4 May 2016

Comtech Xicom launches compact 20W GaN X-band SATCOM block upconverter

Comtech Xicom Technology Inc of Santa Clara, CA, USA, which makes tube-based and solid-state power amplifiers for military and commercial satellite communication (SATCOM) uplink applications, has launched a gallium nitride (GaN)-based solid-state X-band block upconverter (BUC) in a 5.3-pound (2.4kg) antenna-mount outdoor unit. The compact and lightweight BUC provides 20W of linear output power in a 5.8" x 5.1" x 3.9" (147mm x 130mm x 99mm) feed-mountable package designed to handle tough environments and meet stringent X-band RF requirements, while drawing very little power for extended battery operation.

The Model XTSLIN-20X-B1 features about 50W of saturated output power, 25W of linear power using MIL-STD-188-164 definition at mid-band, and more than 20W of linear power across the 500MHz-wide frequency band (7.9-8.4GHz) over a temperature range of -40⁰C to +60⁰C. This high linear output power level is achieved at less than 120W prime power consumption across all conditions, and comes in a self-cooled feed-mount package that can handle the toughest environments.

"With limited budgets and increasing bandwidth demands for both commercial and military SATCOM systems, users are looking to benefit from the available capacity that the X-band spectrum offers," says president John Branscum. "This new BUC enables system integrators to offer highly compact transportable and man-portable SATCOM terminals that take advantage of Skynet, XTAR and WGS to provide much higher data rates and more efficient operation," he adds. "End-users no longer have to drop to kbps data rates in order to carry their X-band terminal on their backs."

The key to the unit's compact size and light weight is its efficiency. It operates as a Class AB amplifier with DC prime power draw ranging from 108W at 20W linear RF power output, down to 60W at 2W linear power output. Optional proprietary features offer even greater efficiency at lower output power levels with battery saver mode to extend battery life when conditions allow, making this the most flexible BUC of its kind for manpack and transportable terminals, it is claimed.

The new X-band BUC accepts a 950-1450MHz L-band input, and upconverts it to 7.9–8.4GHz X-band. The all-solid-state unit uses GaN transistors to amplify the signal to achieve full output power. Additional features include temperature compensation, gain control, harmonic filtering, tight gain variation and stability, a serial RS-232 digital monitor and control interface, and options for operating with +24VDC or +48VDC prime power, provided over the IF line or through a separate connector.

Tags: GaN HEMT Satcoms

Visit: www.xicomtech.com