Ultra-high efficiency X-Band MMICs for portable satellite communications

This research is based on developing world leading high power amplifiers (HPAs) for portable satellite communication equipment. A key requirement for portable equipment is to maximise battery life by optimising the microwave equipment to operate with high efficiencies (conversion of DC power to RF power). The major component to be targeted for efficiency enhancement in these units is the HPA due to the large output power. This study is focussed on applying novel harmonic tuning methods via measurement based techniques to an X-band GaAs MMIC HPA, targeted at improving present state-of-the-art performance with an ITAR-free solution. The MMIC will be designed, manufactured and characterised during the timescales of this project. The HPA will be designed to operate at 8GHz, with greater than 20W of output power and output stage efficiency of greater than 50%. This world leading performance will offer the collaborators a leading edge in this growing application area.