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High-Power Solid-State Amplifier
Navy SBIR FY2013.1
| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2013.1 |
| Topic No.: |
N131-049 |
| Topic Title: |
High-Power Solid-State Amplifier |
| Proposal No.: |
N131-049-0364 |
| Firm: |
Physical Optics Corporation
Electro-Optics Systems Division
1845 West 205th Street
Torrance, California 90501-1510 |
| Contact: |
Eddy Milanes |
| Phone: |
(310) 320-3088 |
| Web Site: |
www.poc.com |
| Abstract: |
To address the Navy need for a high peak- and average-power solid-state amplifier to replace existing Klystron tube amplifiers in surface Navy radar, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new amplifier by Spatially Combining in a Radial configuration many Amplifier Modules (SCRAM). It is based on spatial combining of an array of over 350 power amplifier modules of 1 kW output to produce 350 kW of peak RF power at 5% duty cycle. The amplifier uses the new generation of rugged 50 Volt laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductors, and can tolerate high voltage standing wave ratios. This will allow hot swapping of the individual amplifier and power supply units, a Navy requirement. This new amplifier will significantly increase the critical path mean time between failures compared to present Klystron-based amplifiers. The innovation in this solid-state amplifier and power supply will enable the Navy to replace the Klystron amplifier, which is exhibiting decreasing availability; this directly addresses the Navy's requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed amplifier, by developing a scaled down prototype by combining power of four amplifier modules. In Phase II, POC will design the packaging and prepare a final prototype. |
| Benefits: |
The SCRAM amplifier will provide high 350 kW peak RF power with 5% duty cycle with good efficiency and wide instantaneous bandwidth. As a result, this technology offers advantages to the Navy in klystron replacement, providing a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable solution to resolve issues currently affecting Navy cost and system availability due to obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources. The potential for commercial application includes airport weather radar systems and nonmilitary government radar. |
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