Comtech Xicom Technology Introduces New Compact, Highly Efficient GaN Solid-State Ku-Band SATCOM SSPAs And BUCs

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.’s Santa Clara, California-based subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., which is part of Comtech’s Commercial Solutions segment, announces a new GaN-based Ku-Band solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) that packs a tremendous amount of power into a compact 48-pound (22 kg) antenna-mount outdoor unit (ODU). This highly efficient SSPA incorporates an optional L- to Ku-Band block upconverter (BUC) and provides 200 watts of linear output power in a package designed to handle tough environments and meet stringent Ku-Band RF requirements.

Using the latest in high-efficiency GaN semiconductor technology, Model XTSLIN-200K-B1 delivers 200-Watts of linear power across the SATCOM Ku-Band (13.75 - 14.5 GHz) on only 1600-Watts of prime power draw, making it the most efficiently operating SSPA in the industry. The small package measures only 8-inches (H) x 14-inches (W) x 19-inches (L) (20.32cm x 36.53cm x 48.26cm) and is designed for outdoor use in challenging environments operating over a temperature range of -40⁰C to +60⁰C using forced air cooling. The monitor and control (M&C) interface provides a component system status via Ethernet or RS-485 and RS-232 and supports a range of redundancy control schemes. Variable phase-shift combining (VPC) systems using these SSPAs are also available to achieve even higher power with non-interrupting soft-fail continuous phase operation, eliminating cut-outs and long reacquisition periods.

“This is the lightest and most efficient 200-Watt linear Ku-Band SSPA available in the marketplace, with linear performance equal to, or better than, much more expensive, larger, and heavier 500-Watt GaAs SSPAs,” said Mark Schmeichel, Senior Vice President, and General Manager for Comtech Xicom Technology Inc. “The size and weight advantages are particularly appealing for transportable requirements like Satellite News Gathering (SNG). We are extremely proud of the team that developed this innovative product, and happy to offer another best-in-class solution to our customers.”

Hardware, test data and additional information will be available to system integrators by visiting Comtech Xicom Technology representatives in Booth 313, at SATELLITE 2018, March 13-15, in Washington, DC.

About Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc.

Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., a world leader in high-power amplifiers, manufactures a wide variety of tube-based and solid-state power amplifiers for military and commercial satellite uplink applications. The product range encompasses power levels from 8 W to 3 kW, with frequency coverage in sub-bands within the 2 GHz to 52 GHz spectrum. Amplifiers are available for fixed and ground-based, ship-board, and airborne mobile applications. Please visit www.xicomtech.com for more information.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. The Company sells products to a diverse customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets.