Channel combiner supporting simultaneous multi-channel operation
Embodiments include different multi-port ring combiners which are configured to act as multi-output signal routers. One type of multi-port ring combiner includes input ports that are driven by pairs of outphasing signals. The multi-port ring combiner also includes multiple channels that are independently routed to a first output, to a second output, or to a third output, according to a phase relationship of the multi-port ring combiner. The multi-port ring combiner enables an outphasing signal combination which provides output port selection. The multi-port ring combiner may be a 4-port ring combiner, a 5-port ring combiner or a 6-port ring combiner.
1. A system for routing signals, the system comprising:
a 5-port ring combiner, comprising:
three input ports;
two output ports; and
a plurality of electrical length sections connecting the three input ports to the two output ports;
a plurality of outphasing signal generators, with a different signal generator coupled to each of the three input ports of the 5-port ring combiner;
wherein, with any two inputs directly adjacent to an output port, an in-phase outphasing signal combination from the outphasing signal generators routes signal energy to the directly adjacent output port, while the other output port is prevented from receiving signal energy.
2. The system for routing signals of claim 1 , wherein the 5-port ring combiner includes three input ports with two electrical length sections between each input port.
3. The system for routing signals of claim 1 , further comprising antenna outputs coupled to the two output ports.
4. The system for routing signals of claim 1 , wherein at least one output port is prevented from receiving signal energy due to receiving 180-degree out-of-phase cancelled waveforms.
5. The system for routing signals of claim 1 , wherein the six electrical length sections connecting the three input ports to the two output ports comprise 90-degree electrical length sections.
6. The system for routing signals of claim 1 , further comprising filter outputs coupled to the two output ports.
7. A 6-port ring combiner configured to act as a 3-output signal router, comprising:
three or more input ports, any two of which form independent outphasing input pairs;
a plurality of channels that are independently routed to a first output or to a second output or to a third output, according to a ring combiner phase relationship; and
six 90-degree electrical length sections that connect the input and output ports,
wherein the 6-port ring combiner enables an outphasing signal combination which allows output port selection.
8. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein three input ports are spaced apart by two 90-degree electrical length sections, and wherein three output ports are spaced apart by two 90-degree electrical length sections.
9. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of channels are independently routed to a combination of the first output, the second output and the third output, according to the ring combiner phase relationship.
10. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein a minimum of 20 dB signal isolation exists between at least two of the first output, the second output and the third output.
11. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein enabling the outphasing signal combination allows selection of antennas having specific directional gain characteristics.
12. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein enabling the outphasing signal combination allows selection of antennas having specific frequency characteristics.
13. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 7 , wherein the 6-port ring combiner is configured to receive and multiplex a signal according to a specified multiplexing scheme.
14. The 6-port ring combiner of claim 13 , wherein the 6-port ring combiner is further configured to output the received, multiplexed signal to at least one antenna.