Q-Band Solid State Power Amplifier for Space Applications

Abstract

This paper describes the design and realisation of Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) at Q-band (38.0 - 38.15 GHz) for space applications. The SSPA is designed to provide a CW output power of 31.5 dBm at 2 dB gain compression with a large signal gain of 68 dB. The SSPA is indigenously designed & developed with first pass success and is space qualified to work over a temperature range of -5°C to +60°C. The SSPA comprises of RF section, controller section and electronic power conditioner. Output losses are minimized by using direct microstrip-to-waveguide transition at SSPA output to achieve the maximum possible RF power from single high power amplifier MMIC. The test & evaluation (T & E) of SSPA that consists of burn-in, EMI/EMC, vibration, thermovacuum & life test is successfully carried out.