-610. Possibly due to the increased radiation when changing an RF generator during operation, the high-power connectors 601-610 in Fig. 6 had to be arranged further apart from one another than the dimensions of the combiner housing allowed. This could be the reason for the arm-like, star-shaped protrusions for the connectors in Fig. 6.This arrangement obviously leads to increased manufacturing costs. With such a star-shaped arrangement, it is also not possible to arrange many RF generators (PAUs) close to one another and connect their outputs directly to the combiner via the connectors without the need for intermediate bypass devices. These bypass devices also undoubtedly lead to further increased manufacturing costs. These problems have also been overcome with the present invention.
Claims
Claims High-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) comprising a combiner (400), wherein the combiner (400) has: • one, in particular several, RF connector sockets (120) and • one, in particular several, preferably one RF generator (410a, 410b ... 410n) for each RF connector socket (120), wherein • each RF generator (410a, 410b ... 410n) has a plug (110) at its MW output that fits the RF plug socket (120), wherein • the high-frequency (HF) connector socket (120) is suitable for transmitting an HF signal, in particular a high-power signal, especially a high-power microwave signal, and has: a. an opening (132) with a maximum opening distance (132a) and an opening cross-section (132q) designed to receive a suitable plug (110), b. an external contact (121) suitable and in particular designed for connection to a ground connection, c. an internal contact (123) suitable and in particular designed for connection to an HF power signal, in particular a microwave signal, d. characterized in that the connector socket (120) has an opening narrowing device (130) which is designed to reduce the opening such that the opening (132) of the connector socket (120) assumes a reduced opening state (132b) when the plug (110) is removed, in which i.a reduced longest opening distance (132c) of this opening (132) is reduced compared to the longest opening distance (132a), and / or ii. a reduced opening cross-section (132r) of this opening (132) is reduced compared to the opening cross-section (132q), iii. in particular the opening (132) is closed, e. wherein the opening narrowing device (130) has an electrically conductive barrier (133) which is connected to the outer contact (121) and is designed, in the narrowed opening state, to block electromagnetic radiation of the RF signal emanating from the inner. to obstruct the radiation emitted from contact (123) before exiting the opening (132). High-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner contact (123) and the outer contact (113) of the plug socket (120) are designed such that when the plug (110) is pulled out or inserted, there is a position in which an electrical connection to the inner contact (123) with the corresponding contact (113) of the plug (110) is broken, and at the same time an electrical connection to the outer contact (121) with the corresponding contact (111) of the plug (110) is present.A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening-narrowing device (130) of the connector socket (120) has an elastically deformable, in particular spring-like component (135) for narrowing the longest opening distance (132a). A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrier (133) of the opening-narrowing device (130) has a flap, which is in particular configured to be held in the narrowed opening state (132b) by an elastically deformable, in particular spring-like component (135). A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner contact (123) of the connector socket (120) is made of a burn-resistant material.High-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug socket (120) is configured to be mounted on a housing wall (141), in particular on a combiner housing wall. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an RF socket (120) and a plug (110) whose contacts (111, 113) are adapted to the contacts (121, 123) of the RF socket (120). A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to claim 7, characterized in that the RF socket (120) and plug (110) can be disconnected and / or connected during operation without affecting the operation of the connected components, in particular that the connector (100) is hot-pluggable.A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combiner (400) is configured to combine several input power signals into an output power signal with a frequency of 1 MHz or more, in particular for a frequency of 100 MHz or higher, and particularly preferably for a frequency of 300 MHz or more, and in particular 1 GHz or more. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combiner (400) is designed for high-power signals at its inputs at 1 kW or more, in particular at 5 kW or more. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combiner (400) is configured such that several RF generators (410a, 410b ...410n) each having a previously described connector suitable for the RF connector sockets on the combiner (400) and can be arranged side by side, and can be plugged in and unplugged during operation, in particular in a preferred direction. High-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each RF generator (410a, 410b ... 410n) has one or more amplifier modules. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to claim 12, wherein each amplifier module comprises a circulator. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims 12 or 13, characterized in that each amplifier module comprises water cooling. A high-frequency, in particular microwave, generator arrangement (500) according to any one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it is configured for operation at a particle accelerator.