Radial power combiner having plural input sources and including sensor feedback for detecting failure of input sources and a computer for notifying a user of the failure

Abstract

Power combiners and associated computer-implemented methods and computer program products are provided. An example power combiner includes a plurality of power input structures each of which defines a waveguide that receives a respective electromagnetic radiation input from a respective power source and a central combining conduit. The central combining conduit receives the respective electromagnetic radiation inputs communicated via respective power input structures and combines the respective electromagnetic radiation inputs into a combined power signal for output via an output port communicably coupled with the central combining conduit. The power combiner may also include one or more sensors operably coupled with the plurality of power input structures and configured to generate operating data indicative of one or more operating parameters of the power combiner and a computing device operably coupled with the one or more sensors and configured to, in response to the operating data generated by the one or more sensors, control operation of the power combiner.