Light-Weight, High-efficient, Wideband Compact Power Amplifier

The military makes extensive use of high-power signals at frequencies from 1.5 MHz to 3 GHz for communication, jamming, and other applications. The proposed ultra-wideband high-efficiency power amplifier is based upon a combination of a high-efficiency RF power amplifier (PA) and electronic tuning. The high-efficiency PA provides maximum power output and minimum power consumption, thus allowing increases in battery life and reductions in size, weight, and prime power. Electronic tuning ensures that the PA maintains high-efficiency operation over a wide band of frequencies and in the presence of variable load impedance. Basic power modules with outputs of 200 to 500 W are envisioned.