Comtech Xicom Technology has announced a lightweight, 1250-W traveling-wave-tube amplifier (TWTA) for outdoor satellite-communications (satcom) applications. Designed for Ku-band uplink systems operating from 13.75 to 14.50 GHz, the outdoor packaged TWTA was introduced at this week's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas, NV. Model XTD-1250KL uses a high-efficiency, dual-stage depressed-collector design to deliver 1.25 kW peak output power with 450 W linear output power over the full operating band.
According to Walt Wood, CEO of Xicom Technology, "This new high-power TWTA will enable satcom service providers to reduce operational costs while meeting demanding performance and reliability requirements. It's just the latest example of Comtech Xicom listening to our customers' needs and developing the next cutting-edge product to address those needs." The Ku-band amplifier is housed in a weatherized package measuring 21.5 x 12.75 x 12.0 in. and weighing 85 lbs. It can be configured for single-thread, redundant, or phase-combined operation and incorporate a range of features including RF gain control, pre-distortion linearizer, solid-state pre-amplifier, and a complete serial monitor and control system.