Advantech Wireless Inc of Montreal, Canada (which manufactures satellite, RF equipment and microwave systems) has released a 300W/400W X-band SapphireBlu SSPA/SSPB (solid-state power amplifier/solid-state power block) - based on the firm's second-generation gallium nitride (GaN) technology - for military applications.
The firm says that the new systems provide very high linearity and high power density in a compact size. With a weatherproof construction, the units are suitable for communications applications in the harshest of environments.
"The second-generation X-band GaN SSPAs are designed to meet the stringent requirements of military standards for mobile satcom terminals," says VP business development Cristi Damian. The new SSPAs provide a 60% increase in linearity over the previous-generation solid-state technology while reducing the size and energy consumption by more than 50%. Designed to be mounted on ruggedized military trailers, they are a direct replacement for 750W TWTs (travelling-wave tubes), fully compliant with the latest versions of Mil-Std-810G. They are also compliant with the latest revision of Mil-Std-188-164A.
Their built-in design features of the second-generation X-band GaN-based SapphireBlu SSPAs/SSPBs result in a product with exceptional linearity and operating efficiency, it is claimed. The design is based on Advantech Wireless's industry-proven solid-state high-power amplifiers.
