Whitepaper

SSPA or Tube - TWT technology which is best?

Exodus Advanced Communications

This application note from Exodus Advanced Communications compares Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) to traditional Tube Technology (TWTs, Klystrons, Magnetrons). It details how SSPAs utilizing GaAs, LDMOS, and especially GaN semiconductors are rapidly closing the performance gap with tubes in terms of power output and bandwidth. The paper highlights SSPA achievements: >150W between 700MHz-6GHz, >80W at 6.0-18.0 GHz, >40W above 18GHz, and >20W beyond 40GHz – achieved through advancements in RF combining techniques, enabling multi-kW power levels. While tubes remain suitable for ultra-high power (>10kW) SATCOM and certain robust airborne applications, SSPAs are now preferred for a wider range of applications including CW/Pulse Radar, EMC/EMI testing, and EW/ECM systems due to improved reliability, size, cost and availability.