Advantech Wireless of Montreal, Canada, which manufactures satellite, RF equipment and microwave systems, says that its SapphireBlu Series of UltraLinear gallium nitride (GaN)-based high-power amplifiers (HPAs) powered the ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV) transmission of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Due to the combination of Advantech Wireless’ Ku-band UltraLinear GaN-based HPAs with its 13m A-Line Antenna in a major DTH Uplink system in LATAM, millions of viewers in Latin America and Brazil were able to follow the transmissions of the World Cup.
“This powerful technology offers unprecedented ground power, linearity and cost savings,” says CEO David Gelerman. “For the first time we are able to experience worldwide tournaments and fast-moving sporting events produced in 4K Ultra HD,” he adds.
Awarded Teleport Technology of the Year 2014 by the World Teleport Association (WTA) as well as ‘Vision Award’ as Most Innovative Product of the Year 2013, the SapphireBlu Series of UltraLinear GaN-based HPA systems are designed to offer high linear power. The technology is so powerful that it is possible to saturate all transponders of the modern satellite with a single 13m antenna and a single amplifier per polarization, says Advantech. The new systems are redundant ready with no external controller required, suiting single-carrier, multi-carrier and multi-transponder uplinking, the firm adds.