Method of operating an n-way power combiner network and an n-way power combiner network

Abstract

Method of operating a power combiner network (), the power combiner network () comprising a power combiner device () having N secondary ports ((, N)) combining into one primary port (), wherein respective N secondary port ((, . . . , N)) is provided with a phase shifter arrangement () and a load control arrangement (). Respective phase shifter arrangement () is configured to set a phase of a signal fed through respective N secondary port ((, . . . , N)). Respective load control arrangement () is configured to set the N secondary ports ((, . . . , N)) in an active or in an inactive operation mode. For I inactive secondary ports (()) the load control arrangement () is further configured to set a phase of the signal reflected from the I inactive secondary ports (()). The method comprises the method steps of; step A (), selecting which of the N secondary ports ((, . . . , N)) that should be set in an inactive operation mode and which of the N secondary ports ((, . . . , N)) that should be set in an active operation mode, step B (), setting selected I inactive secondary ports (()) in an inactive operation mode by means of the load control arrangement (), step C (), retrieving a phase required for respective I inactive secondary port (()) and retrieving a phase required for respective A active secondary port (()) in order for respective A active secondary port (()) to minimize the reflected signal from the power combiner device () and provide desired power to the primary port (), step D (), setting respective load control arrangement () for respective I inactive secondary port (()) according to respective retrieved phase, and step E (), setting respective phase shifter arrangement () for respective A active secondary port (()) according to respective retrieved phase.