Satellite Communication RF Products Low Noise Amplifiers Frequency Converters Solid State Power Amplifiers Stephen D. Turner, PE., Senior Engineering Director Paradise Datacom LLC, State College, Pennsylvania, USA 1
C, X, Ku, Ka Band LNAs Noise Temperature optimized in SatCom Sub-Bands: 3.7 4.2 GHz 3.4 4.2 GHz 4.5 4.8 GHz 7.25-7.75 GHz 10.70 11.70 GHz 10.70 12.75 GHz 11.70 12.20 GHz 18.2 20.2 GHz 20.0 21.0 GHz +12 to +28 VDC input Optional Transmit Reject Filters Form C Summary Alarm X Band LNA Ka Band LNA 2
Redundant LNA Systems Can be configured in 1:1 or 1:2 redundant configurations Configured with C, X, Ku, and Ka band LNAs Monitor and Control provided by the RCP2-1100 / RCP2-1200 Redundant Controller. Switch Control Cable can be supplied to interface controller to LNA plate assembly. 1:2 C Band LNA System with Redundant Controller 3
Redundant LNB Redundant Systems C Band 1:1 LNB System 1:2 Ku Band LNB Plate Assembly Standard 1:1 and 1:2 configurations similar to LNA redundant systems Used with RCP2-1100 or RCP2-1200 indoor redundant controllers RCP2 Controller supports Band Switched LNBs External reference and Internal referenced LNBs supported LNBs are modified to provide a DC Current alarm for fault detection and automatic switching. 4
Ka Band LNA / LNB Systems 1:1 Ka Band LNB System 1:2 Ka Band LNB System with Filter Option 5
Redundant System Controllers RCP2-1100 1:1 Controller RCP2-1200 1:2 Controller 1 RU high standard controller chassis Front panel mimic display of switch position RS232/485 and Ethernet I/O capability Full functional Ethernet Port UDP, SNMP v1.0, & internal web browser Up to 1000 meters switch cable drive capacity Audible alarms Full compliment of discrete I/O including external alarm inputs New: Support for Band Switched LNBs & dumb BUC Redundant Systems 6
vbuc, VSAT L-Band Block Up Converters Output Power levels: 12 W Psat Ka Band now available C-Band: 5.850-6.425 GHz ( 25W,50W, & 80W) X-Band: 7.90-8.40 GHz (10W, 25W, & 35W, & 80W) Ku Band: 14.00-14.50 GHz (10W, 16W, 25W, & 40W) Ka Band: 30-31 GHz (12W) 7
vbuc Feature Set Built-in 1:1 Redundancy Control High Stability Internal Reference Option Auto detection and switchover to externally applied reference. Automatically phase lock to 5,10,20,25, and 50 MHz external reference. Wide range for input reference power : -10 to +5 dbm 20 db Gain Adjustment Legacy FSK and RS485 Monitor and Control Standard Paradise Datacom Monitor and Control Ethernet based Monitor and Control including UDP, SNMP v1.0, and internal web browser 24, 48 VDC operation or optional add-on AC/DC Power Supply 8
vbuc AC Power Supply 85-265 VAC Input 48VDC Output @ 500W maximum AC Power Supply mounted to vbuc AC Power Supply can be mounted to vbuc or remotely mounted 9
Fiber Optic Support Fiber Optic Transceiver Support now available on all outdoor SSPAs: Compact Outdoor, Compact Outdoor Jr., and vbuc. 10
Rack Mount Converters 70 MHz to L-Band Synthesized Up/Down Converters L-Band to C,X, and Ku Band Block Up/Down Converters Configure with redundant block up converters for use with phase combined HPA systems. 11
GaN SSPA Products Indoor, Rack Mount, SSPA Family Outdoor SSPA Product Family SSPA Monitor and Control SSPA Systems Redundant, Phase Combined 12
