Broadband nonlinear drive control network for linear amplifiers arranged in several amplifier channels

Claim 1

A broadband nonlinear control network for driving linear amplifiers arranged in channels, comprising a plurality of network branches, a first branch comprising amplitude adjustable limiter means for limiting a drive signal amplitude, to an adjustable amplitude value which is free of any phase-frequency characteristic, impedance inverter means connecting said limiter means to a signal source, whereby a rising impedance is applied to said signal source when said limiter means is activated, a second branch comprising a constant load impedance and a resistor means connecting said constant load impedance to said signal source, said resistor means having a characteristic such that said resistor means becomes conductive above an adjustable high frequency threshold voltage, whereby said resistor means connects said signal source to said constant load impedance, and wherein an amplitude of a signal at said limiter means and an amplitude at said resistor means when said resistor means becomes conductive, are adjusted to each other so that a conductance, which has been reduced by an activation of said limiter means at said signal source, is compensated by a variable conductivity of the resistor means so that a load of said signal source remains constant, said first branch further comprising power divider means for branching off a portion of an output drive signal from said limiter means to drive a first channel of said amplifier channels, said control network further comprising hybrid circuit means connected to said first and second branches for producing further drive signals for further amplifier channels by a linear signal combination in said hybrid circuit means for performing a phase and amplitude correction, whereby said further drive signals have phase and amplitude characteristics required for said further amplifier channels.