Santa Clara, California-based Comtech Xicom Technology, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications (News - Alert), announced that it has received an order worth $2.9 million from a U.S. contractor, for its power amplifiers. The order, which is expected to be delivered over the next three quarters, is for both tri-band and ka-band high powered amplifiers (HPA’s). The company has received this order to support the Air Force’s ground multi-band terminal (GMT) program.

 

The ground multi-band terminal (GMT) is a strategic satellite communications ground terminal which supports operations in X, C, Ku, and military Ka-band.

 

In general, Ka-band is part of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum and covers the frequencies of 26.5-40GHz. This band frequency supports communications satellites and high-resolution, close-range targeting radars that are aboard military airplanes.

 

Tri-band supports three frequency bands. The X-band is part of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum and its frequency range is from 7 to 12.5 GHz. The C-band has different variations with different frequency ranges and is usually used in optical communications with the wavelength range 1530 nm to 1565 nm. The Ku-band is for radar communication and normally has frequency range from 12 to 18 GHz.

 

For those who are not familiar with an RF power amplifier, it is a type of electronic amplifier that is used to convert a low-power radio-frequency signal into a larger signal of significant power - for driving the antenna of a transmitter. This amplifier is optimized to have high efficiency, good return loss on the input and output, increased gain, and better heat dissipation.

 

Comtech said that this is the fourth order in a series of HPA procurements for the Air Force GMT program, which started in2005 and is expected to continue through 2011.

 

The company also provides satellite modems for GMT via its Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, EF Data Corporation.

 

“As a world leader in both Tri-band and high power Ka-band amplifiers, we are pleased to participate in this important program,'' said Fred Kornberg (News - Alert), Comtech's CEO, in a statement. “The demand for these amplifiers will continue, driven by the continuing deployment of Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) Satellite systems. Our tri-band amplifiers offer users the flexibility of accessing both military and commercial satellites.''

 

Xicom (News - Alert) Technology is a provider of high power amplifiers and manufactures an array of tube-based and solid-state amplifiers for military and commercial satellite uplink applications. Its product range encompasses power levels from 8W to 3 KW, with frequency coverage in sub-bands within the 2 GHz to 45.5 GHz spectrum. The company’s amplifiers are available for fixed and ground-based, ship-board, and airborne mobile applications, said the company.

 

Comtech Telecommunications designs, develops, produces and markets products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions.