A Linearized Ka-Band SSPA System with Integrated Upconverter using Spatial Power Combining

ABSTRACT:We propose to develop a Ka-Band SSPA with greater than 70W Linear-Efficient power using innovations across multiple levels of SSPA system hierarchy. We propose to use a custom Ka-Band Gallium Nitride MMIC Power Amplifier using transistor-level improvements, a custom linearizer to enable maximum power output and compliance with 12/4 QAM and QPSK modulations, spatial power combining for low-loss and scalability, a system architecture designed to address the full 29-31 GHz bandwidth, and complete system design and analysis including thermal analysis and power supply design. We also propose to use high-reliability designs for the complete system. Our team has a proven track record of delivering reliable SSPAs and block upconverters into demanding markets.BENEFIT:We believe that our full-stack innovation approach will result in the highest-performing high-power Ka-Band SSPA available. By completing an end-to-end design of all key components, we can reduce size, weight, power, and cost for the complete system. We will include linearization and other features to enable our SSPA/upconverter to be a usable product and ensure that the complete system is highly reliable.