ATEC offers affordable RF amplifier rental rates for amps ranging from solid state to TWT, CW to pulse, broadband to narrowband.
Call
800-404-2832 or request a quote and a rental agent will guide you to the right amplifier for your test application.
What is an RF Amplifier?
RF amplifiers, also known as RF power amplifiers or EMC amplifiers, boost radio frequency (RF) signals and are commonly utilized for the radiated immunity testing of electrical devices, an essential part of the
EMC testing process. An RF amplifier simulates a device’s interactions with the electromagnetic fields it will encounter in the real word, demonstrating to test engineers whether
EMI (electromagnetic interference) will occur. Cell phones, radios, motors, and most other electrical devices have the potential to produce EMI and may cause damage to or interfere with the signal of the device under test.
What is the Function of an RF Amplifier?
RF power amplifiers play an integral role in these tests because to generate an electromagnetic field that effectively mimics conditions for EMC standards, the signal needs to be amplified over a specific frequency range with a precise power output, power efficiency, gain and linearity.
Military standard
MIL-STD-461 RS103 outlines the requirements for radiated immunity tests involving electric fields, detailing test specifications for different devices.
Learn more about the standard here.
How Does an RF Amplifier Work?
EMC amplifiers work by receiving low level RF signals and then amplifying their power. Specifically, power amplifiers boost RF signals to required levels at antenna ports.
To serve as a proper amplification medium in an EMC test setup, an amplifier needs to possess specific characteristics:
- Enough gain to amplify the RF signal to the expected level at the antenna port
- Power handling, which allows the amplifier to sustain an RF power level expected by the antenna port
- Distortion-free operation, so that the receiver can identify the radiated signal
- Stability, to minimize oscillations in response to environmental factors like temperature, frequency, load, etc.
To achieve both amplification and faithful replication of the signal, most RF power amplifiers' energy is devoted controlling these characteristics.
Choosing the Right RF Amplifier Rental: Solid State & TWT, CW & Pulse
ATEC carries a variety of RF power amplifier rental options, including units built with solid state and TWT technology.
Solid state power amplifiers (SSPA) operate on narrower bandwidths and require less voltage.
Traveling wave tube amplifiers, known as TWT amplifiers, are ideal for applications that call for a wide bandwidth and long operating lifetime. Our inventory of RF amplifiers can be further divided into
continuous wave (CW) amplifiers, which produce power continuously, and
pulse amplifiers, which amplify pulse signals.
ATEC rents class A, class B and class AB amplifiers with LDMOS, GaN, or GaAs transistor technology.
Types of EMC Amplifiers
- Broadband Amplifiers
- A broadband amplifier keeps noise figure low and offers moderate transmission gain across larger bandwidths.
- Gain Block Amplifiers
- Gain block amps offer more gain than a broadband amplifier, but are not ideal for low noise applications. A gain block amp is advantageous in IF, RF, and microwave transmitter test applications.
- Log Amplifiers
- Log amplifiers offer enhanced gain curve for situations when the output is a natural log of the input voltage.
- Variable Gain Amplifiers
- A variable gain amplifier empowers users to control and even program gain levels. Variable attenuators or built-in circuits serve as the mechanisms for gain control. Variable gain amps are used foremost as a means of closed-loop circuit control for maintaining consistent signal power levels.
- Low Noise Amplifiers
- A low noise amplifier harnesses a part of the transmitter or receiver design where a low-power signal needs to be boosted without high noise or phase noise.
- Linear Amplifiers
- Linear amplifiers are capable of high-quality linear performance, meaning they maintain a proportional linear relationship between input and output. These amplifiers are engineered to optimize linearity over other signal characteristics, particularly in different load conditions.
Radiated Immunity Test Standards