Why GaN? Higher electric breakdown fields which lead to higher voltage and higher power density operation. Higher saturated electron velocity leading to higher drain currents and higher impedance. Wider band gap energy leading to higher MTBFs. Higher thermal conductivity leads to higher reliability and higher temperature operation. All of the above advantages lead to higher efficiency and wider bandwidth operation as compared to GaAs MESFETs. 13
GaN vs. GaAs Technology Microwave GaAs devices are realized with a MESFET structure. This makes it possible to control the channel doping and linearity. The GaAs MESFET has a hard limiting characteristic and produces good linear power. Microwave GaN devices are realized as HEMTs which have more limitations on channel doping. The GaN HEMT has a much softer compression characteristic and therefore the linear power characteristic is not as good as the GaAs MESFET. Various Linearization techniques are used with GaN HEMTs to improve the overall linear power performance. 14
CW Power Sweep Comparison GaN HEMT GaN HEMT Output Power GaAs MESFET Gain GaAs MESFET Input Power Output Power Softer Compression characteristic leads to higher distortion for a given back off Plots Courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 15
SSPA Module with GaN Cascade Soft Compression amplifier compresses over wide range of input power 16
Linearized GaN SSPA Module 17
Indoor GaN SSPA Family 3 RU high chassis S-Band: 50W, 100W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 500W &, 600W C-Band: 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 650W, & 800W X-Band: 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 650W, & 800W Ku-Band: 40W,50W,80W,100W, 150W, 200W, 250W, 300W, 400W Ka-Band: 40W & 100W 4 RU high chassis S- Band:500W, 600W, 800W, 1 kw C-Band: 300W, 400W, 650W, 800W X-Band: 300W, 400W, 650W, 800W Ku-Band: 300W, 400W Ka-Band: 100W & 200W 18
Indoor GaN SSPA Family 5 RU high chassis S-Band: 1.2 kw, 1.6 kw & 2 kw C-Band: 1.3 kw, & 1.6 kw X-Band: 1.3 kw, & 1.6 kw Ku-Band: 600W, & 800W Ka-Band: 400W & 500W 7 RU high modular chassis C Band: 1.1 kw & 1.5 kw X Band: 1.1 kw Ku Band: 500W & 800W 19
3 RU GaN SSPA Chassis Extremely Compact 24 inch Chassis depth 3RU rack height Smallest, highest power density, Solid State Power Amplifier chassis developed to date! Available RF Output Power levels: S-Band: 50W, 100W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 500W &, 600W C-Band: 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 650W, & 800W X-Band: 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W, 300W, 400W, 650W, & 800W Ku-Band: 40W,50W,80W,100W, 150W, 200W, 250W, 300W, 400W Ka-Band:50W & 100W 20
SSPA Chassis Front Panel Layout On/Off Indicator Online Indicator in Redundant System Fault Status Indicators 2 Line x 40 Character Display Dedicated front panel buttons for: Main menu screen Local / Remote selection TX Inhibit Menu navigation buttons and Entry selection Plug-in Power Supply Module Optional RF Input Sample Port -10 dbc Coupler Front Panel Air Intake Removable Fan Tray RF Output Sample Port -40 dbc Coupler 21
Modular Chassis Architecture All SSPA Chassis have removable fans and M&C card. Removable front panel fan tray Removable front panel power supply assembly Removable rear panel fan tray Removable rear panel monitor and control card 22
