Power combining efficiency and its optimisation

The power combining efficiency of an n-way power combiner is calculated in terms of the scattering matrix of the combiner network, and the factors affecting it are identified. The maximum value of the combining efficiency is then deduced, for a given power combiner with known network parameters, under various sets of constraints on the amplitudes and phases of the signals being combined. In each case, the signal conditions needed to achieve the maximum efficiency are determined. >