Distributed amplifier systems and methods are disclosed. An example distributed amplifier system includes first stage traveling wave amplifier (TWA) circuitry that is controllable to provide one of a first set of discrete gain settings. The first stage TWA circuitry includes a first input transmission line, a first output transmission line, and a first plurality of amplifiers coupled antiparallel between the first input transmission line and the first output transmission line. The first set of discrete gain settings has approximately constant logarithmic spacing.

One illustrative high bandwidth transimpedance amplifier includes a distributed amplifier having multiple transistors that receive a propagating input signal at respective nodes of an input signal line and drive corresponding nodes of an amplified signal line that propagates an amplified signal to an output voltage buffer. A feedback impedance couples the output voltage to a feedback node in the distributed amplifier, making the output voltage proportional to the input signal's current. An illustrative method includes: propagating an input signal current along an input signal line of a distributed amplifier, the distributed amplifier responsively propagating an amplified signal along an amplified signal line; buffering the amplified signal from a final node of the amplified signal line to produce an output voltage signal; and using the output voltage signal to draw the input signal current from a final node of the input signal line via a feedback impedance.

One illustrative high bandwidth transimpedance amplifier includes a distributed amplifier having multiple transistors that receive a propagating input signal at respective nodes of an input signal line and drive corresponding nodes of an amplified signal line that propagates an amplified signal to an output voltage buffer. A feedback impedance couples the output voltage to a feedback node in the distributed amplifier, making the output voltage proportional to the input signal's current. An illustrative method includes: propagating an input signal current along an input signal line of a distributed amplifier, the distributed amplifier responsively propagating an amplified signal along an amplified signal line; buffering the amplified signal from a final node of the amplified signal line to produce an output voltage signal; and using the output voltage signal to draw the input signal current from a final node of the input signal line via a feedback impedance.

A traveling wave amplifier includes: a first line to transmit an input signal; an output-side line to transmit an output signal; amplifiers each having an input node and an output node, the input nodes being connected with the first line at first intervals and receiving the input signal, each of the amplifiers amplifying a signal input to the input node and outputting the amplified signal from the output node, the output nodes being connected with the output-side line at second intervals and generating the output signal; a second line to transmit another input signal having a phase opposite to a phase of the input signal; a first resistor having a first end connected with the first line and a second end; and a second resistor having a first end connected with the second line and a second end connected with the second end of the first resistor.

A traveling wave amplifier includes: a first line to transmit an input signal; an output-side line to transmit an output signal; amplifiers each having an input node and an output node, the input nodes being connected with the first line at first intervals and receiving the input signal, each of the amplifiers amplifying a signal input to the input node and outputting the amplified signal from the output node, the output nodes being connected with the output-side line at second intervals and generating the output signal; a second line to transmit another input signal having a phase opposite to a phase of the input signal; a first resistor having a first end connected with the first line and a second end; and a second resistor having a first end connected with the second line and a second end connected with the second end of the first resistor.

A system is provided for combining multiple solid-state amplifiers using a radial combiner/divider. The system includes a coaxial input port, a coaxial output port, a first plurality of N waveguides radially disposed around a first transition, a second plurality of N waveguides radially disposed around a second transition, and a plurality of N amplifiers. A first end of each of the first plurality of waveguides is operatively connected to the coaxial input port via the first transition. A first end of each of the second plurality of waveguides is operatively connected to the coaxial output port via the second transition. A first port of each of the plurality of amplifiers is connected to a second end of one of the first plurality of waveguides and a second port of each of the plurality of amplifiers is connected to a second end of one of the second plurality of waveguides.

A differential constructive wave oscillator device including a single, continuous differential transmission line that is arranged into first and second parallel traces in the form of a Mobius loop. The continuous transmission line includes first and second crossover points, each of which provides for a point of inflection between the first and second traces. In each stage of the device, both the first and second traces of the transmission line carry the forward traveling wave signal from a differential input port to a differential output port. Each phase includes a differential delay section that provides for a phase shift between a signal on the first trace and a signal on the second trace. Each phase additionally includes a differential feedback amplifier that amplifies the forward traveling wave signal at the differential output port, generates a differential feedback signal, and routes the differential feedback signal to the differential input port.

A differential constructive wave oscillator device including a single, continuous differential transmission line that is arranged into first and second parallel traces in the form of a Mobius loop. The continuous transmission line includes first and second crossover points, each of which provides for a point of inflection between the first and second traces. In each stage of the device, both the first and second traces of the transmission line carry the forward traveling wave signal from a differential input port to a differential output port. Each phase includes a differential delay section that provides for a phase shift between a signal on the first trace and a signal on the second trace. Each phase additionally includes a differential feedback amplifier that amplifies the forward traveling wave signal at the differential output port, generates a differential feedback signal, and routes the differential feedback signal to the differential input port.

One illustrative high bandwidth transimpedance amplifier includes a distributed amplifier having multiple transistors that receive a propagating input signal at respective nodes of an input signal line and drive corresponding nodes of an amplified signal line that propagates an amplified signal to an output voltage buffer. A feedback impedance couples the output voltage to a feedback node in the distributed amplifier, making the output voltage proportional to the input signal's current. An illustrative method includes: propagating an input signal current along an input signal line of a distributed amplifier, the distributed amplifier responsively propagating an amplified signal along an amplified signal line; buffering the amplified signal from a final node of the amplified signal line to produce an output voltage signal; and using the output voltage signal to draw the input signal current from a final node of the input signal line via a feedback impedance.

One illustrative high bandwidth transimpedance amplifier includes a distributed amplifier having multiple transistors that receive a propagating input signal at respective nodes of an input signal line and drive corresponding nodes of an amplified signal line that propagates an amplified signal to an output voltage buffer. A feedback impedance couples the output voltage to a feedback node in the distributed amplifier, making the output voltage proportional to the input signal's current. An illustrative method includes: propagating an input signal current along an input signal line of a distributed amplifier, the distributed amplifier responsively propagating an amplified signal along an amplified signal line; buffering the amplified signal from a final node of the amplified signal line to produce an output voltage signal; and using the output voltage signal to draw the input signal current from a final node of the input signal line via a feedback impedance.