6 March 2017

Qorvo adds new Spatium amplifiers for electronic warfare systems

Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications) has launched three new solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) modules that further expand the power and frequency range of its Spatium amplifier family. The modules are optimized for electronic warfare applications, enabling defense customers to use ultra-wideband SSPA technology as an alternative to traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs).

“The need for wider bandwidth, higher frequency and higher performance will drive growth for gallium nitride (GaN) in defense applications, with the market approaching $342m by 2020,” comments Asif Anwar, director of market research firm Strategy Analytics’ Strategic Technologies Practice. “The Spatium technology with GaN places Qorvo in an ideal position to address defense TWTA replacements without compromising high power and broadband performance.”

Spatium products feature ultra-efficient RF power-combining capabilities built on GaN on silicon carbide (SiC) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. This creates a highly stable, reliable, high-performance TWTA alternative for demanding airborne, electronic warfare, test and simulation applications, says Qorvo. Solid-state Spatium modules have longer service lifetimes than comparable TWTAs, and offer advantages in size, weight, power and cost (SWAP-C), the firm claims.

“Our new Spatium amplifiers give RF designers unprecedented efficiency with output power from hundreds to thousands of watts,” says Roger Hall, general manager of High Performance Solutions at Qorvo. “Spatium excels in broadband applications; now solid-state solutions can outperform TWTAs with a much lower total ownership cost,” he claims.

The new modules include a 2-6GHz/300W unit, a 2-18GHz/60W unit, and a 2-8GHz/150W unit. Each is available in two configurations – as a solo Spatium amplifier building block or as a Spatium-based rack-mountable box with a driver, internal power supply and fan, suitable for bench-top demonstration or laboratory test equipment. Limited demonstration units are available to qualified defense customers.

Tags: Qorvo

Visit: www.qorvo.com/defense