Advantech Releases Second Generation GaN 1,250W Ku-band PA
Canadian satellite broadband solutions firm Advantech Wireless has released a 1,250W Ku-Band SapphireBlu UltraLinear SSPA/SSPB (solid state power amplifer/solid state power block) for satellite broadcast teleports, based on its second generation GaN technology.
The second generation SapphireBlu Class of UltraLinear GaN-based SSPAs and block up-converters (BUCs) from Advantech Wireless are suitable for high power, wide frequency band uplinks.
According to the company, one single GaN based SSPA offers higher performance in multi carrier mode than several linearised travelling wave tubes (TWTs) and Klystrons, suiting them to large teleports and broadcast industry. The new systems can saturate all transponders of an entire satellite and obtain maximum bandwidth/power efficiency.
Cristi Damian, VP business development at Advantech Wireless stated: "These units are designed as an alternative to legacy TWTs and Klystrons in large teleports. By removing the need for expensive indoor filter combining schemes, UPS, air conditioning systems, and expensive outdoor wave guide runs, a single 1250W Ku-Band Second Generation GaN unit can easily replace 10 or more Klystrons or indoor TWTs.
"In many cases, this allows consolidation of traffic from multiple antennas and multiple satellites to a single antenna and a single satellite. These teleport architecture changes will then result in massive OPEX cost reductions, and will free up the cash for the teleport operator. The initial cost of investment is recovered in most of the cases in just one year of electricity bill savings."