Spatial power-combining devices with amplifier connectors

• US 10,164,667 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2018
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc. (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc. (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kitt, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Pablo
• Application Number:
  US15/927,565
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/026 between coaxial lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/12 Coupling devices having more than two ports H01P5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/48 Earthing means; Earth screens; Counterpoises
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/451 the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/213 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits

Abstract

Spatial power-combining devices having amplifier connectors are disclosed. A spatial power-combining device structure includes a plate including a first face, a second face that opposes the first face, an exterior surface between the first face and the second face, and a plurality of amplifier connectors accessible at the exterior surface. A waveguide assembly is coupled to the plate at the first face, the waveguide assembly including an inner housing including a plurality of antenna signal conductors and an outer housing including a plurality of antenna ground conductors. A coaxial waveguide section is coupled to the waveguide assembly. The plurality of amplifier connectors may be radially arranged in the plate. A plurality of amplifier modules are on the exterior surface and coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of amplifier connectors.

Claims

1. A spatial power-combining device structure comprising:

a plate comprising;

a first face;

a second face that opposes the first face;

an exterior surface between the first face and the second face; and

a plurality of amplifier connectors accessible at the exterior surface;

an output center waveguide section coupled to the plate at the first face, the output center waveguide section comprising;

an output inner housing comprising a plurality of output antenna signal conductors; and

an output outer housing comprising a plurality of output antenna ground conductors; and

an output coaxial waveguide section coupled to the output center waveguide section.

2. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of amplifier connectors are radially arranged in the plate.

3. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of amplifier modules on the exterior surface and coupled to corresponding amplifier connectors of the plurality of amplifier connectors.

4. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 3 wherein each amplifier module of the plurality of amplifier modules comprises a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) amplifier.

5. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 wherein each output antenna signal conductor of the plurality of output antenna signal conductors comprises an output signal connector that is electrically coupled to a corresponding amplifier connector of the plurality of amplifier connectors.

6. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 5 wherein the output signal connector is electrically coupled to the corresponding amplifier connector at an interior surface of the plate.

7. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 wherein the output center waveguide section and the output coaxial waveguide section are configured to concurrently receive amplified signals from the plurality of amplifier connectors.

8. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of output antenna signal conductors are separated from the plurality of output antenna ground conductors by air.

9. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of output antenna signal conductors are radially alternated with the plurality of output antenna ground conductors.

10. The spatial power-combining device structure of claim 9 wherein the plurality of output antenna signal conductors are radially alternated with the plurality of output antenna ground conductors by equal distances.