Power-shifting rf amplifiers

A method for selectively proportioning rf power to a plurality of rf outputs which comprises:

• a) series connecting a plurality of solid-state amplifying devices between a dc source-voltage and a lower dc voltage;
• b) splitting an rf input signal into a plurality of split rf signals;
• c) separately power amplifying said split rf signals in said series-connected solid-state amplifying devices into a plurality of rf outputs;
• d) selectively proportioning gains of said separate power amplifying steps to be different, one from an other;
• and
• e) maintaining a total rf power substantially constant during said selective proportioning step.

A method for selectively proportioning rf power to a plurality of antennas on an airplane, which method comprises:

• a) splitting a single rf signal into a plurality of split rf signals;
• b) separately power amplifying said split rf signals into a plurality of rf outputs;
• c) separately connecting said rf power outputs to respective ones of said antennas;
• d) selectively proportioning gains of said separate power amplifying steps to be different, one from another;
• and
• e) maintaining rf power substantially constant during said selective proportioning step.

A method for selectively proportioning rf power among an array of antennas, which method comprises:

• a) splitting a single rf signal into a plurality of split rf signals;
• b) separately power amplifying said split rf signals into a plurality of rf power outputs;
• c) separately connecting said rf outputs to said antennas;
• d) selectively proportioning gains of said separate power amplifying steps to be different, one from an other;
• and
• e) maintaining said rf power substantially constant during said selective proportioning step.

A method which comprises:

• a) series connecting a plurality of solid-state amplifying devices between a dc source-voltage and a lower dc voltage;
• b) separately power amplifying a plurality of rf signals in respective ones of said solid-state amplifying devices;
• and
• c) said power amplifying step comprises utilizing any selected percentage, of a difference between said dc source-voltage and said lower dc voltage, in any selected one of said solid-state amplifying devices.

A method which comprises:

• a) series connecting a plurality of solid-state amplifying devices between a dc source-voltage and a lower dc voltage;
• b) separately power amplifying a plurality of rf signals in respective ones of said solid-state amplifying devices at a selected operating frequency;
• c) said power amplifying step comprises utilizing any selected percentage, of a difference between said dc source-voltage and said lower dc voltage, in any selected one of said solid-state amplifying devices;
• d) rf decoupling an adjacent pair of said series-connected solid-state amplifying devices;
• e) said rf decoupling step comprises providing a capacitance between said adjacent pair of series-connected solid-state amplifying devices and an electrical ground;
• and
• f) said providing step comprises making an rf effective series resistance of said capacitance lower than any porcelain capacitor that operates at said selected operating frequency.

A method which comprises:

• a) series connecting upper and lower solid-state amplifying devices between a dc source-voltage and a lower dc voltage;
• b) said series-connecting step comprises connecting a lower-voltage terminal of said upper solid-state amplifying device to an rf choke, and connecting said rf choke to a higher-voltage terminal of said lower solid-state amplifying device;
• c) separately power amplifying a pair of rf signals in respective ones of said solid-state amplifying devices at a selected operating frequency;
• d) said power amplifying step comprises utilizing any selected percentage, of a difference between said dc source-voltage and said lower dc voltage, in any selected one of said solid-state amplifying devices;
• e) rf decoupling said solid-state amplifying devices;
• and
• f) said rf decoupling step comprises providing a capacitance between said lower-voltage terminal and an electrical ground whose rf effective series resistance is lower than any porcelain capacitor at said selected operating frequency.

A method which comprises:

• a) series connecting upper and lower solid-state amplifying devices between a dc source-voltage and a lower dc voltage;
• b) said series-connecting step comprises connecting a lower-voltage terminal of said upper solid-state amplifying device to an rf choke, and connecting said rf choke to a higher-voltage terminal of said lower solid-state amplifying device;
• c) separately power amplifying a pair of rf signals in respective ones of said solid-state amplifying devices at a selected operating frequency;
• and
• d) said power amplifying step comprises utilizing any selected percentage, of a difference between said dc source-voltage and said lower dc voltage, in any selected one of said solid-state amplifying devices.