SSPA Application Notes
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POWER AMPLIFIERS PROTECTION AND MONITORING
Special measures are implemented to protect the Power Amplifiers from the following conditions and to monitor them (at the system level):
- Over Temperature Alarm and Protection.
- Open/Short Load Alarm and Protection.
- Forward Power Monitor.
- Reflected Power Monitor.
DEFINITION OF PARAMETERS
Operating Frequency Band
The operating frequency band is the frequency range where the amplifier should meet the specified parameters.
Operating Temperature Range
The operating temperature range is the range of temperatures where the amplifier should meet the specified parameters.
Saturated Output Power
The saturated output power is the maximum power that the amplifier can deliver to the specified load.
Power Droop
Power Droop is defined as the decrease in output power over pulse width.
Output Power at 1dB Compression Point
The Output power at P1dB is defined as the power level at which the gain drops 1 dB below the small signal gain. This parameter is typical to GaAs based PA's were for GaN based PA's this point is not applicable to to very soft gain compression.
Small Signal Gain
Small Signal Gain is defined as the ration of the measured output power to the measured input power and is expressed in dB. Small Signal Gain is typically measured at 20dB below saturated power.
Power Gain
Power Gain is defined as the ration of the measured output power to the measured input power and is expressed in dB. Power Gain is measured at Saturated output Power.
Gain Flatness
Gain Flatness is the as the difference between the maximum and minimum gain over the entire frequency rage at a given temperature.
Gain Variation over Temperature
Gain Variation over Temperature is defined as the maximum variation in gain over the entire operating temperature range at a given frequency.
Gain Window
Gain Window is defined as the maximum to minimum gain over both frequency and temperature.
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)
The Voltage Standing Wave Ratio is a measurement of a port's actual impedance with respect to the system's characteristic impedance, usually 50 ohms.
RF Pulse Rise Fall Time
RF Pulse Rise Fall Time is defined as time from 10% of RF detected voltage to 90% of RF detected voltage and as time from 90% of RF detected voltage to 10% of RF detected voltage respectively.
Maximum Pulse Width
The maximum pulse width is defined as width of as RF pulse fed to the input of an amplifier.
Duty Cycle
Duty Cycle is defined as the ratio between RF pulse repetition rate and pulse width.
Phase Linearity
Phase linearity is defined as the input to output phase variation over the entire frequency range relative to a straight line.
Phase Matching
Phase Matching is defined as the difference in insertion phase between two or more SSPAs over the specified frequency range.
Phase Tracking
Phase Tracking is defined as the difference in insertion phase between SSPAs over frequency range at a given frequency.
Amplitude Matching
Amplitude Matching is defined as the difference in gain between SSPAs over frequency range at a given frequency.
AM to AM Conversion
AM to AM Conversion is defined as the gain change at a fixed frequency and temperature over the input power.
AM to PM Conversion
AM to PM Conversion is defined as the phase change at a fixed frequency and temperature over the input power and it is expressed in Deg/dB.
Maximum Input Power
The maximum input power is defined as the max. power level applied to the input of an amplifier without causing a permanent damage.
The information contained in this data sheet is basic marketing information and does not contain any export controlled information.
