Multiple RF signal amplification method and apparatus

A radio frequency transmitting system comprising:

• (a) a plurality of radio frequency amplifiers each having amplifier input and amplifier output circuits;
• (b) combining means for combining said amplifier output circuits to a signal transmitter output circuit;
• (c) a plurality of exciter means, each having an exciter output circuit for carrying radio frequency signals;
• and
• (d) circuit mean for selectively connecting said exciter output circuits to said amplifier input circuits so that individual signals on said exciter output circuits are applied to said amplifier input circuits exclusive of signals on other exciter output circuits connected to other amplifier input circuits, and in combination with a signal on no more than one other said exciter output circuit when there are more said exciter means than said amplifiers.

A ratio frequency transmitter comprising:

• (a) a first plurality of radio frequency power amplifier circuits;
• (b) signal connection means adapted to receive a second plurality of separate ratio frequency signals no greater in number than twice said first plurality for selectively applying said second plurality of radio frequency signals to said first plurality of power amplifier circuits in a manner so that no more than two signals are applied to any one of said power amplifier circuits;
• (c) intermodulator reduction transformer mans for reducing intermodulation effects resulting from applying more than one radio frequency signal to one said power amplifier;
• and
• (d) coupling means adapted to be connected to an antenna for receiving output signals from said first plurality of power amplifier circuits and for using said transformer means to combine said output signals.

A wideband communication system for combining a plurality of information signals to be transmitted by a transmitting antenna comprising:

• (a) a plurality of exciter means for modulating each of said information signals on a separate carrier frequency;
• (b) a plurality of wideband amplifier means, each for amplifying one or more of said modulated information signals;
• (c) distribution means for providing said modulated information signals to said wideband amplifier means, said distribution means comprising plural hybrid matrix means, each of steering phase-shifted portions of one or more of said modulated information signals to one of said amplifier means, each hybrid matrix means comprising;
• (i) plural input means, each for receiving one portion of one or more of said modulated information signals;
• (ii) plural output means, each for providing one portion of one or more of said modulated information signals to one of said amplifier means;
• and
• (iii) plural transformer means adapted for shifting the phase of each said portion so that any one said portion may be in phase or 180.degree. out of phase with any other said portion, responsively to the selection of said input means and said output means for each said portion;
• and
• (d) combining means for combining said amplified modulated information signals to form a combined signal and for providing said combined signal without filtration and further amplification to said transmitting antenna.

A wideband communication system for combining a first plurality of information signals to be transmitted by transmitting antenna comprising:

• (a) a first plurality of exciter means for modulating each of said information signals on a separate carrier radio frequency that may vary with time;
• (b) a second plurality of wideband amplifier means, each for amplifying one or more of said modulated information signals;
• (c) distribution means for providing said modulated information signals to said wideband amplifier means,
• said distribution means comprising means for providing no more than one of said modulated information signals to each of said wideband amplifier means when the first plurality of information signals is less than or equal to the second plurality of wideband amplifier means,
• said distribution means further comprising means for providing two of said modulated information signals to at least one of said wideband amplifier means and providing only one of said modulated information signals to each of the other said wideband amplifier means when the first plurality of information signals exceeds the second plurality of wideband amplifier means;
• and
• (d) combining means for combining said amplifier modulated information signals to form a combined signal and for providing said combined signal without filtration and further amplification to said transmitting antenna.

An amplifier circuit for a radio transmitting system having plural exciter means comprising:

• (a) a plurality of radio frequency amplifiers, each having amplifier input and amplifier output circuits;
• (b) circuit means for selectively connecting said exciter means to said amplifier input circuits so that individual signals from said exciter means are applied to said amplifier input circuits exclusive of signals from other said exciter means connected to other said amplifier input circuits, and in combination with a signal from no more than one other said exciter means when there are more said exciter means than said radio frequency amplifiers, said circuit means comprising,
• plural hybrid matrix means, each for steering phase-shifted portions of one or more said signals from said exciter means to one of said amplifier input circuits;
• and
• (c) combining means for combining said amplifier output circuits without filtration and further amplification to a signal transmitter output circuit.

A power bank amplifier for a radio transmitting system having a first plurality of exciter means comprising:

• (a) a second plurality of radio frequency power amplifiers no fewer in number than one half said first plurality of exciter means;
• (b) distribution means adapted to receive a first plurality of separate radio frequency signals from said exciter means for selectively applying said first plurality of radio frequency signals to said second plurality of power amplifiers in a manner so that no more than two said signals are applied to any one of said power amplifiers.
• (c) intermodulation reduction transformer means for reducing intermodulation effects resulting from applying more than one of said radio frequency signals to one said power amplifier;
• and
• (d) combining means operatively connected to an antenna without filtration and further amplification for receiving output signals from said second plurality of power amplifiers and for using said transformer means to combine said output signals.