High efficiency bi-directional spatial power combiner amplifier

An apparatus for amplifying radiated millimeter wavelength signals, said apparatus comprising:

• a horn for guiding a radiated millimeter wavelength signal, said horn having a first end and a second end;
• a first antenna array supported at said second end of said horn, said antenna array comprising a first plurality of antenna elements for receiving said radiated millimeter wavelength signal transmitted through said horn;
• a plurality of amplifiers, each connected to a corresponding one of said antenna elements for amplifying said received signal to produce an amplified millimeter wavelength signal;
• a second antenna array supported at said second end of said horn, said antenna array comprising a second plurality of antenna elements, each connected to a corresponding one of said amplifiers, for radiating said amplified millimeter wavelength signal through said horn, wherein said second antenna array is directed in the same direction as said first antenna array.

An apparatus for amplifying a millimeter wavelength electromagnetic signal, the apparatus comprising:

• an ortho-mode transducer having an input port for receiving a vertically polarized radiated millimeter wavelength electromagnetic signal;
• a horn having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said horn is connected to said ortho-mode transducer for guiding said vertically polarized signal;
• a first plurality of parasitically excited antenna elements spaced across said second end of said horn;
• a second plurality of active antenna elements spaced across said second end of said horn for receiving said vertically polarized signal after said signal passes through said parasitically excited antenna elements;
• a plurality of electronic power amplifiers, each connected to a corresponding one of said second plurality of antenna elements, for amplifying said received signal to produce an amplified signal;
• a third plurality of active antenna elements, each connected to a corresponding one of said amplifiers, for radiating said amplified signal, wherein:
• said third plurality of antenna elements radiates said amplified signal with a horizontal polarization;
• said third plurality of antenna elements radiates said horizontally polarized amplified signal through said horn toward said ortho-mode transducer;
• and
• wherein said transducer includes an output port for outputting said horizontally polarized amplified signal.

A method of amplifying a millimeter wavelength signal comprising:

• guiding a radiated millimeter wavelength electromagnetic signal having a first polarization through a waveguide horn from a first end of said horn to a second end of said horn;
• receiving said signal with an array of antenna elements at said second end of said horn;
• electronically amplifying said received signal to produce an amplified signal;
• radiating said amplified signal with a second polarization into said horn;
• and
• guiding said amplified signal through said horn from said second end of said horn to said first end of said horn.