News: Microelectronics
4 February 2020
Empower RF Systems launches compact 4kW S-band GaN-on-SiC solid-state power amplifier for SatCom uplinks
Empower RF Systems Inc of Inglewood, CA and Holbrook, NY, USA (which produces RF and microwave power amplifiers for defense, commercial and industrial applications) says that its new model 2176 is a compact high-power gallium nitride on silicon carbide (GaN-on-SiC) continuous-wave (CW) solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) producing a minimum 4kW CW and 2kW RMS at 3.6 PAR at frequencies of 1750-2120MHz.
Standing 27-inches tall, it is less than half the size of the typical legacy uplink high-power amplifiers (HPAs) that it replaces. The slightly broader band brings flexibility to transmit in either of the two uplink channels. Besides the dramatic size reduction, the upgrade from legacy design to a next-generation SSPA brings greater reliability and improved spectral purity for increased data rates.
The 2176 is based on Empower’s established and field-proven next-generation architecture that is tactically deployed and operating on multiple levels in support of a variety of critical US Department of Defense (DOD) missions.
The 2176 comes complete with internal directional coupler, external forward and reverse sample ports, and an easy-to-use web graphical user interface (GUI). In-depth health monitoring with alarms visible on the front panel are also pushed out via the LAN port. Output modes include manual gain control (MGC), automatic gain control (AGC) and automatic level control (ALC), which provide flexibility when integrating into legacy uplink systems. For critical ‘on air’ applications, the 2176 provides ‘Graceful Output Power Degradation’, backing down power to a safe operating level in the event of component failure or excessive load VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) condition.
Product highlights include higher availability, higher efficiency, a 2x improvement in SWaP, waveform flexibility, ruggedness for mobile deployment, remote monitoring and control, and active RF device redundancy (Graceful Output Power Degradation).
Empower launches 2kW L-band GaN-on-SiC solid-state amplifier for GPS denial
