Cerus
70-90GHz & 92 - 114GHz
Solid state power amplifier
Filtronic’s industry-leading mmWave SSPAs for high-data-rate communications. The Cerus series delivers unmatched power performance in E-Band (71–76GHz, 81–86GHz) and W-Band (92–96GHz, 102–114GHz), meeting the rising demand for high-frequency links across land, air and space.
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Overview
SSPAs boost low-power radio frequency signals to significantly higher power levels — a critical function for reliable transmission in modern mmWave applications such as 5G and advanced wireless systems. By increasing signal amplitude and output power, SSPAs improve link performance, supporting greater range and data throughput.
Key features of the Cerus SSPA include:
- Output power exceeding 43 dBm (Cerus 32 (E)) for robust transmission performance
- Small signal gain over 20 dB (Cerus 32 (E)), delivering strong and consistent amplification
- Compact, lightweight design optimised for harsh or space-constrained environments
These capabilities make the Cerus series an ideal solution for high-capacity, high-frequency communication across a wide range of demanding use cases.
Why choose the Cerus?
- Scalable performance – Options range from lightweight units for airborne systems to high-output modules for large-scale infrastructures.
- Proven reliability – Over 100,000 Filtronic millimeter-wave devices deployed globally.
- Versatile applications – Surface, Air and Space including Defence, commercial, HAPS, low Earth orbit satellite, and 5G backhaul.
Whether you need a compact, energy-efficient amplifier or a high-power solution for extended range and reliability, the Cerus series has you covered.
Cerus highlights
Good to know
Operates in E-Band (71-76GHz and 81-86GHz) and W-Band (92-96GHz and 102-114GHz) for advanced wireless communications.
Available in 1, 4, 8, 16 and 32-way amplifier configurations for customisable solutions.
Delivers up to 43 dBm output power for extended transmission range and strength.
Offers over 20 dB small signal gain for robust signal amplification.
Optimised for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) efficiency, ideal for space-constrained applications.
Performance
Maximum power output
Bandwidth
Performance key data
| Parameter | Cerus 32 |
|---|---|
| Transmit frequency | 47-52 GHz |
| Max transmit power | 100W |
| Modulation support | 256QAM |
| Small Signal Gain | 19.7dB gain typical |
| [email protected] | 55dBm |
| Channel bandwidth | 5.2GHz bandwidth |
| Operating temperature | –35˚C to +60˚C |
| Parameter | Cerus 1 | Cerus 4 | Cerus 8 | Cerus 32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmit frequency | 71-76 GHz | 71-76 GHz | 71-76 GHz | 71-76 GHz |
| Receive frequency | 81-86 GHz | 81-86 GHz | 81-86 GHz | 81-86 GHz |
| Psat | 28dBm | 33dBm | 36dBm | 43dBm |
| Modulation support | Up to 512QAM | Up to 512QAM | Up to 512QAM | Up to 512QAM |
| OIP3 | 34-36dBm @ @ 20dBm | 36.5-37dBm @ 26dBm | 39.5dBm @ 29dBm | 47-48dBm @ 37dBm |
| Channel bandwidth | Wide 5GHz bandwidth | Wide 5GHz bandwidth | Wide 5GHz bandwidth | Wide 5GHz bandwidth |
| Operating temperature | -33°C to +70°C | -33°C to +70°C | -33°C to +70°C | -33°C to +70°C |
| MTBF (Mean time before failure) | >1,000,000 hours | >1,000,000 hours | >1,000,000 hours | >1,000,000 hours |
| Parameter | Cerus 32 |
|---|---|
| Transmit frequency | 92-100 GHz |
| Receive frequency | 102-114 GHz |
| Max transmit power | 16W |
| Modulation support | 256QAM |
| Small Signal Gain | 18-24dB |
| Psat | 37-42dBm |
| OIP3@32dBm | 41-49dBm |
| Channel bandwidth | Wide 8GHz / 12GHz bandwidth |
| Operating temperature | –30˚C to +70˚C |
Cerus FAQ’s
General questions
Q: What is the Cerus?
A:The Cerus is a range of high-performance E-Band amplifiers designed for applications requiring high power, linearity, and reliability. They are scalable solutions, ranging from compact modules to high-power systems.
Q: What applications are the Cerus amplifiers suited for?
A:The Cerus amplifiers are ideal for:
- 5G backhaul and fronthaul networks
- Satellite communications
- Military and defence systems
- High-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS)
- Wide-area communication networks
Q: What frequencies do the amplifiers operate at?
A: All models in the Cerus support E-Band frequencies: 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz.
Q: Are the amplifiers field-proven?
A: Yes, over 100,000 Filtronic millimeter-wave products at E-band, including the Cerus series, are deployed globally.
Product-specific questions
Q: How does the Cerus 1 compare to the other models?
A:The Cerus 1 is the most compact and lightweight model in the series, making it ideal for airborne and low-SWAP applications. It offers saturated power up to +28 dBm and weighs just 33g.
Q: What makes the Cerus 4 unique?
A:The Cerus 4 features a 4-MMIC design for enhanced power output (+33 dBm max) while maintaining a compact footprint. It includes integrated temperature sensors and optional control circuitry for advanced functionality.
Q: What is the standout feature of the Cerus 8?
A: The Cerus 8 delivers a higher saturated power output (+36 dBm) and exceptional linearity (OIP3 of +39.5 dBm). It is ideal for long-range and high-capacity E-Band communications.
Q: Why choose the Cerus 32?
A:The Cerus 32 is the most powerful amplifier in the series, providing up to 22W of saturated power. It is designed for the most demanding applications, such as satellite communication ground stations and large-scale commercial networks.
Technical questions
Q: What is the input/output interface for the Cerus series?
A: All models use WR12 waveguide interfaces for input and output.
Q: What is the operational temperature range of the amplifiers?
A: The amplifiers operate reliably within a temperature range of -40°C to +70°C.
Q: Are the amplifiers customisable?
A: Yes, the Cerus series is highly configurable. Customisations include integration with transceivers, diplexers, and other components to suit specific applications.
Q: Do the amplifiers support 256QAM modulation?
A: Yes, all models in the Cerus series support high linearity for 256QAM modulation.
Q: What power supplies are required for these amplifiers?
A: The required supply voltage and current vary by model:
Cerus 1: 3.8V, 1.1A
Cerus 4: 5.0V, 6A
Cerus 8: 5.0V, 12A
Cerus 32: 48V, 7.9A
Support and warranty
Q: Does the Cerus series come with a warranty?
A: Yes, Filtronic provides a standard warranty. Please contact Filtronic for specific terms.
Q: What kind of technical support is available?
A: Filtronic offers comprehensive support, including setup, configuration, and troubleshooting assistance. Contact the support team for detailed guidance.
Specifications for each model are available in the respective datasheets. Visit our resources and downloads section on this page for access to our data sheets and brochures.
Q: Can Filtronic help with system integration?
A: Yes, Filtronic offers integration services to ensure seamless deployment of Cerus amplifiers into your system.
Cerus POWER AMPLIFIER application
Cerus in action
WHat our clients say
Cerus in the field
“Filtronic has been an outstanding supplier for Starlink. They have matched our rate ramp and increasing demand for high-quality parts. Their strong engineering teams have taken ownership of their production process to meet our needs, taking their designs from wafer to functional unit, and are delivering quality parts in E-band which will enable the Starlink network to continue to grow and connect millions of more people around the world with high-speed, low-latency broadband internet.”
Mike Nicholls, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Engineering








