January 13, 2016

Advantech Wireless released a lightweight, more powerful Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology-based Block Upconverter (BUC) that is perfectly suited for SATCOM manpack defense and security deployments.

The integrated 16W/20W BUC includes power supply, phase-locked oscillator, mixer, filter and cooling mechanism, together weighing less than 2.6 kg (5.5 lb).  These weatherproof hub-mounted units are the smallest fully integrated units on the market today.  

This new, smaller, lighter and more powerful 16W/20W in Ku and extended Ku-Band GaN based BUC will support manpack and fly-away terminals for tactical and ruggedized industrial applications.  These critical terminals, used in remote and extreme environmental locations, provide quick and secure critical communications support for in-theater, intelligence gathering, surveillance, defense and homeland security applications in harsh environments.  

Cristi Damian, VP Business Development at Advantech Wireless states: “The mobile satellite market, including portable manpack terminals, demands smaller and higher efficiency BUCs, while maintaining a high linear output power availability. The design of these units is based on Advantech Wireless’ industry proven GaN-based reliable solid-state high power amplifiers. These units achieve a remarkable 40% reduction in size and energy consumption versus our previous generation of Ku-Band BUCs.  The use of high reliability GaN technology, high efficiency power supply and conservative thermal designs contribute to the trouble-free operation of the unit. With low weight and size, comes also a high degree of versatility and user friendliness. These units can cover both the standard 14.0-14.5 GHz band, or the extended Ku-band band of 13.75-14.5 GHz, by simply activating an external hardware switch.  This universal approach reduces inventory cost and operating expense.”