13 January 2016

Plextek RFI adds GaN power amplifier expert to design team

Plextek RF Integration of Cambridge, UK, which designs and develops RFICs, MMICs and microwave/millimeter-wave modules, has strengthened its capabilities with the addition of Robert Smith to its team of design engineers.

"We are seeing increasing demand for our design skills from right across the industry, in applications ranging from defence and aerospace through wireless technology and satellite communications to test and measurement," notes CEO Liam Devlin.

Smith brings GaN power amplifier (PA) design experience to his new role. He was previously with Thales Nederland, where he designed subsystems for active phased-array naval radar. In addition to RF design skills, his role with Thales also provided experience of moving designs from development to production, and in design considerations for component reliability.

Prior to joining Thales, Smith completed a PhD at Cardiff University (sponsored by Roke Manor Research) during which he investigated the design and implementation of broad bandwidth, high-efficiency RF PAs. His research included the development of push-pull amplifiers using GaN transistors at microwave frequencies using load-pull measurement techniques. Smith presented details of his work at the ARMMS RF and Microwave Society Conference in April 2013, for which he received the best paper award. He also published two papers on broadband balun and PA design at the IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS).

"We are confident that his experience will complement and enhance our existing skills portfolio as well as helping us to continue to grow our sales," says Devlin.

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