FLEXGAN Product Assurance plan was defined and detailed specifications established. Baseline SSPA architecture was defined, and Design Verification Matrix issued.
Two highly efficient combining techniques were evaluated, obtaining good matching between simulations and tests.
5G SSPA was designed, from the high-level description to the design of every subsystem. Each one was manufactured and validated before its integration in the mechanical subsystem, a composite enclosure with thermal and mechanical performance validated by simulations.
First EM SSPA (based on non-EU MMIC) was integrated and tested following the verification plan defined. Excellent performance in linearity (NPR figure), efficiency and output power were measured in 1.25GHz of bandwidth, at the middle of FLEXGAN band. Many conclusions were drawn to apply to next upgrade.
Two iterations of GaN MMICs were designed, manufactured and tested, based on OMMIC technology. Two first-run MMIC models were submitted to extensive tests (on special test-jigs) which data were used as baseline for the retrofit of the second-run iteration, being designed four models which on-wafer results shown outstanding output power and efficiency characteristics, improving their performance compared to first-run. Among them, AKILOS2 was selected as baseline for the SSPA upgrade according to test-jigs results, showing higher output power than 10W and peak PAE values of 36%. The MMIC has been incorporated at OMMIC website (as DEV2642UH).
Upgraded SSPA (based on AKILOS2) was designed considering previous experience. All subsystems were manufactured and validated, highlighting innovative variable output voltage GaN based PSUs, power modules based on AKILOS2 and a lighter composite enclosure. This SSPA was submitted to a complete test campaign, including NPR, improving by far first SSPA performance, fulfilling most of requirements and showing outstanding power, linearity and PAE results in whole operating band. It was submitted to reliability tests, including mechanical&shock, thermal and vacuum, and EMC, which were successfully passed, demonstrating its ability to operate in space environments, reaching TRL-5 level.
Multipactor and corona simulations were performed, showing that FLEXGAN SSPA is free of both phenomena.
Significant efforts were devoted to the communication, dissemination and exploitation. Communication activities were focused on the project public disclosure and its objectives. Several scientific contributions based in the most noticeable project achievements as combining techniques, designed MMICs or FLEXGAN SSPAs results were accepted at prestigious international events. A workshop was organized, and two flyers designed for publicising FLEXGAN achievements.
