Patent ID: 6301225
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: H03F,H04B

Abstract:
Communication apparatus comprising:an input multiplexer for receiving multiplexed input signals at an input and for outputting a plurality of individual signals at different frequencies at a plurality of outputs thereof;an output multiplexer having a plurality of inputs and an output;a first plurality of selectively interconnected and controllable switches that are respectively coupled to the outputs of the input multiplexer;a second plurality of selectively interconnected controllable switches that are respectively coupled to the plurality of inputs of the output multiplexer;a plurality of amplifier channels, comprising normally used amplifier channels and redundant amplifier channels, that each comprise an amplifier for amplifying signals coupled thereto, and wherein the amplifier channels are coupled between corresponding switches of the first and second pluralities of controllable switches and provide communication channels between the corresponding outputs and inputs of the input and output multiplexers so that each communication channel operates independently, and wherein the amplifier channels further comprise means for selectively coupling signals from a selected output of the input multiplexer corresponding to a selected communication channel to both amplifiers of paired amplifier channels and for combining amplified output signals from the amplifiers of the pair of amplifier channels to provide a high power output for the selected communication channel; anda controller, coupled to each of the switches and means for selectively coupling signals, for selectively setting the switches to (1) route selected signals through independent communication channels, (2) route a selected signal through the pair of amplifier channels to provide a high power output for the selected communication channel, (3) route a selected signal through a redundant communication channel in the event of failure of another communication channel, and (4) route the signal of the normally unused communication channel that is normally amplified by the second amplifier of the paired amplifier channels operating in high power mode through an unused amplifier channel to provide a communication channel for the signal of the normally unused communication channel.