Multiport Amplifier Pairwise Tuning for Port Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiport amplifiers (MPAs) face challenges in phase and amplitude tracking at Ku and Ka bands, leading to reduced interport isolation performance due to amplitude/phase mismatches, which complicates signal isolation between output ports.
Innovation Solution
A method of tuning MPAs by matching the signal phase and gain of each amplifier to its paired amplifier more stringently than non-paired amplifiers, reducing the number of required adjustments and optimizing signal isolation between ports, particularly using signal dividing and combining networks with hybrids to achieve better matching and isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If all amplifiers are matched to the same degree of accuracy in conventional tuning, then isolation performance is improved, but tuning time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the amplifiers into paired groups (first pair, second pair, etc.) and applies different matching accuracy requirements to different pairs. Specifically, amplifiers in the first pair are matched more stringently than amplifiers in subsequent pairs, thereby reducing overall tuning complexity while maintaining acceptable isolation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the matching accuracy non-uniform across different amplifier pairs. The first pair of amplifiers receives stricter matching (higher local quality) while subsequent pairs receive progressively relaxed matching requirements, optimizing the trade-off between performance and tuning effort.
2Manufacturing precision
If stringent matching is applied to all amplifiers, then signal isolation between ports is improved, but device complexity and adjustment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the amplifiers into distinct pairs and applies segmented matching strategies. Only the first pair requires stringent matching, while subsequent pairs use progressively relaxed criteria, thereby reducing device complexity and adjustment requirements compared to uniform stringent matching of all amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing stringent matching only for the first pair of amplifiers rather than all amplifiers. This partial application of strict matching achieves sufficient isolation performance while significantly reducing the complexity and effort required for complete uniform matching.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of tuning a multiport amplifier and a multiport amplifier are provided. The multiport amplifier comprises an even number of microwave power amplifiers (A1-A8) arranged in parallel, a series of input ports (p1-p8) and a series of output ports (q1-q8), the input ports being connected to the amplifiers by a series of input hybrids (A-M) and the output ports being connected to the amplifiers by a series of output hybrids (A-M), whereby an input signal at any given input port is amplified by all amplifiers, and then recombined into an output signal at a given output port. The method includes the steps of matching each amplifier in a pair of adjacent amplifiers to the other to an extent which is greater than matching between non paired amplifiers while still being able to ensure acceptable signal isolation between all output ports. This method of tuning results in an MPA well suited to the requirements of certain frequency re-use schemes and which has a significantly reduced set-up and test time.