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Operations Manual, HPA2, Compact Outdoor SSPA
Figure 10-2: 1:1 Fixed Phase Combined System with FPRC-1100 controller
A technique has been developed which accomplishes phase combining and provides
redundancy with two waveguide transfer switches. A block diagram of such a system is
shown in
Figure 10-2
.
This type of system is sometimes referred to as a “Fixed Phase” combined system to
differentiate it from the Variable Phase Combiner (VPC) systems commonly used with
TWTAs. In the 1:1 Fixed Phase Combined system, the waveguide switches allow the
amplifier outputs to either be directed into the combiner or bypass the combiner and connect
directly to the RF output.
Teledyne Paradise Datacom has developed a series of controllers that greatly enhances the
operation of the phase combined system. The FPRC-1100 Phase Combined System
Controller is designed specifically to control 1 for 1 Fixed Phase Combined redundant
amplifier systems. The FPRC-1200 Phase Combined System Controller allows remote control
of 1 for 2 Fixed Phase Combined redundant amplifier systems.
Each controller can be used in either manual or automatic mode to monitor the system
amplifiers for faults and operate the transfer switches. The controller has a very user friendly
interface that allows the operator to monitor the composite output power of the system and
adjust the gain of the amplifiers in 0.1 dB increments over a 20 dB range. The controller
adjusts each amplifier in the system and keeps the amplitude of each balanced for optimal
power combining. To the operator, the system appears as a single amplifier. The operator
can choose between using the system as a phase combined system or a traditional
redundant system.
