RF Power Combining Calculator
When N amplifiers drive a power combining network, the combined output depends on the combining efficiency, phase/amplitude matching, and what happens when one element fails. This tool calculates combined power, efficiency loss, and degraded operation.
Equations & Parameters ▸
\(P_{out}=\eta N P_{each}\quad[\text{W}]\qquad\text{With }k\text{ failures: }P_{out}=\eta P_{ideal}\left(\dfrac{N-k}{N}\right)^{\!2}\)
| N | Number of amplifier modules to combine. |
| P_each | Output power of each individual amplifier (dBm or W). |
| η | Combining efficiency (0–1). Ideal corporate combiner: η ≈ 0.95–0.98; spatial: η ≈ 0.80. |
| N_fail | Number of failed modules. Combined output degrades gracefully. |
| Degradation | With k failed modules: P_out = (N−k)²/N² × P_ideal (coherent combining). |
Physical constants used
| c | Speed of light = 2.998×10⁸ m/s |
| µ₀ | Permeability of free space = 4π×10⁻⁷ H/m ≈ 1.2566×10⁻⁶ H/m |
| ε₀ | Permittivity of free space = 8.854×10⁻¹² F/m |
Inputs
total amplifiers
dBm
0 to 1 (95% = corporate combiner)
0 for normal operation
Results
Combined Output
Combined power (dBm)—
Combined power (W)—
Combining gain vs single—
Efficiency loss—
Failure Analysis
Output with k failed—
Degradation (dB)—
Surviving modules—
% power retained—
Diagram