Chassis Monitor and Control Ethernet Port Link Port and Switch Port for Built-in 1:1 Redundancy Control Parallel I/O Port for full compliment of Form C relays for alarm & status outputs as well as opto-isolated inputs Program Port for field upgradeable flash firmware Main Serial Port for RS 232 or RS 485 serial I/O Local Serial Port for phase combined systems or remote control panel Hot Swappable Ethernet supports UDP, SNMP with Traps, and Internal Web Page 23
4 and 5 RU Indoor GaN SSPA Chassis Alarm Indicators Front Panel Display On/Off Switch Front panel air intake removable fan tray RF Output Sample Port 24
External Power Supply Interconnection 4RU SSPA Chassis 1RU Redundant Power Supply Quick disconnect connector bulkhead for DC Input No bus bars Company Confidential 25
7RU Modular Chassis SSPA Output Power Levels C-Band: 1.1 kw & 1.5 kw X-Band: 1.1 kw Ku-Band: 500W & 800W Ka-Band: 400W Chassis consists of (4) Hot-swap removable SSPA modules Power Levels limited by SSPA Module physical size 26
7RU Chassis Removable Subassemblies Removable Fans Removable SSPA Modules 27
Outdoor GaN SSPA Family Compact Outdoor Jr. C-Band: 80W, 100W, 150W & 200W X-Band: 80W, 100W, 150W & 200W Ku-Band: 40W,50W,80W & 100W Ka-Band: 20W & 30W New High Power Outdoor Package Kingpost mountable Compact Outdoor SSPA S-Band: 50W,100W,200W,300W,400W, & 500W C-Band: 300W & 400W X-Band: 300W & 400W Ku-Band: 100W, 150W, 200W,& 250W Ka-Band: 50W & 100W S-Band: 500W, 600W, 800W, 1000W C-Band: 650W & 800W X-Band: 650W & 800W Ku-Band: 300W & 400W Ka-Band: 200W 28
Compact Outdoor Jr. COjr, is approximately ½ size and weight of standard Compact Outdoor package. Output Power Levels: C-Band: 80W, 100W, 150W & 200W X-Band: 80W, 100W, 150W & 200W Ku-Band: 40W, 50W, 80W, & 100W Ka-Band: 20W & 30W 29
Standard Compact Outdoor GaN SSPA Compact Size: 10.0in x 19.5in. X 6.50in. Very light weight: 36 lb. (16.4 kg.) Extremely Robust Outdoor Operation -40 C to +60 C Operating Range Universal Input Power Supply 90-265 VAC input range, PFC Variable Gain: 55 to 75 db, 0.1dB steps Output Power Detector Output Power Sample Port, -40 dbc Internal 1:1 Redundant Controller Large status LED Serial or Parallel Monitor and Control (RS232 / RS485) Ethernet Interface Standard, UDP-SNMP-Web Browser Auxiliary +15VDC power port for LNB or Fiber Optic module 30
Standard Compact Outdoor GaN SSPA Power Levels: S-Band: 50W,100W,200W,300W,400W, & 500W C-Band: 300W & 400W X-Band: 300W & 400W Ku-Band: 100W, 150W, 200W,& 250W L Band Input with Integrated ZBUC TM High stability 10 MHz internal reference Auto detection of external reference Locks to a variety of reference frequencies IFL based Monitor & Control using FSK Excellent Phase Noise Performance Seamless integration with Fiber Optics Seamless integration with LNB and L Band modem for full transceiver based applications ZBUC L Band Block Up Converter 31
Compact Outdoor SSPA Robust design for high dust and high heat environments Extremely efficient forced convection thermal design with quick disconnect fan tray for maintenance of fans and heat sink assembly. Operating Temperature: -40C to +60 C Altitude: up to 10,000 feet with no de-rating De-rate maximum operating temperature by 2 degrees/1,000 ft. beyond 10,000 feet. Shock- 50g p-p, 11msec pulses Vibration- 3g rms 30minute, 5Hz to 2000Hz operational. 32
100W Ka Band GaN SSPA 29.0 31.0 GHz Operation with 50W Linear Power Available Q3-2014 33
High Power Outdoor GaN SSPA S-Band: 500W, 600W, 800W, 1000W C-Band: 650W & 800W X-Band: 650W & 800W Ku-Band: 300W & 400W Ka-Band: 200W Linear Power ½ of Saturated Power Levels Size slightly larger than the Compact Outdoor SSPA Weight approximately 100 lbs. 34
