Rohde & Schwarz extends the broadband amplifier range to 18GHz

BBA300 broadband amplifier. (Rohde & Schwarz)

The new BBA series features higher field strengths for critical test environments up to 18GHz

Rohde & Schwarz has expanded its broadband amplifier portfolio of the R&S BBA300 family with the two innovative amplifier series R&S BBA300-F for 6 to 13GHz and R&S BBA300-FG for 6 to 18GHz with additional power classes such as 90W, 180W and 300W.

Together with the already successfully introduced broadband amplifier series R&S BBA300-CDE for 380MHz to 6GHz and R&S BBA300-DE for 1 to 6GHz, Rohde & Schwarz now offers compact dual-band amplifiers covering the entire frequency range from 380MHz to 18GHz in 4HU desktop models only.

The R&S BBA300 family is our new generation of compact, solid-state broadband amplifiers, designed for high availability and a linear output across an ultra-wide frequency range. It supports amplitude, frequency, phase, pulse and complex OFDM modulation modes and is extremely robust under all mismatch conditions, providing reliable test results in all circumstances.

Typical applications include EMC, co-existence and RF component tests during development, compliance test and production. The very wide frequency range makes them ideal for wireless and ultra-wideband testing.

The R&S BBA300-F series is a cost-effective solution for applications between 6GHz and 13GHz; the R&S BBA300-FG series covers a continuous frequency band from 6GHz to 18GHz. The two amplifier series can be used for ultrawideband applications as well as to address various EMC standards within mobile communications (FCC, ETSI), automotive (ISO), aerospace (DO-160), and military (MIL-STD-461). Both the R&S BBA300-F and the R&S BBA300-FG are now available in the power classes 30W, 50W, 90W, 180W, 300W.

The R&S BBA300 broadband amplifier family offers two powerful tools for tailoring the RF output signal to the application: adjusting the amplifier either for excellent linearity or faithful reproduction of pulse signals by shifting the operating point between class A and class AB, and setting the amplifier for maximum tolerance to output mismatch or for maximum RF output power to utilize the power reserves for the application.

This allows users like developers, test engineers, integrators, or operators to optimize the output signal and react flexibly to a wide variety of requirements. Both parameters can be changed during amplifier operation.

In addition to high linearity and excellent harmonic properties, our users also need extremely wide, continuous frequency bands at high RF output power,” said Michael Hempel, product manager for amplifier systems at Rohde & Schwarz. “The BBA300 series is our direct response to these requirements, offering outstanding bandwidth with high output power.

Rohde & Schwarz also provides fully compliant EMI test receivers, signal generators, antennas, software and other essential system components and service for EMC testing.