Abstract

An X-band high power Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA) using power HFET chip devices has been successfully developed for the earth observation satellite payload of the SPOT 5 program. The use of MMIC chips for the low power section allows to decrease significantly the mass and the size of this equipment and to reduce the production cycle due to the reduced tuning effort. The hybrid technology is used in the driver module and the power level section because it is attractive in terms of power and efficiency performances. This SSPA exhibits an output power of 22 watts with DC power consumption less than 91VV. The output power is regulated by an ALC loop for input power between -20dBm and +15dBm.