Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA) are currently being replaced by Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) in a number of space programs. Although better power-added efficiency/higher RF power level are still achievable with TWTAs, the better linearity features of SSPAs permit a lower back-off value being requested to limit Adjacent Channel Interference (ACI) effects caused by multiple carrier intermodulation/spectrum spreading. The paper expands on some recent breakthroughs achieved with SSPAs, outlining present-day and extrapolated performances very attractive for next generations of communications satellites. After a brief outline of potential benefits/drawbacks of SSPAs with respect to TWTAs, DC/RF power levels are compared as a function of frequency. Input/output characteristics are then depicted in both cases, followed by reliability/lifetime considerations and cost aspects for both technologies.
Solid state power amplifier developments for space applications
Entwicklung von Festkörper-Leistungsverstärkern für die Raumfahrttechnik
1990
5 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 24 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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