Our Solutions

Objective

A major challenge impeding Space & Satellite Communications is the limitation in RF data transfer due to radio inefficiency, which in turn is dictated by low Power Added Efficiency (PAE) of Solid State Power Amplifiers, SSPAs (traditionally <30%). An excessive amount of on-board power is utilized for RF transmission. Enhancements in SSPA performance will translate into greater RF throughput using lower power.

AstroComm’s solution to this challenge uses an innovative signal processing technique that enables the design of a hyper-efficient (PAE > 65%) Ka-band SSPA. Through signal pre-distortion and linearization (feedback loop), the signal compression point is pushed higher. The feedback loop also increases linearity and enables impedance matching at input and output. This technique enables us to achieve superior performance, at a much lower cost , compared to ongoing industry wide effort s at performance enhancement through improved GaN technology.

Ka-band amplifiers have enabled modern broadband satellite systems at LEO and GEO and are now increasingly used by the scientific community for high-rate data transmission. Despite this ever-growing demand, options and availability in the market are limited. AstroComm’s invention is aimed at providing ready access to Ka-band SSPAs at more than double the efficiency of existing options.

It may also be noted that AstroComm’s signal pre-distortion and linearization technology will apply to all frequency bands. AstroComm’s plan is to complete the more difficult Ka-band design first, in order to establish its bona fide. S, X, C and Ku band designs are much simpler to implement relative to Ka-band.

With the ‘New Space’ market as its primary goal, AstroComm’s SSPAs will meet the associated Space/Weight/Power and Cost constraints. For the same unit cost as the competition, AstroComm SSPAs will provide twice the performance – i) consume 50% less DC power for equivalent RF output, or ii) provide double the RF power using same amount of DC power.

State of Art and Industry Game Changer

SSPAs form the core of all transmitters/transceivers. It is widely recognize d that inefficient SSPAs (<30%) limit data transmission. There are major industry wide efforts to increase SSPA efficiency , primarily through improved GaN technology. In contrast, AstroComm uses a signal processing technique to accomplish this. This enables us to achie ve the superior performance at a much lower cost than is possible through improved material technology alone. Application of this technique to obtain a hyper efficient Ka band SSPA is a significant industry enabler

Versatility of this technology also allows non-communication applications, including higher-performance radar systems. Since radars typically operate at or near the amplifier compression point, this adaptive pre-processing enables operation with much higher gain. The software can be tailored to control multiple variables applicable for optimum radar operations, such as impedance matching and spectrum spreading. PAE for radar is increased through i) higher compression point, ii) optimal impedance match, and iii) increased linearity (where applicable).

Hyper-Efficient Signal Pre-Processing Technology for Solid State Power Amplifiers

• PAE > 65%

• Applicable to GaN & GaAS Devices

• Applicable to all frequency bands

• SSPAs for X-band, C-band, and Ku-band also available with NRE