Ultra-Efficient P/UHF Band Power Amplifiers

The project willadvance Power Added Efficiency (PAE) beyond current commercial offerings in the P-band/UHF-band, targeting a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-6 for the MMIC power amplifier. This effort is significant in its potential to enhance NASAs communication and navigation for Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) conscious applications. It has implications for various NASA missions and programs, including the Ecosystems SAR (EcoSAR), Electra UHF Navigation Package, and follow-on Mars rovers akin to Perseverance and Curiosity. The high PAE UHF MMIC 25-watt power amplifiers resulting from this project will be utilized across 32 polarimetric transmit/receive modules within the aircrafts radar electronics unit, demonstrating the potential impact of this technological advancement. The proposed UHF MMIC, with a PAE greater than 75%, offers benefits beyond NASA applications and holds potential for non-NASA commercial and Department of Defense (DoD) applications, including tactical radio (ground, shipborne, handheld), FirstNet Network, commercial 5G New Radio FR1, and UHF Air Traffic Control and Wind Profile Radar. Focusing on pushing the boundaries of UHF MMIC SSPA technology, the project is poised to make significant contributions to meeting the demands for high-efficiency ultra-high-frequency applications, underscoring the projects relevance for both terrestrial and space exploration applications. The proposed GaN MMIC SSPA is key for high-efficiency UHF applications, crucial for NASA's EcoSAR, delivering 75% PAE—a 30% improvement over the current state-of-the-art—within an unprecedented compact 12mm x 8mm size. This leap in efficiency and a 160-fold reduction in size enable significant energy, cost, and weight savings, enhancing payload efficiency for space and terrestrial applications. The innovation addresses critical needs for higher power density and efficiency in RF power amplifiers, offering a transformative solution for both space exploration and earth observation missions. Technical Objectives: 1. Finalize and Optimize Phase-1 SSPA Design (Version-1) 2. Develop a Second SSPA Design (Version-2) 3. Fabrication of GaN MMIC SSPAs 4. High-Power Test Fixture and Evaluation Board Development 5. Assembly and Testing 6. DC Power Conditioner Design Completion Proposed Deliverables: 1. Test-Fixture Modules for Version-1 SSPA 2. Test-Fixture Modules for Version-2 SSPA 3. Final Measurement Report

NASA Mission/Program: Ecosystems SAR (EcoSAR) Next Generation UHF Relays Like The Electra UHF Navigation Package on MRO Mars Rovers and Landers - Follow-Ons to Perseverance/Curiosity Deep Space Network (DSN) Commercial/ Defense Tactical Radio (Ground, Shipborne, Handheld) FirstNet Public Safety Network Commercial 5G New Radio FR1 UESA UHF Phased Array Radar for DoD

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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