RF Power Combiner Feedback for Automatic Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state RF power amplifiers require manual tuning of phase and amplitude alignment for multiple transistors, which is costly and time-consuming, especially when combining power levels beyond 2kW.
Innovation Solution
A power amplifier architecture using digital control circuits to adjust the phase of low-power digital signals driving multiple power amplifier modules, with a feedback system to optimize phase alignment and minimize signal loss in load terminations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual tuning is used for phase and amplitude alignment of multiple transistors, then power combination efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through automatic phase and amplitude alignment. The control circuit automatically adjusts the phase and amplitude of drive signals for each transistor based on feedback from the power combination output, eliminating the need for manual tuning while maintaining optimal power combination efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power combination output is monitored and fed back to the control circuit. This feedback enables real-time adjustment of phase and amplitude parameters to optimize power combination efficiency without requiring manual intervention
2Loss of energy
If manual tuning is used for phase and amplitude alignment, then power combination efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic adjustment system eliminates the need for skilled manual tuning personnel and expensive tuning equipment. The control circuit autonomously optimizes phase and amplitude alignment, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high power combination efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tuning processes with an automated electronic control system. The control circuit uses electronic signal processing and feedback mechanisms to adjust phase and amplitude, substituting labor-intensive manual operations with automated electronic control
3Loss of time
If phase alignment is not optimized, then manual tuning time is reduced, but power combination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary automatic phase and amplitude alignment before power combination. By pre-adjusting the drive signals to optimal phase and amplitude relationships, the system ensures high power combination efficiency without requiring subsequent manual tuning adjustments
Data Source
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AI summary
A solid-state power amplifier architecture comprises a plurality of switched mode with gate driver circuit and digital input power amplifier modules, and a digital control circuit configured to drive the plurality of switched mode with digital input power amplifier modules with corresponding digital signals, whereby the digital control circuit is further configured for adjusting the phase of the digital signals relative to each other. The solid-state power amplifier architecture further comprises an RF or MW power combiner with load terminations that are equipped each with a corresponding directional coupler that is configured to sample the signal into the load terminations, and a feedback system implemented in the digital control circuit that uses the sample signals to adjust the phase of the digital signals to each other according to a method that maximises the efficiency of the power combination by minimising the signal into the load terminations by adjusting the phase of the digital signals into the power amplifier modules relative to each other.