Pasternack-Enterprises-PE15B5004

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

The PE15B5004 is a Class AB high power Bi-Directional Amplifier that operates in C-Band from 4400 MHz to 4900 MHz.

 

This  

amplifier generates 15 Watts typical Psat (3W linear) RF output power to boost performance of datalinks and transmitters.

 

The  

module utilizes the latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology with 35% power efficiency.

 

The package design  

features a small form factor that’s ideal for size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained applications used in broadband RF  

telemetry, tactical communication, electronic warfare, and unmanned aircraft and ground systems, as well as software defined  

radios. Impressive

 

typical performance includes 32 dBm P1dB output power at 4% EVM, and -30 dBc ACPR @ 2W average  

power, with 45 dB of transmit gain, 10 dB of receive gain, 2 µsec switching speed, and low harmonic suppression of -25  

dBc. Additionally,

 

with a nominal 0 dBm (1 mW) RF input power, the amplifier can provide 43 dB of gain for continuous wave  

(CW) and near-constant envelope waveforms.

 

Operating voltage is +28 Vdc with 4.6A of DC current.

 

Additional features  

include manual T/R control, single power supply, and overvoltage protection.

 

For TTL logic on/off control, transmit mode  

uses 0V or ground and receive mode uses N/C or +5V.

 

The rugged Mil-Grade assembly supports female SMA RF input/  

output connectors and a micro-D 9 pin socket command control connector with an accessory cable assembly included.

 

The  

operating baseplate temperature range is -40°C to +85oC and the unit is guaranteed to withstand up to 95% relative humidity,  

altitude levels up to 30,000 ft, and random vibration and shock profiles (see chart below).

 

Pasternack also offers an accessory  

Harmonic filter option, model PEHFL0001 that can be used at the output of the PE15B5004 bidirectional power amplifier.

 

This  

lowpass RF filter covers 2.5 to 6 GHz and has low insertion loss with power handling up to 50W and specifically designed to  

reduce harmonics at the output of transmitters operating at up through C-Band and offers rejection levels of greater than 20  

dB from 8 GHz to 10 GHz.

 

The filter is offered in a miniature SMA connectorized package.  

Features  

•

Bi-Directional GaN High Power Amplifier  

•

15W Psat (3W Liner) Output Power  

•

C Band Class AB Design  

•

+5V TTL Logic Control  

•

Small Form Factor Rugged Mil-Grade Package  

•

50 Ohm Design  

•

Frequency Range: 4.4 GHz to 4.9 GHz  

•

Female SMA RF Connectors  

•

45 dB Transmit Gain  

•

10 dB Receive Gain  

•

Manual T/R Control  

•

Switching Speed 2 usec  

•

PAE: 35%  

•

+28Vdc @ 4.6A DC Current  

•

+5V TTL Logic Control  

•

-40°C to +85°C Operating Baseplate

T

e

mperature  

•

Output Harmonic Filter Accessory Option  

Applications  

•

Unmanned Aircraft (UAS) Group  

•

RF

T

e

lemetry  

• Transmitters  

2 &3  

•

RF Communications Systems  

•

Software Defined Radios  

•

Data Links  

•

T

e

st & Measurement  

•

T

e

lecom Infrastructure  

•

Unmanned Ground Vehicles  

(UGV)  

Electrical Specifications

(TA = +25°C, DC Voltage = 28Volts DC Current = 4.6A)  

Transmit  

Description  

Minimum  

Typical  

Maximum  

Units  

Frequency Range  

4.4  

15  

4.9  

GHz  

Watts  

dBm  

dB  

Psat Output Power*  

Output at 1dB Compression Point  

Gain Flatness  

16  

+33  

±5  

2nd Harmonics  

-25  

dBc  

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inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

1

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

3rd Harmonics  

-25  

32  

dBc  

Volts  

A

Operating DC Voltage  

Current Draw  

27  

28  

4.6  

950  

2

Quiescent Current (biased)  

Switching Time  

3rd Order Distortion  

Efficiency  

mA  

uSec  

dBc  

%

-30  

35  

Output Mismatch VSWR  

Input VSWR  

10:1  

2:1  

.

*0 dBm Input Power  

Receive  

Description  

Minimum  

Typical  

Maximum  

Units  

1 dB Compression Point  

Gain  

+18  

10  

dBm  

dB  

Gain Flatness  

Noise Figure  

Current Draw  

±1  

dB  

3.5  

300  

dB  

mA  

Performance by Frequency  

Transmit  

Description  

F1  

4.4  

33  

F2  

4.65  

32  

F3  

4.9  

30  

Units  

GHz  

Frequency Condition  

RF Output Power, Typ (

P1dB

)  

dBm  

Small Signal Gain, Typ (@-30 dBm Input)  

48  

48  

45  

dB  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

2

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

Protections  

Parameter  

Rating  

32  

Unit  

Max Device Voltage  

Max Device Current  

V

A

7.0  

+5  

Max RF Input Power @ ANT Port, Z

L

= 50 Ω  

Max RF Input Power @ XCVR Port, Z

L

= 50 Ω  

Max Operating Temperature (ambient)  

Max Operating Temperature (baseplate)  

Max Storage Temperature  

dBm  

dBm  

°C  

+15  

55  

85  

°C  

100  

°C  

ESD Sensitive Material,  

Transport material in  

Approved ESD bags.  

