Satellite Linearizers for Q, V and W-band

The need for the transmission of information at ever greater data rates is moving satellites to the millimeter-wave (MMW) bands. These satellites will need linear power amplifiers (PAs) to allow the efficient transmission of this information. This paper discusses progress in advancing the state of the art of PA linearization at the Q, V and W downlink satellite bands. The use of analog predistortion (PD) at MMW is discussed, and the characteristics of flight linearizers in development for these bands described. Linearized MMW TWTAs are shown to achieve an AM/PM of <; 2 °/dB, and at 3 dB output power backoff (OPBO) with a 16QAM signal, an adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) of > 30 dB with an EVM of <; 2%.