Ka-Band Efficient, Linear Power Amplifiers for SATCOM Ground Terminals

ABSTRACT:ENGIN-IC, Inc. proposes to develop a highly efficient, linear Ka band Power Amplifier (PA) to support military satellite communication ground terminals. The proposed amplifier offers three unique attributes: 1. Utilizes a high power GaN process operating at 20 to 28 volts and which achieves output power density > 4 W/mm. PA single MMIC output power of 12 to 16W across 30 to 31 GHz will reduce the complexity of the combiner network. 2. The PA incorporates inverse class F matching to achieve output stage power-added efficiency exceeding 60%. 3. The PA incorporates a MIT- and UTD-developed outphasing power combining subsystem realized in waveguide that maintains efficient performance into backoff without introducing baseband signal processing complexity. These attributes are incorporated together into a low cost modular packaging approach that offers excellent thermal performance. In order to improve first pass success, accurate nonlinear transistor models will be developed and verified for multiple foundries through active load pull techniques.BENEFIT:The project will result in a significant improvement to transmitter efficiency and cost for power amplifiers providing a great advantage to low cost ground terminal systems. As well as the military applications for WGS mentioned, there are many commercial and space applications for all or portions of this approach. These include deep space exploration, missile seeker transmit PAs, commercial airline SATCOM for connectivity when flying overseas, and many more. As noted in the proposal, there are prime suppliers that are very interested in the technology.