Handle only in approved  

ESD Workstation.  

Mechanical Specifications  

Size  

Length  

Width  

5.5 in [139.7 mm]  

4.5 in [114.3 mm]  

0.71 in [18.03 mm]  

Height  

.

Weight  

0.67 lbs [303.91 g]  

SMA Female  

SMA Female  

RF Connector (Input)  

RF Connector (Output)  

DC Connector  

Micro-D, 9-Pin Socket  

Environmental Specifications  

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inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

3

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

Temperature  

Operating Range  

Storage Range  

-40 to +85 deg C  

-55 to +100 deg C  

Humidity  

Altitude  

95%  

MIL-STD-810F Method 5004  

Compliance Certifications

(see

for current document)  

Plotted and Other Data  

Notes:  

•

Values at +25 °C, sea level  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

4

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

Amplifier Power-up Precautions  

1.)  

2.)  

Confirm that proper ESD precautions and controls are always in place before handling any Amplifier module.  

Confirm adequate thermal management is in place to effectively dissipate heat away from the Amplifier package.

 

The Amplifier operational  

baseplate temperature must be within the operational temperature range stated in the Amplifier datasheet.

 

Depending on the design and  

thermal requirements, using a heatsink with cooling fan is always recommended for safe reliable operation. A heat sink without a cooling  

fan may also be used.

 

Damage caused from overheating will void the warranty.  

3.)  

4.)  

Confirm adequate system grounding is established.

 

The DC power supply and Amplifier must have a common ground in order to operate  

properly.  

Power Amplifiers may require additional DC Current when initially powered-up.

 

Depending on the design, the input current draw could  

range from an additional 10% to 100% above the maximum rated DC current of the Amplifier.

 

This varies based on product part number.  

5.)  

6.)  

7.)  

8.)  

9.)  

Confirm the DC power supply, if limited, is set to allow for additional start-up current that’s rated for the Power Amplifier.  

Confirm the system is designed and calibrated for 50 ohms. Any impedance mismatch may cause performance issues.  

P

er

form a CALIBRATION (if required) with the loads before connecting the Amplifier to the Network Analyzer to ensure proper performance.  

Use a fixed attenuator between the signal source and input port of the Amplifier to optimize the input VSWR match.  

Confirm the input power level at the input port of the amplifier does not exceed the maximum rated limit for input power (as stated in the  

Amplifier datasheet).  

P

in

for Small Signal Gain = P1dB-SSG-10 dB  

P

in

for P1dB = P1dB-SSG+1 dB  

10.) Confirm

 

the Network Analyzer is always connected to the Amplifier first before DC power is applied to the Amplifier.  

11.) As

 

long as the input and output ports of the amplifier are connected to a 50Ohm load and RF signal power is applied, the Amplifier can be  

powered up with DC voltage.  

12.) Confirm

 

the Amplifier output load is matched for a 50 Ohm impedance and will not exceed the maximum rated VSWR or Return Loss limit  

for the Amplifier.

 

Exceeding the maximum rated VSWR or Return Loss limit will result in reflected signal power that could damage the  

Amplifier and void the warranty.  

13.)

Power Amplifier connected to an Antenna for signal transmission

– It’s strongly recommended to use a high power fixed attenuator pad or  

an Isolator between the output port of the Amplifier and input port to the antenna.

 

Any reflected signal power due to impedance mismatch  

will likely damage the Amplifier and void the warranty.  

14.) The

 

attenuator or isolator used at the output port of the Amplifier must be rated to handle the output power level and operational  

frequency band of the amplifier.  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

5

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

illustration of Amplifier & Interface Cable  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

6

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

Typical Performance Data  

Output Power

@ Psat  

50  

46  

42  

38  

34  

30  

26  

22  

18  

14  

10  

dBm  

Watts  

4.40

GHz

4.45  

4.50  

4.55  

4.60  

4.65  

4.70  

4.75  

4.80  

4.85  

4.90  

A

10  

Current Consumption  

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

4.40  

4.45  

4.50  

4.55  

4.60  

4.65  

4.70  

4.75  

4.80  

4.85  

4.90  

GHz  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

7

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to  

4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching,  

45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET  

PE15B5004  

dB  

RX Gain  

10  

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

4.40 GHz  

4.45  

4.50  

4.55  

4.60  

4.65  

4.70  

4.75  

4.80  

4.85  

4.90  

C-Band GaN BiDirectional Amplifier, 4.4 GHz to 4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35% Efficiency, 2 usec Switching, 45dB Tx Gain, Manual  

T/R Control, SMA from Pasternack Enterprises has same day shipment for domestic and International orders. Our R

F

,  

microwave and millimeter wave products maintain a 99.4% availability and are part of the broadest selection in the industry.  

Click the following link (or enter part number in “SEARCH” on website) to obtain additional part information including price,  

inventory and certifications:

URL:

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

8

CAD Drawing  

, 4.4 GHz to 4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35%  

Efficiency, 2 usec Switching, 45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

S(PNIOUTAB)LE  

9

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2  

CAD Drawing  

, 4.4 GHz to 4.9 GHz 15W Psat, 35%  

Efficiency, 2 usec Switching, 45dB Tx Gain, Manual T/R Control, SMA  

10  

PE15B5004 REV

 

1.2