Modular Amplifier and Amplifier Assembly Comprising the Same

Abstract

The present invention is related to a modular amplifier comprising; an amplifier housing, said housing provided with; an amplifier power input connection, at least one amplifier signal input connection for receiving at least one input signal to be amplified, at least one amplifier signal output connection, for delivering at least one amplified signal; a plurality of amplifier modules, each module comprising: a module power connection coupled to the amplifier power input connection; a module signal input connection; a module signal output connection; amplification hardware, having an amplifying power; a controller, configured for: selectively connecting, based on an algorithm, the at least one amplifier signal input connection to one or more module signal input connections of amplifier modules, for amplifying the at least one input signal to be amplified, and connecting the module signal output connection of said one or more amplifier modules to one or more amplifier signal output connections. The invention is further related to an assembly comprising said amplifiers.

Claims

1. Modular amplifier comprising; an amplifier housing, said housing provided with; an amplifier power input connection, at least one amplifier signal input connection for receiving at least one input signal to be amplified, at least one amplifier signal output connection, for delivering at least one amplified signal; a plurality of amplifier modules, each module comprising: a module power connection coupled to the amplifier power input connection; a module signal input connection; a module signal output connection; amplification hardware, having an amplifying power; a controller, configured for: selectively connecting, based on an algorithm, the at least one amplifier signal input connection to one or more module signal input connections of amplifier modules, for amplifying the at least one input signal to be amplified, and connecting the module signal output connection of said one or more amplifier modules to one or more amplifier signal output connections.

2. Modular amplifier according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm comprises the step of; receiving a requested amplification power related to the at least one input signal to be amplified monitoring an available amplification power of each module, and wherein the algorithm further comprises the step of; determining, based on the requested amplification power and/or available amplification power of each module, if one amplifier module or a combination of amplifier modules has the requested power available.

3. Modular amplifier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one amplifier signal input connection is configured for simultaneously receiving a plurality of signals to be amplified, or wherein the amplifier comprises a plurality of amplifier signal input connections, each for receiving one signal to be amplified, wherein the controller is further configured for; selectively forming, based on the algorithm, a plurality of one or more amplifier module groups, each for amplifying a signal, forming one or more virtual amplifiers.

4. Modular amplifier according to claim 3, wherein the algorithm comprises the step of; receiving, for each signal, a requested amplification power monitoring an available amplification power of each module, and wherein the algorithm further comprises the step of; determining, based on the requested amplification power and/or available amplification power of each module and each signal, if the one or more amplifier module groups has the requested power available. selectively connecting the at least one amplifier signal input connection to the module signal input connections of the determined one or more amplifier module groups having the power available, and connecting the module signal output connection of said one or more amplifier module groups to one or more amplifier signal output connections.

5. Modular amplifier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is further configured for; determining if an actual performance of at least one amplifier module is exceeding a predetermined performance threshold value, if at least one amplifier module is exceeding the threshold value, assigning an additional amplifier module to the signal, such that preferably all amplifier modules assigned to the signal meet the performance threshold value, if all amplifier modules are operating at their performance threshold value, equally dividing the request over all amplifier modules.

6. Modular amplifier according to claim 5, wherein the performance threshold value is chosen from the group consisting of; an actual power of a module; a temperature of a module; frequencies available in the signal; moisture inside the amplifier.

7. Modular amplifier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one amplifier signal input connection is configured for; receiving a composed signal, decomposing the received composed said composed signal into a plurality of signals to be amplified.

8. Modular amplifier assembly, comprising; an assembly housing, said housing provided with; at least one assembly signal input, for receiving at least one signal to be amplified, at least one assembly signal output, for delivering at least one amplified signal; a common power unit, for delivering a power to the assembly, a plurality of slots, each slots configured for receiving a modular amplifier according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein each slot comprising; a power connector, connected to the common power unit on one end and the amplifier power input connection of an inserted amplifier on the other end, for powering the inserted amplifier, a signal input connector, connected to the assembly signal input on one end, and the at least one amplifier signal input connection of an inserted amplifier on the other end, for providing the inserted amplifier with at least a portion of the least one signal to be amplified, a signal output connector, connected to the assembly signal output on one end, and the at least one amplifier signal output of an inserted amplifier on the other end, for delivering an amplified signal, a controller unit, wherein the controller unit is configured for; selectively forming, based on the algorithm, one or more amplifier module groups, wherein said groups are formed out of one or more inserted amplifiers, forming one or more virtual amplifiers, and connecting the one or more amplifier signal output connections to the one or more assembly signal output connections.

9. Modular amplifier assembly according to claim 8, wherein, the controller unit is further configured for; receiving a requested amplification power related to the at least one input signal to be amplified, monitoring an available amplification power of each module, and wherein the algorithm comprises the step op; determining, based on the requested amplification power and/or available amplification power of each module, if one amplified module or a combination of amplified modules has the requested power available, selectively connecting the at least one amplifier signal input connection to the module signal input connections of the determined module or combination of modules having the power available, and connecting the module signal output connection of said module or combination of modules to one or more amplifier signal output connections.

10. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of claims 8-9, wherein, the controller unit of the amplifier assembly and the controller of the amplifier together form an overall controller, said overall controller configured for; selecting, out of all available modules, one or more groups of modules, thus forming one or more virtual amplifiers.

11. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the algorithm is predetermined or comprises artificial intelligence.

12. Modular amplifier according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the controller unit is further configured for; allowing the inserted modular amplifiers to mutually communicate through the controller unit.

13. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of the claims 8-12, wherein all the inserted amplifiers have a mutual central hardware clock.

14. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of the claims 8-13, wherein the controller unit is configured for; directing the signals to the inserted amplifiers, such that each signal travels substantially the same pathlength from input to output, preventing mutual delays between signals.

15. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of the claims 8-14, wherein the system comprises a converter, for converting the digital signal into an analog signal.

16. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of the claims 9-15, wherein the controller unit is configured to; redirecting a requested amplification power over the available amplifier modules if a hardware failure occurs in the assembly.

17. Modular amplifier assembly according to any claims 8-16, wherein the common power unit is configured for; converting a power supplied to the assembly into a power required by the inserted amplifiers, wherein the controller unit is further configured for; pre-loading at least one capacitor of the common power unit and/or module,

18. Modular amplifier assembly according to any of the claims 8-17, wherein the controller unit is configured for; continuously monitoring the instantaneous power of each module, and redirecting the requested amplification power based on the algorithm.

19. Device for selectively connecting at least one audio input connector with at least one audio output connector, comprising: a number of (N) audio input connections, each for receiving an audio signal; a number of (M) audio output connections, each for outputting an audio signal; a number of NM switches, each for controllably electrically connecting a unique combination of an input connection with an output connection; a plurality of relays, each for controllably electrically connecting a unique combination of an input connection with an output connection; a controller, for controlling the NM switches, and the plurality of relays; wherein the audio input and output connections and the switches are dimensioned for connecting respectively an amplified audio signal of at least 90 W and preferably at least 100 W; the switches are formed by MOSFETs; and the controller is configured to control the MOSFETs and the plurality of relays based on control data.

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein at least the input connections and/or the output connections are housed in one connector.

21. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to receive the control data, either wired or wireless, and/or from a file and/or a memory and/or manual input by a user.

22. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one switch, preferably all switches are positioned on a common switchboard.

23. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control data comprises at least a predetermined output connection related to the at least one audio signal received by at least one input connection, wherein the controller is further configured for; controlling the MOSFETs such that the at least one input connection receiving the at least one audio signal is electrically connected to the predetermined output connection.

24. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical pathlength between each input connection and output connection are substantially equal in length, such that mutual delays in signals are prevented.

25. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is adapted for simultaneously electrically connecting at least two input connections with at least two output connections, for connecting at least two input audio signals.

26. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a cooling system, for cooling the switches.

27. Device according to claim 20, wherein the device further comprises a cooling system, for cooling the connector

28. Device according to claims 26 and 27, wherein the cooling system is a common cooling system, for cooling the switches and the connector simultaneously.

29. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of NM switches are in particular 3232 switches, more in particular 6464.

30. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one audio input connection, preferably all audio input connections, is connected to a plurality of, preferably each of the (M) audio output connection via a plurality of H-beam or I-beam circuits, in particular via (M) H-beam or I-beam circuits, each H-beam or I-beam circuit comprising at least four switches, and at least one relay.

31. Device according to claim 30, wherein the at least one relay of at least one H-beam or I-beam circuit is at opposing sides electrically connected to two switches.

32. Device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the switches and relay of at least one H-beam or I-beam circuit, preferably each H-beam or I-beam circuit, are independently controllable.

33. Device according to any of the claims 30-32, wherein a resistance of the relay is lower than a resistance of the at least four switches.

34. Method for selectively connecting at least one audio input connector with at least one audio output connector, comprising the steps of a) receiving at least one audio signal, wherein the at least one audio signal is received on at least one of (N) audio input connections, b) determining at least one output connection out of a number of (M) audio output connections, to which the at least one audio signal is to be connected, c) using a combination of NM switches, and preferably a plurality of relays, said switches and relays for controllably electrically connecting a unique combination of an input connection with an output connection, d) controlling, based on an input signal, the switches, and preferably the relays, for selectively establishing a connection between the at least one input connection that received an audio signa and the at least one determined output connection.

35. Method according to claim 34, wherein the switches are formed by MOSFETs, and wherein step d) comprises controlling the MOSFETs.

36. Method according to any of the claims 34-35, wherein in particular use is made from the device as claimed in any of claims 19-29.

37. Use of the device for selectively connecting at least one audio input connector with at least one audio output connector according to any of the claims 19-33 for controllably electrically connecting a unique combination of an input connection with an output connection of a power distribution unit or power supply unit, preferably a high power AC power distribution or supply unit.

