A solid-state C-band power amplifier for communications satellites
Abstract
A solid-state power amplifier for communication satellite transponders with an 8.5-watt, 60-dB gain is presented. It employs a chain of gallium-arsenide FET to provide a 160-MHz usable bandwidth within the 3.7- to 4.2-GHz downlink band. The key parameters of efficiency, intermodulation distortion, and phase effects are described in detail. The amplifier is compared with the traveling-wave tube amplifier, showing it has lighter weight and more linearity at all points of the amplitude and phase characteristics, and greater reliability. The six-stage design comprises four single-ended stages with the high-gain driver section while the last two stages are balanced amplifiers. Amplifier testing for flight acceptance to characterize power transfer, frequency response, linearity, phase shift, stability, spurious emissions, group delay, and harmonic output, are reported. Possible extension of this technology into the 12-GHz band is mentioned and a block diagram of the amplifier is included.
- Publication:
-
ITC/USA/ 1983; Proceedings of the International Telemetering Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983isa..conf..755L
- Keywords:
-
- Amplifier Design;
- C Band;
- Communication Satellites;
- Gallium Arsenides;
- Power Amplifiers;
- Transponders;
- Circuit Reliability;
- Downlinking;
- Field Effect Transistors;
- Frequency Response;
- Intermodulation;
- Microwave Amplifiers;
- Power Efficiency;
- Power Gain;
- Signal Distortion;
- Solid State Devices;
- Weight Reduction;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering