Solid-state power amplifiers in communications satellites

The role of solid state power amplifiers for space applications was given a major impetus by the ATS-6 satellite. The work of ATS-6 is reviewed along with other Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation designs through the most recent S-band transmitter for the Voyager program. Recent advances of Gallium Arsenide field effect transistors has made possible the design of solid state power amplifiers at C-band and X-band that are competitive with traveling wave tube amplifiers. Test results of a 7-watt C-band saturated amplifier and a 3-watt X-band linear amplifier (7 watts saturated) are presented. The solid state designs are competitive with currently available traveling wave tubes, and, once device reliability is firmly established, solid state designs can replace tubes in both current and future applications