Description

[0158] The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated based on the figures, wherein;

[0159] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modular amplifier according to the invention;

[0160] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a modular amplifier according to the present invention, and;

[0161] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an amplifier assembly according to the present invention comprising modular amplifiers as shown in FIG. 2.

[0162] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modular amplifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The modular amplifier 1 has a housing 2, which is for illustrative purposes only partly shown in this figure. The back of the housing 2 comprises a number of connections 3, 4, 5. Although the connections are shown to be positioned on the back of the amplifier 1, these could even be positioned on the front or side of said amplifier 1. One of the connections 3, 4, 5, is in particular an amplifier power input connection 3. This connection is configured for delivering power to the entire amplifier 1. Furthermore an amplifier signal input connection 4 and an amplifier signal output connection 5 are present. These are respectively for receiving at least one signal to be amplified and transfer said signal to the amplifier 1 and for delivering an amplified signal. The connections 3, 4, 5 for power, an input signal and amplified output signal are shown as single connections. However, it must be understood that there might be multiple signal input connections 4 for each receiving a single signal to be amplified. Equally so for the signal output connection 5, of which multiple could be present wherein each would thus be configured for delivering an amplified signal. It is furthermore possible to include a communication connector (not shown), such as a communication bus or including ethernet connection. All connectors may also be housed in a common connector. Inside the amplifier housing 2 (only partly shown) there is a plurality of amplifier modules 6. Each of said modules 6 is configured for amplifying at least a part of a signal. To this end, each module 6 is provided with a module power connection (not shown), for receiving power from the amplifier power input connection 3. Furthermore, a module signal input 7 and module signal output 8 connection are provided, such that each modules can receive a signal that is received by the amplifier signal input connection 4. The module signal output connection 8 delivers an amplified signal to the at least one amplifier signal output connection 5. In order to amplify signals, the modules are each provided with amplification hardware 9, wherein the amplification hardware 9 has a predetermined amplifying power. The amplifier 1 according to this figure shows 8 separate modules 6 for amplifying. However, the number of modules 6 shown in this figure is merely illustrative, and in fact any number of modules 6 can be incorporated in the amplifier housing 2.

[0163] FIG. 2 shows a more schematic representation of the amplifier 1. It shows that the amplifier signal input connection 4 is connected to all of the module signal input connections 7, such that the controller can selectively connect the correct amplifier module 6. Only a single amplifier signal input connection 4 is shown in this figure, which could either receive a single analog signal, or a composed analog signal, wherein the composed analog signal should be decomposed before entering the respective module 6 assigned by the controller.

[0164] FIG. 3 schematically shows a plurality of amplifiers 1 as shown in FIG. 2 inserted into an amplifier assembly 10. The amplifier assembly 10 comprises at least one assembly signal input 11, which receives at least one signal to be amplified, and is configured for sending said signal to one or more amplifiers 1. The assembly 10 comprises at least one assembly signal output 12 for delivering at least one amplified signal. Also, the amplifier assembly 10 is provided with a common power unit 13 for powering all inserted amplifiers 1. The assembly 10 has a plurality of slots (not shown) which are adapted to each receive a modular amplifier 1 according to the invention. The figure merely illustrates the connections between the components. In fact, the slots are provided with a power connector 14, wherein after the amplifier 1 is slid into the slot the power input 3 of the amplifier 1 is coupled to the common power unit 13, such that the amplifier 1 is provided with power. Also the slots comprise each a signal input and output connector 15, 16, wherein after the amplifier 1 is slid into the slot, a connection is established between the assembly signal input 11 and the amplifier signal input 4, and between the assembly signal output 12 and the amplifier signal output 5. The common power unit 13 is connected, via station 18, to all the inserted amplifiers 1 separately. The station 18 in fact configured for converting a power supplied to the power connector 13 into a power required by each amplifier. Since not all amplifiers 1 have to be loaded equally, this required power can vary. In this non limitative embodiment the assembly 10 comprises a bus 17, which is configured for directing the assembly input signal which is received by the assembly signal input 11 to the correct amplifier 1. The assembly 10 shows a total of three inserted amplifiers 1, which is only for illustrative purposes, and can in fact be any number. Each amplifier 1 is drawn with a number of 4 amplifier modules 6. That means that for this non limitative figure a total number of 12 amplifier modules 6 are available. The controller unit is configured for selectively forming groups of amplifier modules 6, wherein each group can amplify a single signal received by the assembly signal input 11. This means, that the controller unit can form a maximum of 12 groups, each for amplifying a signal. However, it might also be the case that the first amplified is fully utilized by a single signal. And that the remaining two amplifiers together amplify two more signals, one signal amplified by 2 modules 6 for example, and the remaining six modules 6 amplifying the third signal. Any combination of modules 6 can be formed, and they do not have to be in a single amplifier 1.