0822 Mw Empower Rf Model 2237 6308d52974818

With 40-kW Output, 1- to 2-GHz Pulsed Transmitter Fills Radar, Test, and EW Needs

Aug. 26, 2022

Empower RF’s model 2237 transmitter provides complex waveform handling and an architecture capable of taking on power upgrades.

David Maliniak

Related To: Microwaves & RF

The Overview

Empower RF Systems’ model 2237 is a high-performance, liquid-cooled, pulsed transmitter operating from 1 to 2 GHz. The unit is the latest variation of the company’s Gen3 platform and is designed for maximum waveform flexibility.

Who Needs It & Why?

The model 2237 transmitter is configured for applications in L-band radar, test, and electronic warfare, further solidifying Empower RF’s solid-state, high-power, liquid-cooled, L-band product lineup. For those seeking an upgrade path as future transmit power needs evolve, the unit’s modern architecture provides scalability through adding hardware to the existing system.

Under the Hood

Arrangement of the model 2237 comprises a system controller in a 3U 19-in. rack unit and 16 hot-swappable 2U amplifier drawers. Each amplifier drawer contains an integrated power supply in its 2U chassis; there's no separate system-level power supply. As a result, risk of an RF section or single power-supply failure taking the entire amplifier offline is eliminated. In the event of an RF pallet or PA booster failure, there’s only a fractional reduction of output power and the amplifier system remains on air.

These Fast Field Replaceable (FFR) drawers (see video below) facilitate hot or muted swapping with a mean time to repair (MTTR) of less than 15 minutes, which yields a system with very high effective mean time between failure (MTBF).

The system delivers what Empower RF calls a breakthrough in complex waveform handling through sophisticated digital input and output RF detection algorithms to measure peak, RMS, and envelope power. Digital processing of the detectors allows capabilities not previously found on COTS pulse amplifiers, including:

Random pulse widths and duty cycles
500-kHz pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) and 10% duty cycle
Pulse widths from 200 ns to 500 µs
Optional droop correction and digitally modulated signals on the pulse carrier

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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About me:

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.