Amplifier control system
A method, system and apparatus provide operation of an RF amplifier at a power level responsive to detected or expected conditions such as weather attenuation.
1. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and a plurality of active amplification elements, the method comprising:
determining a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
combining individual output signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to provide the output signal,
wherein the determining includes:
receiving at the ground station a transmitted beacon signal having a predetermined transmitted signal level from a satellite;
measuring at the ground station a signal level of the received beacon signal; and
periodically calculating a difference between the predetermined transmitted signal level and the measured signal level, and based upon the calculation determining a number of active amplification elements to be used.
2. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and a plurality of active amplification elements, the method comprising:
determining a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
combining individual output signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to provide the output signal,
wherein the determining includes:
periodically measuring a temperature at the SSPA;
comparing the measured temperature against a predetermined value; and
reducing the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used in response to a measured temperature in excess of the predetermined value.
3. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and a plurality of active amplification elements, the method comprising:
determining a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
combining individual output signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to provide the output signal,
wherein the determining includes:
periodically measuring a standing wave ratio on a transmission line coupled to the SSPA;
comparing the measured standing wave ratio against a predetermined value; and
reducing the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used in response to a measured standing wave ratio in excess of the predetermined value.
4. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
a plurality of active amplification elements;
determination circuitry configured to determine a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing circuitry configured to route the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
output circuitry configured to combine signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
receive at the ground station a transmitted beacon signal having a predetermined transmitted signal level from a satellite;
measure at the ground station a signal level of the received beacon signal; and
periodically calculate a difference between the predetermined transmitted signal level and the measured signal level, and based upon the calculation determine a number of active amplification elements to be used.
5. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
a plurality of active amplification elements;
determination circuitry configured to determine a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing circuitry configured to route the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
output circuitry configured to combine signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
periodically measure a temperature at the SSPA;
compare the measured temperature against a predetermined value; and
reduce the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used in response to a measured temperature in excess of the predetermined value.
6. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
a plurality of active amplification elements;
determination circuitry configured to determine a number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used;
routing circuitry configured to route the input signal to the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements; and
output circuitry configured to combine signals from the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
periodically measure a standing wave ratio on a transmission line coupled to the SSPA;
compare a measured standing wave ratio against a predetermined value; and
reducing the determined number of the plurality of active amplification elements to be used in response to a measured standing wave ratio in excess of the predetermined value.
7. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds, the method comprising:
determining a Vds to be used;
providing Vds to the at least one active amplification element; and
directing the output signal from the at least one active amplification element to the output,
wherein the determining includes:
receiving at the ground station a transmitted beacon signal having a predetermined transmitted signal level from a satellite;
measuring at the ground station a signal level of the received beacon signal; and
periodically calculating a difference between the predetermined transmitted signal level and the measured signal level, and based upon the calculation determining the Vds to be used.
8. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds, the method comprising:
determining a Vds to be used;
providing Vds to the at least one active amplification element; and
directing the output signal from the at least one active amplification element to the output,
wherein the determining includes:
periodically measuring a temperature at the SSPA;
comparing the measured temperature against a predetermined value; and
reducing the Vds to be used in response to a measured temperature in excess of the predetermined value.
9. A method for operating a solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) at a satellite ground station, the SSPA having an input for receiving an input signal, an output for providing an output signal, and at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds, the method comprising:
determining a Vds to be used;
providing Vds to the at least one active amplification element; and
directing the output signal from the at least one active amplification element to the output,
wherein the determining includes:
periodically measuring a standing wave ratio on a transmission line coupled to the SSPA;
comparing the measured standing wave ratio against a predetermined value; and
reducing the Vds to be used in response to a measured standing wave ratio in excess of the predetermined value.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a plurality of amplification elements.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a GaN FET.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a plurality of amplification elements.
13. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds;
determination circuitry configured to determine and set a Vds to be used;
routing circuitry configured to supply the input signal to the at least one active amplification element; and
output circuitry configured to direct a signal from the at least one active amplification element into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
receive at the ground station a transmitted beacon signal having a predetermined transmitted signal level from a satellite;
measure at the ground station a signal level of the received beacon signal; and
periodically calculate a difference between the predetermined transmitted signal level and the measured signal level, and based upon the calculation determine the Vds to be used.
14. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds;
determination circuitry configured to determine and set a Vds to be used;
routing circuitry configured to supply the input signal to the at least one active amplification element; and
output circuitry configured to direct a signal from the at least one active amplification element into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
periodically measure a temperature at the SSPA;
compare the measured temperature against a predetermined value; and
reduce the Vds to be used in response to a measured temperature in excess of the predetermined value.
15. A solid-state RF power amplifier (SSPA) for use at a satellite ground station, the SSPA comprising:
an input for receiving an input signal;
an output for providing an output signal;
at least one active amplification element powered by a power supply providing a drain bias voltage Vds;
determination circuitry configured to determine and set a Vds to be used;
routing circuitry configured to supply the input signal to the at least one active amplification element; and
output circuitry configured to direct a signal from the at least one active amplification element into the output signal,
wherein the determination circuitry is configured to:
periodically measure a standing wave ratio on a transmission line coupled to the SSPA;
compare a measured standing wave ratio against a predetermined value; and
reduce the Vds to be used in response to a measured standing wave ratio in excess of the predetermined value.
16. The amplifier of claim 13 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a plurality of amplification elements.
17. The amplifier of claim 13 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a GaN FET.
18. The amplifier of claim 17 , wherein the at least one amplification element comprises a plurality of amplification elements.