Distributed & Flex based Spatially Combined MHEMT Power Amplifiers for Satellite Communications

The Phase 1 objective is to establish a design baseline for the optimum SATCOMM air combiner power amplifier. To do this, several power combining techniques will be analyzed to determine the attainable power output and the power dissipated in combining. These two combining techniques are a combiner that uses a flex based stripline corporate feed and a spatial air combiner. The second approach uses a distributed waveguide divider and combiner. Power boosting amplifier designs using the M-HEMT technology will be analyzed to determine which power boosting technique provides the best boost range while holding efficiency and linearity. Design goals for the top level amplifier include: the minimum output of 10 watts in the frequency band of 29.5 to 31 GHz and the power- added efficiency of 30%.