Utilizing GaN MMICs And Coaxial Waveguide Spatial Power Combining In Power Amplifiers

By Patrick G. Courtney, Jim Zeng, Thuan Tran, Hung Trinh, and Scott Behan, Qorvo

Solid state amplifiers can now be constructed through the use of MMIC amplifiers to reach output powers and performance levels that have only been achievable by traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). These new high efficiency power amplifiers are designed to incorporate an antipodal finline antenna array within a coaxial waveguide that is optimized in the Ka Band. This white paper demonstrates building a 120 Watt power amplifier operating from 27 to 31 GHz through the use of a coaxial waveguide combiner structure joined with 10 Watt GaN MMIC devices. Download the full paper for more on the coaxial waveguide spatial power combining structure, and how to utilize GaN MMIC performance.