Distributed RF amplifier with filtered dummy load

A distributed amplifier for amplifying AC signals over a range of frequencies, comprising:

• a plurality of amplifier sections 1 through N with each amplifier section having an input and an output;
• a plurality of N input transmission line sections connected in series, with inputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their inputs along the series of input transmission line sections;
• a plurality of N output transmission line sections connected in series, with outputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their outputs along the series of input transmission line sections;
• an output for driving a load at the Nth amplifier section;
• an input dummy load;
• and
• an input high-pass filter connecting the dummy load to the input of the Nth amplifier section that performs a high pass filtering function that passes frequencies greater than the range of frequencies, wherein the input transmission line sections have a cutoff frequency, and wherein the input high pass filter section has a cutoff frequency at least as great as the cutoff frequency of the input transmission line sections.

A distributed amplifier for amplifying AC signals over a range of frequencies, comprising:

• a plurality of amplifier sections 1 through N with each amplifier section having an input and an output;
• a plurality of N input transmission line sections connected in series, with inputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their inputs along the series of input transmission line sections;
• a plurality of N output transmission line sections connected in series, with outputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their outputs along the series of input transmission line sections;
• an output for driving a load at the Nth amplifier section;
• an output dummy load;
• and
• an output high-pass filter connecting the dummy load to the output of the first amplifier section, that performs a high pass filtering function that passes frequencies greater than the range of frequencies, wherein the output transmission line sections have a cutoff frequency, and wherein the output high pass filter has a cutoff frequency at least as great as the cutoff frequency of the output transmission line sections.

A distributed amplifier, comprising:

• a plurality of amplifier sections 1 through N with each amplifier section having an input and an output;
• a plurality of N input transmission line sections connected in series, with inputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their inputs along the series of input transmission line sections, wherein the input transmission line sections comprise at least one of a lumped element T section and a lumped element pi section;
• a plurality of N output transmission line sections connected in series, with outputs of the 1 through N amplifier sections being interconnected at their outputs along the series of input transmission line sections, wherein the output transmission line sections comprise at least one of a lumped element T section and a lumped element pi section;
• an output for driving a load at the Nth amplifier section;
• an input dummy load;
• an output dummy load;
• a lumped element half section output high-pass filter connecting the output dummy load to the output of the first amplifier section;
• and
• a lumped element half section input high-pass filter connecting the input dummy load to the input of the Nth amplifier section,
• wherein the output transmission line sections have a cutoff frequency, and wherein the high pass filter section has a cutoff frequency at least as high as the cutoff frequency of the output transmission line sections,
• and wherein the input transmission line sections have a cutoff frequency, and wherein the input high pass filter section has a cutoff frequency at least as high as the cutoff frequency of the input transmission line sections.