A hybrid-circuit tile-approach architecture for high-power spatial power-combined transmitters

Abstract

A new architecture for spatial power combining is presented. This design addresses the issues of high reliability/thermal management, maximizing combining efficiency, and maximizing graceful degradation. The design has been tested with the construction of a brassboard 4-by-4 subarray at 10 GHz. The measured results show an EIRP of 25.0 dBW (315 W), output power greater than 4 W, and a DC-to-RF conversion efficiency greater than 18%. The spatial power-combined transmitter described in this paper is designed to feed a reflector antenna.<>