Microwave high power amplifier technologies for space-borne applications

This work discusses the main challenges when designing Solid-State Power Amplifiers and Travelling-Wave Tube Amplifiers for space-borne applications. Some examples of flight-proven High Power Amplifiers are given together with on-going developments and future trends towards high throughput satellites services (e.g. 3D-TV), that demand the use of higher frequency bands and increased levels of RF output power at the same time.

[1]  Peter Ehret,et al.  Broadband traveling wave tubes in Ka- and Ku-band , 2014, IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference.

[2]  K.P. Mallon.  TWTAs for Satellite communications: Past, present and future , 2008, 2008 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference.

[3]  Salvatore D'Addio,et al.  Statistical characterization of Isolation Performance of Multiport Amplifiers: A critical discussion , 2011, 2011 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference (IVEC).

[4]  Rudolf Kompfner.  The invention of the traveling-wave tube , 1964 .

[5]  Christopher Buck,et al.  Suitability of an EIK and a TWT for a C-band high power amplifier for the Wind Scatterometer instrument of MetOp Second Generation , 2014, IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference.

[6]  G. Soubercaze-Pun,et al.  Systematic Approach to the Stabilization of Multitransistor Circuits , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[7]  Brian Eggleston,et al.  GaN SSPA for UHF space applications , 2013, 2013 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (MTT).

[8]  D. Langrez,et al.  Joint RF and large-signal stability optimization of MMIC power combining amplifiers , 2013 .

[9]  Pier Giorgio Arpesi,et al.  P-band GaN High Power Amplifiers for space-borne radar applications , 2015, 2015 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[10]  W. Menninger,et al.  Latest Advancements in High-Power Millimeter-Wave Helix TWTs , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.

[11]  A. R. Barnes,et al.  ESA perspective on the industrialisation of European GaN technology for space application , 2014, 2014 9th European Microwave Integrated Circuit Conference.

[12]  Steve C. Cripps,et al.  Advanced Techniques in RF Power Amplifier Design , 2002 .

[13]  M. van Heijningen,et al.  L-band AlGaN/GaN power amplifier with protection against load mismatch , 2013, 2013 European Microwave Integrated Circuit Conference.