Two new product ranges from Filtronic, designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems for mission-critical communication networks, were launched at this year’s International Microwave Symposium (IMS): the Taurus, a high-power E-band amplifier and Hades X2, a next-generation active diplexer.
The Hades X2 active diplexer is designed to reduce the cost of E-band radios while increasing overall performance (Fig. 1). It maintains a typical PSAT of 30 dBm and features dual high-power amplifiers. The device also includes two gallium-arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave ICs (MMICs) that are performance-matched and power-combined in a waveguide to deliver maximum power and linearity.
Similar to Filtronic’s other active diplexers, Hades X2 incorporates a configurable range of GaAs, power amplifiers, and low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) within an E-band diplexer, maximizing performance while reducing weight and size.
A wide range of COTS SMT-compatible, packaged GaAs or silicon-germanium (SiGe) up/downconverter solutions can be with active diplexers to increase performance beyond what’s achievable with surface-mount products. This allows you to deploy configurable “standard power” and “high power” E-band links without changing the radio mechanics.
Hades X2 is equipped with the following:
Taurus is a high-power E-band amplifier with linear millimeter-wave (mmWave) power and an unmatched performance for long-range E-Band comms, according to the company (Fig. 2). Typical PSAT is 38 dBm.
Combining the power of two Cerus amplifiers, the Taurus almost doubles the available output power. Each Taurus module is built with two Cerus 8 E-band amplifier modules. Each contains eight Filtronic GaAs pHEMT PA MMICs that are performance-matched and power-combined in a waveguide to deliver maximum power. To top it off, there’s an integrated temperature sensor along with optional function control circuitry like mute control and alarms.
Other features include:
- 81- to 86-GHz high-power amplifier
- High linearity supports 256QAM
- Full 5-GHz bandwidth
- Saturated powers up to >+39 dBm
- >20-dB gain
“With 70 years of successful symposiums under its belt, there is no better place than IMS for Filtronic to launch Taurus and Hades X2,” commented Walter Magiera, chief commercial officer of Filtronic. “It’s one of Filtronic’s flagship shows, which is always a success for us. The team is looking forward to sharing its latest products with attendees.”
Filtronic launched the first iteration of Hades active diplexers last year. They’re designed to
allow OEMs to manufacture cost-effective E-Band radios with higher RF performance for use in commercial or military telecommunication applications, such as airborne and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS).