High-Efficiency Power Amplifier for Over-the-Horizon Communications (HYPERION)

As unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology continues to advance, the demand for over-the-horizon (OTH) communications links increases. Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies will be targeted for future OTH data links in support of NASA's Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) program. Additionally, broadband-level data throughput is desired. NuWaves proposes the high efficiency (≥ 50%) HYPERION RF power amplifier (PA) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) to provide the output power necessary to transfer data between the UAS and the satellite. The HYPERION PA utilizes a Doherty amplifier, maintaining high efficiency over a wide range of RF input power. This wide dynamic range can support a number of different waveforms, from constant-envelope waveforms (such as frequency shift keying (FSK) and binary phase shift keying (BPSK)) to more complex waveforms such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The HYPERION PA delivers a saturated output power of 25 W in Ku- and Ka-band variants, with 30 dB and 18 dB of small signal gain, respectively.