27-06-2022 | Filtronic | Subs & Systems
Filtronic plc has launched the Hades range of active diplexers, developed to allow OEMs to manufacture cost-effective E-band radios with significantly better RF performance for use in defence or commercial telecommunications applications, including airborne and HAPS.
The active E-band mmWave diplexers function over the 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz bands and provide a range of configurable options integrating high PAs and LNAs, reducing size and weight compared with discrete components. Their low overall SWAP makes them excellent for airborne and HAPS applications.
Active diplexers can be used in conjunction with a wide range of COTS surface mount-compatible packaged upconverters and downconverters. This offers enhanced performance compared with employing surface mount products and enables versatility in the deployment of configurable E-band links with different power levels.
The integral PAs have saturated transmitter (Tx) power output levels up to more than +30dBm, and incorporate a Tx RF power detector to facilitate power calibration and ALC. The LNAs have a receiver (Rx) noise figure of less than 4dB. With a typical output IP3 at +20dBm of +31dBm, the units' high linearity can support modulation formats up to 1024QAM to facilitate high data rates.
Where specified, the modules may be supplied with full calibration of transmitter power/frequency and receiver gain characteristics, stored on an integrated I2C EEPROM. An integrated temperature sensor also supplies users with accurate amplifier temperature data.
A broad range of configuration options are obtainable for the Hades diplexers, which can be selected to integrate GaAs or InP amplifiers as needed in either or both of the Tx and Rx chains. There is also the option to combine two GaAs PAs to give a higher linear Tx power for long-range terrestrial and non-terrestrial E-band communications links. Also, the WR12 port locations and directions can be customised upon request.
"The Hades range of active mmWave diplexers feature multiple configuration options to optimise them for a range of demanding commercial and military communications applications," said Dan Rhodes, director of Business Development ‒ mmWave Technology at Filtronic. "The high power, linearity and low SWAP mean that they deliver unparalleled performance in E-band links for LEO and HAPS systems as well as in many terrestrial use cases."
