Flexible S-band SSPA for Space Application

This paper presents a new methodology for reducing power consumption of power amplifiers from low level to high level RF power with minimal amplitude and phase variations. The study also highlights the important design considerations to achieve a good efficiency and excellent amplitude and phase tracking among the SSPAs.Using this methodology a flexible S band SSPA has been designed for the new generation of a mobile telecommunications satellite system.The SSPA provides 20 W output power in the multicarrier excitation signal with noise power ratio (NPR) higher than 15 dB and DC to RF efficiency greater than 35%. The DC power saving for 11 dB of output power back-off is more than 60% compared to a classical one.