Highly flexible linearizer/channel amplifiers using a microcontroller

The linearizer/channel amplifier (L/CAMP) described in this paper is designed for use on a satellite. It employs an active FET predistortor with a very wideband frequency response and electrically controllable nonlinear characteristics that can be tailored over frequency to adjust for a wide range of power amplifier (PA) nonlinear characteristics. It can be used with either a TWTA or an SSPA. It is the first flight L/CAMP design with a microcontroller-based architecture to provide the ability to be reconfigured for multiple bus interfaces, and include features such as smart channelization, random-access set points and state revision. The Ku-band version operates over a full 2,050 MHz; similar units are under development for the satellite X- and Ka-bands.