Outphased Spatial Combiner

A method of spatially combining signals, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of RF input signals at a plurality of RF input connectors, wherein at least one of the RF input signals is a variable envelope signal;
• converting the at least one variable envelope signal into two or more constant envelope outphased signals;
• amplifying the two or more outphased constant envelope signals;
• radiating the amplified outphased constant envelope signals;
• receiving a one or more constant envelope RF input signals at one or more RF input connectors;
• amplifying the one or more constant envelope RF input signals;
• radiating the amplified one or more constant envelope RF input signals;
• at a spatial combiner aperture, spatially combining the radiated amplified outphased constant envelope signals and one or more constant envelope RF input signals to create a combined signal;
• and
• outputting the combined signal onto an output RF connector.

A method of manufacturing a spatial combiner device, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of RF input connectors configured to receive input signals;
• coupling constant envelope circuitry to one or more of the RF input connectors, wherein the constant envelope circuitry is configured to convert a variable envelope signal into two or more constant envelope signals, but wherein at least one of the RF input connectors is not coupled to the constant envelope circuitry;
• coupling a plurality of power amplifier circuits to the plurality of RF input connectors, wherein each of the power amplifier circuits in the plurality of power amplifier circuits is coupled to one of the input connectors in the plurality of RF input connectors;
• coupling a plurality of spatial radiators to the plurality of power amplifier circuits, wherein each of the spatial radiators in the plurality of spatial radiators is coupled to one of the power amplifier circuits in the plurality of power amplifier circuits;
• providing a spatial combiner aperture, wherein each of the spatial radiators can be spatially coupled to the spatial combiner aperture such that each of the spatial radiators is configured to emit signals that can be received by the spatial combiner aperture, such that the spatial combiner aperture is configured to combine constant envelope signals derived from constant envelope signals input into one or more of the RF input connectors and constant envelope signals derived from variable envelope signals input into the constant envelope circuitry;
• and
• coupling an output RF connector to the spatial combiner aperture, the output RF connector configured to provide an output signal, wherein the output signal comprises a combined signal comprising a combination of amplified signals.