Unique Modular, High Power, Cascadable Amplifier for support of EMP Direct Drive Testing

The objective of this Research & Development project is to investigate and develop the amplifier design concepts and technologies necessary to build a wideband (approximately six decades), high-power, modular, cascadable amplifier system which will meet the requirements for driving an unknown or dynamic load (varying from zero to infinite impedance), for the purposes of supporting Direct Drive testing for MIL-STD-3023. The intention for this new design is to allow the amplifier to operate at full power (as defined in the testing standards), over the full bandwidth of interest (i.e., 10 kHz-2 GHz), while experiencing non-optimum VSWR due to changing impedances from the Unit Under Test, and without sustaining damage or initiating amplifier shutdown. The results of this Phase I project will provide the technical approach for defining the circuit architectures, components, and internal control functions, which can then be used for a prototype system to be demonstrated in a later development Phase (II). In addition to producing an amplifier which will meet the requirements of the referenced MIL-STD, this amplifier design is anticipated to support new commercial, amplifier-based products and automated testing systems, and thus will be targeted to support Commercial testing standards where similar effects with impedance are present.