UKRI-3605 X-Band Power Amplifier

Description

The Chilbolton Observatory staff wish to procure a wide bandwidth high power X-band power amplifier as part of the build of the new radar capability. Lot 1: The Chilbolton Observatory operate a 25m diameter antenna as part of an S-band satellite tracking radar. The observatory wishes to upgrade the radar by adding an X-band capability for satellite imaging. The imaging of satellites requires a very wide bandwidth signals to be transmitted in order to obtain sufficient resolution in the images that the system will generate. The X-Band feed will be located in a cassegrain feed tower in the centre of the dish along with all of the front end components for the radar which includes the power amplifier. The location of the power amplifier within the feed tower places requirements on the maximum physical size that can be accommodated. The mass of the power amplifier is a concern for the design of the feed tower as we need to limit the flexing in the structure under gravity as the antenna tips from zenith to the horizon. As the power amplifier is to be located in a remote and difficult to access location remote operation and status monitoring of the power amplifier is required.