Article comprising a combiner-splitter
First Claim
1. An article for amplifying a first multicarrier RF signal, comprising:
- a first plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a first dielectric surface and suspended within a first housing, wherein said first plurality of radially-arranged conductors are operable to divide the first multicarrier RF signal into a plurality of equal-power multicarrier RF signals, wherein one multicarrier RF signal is carried along each radially-arranged conductor;
a plurality of amplifier modules, wherein each amplifier module is electrically connected to one of the radially-arranged conductors of the first plurality and is operable to amplify the one multicarrier RF signal carried along the one radially-arranged conductor electrically connected thereto; and
a second plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a second dielectric surface and suspended within said first housing, wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is electrically connected to one of the amplifier modules, and further wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is operable to receive the one amplified multicarrier RF signal from the amplifier module electrically connected thereto, and, further, the second plurality of radially-arranged conductors is operable, collectively, to combine the amplified multicarrier RF signals into a second multicarrier RF signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multicarrier linear RF power amplifier incorporating an improved signal splitter and an improved signal combiner is disclosed. The amplifier comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped amplifier modules. When such modules are radially disposed and abutted against one another, the inwardly facing edges of the modules collectively define a central or axially-located opening. An improved signal splitter, signal combiner, or dual splitter/combiner is advantageously disposed in the axially-located opening. The signal splitter or signal combiner is a conductor arrangement comprising a plurality of equal length conductors radially disposed on a dielectric substrate. The conductor arrangement is advantageously disposed within a suitably-configured housing. The housing is disposed within the axially-located opening.
60 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An article for amplifying a first multicarrier RF signal, comprising:
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a first plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a first dielectric surface and suspended within a first housing, wherein said first plurality of radially-arranged conductors are operable to divide the first multicarrier RF signal into a plurality of equal-power multicarrier RF signals, wherein one multicarrier RF signal is carried along each radially-arranged conductor; a plurality of amplifier modules, wherein each amplifier module is electrically connected to one of the radially-arranged conductors of the first plurality and is operable to amplify the one multicarrier RF signal carried along the one radially-arranged conductor electrically connected thereto; and a second plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a second dielectric surface and suspended within said first housing, wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is electrically connected to one of the amplifier modules, and further wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is operable to receive the one amplified multicarrier RF signal from the amplifier module electrically connected thereto, and, further, the second plurality of radially-arranged conductors is operable, collectively, to combine the amplified multicarrier RF signals into a second multicarrier RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A base station for a wireless telecommunications system comprising:
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a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a multiplexed RF signal into a first plurality of RF signals; a plurality of radios, each of which radios is operable to receive one of the RF signals of the first plurality and modulate a message signal thereon; a summing device for combining the modulated RF signals from the plurality of radios into a first multicarrier RF signal; a multicarrier linear RF amplifier for amplifying the multicarrier RF signal, the amplifier comprising; a first plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a first dielectric surface and suspended within a first housing, wherein said first plurality of radially-arranged conductors are operable to divide the first multicarrier RF signal into a plurality of equal-power multicarrier RF signals, wherein one multicarrier RF signal is carried along each radially-arranged conductor; a plurality of amplifier modules, wherein each amplifier module is electrically connected to one of the radially-arranged conductors of the first plurality and is operable to amplify the one multicarrier RF signal carried along the one radially-arranged conductor electrically connected thereto; and a second plurality of radially-arranged conductors that are disposed on a second dielectric surface and suspended within said first housing, wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is electrically connected to one of the amplifier modules, and further wherein each radially-arranged conductor of the second plurality is operable to receive the one amplified multicarrier RF signal from the amplifier module electrically connected thereto, and, further, the second plurality of radially-arranged conductors is operable, collectively, to combine the amplified multicarrier RF signals into a second multicarrier RF signal; and an antenna for transmitting the second multicarrier RF signal.
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10. An article for splitting a signal into a plurality of equi-power signals, comprising:
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a first plurality of equal length, radially-arranged conductors, wherein said first plurality of conductors physically contact one another at a first central axis and further wherein said first plurality of conductors are disposed on a first dielectric substrate and suspended within a first plurality of cylindrical cavities, one conductor per cylindrical cavity; a first input port disposed at the first central axis and operable to deliver a signal to the first plurality of radially-arranged conductors; and a plurality of output ports, wherein each output port is operable to receive one equi-power signal carried on one of the radially-arranged conductors of the first plurality. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An article for combining a plurality of signals into a combined signal, comprising:
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a plurality of equal length, radially-arranged conductors, wherein the conductors physically contact one another at a central axis and further wherein said plurality of conductors are disposed on a dielectric substrate and suspended within a plurality of cylindrical cavities, one conductor per cylindrical cavity; a plurality of input ports, wherein each input port is operable to receive one signal of the plurality of such signals and deliver it to one of the radially-arranged conductors; and an output port disposed at the central axis and operable to receive the combined signal formed at the central axis from the plurality of signals.
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Specification