This abstract describes ongoing work at L-3 Communications, Electron Devices on the development of high performance millimeter wave power modules (MMPMs). Operation of a 60 watt Q-band MPM TWT is described followed by recent results on the operation of a Linearized Ka-band MPM, combining a MPM and predistortion linearizer. These small, lightweight, robust millimeter-wave MPMs are well-suited for use in mobile and man-portable data link and Mil-Satcom communication terminals.The Q-band MMPM is capable of delivering 60 watts of CW power from 43 GHz to 46 GHz. The measured output power of the vacuum power booster TWT is shown in Figure 1. The small signal gain at mid-band is 45 dB. The Q-band TWT operates at a cathode voltage of 7.7 kV and a cathode current of 110 mA. A conduction-cooled threestage collector provides an overall TWT efficiency of 3300. When integrated into an MMPM, the unit will measure 8.5" x 7.5" x 1.25" and weigh around 5 lbs. 50 -49 E m a-.48 0 47 46 L--43.0 43.5 44.0 44.5 Freq (GHz) l | r~~~3 5 45.0 45.5 46.0 X Figure 1. Q-Band MPM TWT output power Figure 2 shows data taken at Electron Devices on the initial operation of a Linearized Ka-band MPM designed to provide 25 watts of linear power over the 30 to 31 GHz frequency band. The Linearized Ka-band MPM incorporates a wideband Ka-band TWT having a saturated output power of 50 watts over the band of interest and an integrated predistortion linearizer/SSA, provided by Linearizer Technology Inc. As seen in the figure, the thirdorder intermodulation products for the Linearized Ka-band MPM at 3dB back off in output power are below -26 dBc, a 10 dB improvement in linearity over the baseline MPM performance. Further reduction of the C/31M level to -30 dBc is expected with optimization of the linearizer settings. -Tr -GD M E 1 EH i 1 I0D_ E CD1 M H SF!ANJ 1DO_ I=D D-H-z SWPC C0_nms Figure 2. Linearized Ka-band MPM 2-tone excitationshowing third-order intermodulation products The measured power transfer characteristic (Po vs. Pin) and gain compression are shown in Figure 3. At 3 dB back off in output power, the gain compression for linearized operation is 0.4 dB. This is to be compared with a value of 1.5 dB gain compression for unlinearized performance. 50 2 45 0 40 30I 30 25 -2 m --4 E 0.-w -6
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