650W X-Band Module for New Outdoor Package 650 W, GaN X-Band Module with integral waveguide-spatial combiner 35
300W Ku-Band Module for New Outdoor Package 300 W, GaN Ku-Band Module with integral waveguide-spatial combiner 36
400W Ku-Band Module for New Outdoor Package 37
600W S-Band SSPA Module 38
Monitor and Control Options Hardware and Software Options for Monitor and Control of SSPA and BUC Products Remote Control Panel 1 RU chassis Can remotely control SSPA up to 4000 ft. (1000 m) mimics actual SSPA chassis front panel RCP2-1000-CO Remote Control Panel for the Compact Outdoor SSPA RCP2-1000-RM Remote Control Panel for the Indoor Chassis SSPA Ethernet Port 39
Hand Held Controller for Outdoor SSPAs Will work with all GaN Compact Outdoors, VBUC, Compact Jr., and High Power Outdoor SSPAs 40
Traditional 1:1 Redundant Systems No additional Redundancy Controller required. 1:1 System with 4 RU SSPA Chassis 1:1 Redundant System of 600W S Band High Power Outdoor SSPAs 1:1 System with Compact Outdoor SSPAs 41
1:1 Redundant Plates for COjr. On-line Amplifier Redundancy Switch RF Output RF Input Maintenance Switch Maintenance Output -40 dbc Standby Amplifier 1:1 System Redundant Plates with the COjr. Package 42
Maintenance Switch Controller FAULTS SUMMARY POS 1 OUTPUT Test Output #2 INPUT POS 2 OFFLINE OUTPUT POWER SUPPLY MAINTENANCE SWITCH Maintenance Switch HPA Output P = 65.9 dbm P = 63.1 dbm 43
Phase Combined Systems Traditional 1:1 and 1:2 Phase Combined SSPA Systems with 1RU FPRC Controller Amp 1 Amp 1 RF Input RF Input Amp 2 RF Output RF Output Standby Amp 2 Amp 3 1:1 Phase Combined System 1:2 Phase Combined System 44
1.5 kw X-Band Phase Combined System Phase Combined 800W X-Band SSPAs in the High Power Outdoor Package 45
Modular Phase Combined Systems PowerMAX architecture is the premium approach to modular SSPA Systems. Ultimate Parallel System Reliability Extremely High Output Power Capability 46
GaN PowerMAX Innovation in Modularity PowerMAX is the latest advancement in Modular SSPA Technology Systems can be configured in 4 module, 8 module, or 16 module systems. Systems configured with a variety of module power levels to custom fit your redundant power requirement. Systems are completely field scalable: Start out with 4 modules. Grow system to 8 modules and/or 16 modules over time. No need to return system to factory for upgrade. Reduces initial equipment investment cost. All active components are modular and hot swappable from the front or rear panels including: Power Supply Modules Fans SSPA Modules M&C Card U.S. patents 8,189,338 B2 8,411,447 B2 47
RF Soft-Fail Redundancy Modular Amplifier Designs Combine n- number of modules Scalable Field Replaceable High Level of System Integration Integrated Ethernet / Router Capability Pure Parallel Redundancy No single point failures of active components 48
Pure Parallel System Architecture System is designed to be Purely Parallel. Failure of a Chassis or M&C Card will have no impact on the system operation. Unlike some modular amplifiers, PowerMAX is fully redundant right down to the Monitor and Control functionality. The loss of a M&C card will not interrupt system remote control. System remote control is available as RS485 or Ethernet. 49
