With the ever growing need to increase the output power of solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA), combiner network efficiency is even more critical. In tube replacement applications where SSPA efficiency is paramount, having a compact low loss combiner network can be a game changer.
Traditional SSPA power combiners use coaxial (Wilkinson, hybrid or radial) or waveguide (spatial and tuned cavity) structures to achieve the desired results. The choice depends primarily on the frequency of operation: At low frequencies, designers are limited primarily to microstrip or balanced stripline architectures. At higher frequencies, cavity and waveguide combiners are options. With increasing power levels, waveguide becomes a necessity, to adequately handle the dissipated heat; however, waveguide components do require a larger footprint.
To address this need, M-Wave Design developed a high-power, X-Band, 0 degree, 8:1 combiner network, the 90HPCA1201. The combiner handles 2 kW peak (more than 100 W average) at each of its eight inputs, and the rated power at the output of the combiner is 800 W CW with an integrated 50 Ω termination for phase imbalance reflection. The 90HPCA1201 weighs just under 1 lb. with SMA female connectors at the input ports and a WR90 choke flange (MIL-F-3922/59-006) at the output.
The X-Band 8:1 combiner is just one example of M-Wave Design’s combiner network capabilities. M-Wave Design has 30 years of waveguide and coaxial passive design heritage developing some of the most innovative channel summing techniques available. M-Wave’s history with high-power ferrite products and combiner networks of all architectures gives the company a unique set of tools to solve challenging customer problems.
M-Wave Design Corp.
Simi Valley, Calif.
www.mwavedesign.com