Transmitter with replaceable power amplifier

#The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and particularly to broadband transmitters having replaceable power amplifiers.

#Communication transmitters typically comprise an up-converter for converting the transmitted signal to a suitable Radio Frequency (RF), followed by a Power Amplifier (PA) for amplifying the RF signal before it is fed to a transmit antenna. In some communication systems, such as in microwave communication links, the up-converter and PA are installed in an Outdoor Unit (ODU) that includes, or is adjacent to, the transmit antenna.

#An embodiment of the present invention provides a transmitter, including:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an Outdoor Unit (ODU) of a microwave communication link, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a broadband up-converter and down-converter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a mechanical configuration of an ODU, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

#In various communication applications, a transmitter is assigned to operate in a particular frequency sub-band that is selected from a certain, generally broader, frequency range. For example, an operator of microwave communication links may be allocated a spectrum of several tens or hundreds of MHZ within the 6-40 GHz range. Often, however, some transmitter components (e.g., power amplifiers and diplexers) are inherently narrowband and cannot cover the entire broadband frequency range.

#Thus, a supplier of transmitters usually cannot produce and stock a single transmitter version that will fit any desired sub-band. Instead, transmitters that are assigned to operate in a given sub-band are typically constructed to order, with components that suit this sub-band. As a result, the number of different versions (“flavors”) of components, assemblies and/or complete transmitters is often very large. Clearly, handling a large number of different product versions is cumbersome, and increases the cost and complexity of transmitter manufacturing and handling.

#Embodiments of the present invention that are described herein provide improved transmitter designs, and methods for assembling such transmitters, which significantly reduce the number of hardware versions needed to cover a given frequency range. In the embodiments that are described herein the transmitter is part of an Outdoor Unit (ODU) of a microwave communication link. Alternatively, however, the methods and systems described herein can be used in various other kinds of communication systems.