Abstract A modular amplifier comprising a plurality of modules receives a signal to be amplified and provides an amplified signal through power divider and power combiner circuits which are mirror images of each other. In particular, 2-way Wilkinson hybrid circuits are combined to deliver the input signal by providing a divided signal to each of the amplifier modules. The output of each of the modules is combined by 2-way Wilkinson hybrid circuits to provide the amplified signal output. In order to provide discrete power reduction switching from a full power condition to a reduced power condition, at least one of the inputs to a module is connected to a quarter-wave stub which is selectively grounded and open-circuited to reflect respectively an open circuit and a short circuit condition. In this way, each amplifier module performs similarly in the reduced power output condition as well as in the full power output condition.
Inventors
👤 William E. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-24 21:42
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An amplifier system comprising: (a) amplifier means including a plurality of modules each having an input and an output; (b) power divider means having a power input for receiving a signal to be amplified and a plurality of outputs each connected to a corresponding module input; (c) power combiner means having a power output for providing the amplified signal and having a plurality of inputs each connected to a corresponding module output; and (d) power reflection means connected to at least one predetermined power divider output for selectively reflecting a short circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An amplifier system comprising: (a) amplifier means including a plurality of modules each having an input and an output; (b) power divider means having a power input for receiving a signal to be amplified and a plurality of outputs each connected to a corresponding module input; (c) power combiner means having a power output for providing the amplified signal and having a plurality of inputs each connected to a corresponding module output; and (d) power reflection means connected to at least one predetermined power divider output for selectively reflecting a short circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The amplifier system of claim 1 wherein said power reflection means comprises a quarter-wave stub connected to the predetermined power divider output and means for selectively grounding the stub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier system of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively grounding comprises a coaxial cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier system of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively grounding comprises a PIN diode switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The amplifier system of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said power divider means is a mirror image of said power combiner means and each comprises a plurality of 2-way Wilkinson hybrid circuits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier system of claim 5 wherein said power reflection means is connected to a resistor-input junction point of one of the 2-way Wilkinson hybrid circuits.