Waveguide Amplifier Splitter Combiner Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-frequency high power amplifiers, particularly those using traveling wave tube amplifiers, are large, heavy, unreliable, and require high voltage power supplies, while solid-state amplifiers have low power output, necessitating power combining and existing combiners and splitters suffer from high losses and limited bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide amplifier design incorporating a waveguide block with recessed solid-state amplifiers, signal splitters, and combiners, where the waveguide channels are lined with metal and covered by a unitary element, allowing for efficient amplification and signal distribution with reduced size and weight, and improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traveling wave tube amplifiers are used for high power amplification, then high power output is achieved, but the device becomes large, heavy, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is divided into multiple solid-state amplifier modules that can be independently combined. Each module operates at lower power individually but can be paralleled to achieve high total power output, improving reliability through modular redundancy while maintaining high power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple solid-state amplifier outputs are combined using waveguide combiners to achieve high power output. This merging approach allows individual low-power reliable solid-state amplifiers to collectively deliver high power while maintaining the reliability advantages of solid-state technology.
2Power
If multiple solid state amplifiers are combined to increase power output, then power output is improved, but signal losses increase in traditional combiners
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical or microstrip combiners are replaced with waveguide-based combining networks. The waveguide structure provides lower loss signal paths for combining multiple amplifier outputs, reducing energy loss while enabling high power output through parallel combining.
3Device complexity
If microstrip transmission lines are used for signal distribution, then device complexity is reduced, but signal losses increase and bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Microstrip transmission lines are replaced with waveguide transmission paths. The waveguide structure reduces signal losses and expands operational bandwidth while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through standardized waveguide components and configurations.
4Power
If waveguide combiners with magic tee junctions are used, then signal combining is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The combining function is segmented into distributed waveguide networks rather than centralized magic tee junctions. This segmentation allows for more compact arrangements and reduces the overall volume required for signal combining while maintaining the necessary power handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The combiner design transitions from planar magic tee junctions to three-dimensional waveguide configurations. By utilizing vertical and lateral space more efficiently through waveguide geometry, the combining function is achieved in a more compact form factor with reduced manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Several embodiments of waveguide amplifiers incorporating a network of waveguides, signal splitters, solid state amplifiers and signal combiners are disclosed. The signal splitters and combiners have similar structures including parallel input and exit ports. In some embodiments, the solid state amplifiers are enclosed within the waveguide amplifier.