Thomcast Communications, Inc.

Thales Broadcast & Multimedia, Inc.

Carl Ungvarsky

Paulo Correa

Clifford Harris

A controller-based radio frequency amplifier method and module are employed in a modular transmission system in which respective of the controller-based radio frequency amplifier modules amplify a portion of a signal that is input into the system. Each amplifier module includes an amplifier submodule have a plurality of discrete amplifiers arranged in an amplifier chain, a processor submodule is configured to control a level of the amplified output signal that is output from each amplifier module, a power supply module, and an enclosure. The processor submodule is configured to control the discrete amplifiers in the amplifier submodule such that the module may be removed or added to the system without damaging the power amplifier module or other system components.

Controller-based radio frequency amplifier module and method

A computer program product is configured to control a modular transmission system having a control processor and at least N power amplifier modules, each having a controller submodule, wherein the system receives an input signal which may be a single carrier or multiple carriers. The signal is passed to a one-by-N divider which divides the signal N ways. Each of the N divided signals are independently amplified by the power amplifier (PA) modules 'slices' (i.e., PA modules) that includes an RF amplifier module, a microcontroller module, and a power supply module, all of which are tightly coupled via a plurality of signal, power, control, and status connections. Each the PA slices amplifies its respective input signal and outputs a respective radio frequency output signal at a predetermined power level as controlled by the microcontrol module, the driver, and the system controller, or a network manager via a system input/output interface. The output coupler provides power coupling and status monitoring via feedback lines to support control at a module-level, a system-level, and a network-level.

Computer program product configured to control modular transmission

A modular broadband transmission system and method include an input signal connector that receives an input signal which is then divided into N parts and amplified with an amplifier have N power amplifier modules. Outputs of the N power amplifier modules are passed through transmission lines and to a radial combiner that combines the outputs. The radial combiner, transmission lines and power amplifier modules are configured such that if one of the power amplifier modules fails, the other power amplifier modules may still operate acceptable well, with minimal impact on total output power. An output of the amplifier is provided to a coupler that measures a power level of the output signal and feeds the measured power level back to a controller where the controller adjust an overall output power based on the number of the power amplifier modules that are functioning properly. Each of the power amplifier modules have a processor such that respective of the power amplifier modules may be taken off-line, and replaced while the other power amplifier modules continue to operate in a transmit mode of operation. The modular broadband transmission system and method may conveniently be used as either a broadband booster for amplifying a plurality of input signals, or a head and transmitter configured to amplify one or more different input signals.

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Mountain Top, PA, United States of America

Carl Ungvarsky