100W solid state power amplifier for Ka/Ka uplink from estrack deep space stations in the Bepicolombo mission :13–16 September 2016. ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

This paper describes the design and development of a prototype for a 100W Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) system for future ESTRACK Deep Space Station in the Ka band uplink frequency, reviewing of all relevant parts that the Solid State Power Amplifier consists of. The architecture of the presented SSPA allows a solution easily upgradable in order to reach the final production level and this prototype will be suitable for integration in Malargue station. Measurements for the key elements of the SSPA are presented showing a promising behavior in line with the initial requirements.