Microwave amplifiers are solid state amplifiers in the 1 to 100GHz Frequency Band. They are used in defense systems, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, EMI (electromagnetic interference), medical diagnostics, and communications testing, laboratory testing and field testing applications.
Raditek solid state amplifiers include either Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) or Gallium Nitrate (GaN) active devices: these are the devices that do the actual amplification. Simplistically GaAs has the best linearity and GaN the best efficiency.
Applications are numerous; our focus is typically RF high power generation for RF and Microwave applications such as radio transmitters. Interstage amplifiers, medical amplifiers for cancer treatment, Low Noise amplifiers for Receivers.
A power amplifier is designed to increase the power available to a load. Power amplifier circuits (output stages) are classified as A, B, AB and C for analog designs—and class D and E for switching designs. The power amplifier classes are based on the proportion of each input cycle (conduction angle) during which an amplifying device passes current. The angle of flow is closely related to the amplifier power efficiency.
They are typically conductively cooled by mounting to a rack or a heat sink, Alternately they can be convection cooled by fitting to a heat sink, the cooling on this heat sink can be enhanced by a fan blowing air through it (known as forced air cooling) Water cooling options are offered for higher power models.
For our Microwave amplifiers we focus on Solid-state devices such as GaAs FETs, IMPATT diodes, Gallium Nitrate GaN IMFETS and others.
Amplifiers are specified mainly by their frequency coverage, Output Power, whether CW or Peak. All amplifiers have gain, a multiplication factor that relates the magnitude of the output signal to the input signal. Typically expressed as output power to input power (power gain) is most often expressed in decibels (dB)The gain may also be specified as the ratio of output voltage to input voltage (voltage gain). Amplifier power gain depends on the source and load impedances.
When you buy a Microwave Amplifier, you must have a list of features and output you want from the product. Otherwise, you might get confused and end up buying a wrong product out of many types and multitude of variants of each type. You should understand the configuration and design of all the kinds of Microwave Amplifiers such as Broadband, Log, Low Noise Amplifier, Gain Block, Variable Gain, and Power Amplifiers.
The performance of an SSPA is measured in terms of the frequency band, gain, power output, noise figure, linearity along with input and output VSWR which depends on the factors like device size, circuit design topology, matching networks, design methodology, fabrication technology, the number of gain stages, the aspect ratio for the devices between stages, and the quality of packaging.
You should also consider the performance of the amplifier: factors like semiconductor technology, thermal management, design methodology, and circuit architecture, etc. Also, the design should meet your electrical, thermal, physical, and economic requirements for a particular application and frequency range.
You would also find the trade-offs among size, electrical performance, reliability, and cost to meet your requirements. You can find the desired Microwave Amplifiers you need by using the Raditek website. You can also contact the sales team in case of any confusion.