Onboard Microwave Solid-State Power Amplifiers for Future Command and Measurement Systems

Abstract

This article deals with development considerations and parameters of solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA) for onboard command and measurement systems (OCMS). The paper suggests solutions of problems common for spacecraft: reliability control, input power increase, efficiency, reduction of weight dimension characteristics, improvement of radiation resistance, etc. Matters of redundancy and output power switching without efficiency loss are discussed; trends of SSPA development and the image of future SSPA are formulated.