A method and apparatus for processing multiple signals at a common
frequency fed through a single radio frequency (RF) cable with or without
one or more amplifiers and utilized for either forward or reverse link
transmissions. The invention enables a single power amplifier to amplify
multiple RF signals that occupy a common frequency channel and after
amplification splitting these signals into amplified copies of the
originals. The amplified signals may be sent to different antenna ports
to illuminate different base station sectors if required. The signal
splitting function is performed at the antenna masthead such that this
method reduces the number of feeder cables running up the antenna tower
by a factor of N, where N is the number of common frequency signals
(e.g., the number of sectors) amplified by the single power amplifier.
This invention enables a single power amplifier to simultaneously provide
all the radio frequency signals necessary to feed a general N input
phased array antenna system and form multiple antenna beams uniquely for
several individual users simultaneously.