The output connector of this X-band 400W SSPA is N-type female. Two models are available with subtly different performance, one runs off a 40v supply and the other at 50v, the latter offering the best overall efficiency. The saturated power gain is around 55dB with a 0dBm input. The output and driver stages employ gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors giving state-of-the-art power performance with a power-to-volume ratio we believe to be among the highest in the industry for such products.

This high-power amplifier (HPA) is well suited to a range of radar applications, enabling our customers to use compact and reliable wideband SSPA technology instead of the incumbent traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). This amplifier can readily be combined with external combining components to provide power up to 10kW and beyond – the internal phase shifter allows the user to optimise the combining efficiency to get the most out of their system. This product can be combined to achieve >900W with an external Diamond Microwave 2-way power combiner (see DM-X1K0-03). The design is flexible in layout and architecture with small size, weight and power (SWAP) and can be tailored to meet individual specifications if required. This amplifier has been proven in the field in several radar systems globally. It is also available in a more compact housing (see DM-X400-04).

This SSPA is a “smart” product, with control and monitoring functions accessed on a webpage via an ethernet port. It incorporates sensing of forward and reverse power in its output path, as well as temperature, duty cycle and operating current. Monitored parameters are addressable via the ethernet interface with self-protection activated if the SSPA detects that a default or user-set threshold is crossed for RF power, temperature, duty cycle or current. The SSPA provides a visible alarm and can alert the host system when a threshold is exceeded. The alarm condition can be set to shut down the amplifier if maximum operating temperature is exceeded. The current model with ethernet is limited to +55C. This will be increased with the incorporation of a microcontroller on future models.

The DM-X400-02 is usually supplied without a heatsink, but a heatsink can be provided if required.