The 20 W C-band lightweight GaN HPA for wireless sensor and power transmission in a spacecraft

In this study, a C band 20 W class GaN high power amplifier (HPA) for microwave power transmission (MPT) to sensor nodes in a spacecraft was designed. The weight of HPA was reduced by use of carbon graphite fixture. Measurement results of the small signal S parameters and large signal input output characteristics was shown. The measured S parameter corresponded with ADS simulation result and |S
₂₁
| was 10.6 dB at 5.8 GHz. The maximum output power was 44.2 dBm (26.3W) at 38.7 dBm RF input. The gain at 38.7 dBm RF input also was 6.1dB and gain compression from small signal condition was 4.5 dB. The lightweight GaN HPA was fabricated with carbon graphite fixture.