- News
12 June 2018
MACOM launches high-linearity GaAs-based power amplifiers for Ka-band SatCom and VSAT
© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.
MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components and subassemblies for RF, microwave, millimeter-wave and lightwave applications) has launched a portfolio of Ka-band power amplifiers (PAs) optimized for next-generation SatCom and VSAT applications requiring high-speed connectivity, efficiency and reliability.
Available now in 2, 2.3, 3, 4 and 6W power output options spanning frequency ranges from 27GHz to 31.5GHz, the new gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based Ka-band MAAP series PAs can deliver up to 24.5dB of linear gain, 29% power-added efficiency (PAE) and saturated output power (PSAT) up to 38.5dBm, with third-order intermodulation (IM3) distortion levels up to -25 @ 27dBm. Assembled in lead-free 5mm, 32-lead QFN packaging (with available 6W bare die option – MAAP-011140-DIE), the Ka-band MAAP Series PAs can provide full SMT assembly flexibility, complemented by MACOM’s portfolio of discrete mixers, drivers and gain block amplifiers.
“The demand for high-speed broadband data connectivity continues unabated,” says Graham Board, senior director of product marketing. “We are seeing revolutionary changes in fixed wired networks such as HFC [hybrid fiber coax] and fiber along with terrestrial wireless networks, 4G to 5G, in order to meet this demand. As such it was only a matter of time before we saw the same changes in satellite networks,” he adds. “MACOM is uniquely positioned to tackle the complex engineering challenges in all three of these domains,” he believes. “To address the move from Ku- to Ka-band in SatCom we are introducing this comprehensive portfolio of high-performance, cost-effective Ka-band PAs. These complement our existing families of mixers, doublers, drivers and VCOs for SatCom.”
MACOM is showcasing its RF technology portfolio in booth #1125 at the IEEE’s International Microwave Symposium (IMS 2018) in Philadelphia (12–14 June). The firm’s booth features new product solutions optimized for 5G connectivity, base-stations, SatCom, test & measurement, ISM (industrial, scientific & medical) and radio communications.