TRIDENT SYSTEMS LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Power amplifiers are of crucial importance to the tactical utility of a variety of RF syst

Description

Power amplifiers are of crucial importance to the tactical utility of a variety of RF systems. Keeping power amplifiers efficient requires running those amplifiers at or near their saturation point which causes non-linear operation. Non-linear operation causes distortion, unwanted interference and degradation of the communications signal. Reducing the input drive to meet linearity results in decreased efficiency and therefore wasted energy causing increased heat, larger heat sinks, added weight, size and additional power. A unique solution to this problem for properly designed power amplifiers is to use linearizers that"linearize"the input and therefore deliver a more"linear"output so that the amplifier can be driven harder and therefore be more efficient. There are many methods used to"linearize"a signal, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. In this SBIR, Trident proposes to design an automatic linearizer that can be used for a variety of different power amplifiers. The system will provide the capability to adjust input levels to a power amplifier in order to carefully control its operating point while linearizing this signal to improve the overall linearity for a variety of different gain amplifiers.