A very high frequency step-down DC/DC converter for spaceborne envelope-tracking SSPA

An experimental VHF DC/DC converter aimed at envelope-tracking amplifiers for space applications is presented. Based on Gallium Nitride components, it is capable of operating in the range of tens of watts, as required by on-board transmitters. When driven by a 50-MHz PWM signal, it reaches a peak efficiency of 91.6%. A detailed breakdown of the associated losses is reported in order to identify the contributions. Additional measurements at 67 MHz show a peak efficiency of 89.8%.

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