Simplicity of Operation The sophisticated system monitor and control allows the system to be operated as if it were a single chassis amplifier. Single chassis-like operation is maintained with remote control as well as local (front panel) operation. The system output power detection is measured in True rms watts or dbm. power meter accuracy. Most HPA systems today use diode (peak) power detectors that do not accurately measure multicarrier or modulated signals. PowerMAX reports the true aggregate output power regardless of the number of carriers and modulation schemes. 50
Efficient Power Combining Extremely efficient power combining is at the heart of the PowerMAX architecture. Advanced 3D Electromagnetic Modeling Techniques are employed to design near loss-less 4-way combiners. The easily assembled 4-way combiner makes it very convenient to add SSPA modules in groups of four. All Passive Combining & No Switching results in hitless operation. 51
1.5 kw, Ku Band PowerMAX System (8) 250W Ku Band GaN Modules Combined to provide 1.5 kw saturated RF Output Power 1.1 kw Redundant (n-1 module) output power 52
4kW X-Band PowerMAX System Parallel Array of (8) 650 W GaN SSPA Modules in 7.9-8.4 GHz Efficiency approaching: 40% DC to RF 25% AC Prime to Saturated RF 53
10kW S-Band GaN SSPA System Combine (8) 800W Modules to produce 5 kw per Cabinet Combine two cabinets to produce 10 kw 54
8 Module GaN PowerMAX Systems Reference Specification Sheet 211198 55
8 Module GaN PowerMAX Systems 56
PowerMAX in 1:2 Redundant Systems The PowerMAX architecture can be a very economical solution to very high power 1:2 redundant systems. A single PowerMAX can be used on each polarity without the need of a third standby amplifier. RF IN-POL 1 RF OUT-POL 1 POL 1 RF IN-POL 2 RF OUT-POL 2 POL 2 Redundant Controller Traditional 1:2 Redundant System PowerMAX in Dual Pole System Lower Cost and Higher Overall System Reliability 57
Amplifier Linearity Linearity is a complex topic but in Satcom applications, can be subdivided into three primary categories. Single Carrier spectral regrowth of a single digitally modulated carrier Two-Tone Third Order Intermod products of a two CW tone signal Multi-Carrier Generally 3 or more carriers or noise power ratio performance 58
Single Carrier Spectral Regrowth Single Carrier Linearized GaN QPSK, OPSK = -25 dbc @ 1 db back off from Psat 16 QAM, OFDM = -25 dbc @ 2 db back off from Psat 59
High Data Rate Spectral Regrowth 100 MBPS, 8PSK Carrier at 3 db back off from Psat in a 250W Ku Band GaN SSPA -27 to -30 dbc Spectral Regrowth @ 1x symbol rate 60
High Data Rate Spectral Regrowth 60 MBPS, 16QAM Carrier at 3 db back off from Psat in a 250W Ku Band GaN SSPA -30 dbc Spectral Regrowth @ 1x symbol rate 61
High Data Rate Spectral Regrowth 60 MBPS, 16QAM Carrier at 3 db back off from Psat in a 400W C Band GaN SSPA -25 to -30 dbc Spectral Regrowth @ 1x symbol rate 62
Two-Tone IMD of Linearized GaN SSPA Multi-Carrier Linearized GaN Two Tone IMD = -25 dbc @ 2 db back off from Psat 3-20 Tone IMD = -25 dbc @ 3-4 db back off from Psat 63
Multi-Carrier Intermod Performance 0-5 -10-15 -20-25 -30 Two-Tone Three-Tone 22-Tone IMD in dbc -35-40 -45-12 -11-10 -9-8 -7-6 -5-4 -3-2 -1 0-50 Back off from Psat Multi-Carrier Linearized GaN Two Tone IMD = -25 dbc @ 2-3 db back off from Psat 3-20 Tone IMD = -25 dbc @ 3-4 db back off from Psat 64
GaN SSPA vs TWTA & GaAs SSPA Comparisons GaAs SSPAs Traditional Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier, TWTA High Efficiency Depressed Collector TWTA Klystron Tube Amplifier 65
