Combining-Radiating Assembly for High-Power Coherent Wavefronts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power-combining techniques require complex matching networks and significant circuit area, leading to performance degradation due to impedance mismatches and amplifier device failures, especially when generating high-power signal levels.
Innovation Solution
A power-combining system that uses a combining-radiating assembly with phase controllers to coherently combine energy from multiple sources within the assembly, eliminating the need for circuit-based combiners and allowing for polarization diversity and compensation for signal path degradations, utilizing a patch or horn antenna with uniformly spaced ports to radiate high-power wavefronts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional power-combining techniques use stripline or microstrip circuits to combine amplifier outputs, then high-power signal levels are generated, but significant circuit area is required compared with the area occupied by the amplifier devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power combining function and the radiating function into a single integrated structure. The combining-radiating assembly directly radiates the combined power without requiring separate stripline or microstrip combining circuits, thereby eliminating the need for additional circuit area while maintaining high-power signal generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The combining-radiating assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it combines signals from multiple amplifier devices and radiates the combined power as electromagnetic energy. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate combining circuits, reducing overall circuit area while achieving high-power output
2Power
If conventional power-combining techniques are used to generate high-power signal levels, then power combining is achieved, but complex matching networks are required due to the very low output impedances of the high-power devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the matching network requirement from the system by using a combining-radiating assembly with high input impedance that directly accepts power from amplifier devices. This eliminates the need for complex external matching networks that would otherwise be required to match the low output impedance of high-power amplifier devices
Solution Approach 2:
The combining-radiating assembly is designed with high input impedance characteristics, fundamentally changing the impedance parameter from the conventional low-impedance approach. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex matching networks while enabling direct connection to amplifier device outputs
3Power
If conventional power-combining techniques combine amplifier outputs, then high-power signal levels are generated, but the failure of an amplifier device may result in an impedance mismatch that may significantly degrade the performance of the power combiner
Solution Approach 1:
The combining-radiating assembly is designed with inherent impedance characteristics that provide tolerance to amplifier device failures. The high input impedance and direct radiation mechanism create a system that is less sensitive to individual amplifier failures, cushioning against performance degradation before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows individual amplifier devices to be replaced independently without affecting the overall combining structure. Each amplifier can be viewed as a replaceable component whose failure does not compromise the entire power combining system, enabling easy maintenance and replacement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the need for complex matching networks and circuit area, enhances power combining efficiency, and allows for flexible polarization and compensation of signal path degradations, effectively generating high-power coherent wavefronts for wireless communication and active array antenna systems.
Implementation Method 1
Phase controllers generate signals with a predetermined phase shift for an associated one of the ports. Coherent sources provide signals to an associated port with a predetermined phase shift. Energy from the ports is coherently combined and radiated by the combining-radiating assembly to generate coherent high-power wavefronts.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
A power-combining system and method for generating a high-power coherent wavefront are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. The power-combining system (100) comprises a combining-radiating assembly (108) having a plurality of ports (204). Phase controllers (102) generate signals with a predetermined phase shift for an associated one of the ports. Pluralities of coherent sources (104) receive signals from an associated one of the phase controllers (102) and to provide the signals to an associated port (204) of the combining-radiating assembly (108) with the predetermined phase shifts. Energy from the ports is coherently combined and radiated to provide a coherent high-power wavefront (109). In some embodiments, the combining-radiating assembly (108) comprises a conductive patch (202) having a plurality of ports (204) spaced uniformly around the patch (202). In these embodiments, energy from the ports is coherently combined and radiated by the patch (202) to provide the coherent high-power wavefront (109).