High Power Density Spatial Combiner for the Q-Band, Ready for Space Applications

Abstract

This paper outlines the design characterization and electromagnetic performance of a millimeter-wave high power combining structure, which exploits the spatial power combination technique. The input matching is always below 10 dB over the entire Q band, and the overall weight of the structure is about 500 g. Multiphysics simulations show how this structure is suitable for the most challenging space missions that will arise in next few years. In fact, 100 W of RF power above the frequency of 40 GHz can be delivered while all the specifications for satellite payloads are complied. Other Spatial Power Combiner structures, such as Radial ones, cannot be implemented in space missions since they are much less compact and much heavier than the one presented in this article, and this is the major advantage of this configuration which was specially designed for a space project.

Innovative Mode Enhancement for High Power Coaxial Vircators

“…Considering solid-state devices, recent advances in GaN technology allow us to obtain solid-state high power amplifiers (SSHPAs) at high frequencies and with high reliability [1]. Spatial power amplifiers (SPAs) [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] are the most desired SSHPA-based devices whenever small size, solid-state highpower density, and graceful degradation are needed. The examples of application fields are strategic electronic warfare (EW), electronic counter measurement/electronic counter counter measurements (ECM/ECCMs) systems, and space communications applications.…”

A New Theoretical Approach of Studying Resonances in Single Finline Transitions

“…HPAs can work either in pulsed or continuous mode and tubes are nowadays the best option in case of pulsed mode for megawatt output powers in RADAR applications. Concerning SSPAs (Solid State Power Amplifiers) in recent years kilowatthigh frequency continuous wave have been developed along with new HPAs design strategies and architectures [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The most efficient and compact structure capable of delivering large amounts of power in the range of millimeter waves is certainly the one called Spatial Power Amplifier (SPA), or Spatial Power Combiner (SPC).…”