150W Ku GaN vs 125W GaAs SSPA 125W GaAs Module in Compact Outdoor Enclosure P1=50 dbm ; Plinear=(P1-3dB)=47 dbm (50W) AC Prime Input Power = 1250W 150W GaN Module in Compact Outdoor Enclosure Psat= 52.0 dbm; Plinear=(Psat-3dB) = 49 dbm (80W) AC Prime Input Power = 700W Produces about the same linear power as the 250W (GaAs) Outdoor Package 66
400W GaN vs. 250W GaAs SSPA Highest Power available in GaAs is 250W P1=53 dbm; Plinear = P1 3dB= 50dBm (100W) AC Prime Input Power = 1800W 400W GaN Module in Compact Outdoor Psat=56 dbm; Plinear = Psat 3dB= 53dBm (200W) AC Prime Input Power = 1400W 67
C-Band 400W SSPA vs. 400W TWTA Traditional TWTA capable of producing full saturated CW power 400W C-Band GaN SSPA Output Power @ Psat: 56.5 dbm AC Prime Input Power @ Psat = 2200 W Max PLinear output power: 53 dbm (200 W) AC Prime Input Power @ 53 dbm= 1780 W AC Prime Power @ 51.5 dbm: 1200 W Rack Height: 5.25 inches Rack Weight: 70 lbs. 400W C-Band TWTA Output Power @ Psat: 55.5 dbm AC Prime Input Power @ Psat = 1500 W Max PLinear output power: 51.5 dbm (140W) AC Prime Input Power @ Plinear = 1300 W Rack Height: 5.25 inches Rack Weight: 70 lbs. 68
400W C-Band GaN SSPA Module (4) 120W GaN HEMTs in Final Stage 69
Evolution of the 400W C-Band SSPA circa 1995 16 inch rack height AC Prime @ Plinear: 3000W (16) 30W GaAs FETs circa 2005 7 inch rack height AC Prime @ Plinear: 2400W (8) 60 W GaAs FETs circa 2013 5 inch rack height AC Prime @ Plinear: 1780W (4) 120 W GaN FETs All the above SSPA chassis include the AC/DC switch mode power supply AC Prime power reduced 40% and size and weight reduced by factor of 3 70
1.3 kw SSPA vs. High Efficiency TWTA TWTAs utilizing dual depressed collector technology, while not able to produce the full saturated CW power of the tube, have been shown to produce respectable linear output power. 1.3 kw C-Band GaN SSPA Output Power @ Psat: 61.3 dbm AC Prime Input Power @Psat = 5000 W Max Plinear output power: 58.8 dbm (760 W) AC Prime Input Power @ Plinear= 4100 W Rack Height: 9 inches Rack Weight: 100 lbs. 2 kw C-Band High Efficiency TWTA Output Power @ Psat: 60 dbm AC Prime Input Power @ Psat: 5000 W Max Plinear output power: 59.4 dbm (890 W) AC Prime Input Power @ Plinear = 4500 W Rack Height: 16 inches Rack Weight: 155 lbs. 71
1.6 kw SSPA vs 2.5 kw C-Band Klystron SSPA covers over 500 MHz of operating bandwidth with no tuning required. Tube tuned over narrow operating band segments (45 MHz) 1.6 kw C-Band GaN SSPA 2.5 kw C-Band Klystron Output Power @ Psat: 62 dbm AC Prime Input Power @ Psat = 11000 W Max Plinear output power: 60 dbm (1000 W) AC Prime Input Power @ Plinear= 7000 W Rack Height: 9 inches Rack Weight: 140 lbs. Output Power @ Psat: 64 dbm AC Prime Input Power @ Psat: 9500 W Max Plinear output power: 60.0 dbm (1000 W) AC Prime Input Power @ Plinear = 6600 W Rack Height: 26 inches Rack Weight: 280 lbs. 72
Summary GaN HEMTs have enabled SSPA technology to rival the efficiency of TWTA and Klystron Vacuum Tube Amplifiers. The high power density of GaN produces power levels comparable to TWT and Klystron amplifiers in smaller and lighter footprints. The low voltage operation of SSPAs allows HPA systems to be realized in modular, redundant (soft-fail) systems. This allows SSPA based systems to have an extraordinary advantage in mission critical reliability and maintainability. 73