The microwave power module: a versatile RF building block for high-power transmitters

Author

Smith, Carl R. ; Armstrong, Carter M. ; Duthie, Joseph

Author_Institution

Defensive Syst. Div., Northrop Grumman Corp., Rolling Meadows, IL, USA

Volume

87

Issue

5

fYear

1999

fDate

5/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

717

Lastpage

737

Abstract

The microwave power module (MPM) is described. This miniature radio frequency (RF) power amplifier combines a low-noise high-gain monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) solid-state amplifier (SSA) driver with a high-efficiency reduced-gain vacuum power booster helix traveling-wave tube (TWT) and integrated power conditioner (IPC). Progress on the development of 100-200-W power booster TWTs and MPMs covering the 2-40-GHz frequency range is discussed, giving examples of demonstrated RF performance. MPM advantages are contrasted to conventional TWTA and SSPA approaches, along with a discussion of various MPM-based transmitters for architectures. Numerous applications of MPM transmitters for radar, electronic countermeasure, communications, and space have been identified with widespread implementation expected to take place in the near future

Keywords

microwave power amplifiers; microwave tubes; radio transmitters; travelling wave tubes; 100 to 200 W; 2 to 40 GHz; MMIC solid-state amplifier; RF power amplifier; high-power transmitter; integrated power conditioner; microwave power module; vacuum electron tube; vacuum power booster helix traveling-wave tube; High power amplifiers; Low-noise amplifiers; MMICs; Microwave amplifiers; Microwave integrated circuits; Monolithic integrated circuits; Multichip modules; Radio frequency; Radio transmitters; Radiofrequency amplifiers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Proceedings of the IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9219

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/5.757252

Filename

757252