Conclusion

This article introduces the essential performance criteria for designing an amplifier. It focuses on electrical or RF performance (power, efficiency, linearity...), but not only because the amplifier is used for a specific application (RADAR communication...) and in a specific environment (terrestrial, missile, satellite...). In addition, it must comply with a number of standards and regulations. Finally, for new designs, the amplifier is specified for its entire life cycle, from design to manufacture, use, maintenance, end-of-life and recycling. All these specifications must be taken into account from the very first line of design.

This article presents three examples of amplifier architecture for the same specification. SSPA architecture with shaft recombination offers the advantages of reproducibility and repairability, which improve purchase and ownership costs....