6. N-type direct coupling – 1

The main function of the coupling system is to sum the output powers of the amplifier blocks that make up the active elements of the transmitters. As shown in figure 24 , it also enables each amplifier block to be switched either to the coupling or to a test load. It also adapts block impedances to different configurations.

The advantage of the N – 1 type structure is that it enables continued operation when an amplifier block fails. Transmission then continues on the remaining N – 1 blocks, while allowing maintenance operations on the faulty block. By reconfiguring the coupling, the reduction in transmitted power is limited to the capacity of just one of the blocks.

Since solid-state transmitters are very stable in phase from one block to another,...