Supplement: Aerospace, Military and Defence
Solving military satellite, radar and 5G communications challenges with GaN-on-SiC MMIC power amplifiers
By Michael Ziehl, senior manager of product marketing, Microchip Technology Inc Baljit Chandhoke, product manager, Microchip Technology Inc
D
evelopers of aerospace and defence systems need RF power amplifiers (PAs) to perform much better across both existing and emerging applications such
as military 5G and satellite communication. Systems need to meet higher gain targets but not if it comes with any increases in cost and complexity, or size and weight. As systems move to higher-order modulation schemes, they also must deliver adequate linearity and efficiency in an environment that is even more susceptible to distortion than was the case with earlier schemes. Reducing board space is another critical issue that has required challenging peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) tradeoffs.
A new generation of Gallium Nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC) PAs offers a solution to these challenges, which are especially difficult for bringing 5G networking to both on-battlefield and off-battlefield applications in the unused millimeterwave (mmWave) band that is not as vulnerable to high-power jamming signals.
New applications with tough challenges
In the aerospace and defence sector, some of the biggest challenges and opportunities for RF PA technology are in satellite communications and radar systems, as well as emerging 5G communications solutions for both on-battlefield and off-battlefield applications.
For instance, NASA has enabled private- sector companies to launch thousands of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites that are now circling the earth and delivering broadband Internet access, navigation, maritime surveillance, remote sensing and other services. New types of radar systems are also in demand (see Figure 1).
One example of these radar systems is 22 October 2023 Components in Electronics
used to alert pilots to any hostile or foreign radar activity and whether they are being “painted” by the radar of a friend or foe. This can be accomplished with both primary and secondary radar systems. A primary radar system transmits pulsed RF power and receives backscatter data that is used for tracking, surveillance and weather. In contrast, a secondary radar system transmits RF signals at
one frequency, which is received by an antenna and decoded, and then responds on a different frequency. In addition to performing friend-or- foe identification using 1030 Megahertz (MHz) and 1090 MHz frequencies, secondary radar systems can be used for distance-measuring equipment using the 960 MHz to 1090 MHz frequencies, and general communications using transponders.
Figures 1a and 1b: RF PA applications in military communications range from satellite communication and tactical platforms and terminals to acoustical and optical communication platforms, base communications infrastructure, network security and encryption systems, and interception and jamming systems.
RF PAs are also needed for a new generation of mmWave 5G communications solutions that, by virtue of their speed, ultra-wide bandwidth and low latency for broadband communication, will substantially increase how much information can be shared in support of real-time decision- making and other military applications. 5G systems operating in wide bandwidths have been vulnerable to high-power jamming signals, but jammers will now have to move into the mmWave range for these close- range 5G-based systems. Examples include battlefield sensor networks for command- and-control data gathering, and augmented reality displays that enhance situational awareness for pilots and infantry soldiers. 5G will also enable virtual reality solutions for remote vehicle operation in air, land and sea missions. Off the battlefield, 5G will enable a variety of smart warehouse, telemedicine, and troop transportation applications.
www.cieonline.co.uk.uk
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