Virtual Prototype of Innovative Ka-Band Power Amplifier Based on Waveguide Polarizer

Abstract

This paper outlines an innovative approach to design a spatial power-combining structure based on waveguide polarizers. It presents the 3D CAD model of the new structure with the transversal probes and considerations in positioning and optimization of them. Exploiting the transformation of the dominant input mode TE10 into an elliptically polarized wave, provided by the polarizer, it has been possible to achieve a division of power by eight, completely carried out in space. With the insertion of the transversal probes made by microstrips, the RF signal can be sent to the MMIC solid state power amplifiers, and then recombined in the output section. Thanks to the large number of power divisions made in the waveguide section, the insertion loss of the power divider/combiner is less than 0.5 dB across the 32-34 GHz band, achieving a great power density as well. At the Author’s best knowledge, this is the first work where a waveguide polarizer is used in Spatial Power Combining technology.

An Innovative Odd-Power Divider by means of a Triple FinLine Waveguide to Microstrip Transition

“…It is simple to understand that a probe cannot have an arbitrary shape and cannot be placed in a random spot, especially when the system works at high frequencies. Two major categories of probes are used in this part of the spectrum: longitudinal probes [9][10][11] and transverse probes [12][13][14][15]. Although they could have different shapes, as the names suggest, the difference between these two kinds of probes mainly lies in the positioning of those with respect to the propagation direction of the EM field.…”

Innovative Mode Enhancement for High Power Coaxial Vircators

“…Considering solid-state devices, recent advances in GaN technology allow us to obtain solid-state high power amplifiers (SSHPAs) at high frequencies and with high reliability [1]. Spatial power amplifiers (SPAs) [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] are the most desired SSHPA-based devices whenever small size, solid-state highpower density, and graceful degradation are needed. The examples of application fields are strategic electronic warfare (EW), electronic counter measurement/electronic counter counter measurements (ECM/ECCMs) systems, and space communications applications.…”

A New Theoretical Approach of Studying Resonances in Single Finline Transitions

“…SPAs have been developed using high powerhigh efficiency MMICs based on semiconductors such as GaN, GaAs and InP. Different finline to microstrip (FLuS) transitions [16] have been developed through the years with different topologies E. Brenna 1 , S. Fantauzzi 1 , L. Valletti 1 , F. Di Paolo 1 and EM field modes that can be pulled out from these structures using probes [17][18][19]. Basically, this type of transitions is based on Vivaldi antenna topologies [20,21] and they are massively implemented in broadband applications, even in the THz domain and with very interesting harvesting capabilities [22][23][24].…”