Divided Amplifier

An apparatus for processing a signal, the apparatus comprising:

• first amplification means for amplifying the signal;
• a first port interface comprising:
• a first transformer;
• second amplification means for amplifying the signal, the second amplification means coupled to the first transformer;
• and
• first activation means for activating the first port interface;
• a second port interface comprising:
• a second transformer;
• and
• second activation means for activating the second port interface;
• and
• matrix means for providing signal paths that couple the first port interface and the second port interface to the first amplification means.

A method for processing signals, the method comprising:

• accepting a first signal at a first transformer;
• routing the first signal from the first transformer to a second portion of an amplifier;
• engaging a first switch component that is coupled to at least one of the first transformer or the second portion of the amplifier;
• responsive to the engaging, amplifying, by the second portion of the amplifier, the first signal to produce a partially-amplified signal;
• routing the partially-amplified signal from the second portion of the amplifier, over a first signal path of a switch matrix, to a first portion of the amplifier;
• and
• amplifying, by the first portion of the amplifier, the partially-amplified signal to produce an amplified signal.

An apparatus for processing a signal, the apparatus comprising:

• multiple downlink pipes, each respective downlink pipe of the multiple downlink pipes respectively comprising a first portion of an amplifier;
• a first port interface comprising:
• a first transformer;
• a second portion of a respective amplifier of a downlink pipe of the multiple downlink pipes, the second portion of the respective amplifier coupled to the first transformer;
• a first switch component coupled to the second portion of the respective amplifier;
• another second portion of another respective amplifier of another downlink pipe of the multiple downlink pipes, the other second portion of the other respective amplifier coupled to the first transformer;
• and
• another first switch component coupled to the other second portion of the other respective amplifier;
• and
• a switch matrix, the switch matrix coupling:
• the second portion of the respective amplifier to the first portion of the respective amplifier of the downlink pipe of the multiple downlink pipes;
• and
• the other second portion of the other respective amplifier to the first portion of the other respective amplifier of the other downlink pipe of the multiple downlink pipes.