RF Transmitter Amplifier Segmentation for Passive Combiner Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for combining and transmitting radio frequency signals face issues with high signal loss, increased costs, reliability concerns, and intermodulation deterioration due to the limitations of passive and active combiner configurations, which hinder efficient power distribution and compliance with regulatory output levels.
Innovation Solution
A system that employs controlled amplifiers and electronic control circuits to automatically adjust transmitter output power based on signal loss, using a passive combiner with upstream amplifiers and communication via coaxial cables to maintain maximum permitted power at the antenna, distributing power efficiently and reducing intermodulation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a passive combiner is used to combine multiple transmitter signals, then the system cost is reduced and construction is simplified, but signal loss increases significantly (6 dB for resistive, 3 dB for Wilkinson configuration)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the amplification function into separate segments for each transmitter input. Each transmitter has its own amplifier that compensates for the combiner loss, rather than using a single amplification stage. This segmentation allows each amplifier to work independently and efficiently, reducing total signal loss while maintaining construction simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplification is performed preliminarily at each transmitter output before the signals enter the passive combiner. By pre-amplifying each signal to compensate for the expected combiner loss, the system ensures that sufficient signal power reaches the combiner output without requiring complex active combiner circuits.
2Loss of energy
If an active combiner with a single amplification stage is used, then signal loss is recovered, but system cost increases, reliability decreases, and intermodulation characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single amplification stage that creates a point of failure, the invention segments the amplification into multiple independent stages, one for each transmitter. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure, improving reliability while still recovering signal loss. Each amplifier operates independently, avoiding the intermodulation issues of a single powerful amplifier.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transmitter input receives localized amplification tailored to its specific signal characteristics and required output power. This local quality approach allows each amplifier to be optimized for its specific task, improving overall system reliability and reducing intermodulation compared to a single centralized amplification stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If firmware/software is used to limit transmitter output power to comply with regulations, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but system performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily sets the amplifier gain to compensate for combiner loss, allowing transmitters to operate at higher power levels. The regulatory compliance is then achieved through the overall system output control rather than limiting individual transmitter power, thus maintaining system performance while meeting regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the system architecture from limiting transmitter output power via firmware to using amplifier gain control. This parameter change allows transmitters to operate at their full capability, with the amplifiers adjusting the final output power to meet regulatory requirements, thereby improving overall system performance.
4Loss of energy
If multiple amplifiers are used to compensate for combiner loss, then signal loss is recovered, but system cost increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses segmentation to place simple amplifiers at each transmitter input, which is actually less complex than alternative approaches. Each amplifier is a standard, off-the-shelf component, and the distributed architecture is simpler to implement and maintain than centralized active combiner solutions with complex signal routing and synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transmitting (IMP) and combining radio frequency signals, comprising one or more RF input signals transmitters (IN), which employ a respective controlled amplifier (AC) and sends a respective RF output signal; the RF output signals are combined into a combiner device (C), which includes at least one combiner (CP), for example a passive combiner, and from here sent to at least an antenna connector (CA). Furthermore, both the combiner device (C) and the transmitters are equipped with electronic circuits (UL, LC), allowing the combiner device (C) and the transmitters communicating with each other using only one connecting device (CC), which transmits the power signal and RF signal to be transmitted.