DIRECT-TO-DEVICE MULTIBAND POWER AMPLIFIER WITH ENHANCED BACK-OFF EFFICIENCY AND LINEARITY EXPRO PLUS

Objective: To study, design, manufacture and measure a multi-band (UHF-, L- and S-Band) power amplifier breadboard for active antenna for direct-to-device (D2D) LEO satellites.Description: The waveform and modulation schemes used in 5G new radio (NR) for D2D aim to provide spectral efficiency, data throughput, and resilience required for terrestrial 5G communications. However, such transmitting signals introduce a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), which has a major impact on the efficiency of the RF power amplifier (PA). These amplifiers typically operate at 6 to 8 dB output back-off (OBO) to achieve the desired noise power ratio and error vector magnitude. A classical power amplifier architecture without efficiency enhancement techniques can impact the power added efficiency at such a high OBO. Today, most promising architectures are Doherty power amplifier (DPA) and load modulated balanced amplifier(LMBA). Nevertheless, considering a classical architecture, their maximal fractional bandwidth is limited and can't achieve the required D2D large bandwidth covering at least UHF-, L- and S-band. The main goal of this activity is to study, design, manufacture andmeasure a multi-band (UHF-, L- and S-Band) PA breadboard that can operate over a significant portion of the Frequency Range 1 (FR1)band and is capable of handling high crest factors associated to high efficiency. This activity encompasses the following tasks: - Define operational scenario and end-user requirements associated. - Critically review the preliminary design requirements. - Performa state-of-the-art review of advances and trends in MMIC design in FR1. - Identify potential solutions and perform a preliminary trade-off analysis. - Perform detailed electrical design and analysis of the breadboard demonstrators in the down-selected technologies, considering critical areas requiring specific attention during the manufacturing. - Define a manufacturing and test plan. - Procure, manufacture, and assemble the power amplifier, proceed with the tests, collect and evaluate the results. - Critically evaluate the outcome of the activity, proposing updates or potential improvements.Deliverables: Breadboard, ReportProcurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_Clauses