R&S expands broadband amplifier portfolio with new power classes up to 1000 W
Rohde & Schwarz announces the expansion of its proven R&S BBA300 family, a series of compact, high-end solid-state broadband amplifiers. With the introduction of the new R&S BBA300-DE500 and R&S BBA300-DE1000 models, this amplifier now covers power requirements of 500 W and 1000 W. Designed as single-band solutions, these units cover the entire frequency range from 1 GHz to 6 GHz without band switching.
Requirements in the automotive, aerospace, and defence sectors are steadily increasing. Precise generation of high field strengths is essential, particularly for vehicle component testing, full-vehicle testing, and High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) applications. The BBA300 family utilises advanced Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA) technology, offering higher availability and robustness compared to traditional Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers.
The units are designed for a wide range of modulation types, from standard amplitude and pulse modulation to complex OFDM signals. Thanks to high linearity and extreme mismatch tolerance, these amplifiers deliver reproducible measurement results even under difficult load conditions.
A key feature of the new high-power classes is their high-power density. The systems are housed in 30U racks pre-configured for mounting horn antennas. To minimise cable loss at high frequencies, the RF output (optimised with 7/16 connector characteristics) is positioned centrally in the rack. This shortens the path to the antenna and optimises the system link budget.
The BBA-PK1 option (available for the BBA300-DE500) allows the unit to be flexibly adapted to specific testing requirements. Users can adjust the bias point to prioritise either maximum linearity for complex signals or precise reproduction of pulsed signals. Additionally, the ratio between output power and mismatch tolerance can be individually configured.
The BBA300 family features a modular concept. Existing systems can be expanded or combined with other amplifier families, such as the BBA130/150, to create tailored system solutions.
