Technological evolution of the Microwave Power Module (MPM)

Over the past decade, the Microwave Power Module (MPM) has undergone significant transformations, adapting to a wide variety of emerging radar and communications systems needs. Moreover, the recent success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and mobile SATCOM terminals in various military theatres around the world has cultivated a renewed interest in MPM technology due to the size, weight, and efficiency advantages they offer when compared to traditional solid-state and travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers. This paper traces the evolution of the MPM from its beginning at L-3 Communications EDD to more modern applications as versatile building blocks in high data rate digital communications, synthetic aperture radars, and electronic warfare systems. The parallel evolution of MPM design tools and supporting technologies is also examined, both of which have been instrumental in the development of next-generation MPMs.