Systems and methods for differential dipole-based waveguide power combining
A power combiner system for use in a single-mode waveguide includes an input waveguide, an output waveguide, at least one power amplifier module that includes a plurality of amplifiers, and at least one input dipole antenna extending into the input waveguide. Each input dipole antenna includes two input dipole antenna arms, and each input dipole antenna arm is coupled to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers. The system further includes at least one output dipole antenna extending into the output waveguide. Each output dipole antenna includes two output dipole antenna arms, and each output dipole antenna arm is coupled to an output of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers. Each power amplifier module is disposed in a plane that runs parallel with the direction of propagation.
1. A power combiner system for propagating wave signals in a waveguide comprising:
an input waveguide;
an output waveguide;
at least one power amplifier module comprising:
a plurality of amplifiers;
at least one input dipole antenna extending into the input waveguide, each input dipole antenna including two input dipole antenna arms, and
at least one output dipole antenna extending into the output waveguide, each output dipole antenna including two output dipole antenna arms; and
wherein each of the at least one power amplifier module is disposed in a plane that runs parallel with a direction of propagation.
2. The power combiner system of claim 1 , wherein each of the two input dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers.
3. The power combiner system of claim 1 , wherein each of the two output dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an output of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers.
4. The power combiner system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input dipole antenna of the at least one power amplifier module is configured to detect a wave signal, wherein the at least one input dipole antenna is further configured to differentially drive a pair of active amplifiers of the plurality of amplifiers.
5. The power combiner system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one power amplifier module combines power output to propagate the wave signals.
6. The power combiner system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of amplifiers comprises a plurality of differentially driven amplifiers.
7. The power combiner system of claim 1 , further comprising a phase shifter disposed between one of the plurality of amplifiers and the at least one input dipole antenna or between one of the plurality of amplifiers and the at least one output dipole antenna.
8. The power combiner system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input dipole antenna and the at least one output dipole antenna are configured to be printed on one side of a printed circuit substrate.
9. The power combiner system of claim 8 , wherein another side of the printed circuit substrate includes a design pattern for enhancing radiating the wave signals.
10. A power combiner system for propagating wave signals in a waveguide comprising:
an input waveguide;
an output waveguide;
a first power amplifier module comprising:
a plurality of first amplifiers;
at least one first input dipole antenna extending into the input waveguide, and
at least one first output dipole antenna extending into the output waveguide;
a second power amplifier module comprising:
a plurality of second amplifiers;
at least one second input dipole antenna extending into the input waveguide, and
at least one second output dipole antenna extending into the output waveguide; and
wherein the first power amplifier module and the second power amplifier module are configured to be disposed in a plane that runs parallel with a direction of power propagation.
11. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of first amplifiers is configured to be disposed among the plurality of second amplifiers as a function of one or more attributes, wherein the attributes include at least one of the following: positions of the plurality of amplifiers, relative strength of the plurality of amplifiers, a desired amplitude balance of the wave signals, and a desired strength of the wave signals.
12. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one first input dipole antenna comprises two input dipole antenna arms, and each of the at least one first output dipole antenna comprises two output dipole antenna arms.
13. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein each of the two input dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of first amplifiers, and wherein each of the two output dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an output of a corresponding one of the plurality of first amplifiers.
14. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one second input dipole antenna comprises two input dipole antenna arms, and each of the at least one second output dipole antenna comprises two output dipole antenna arms.
15. The power combiner system of claim 14 , wherein each of the two input dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of second amplifiers, and wherein each of the two output dipole antenna arms is configured to couple to an output of a corresponding one of the plurality of second amplifiers.
16. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one first input dipole antenna is configured to detect a wave signal, wherein the at least one first input dipole antenna is further configured to differentially drive a pair of active amplifiers of the plurality of first amplifiers.
17. The power combiner system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one second input dipole antenna is configured to detect the wave signal, wherein the at least one second input dipole antenna is further configured to differentially drive a pair of active amplifiers of the plurality of second amplifiers.
18. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of first amplifiers or the plurality of second amplifiers comprise a plurality of differentially driven amplifiers.
19. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein at least one property of the first power amplifier module differs from at least one property of the second power amplifier module in order to equalize an amplitude or a phase balance between the first power amplifier module and the second power amplitude module, wherein the at least one property includes at least one of the following: size of the at least one first input dipole antenna, shape of the at least one first input dipole antenna, position of the at least one first input dipole antenna, size of the at least one first output dipole antenna, shape of the at least one first output dipole antenna, position of the at least one first output dipole antenna, material construction of the first power amplifier module, or size of the plurality of first amplifiers.
20. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein the first power amplifier module or the second power amplifier module is constructed on a substrate of an integrated circuit chip.
21. The power combiner system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one first input dipole antenna and the at least one first output dipole antenna are configured to be printed on one side of a first printed circuit substrate; and the at least one second input dipole antenna and the at least one second output dipole antenna are configured to be printed on one side of a second printed circuit substrate.
22. The power combiner system of claim 21 , wherein another side of the first printed circuit substrate or another side of the second printed circuit substrate includes a design pattern for enhancing radiating the wave signals.