Diamond Microwave, a specialist in high performance microwave power amplifiers, has announced the launch of a new range of X-band GaN-based pulsed solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA) offering integrated monitoring and protection.

The new product range features output power levels up to 300W, and an ultra-compact footprint of only 220 x 150 x 41mm excluding heatsink. Despite their small size, the amplifiers include key parameter monitoring with self-protect functions which are activated if the SSPA detects that the VSWR threshold, duty cycle or current limits have been exceeded. The SSPA will also alert the host system when a low output power condition is detected, or when temperature limits have been exceeded. An interface to the host system is provided by Ethernet connectivity.

With variants covering the 8.4 - 9.6GHz band, these amplifiers are ideally suited for use as a solid-state alternative to a travelling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) or magnetron technology in many radar applications.

“Like all our GaN SSPAs, these amplifiers are extremely compact,” said Ian Davis, business development manager at Diamond Microwave. “Our new product range combines state-of-the-art RF performance with practical system health and usage monitoring functions. Similar designs can be tailored to alternative frequencies in the 1 - 18GHz range.”

The Diamond Microwave amplifier range features designs that are flexible in layout and architecture, and are fully customisable to meet individual specifications for electrical, mechanical and environmental parameters. All of Diamond Microwave’s amplifiers are ideal for use in demanding defence, aerospace and communications applications.

See Diamond Microwave on Stand 2319 at IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS) 2016.

NOTE: 'Diamond Microwave' and the diamond logo are trademarks of Diamond Microwave Devices Limited.