Packaging, amplifier and antenna technologies for K/sub a/-band broadband satellite communications systems customer premises equipment

Customer premises equipment is currently being developed for emerging broadband LEO and GEO K/sub a/-band communication systems. Tradeoffs for EIRP, G/T, antenna size and SSPA power are made and presented for varying requirements including the effects of rain attenuation. Cost effective RF module packaging schemes are developed with particular attention focused upon the SSPA. Scalable SSPA designs are evaluated for performance and cost.