Our next-generation Hades X2 E-Band active diplexers are designed to reduce the cost of E-band radios while enhancing performance. They offer improved strength, weight, and power (SWaP), with Tx saturated powers of over +30dBm.

Filtronic’s Hades Active Diplexers incorporate a configurable range of GaAs PAs and LNAs within an E-Band diplexer and can be used with a variety of COTS SMT-compatible packaged GaAs or SiGe up and down converter solutions, boosting performance beyond that of surface mount products. This enables our customers to deploy configurable “standard power” and “high-power” E-Band links without changing the radio mechanics.

The solution

• These active diplexers integrate a configurable range of GaAs power amplifiers (PAs) and low noise amplifiers (LNAs).
• The module incorporates a Tx RF power detector, enabling seamless Tx power calibration and Automatic Level Control (ALC).

The result

• Performance improvements delivering a typical PSAT of 30dBm, setting a new benchmark in performance.
• Delivering maximum performance in a compact and lightweight form factor.
• With integrated temperature sensor, for accurate amplifier temperature data ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

The challenge

• Designed to empower customers with cost-effective E-Band radio solutions without compromising on performance.
• One of the key features of the HADES X2 is its flexibility and compatibility with both “standard power” and “high-power” E-Band links.

The Hercules II combines the advanced Filtronic Morpheus II module with the powerful Cerus amplifier, delivering seamless integration and exceptional performance. The Morpheus II module includes all necessary transmit and receive functions for the RF section of an E-band link, enabling easy connection to a high data rate full duplex modem. Paired with the Cerus power amplifier, the Hercules II greatly increases transmit power, ensuring extended reach and improved coverage.

The solution

• The Hercules II brings together the best of two industry-leading technologies, the Morpheus II transceiver and the award winning Cerus Solid State Power Amplifier.
• The Hercules II support advanced modulation techniques and with an ultra-low noise LNA to unlock its true potential.

The result

• Fully integrated 71-76 to 81-86 GHz TRx modules, supporting Tx output power > 35dBm
• Low phase noise at -112dBc/Hz at 1MHz.
• The module also supports up to 512QAM modulation and greater than 2GHz channel bandwidth

The challenge

• Approached by high performance private network specialists.
• Challenged to create an E-band link with longer operational range and superior signal strength.
• Required ultra low latency, where speed is an absolute requirement. 

In terms of performance, our high-power amplifier sets a new standard for E-band power in both commercial and military applications. The E-band frequency range, spanning from 60 GHz to 90 GHz, is critical for high-frequency communication systems. Our advanced Taurus power amplifier not only excels in this frequency range but also achieves unprecedented efficiency and output.

The Taurus power amplifier ingeniously integrates the capabilities of two Cerus amplifiers, effectively doubling the available output power. This innovative design results in superior signal strength and quality, ensuring reliable performance in the most demanding environments. By leveraging the combined power of the Cerus amplifiers, the Taurus amplifier delivers exceptional linearity and efficiency, making it the ideal solution for applications requiring high power and precision.

Whether for high-speed data transmission or secure military communications, the Taurus power amplifier’s robust performance and enhanced power output redefine the possibilities within the E-band spectrum. Its cutting-edge technology and superior design ensure that it meets the rigorous demands of modern communication systems, providing a significant advantage over traditional amplifiers.

The solution

• Available in single to N-way configurations.
• Delivers unparalleled performance for long range E-Band communications.
• Saturated powers up to >+39dBm

The result

• Part of the world’s first commercial E-Band earth station antenna, which is opening up 5G performance and latency to the Satcom market.
• Taurus amplifiers efficiently combine the power of two Cerus amplifiers, almost doubling the available output power.
• Taurus can be applied for long range, high capacity terrestrial and non-terrestrial communications links.
• Low SWaP – suitable for airborne & HAPs applications.

The challenge

• How do you push the boundaries not iteratively but create a step change for SSPAs.
• COTS Solid State Power Amplifier at E-band was not available commercially for LEO applications.
• High power/linearity requirements, for the ground station to satellite links.

Filtronic, has signed multiple contracts and become a strategic partner of Space X.

As part of the contract, Filtronic will supply generation two of the Cerus 32 high performance E-band solid state power amplifier (SSPA) for use in the deployment of the customers E-band enabled ground station network.

The solution

• Collaborated very closely with our client’s engineering team
• Each Cerus 32 consists of 32 E-band GaAs MMICs.
• Each is performance-matched and power-combined in waveguide, allowing for maximum linear power delivery.
• Delivers unparalleled performance for long range E-Band communications.
• Saturated powers up to >+43dBm

The result

• Cerus 32 amplifiers efficiently combine the power of four Cerus 8 amplifiers, almost doubling the available output power.
• Highest power (>20W), commercially available E-band solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) on the market.
• Both high band (81-86GHz) and low band (71-76GHz) variants.

The challenge

• How do you push the boundaries not iteratively but create a step change.
• High power/linearity requirements, for the ground station to satellite links.
• Customer looking for an agile cost competitive solution.
• Delivered from concept to delivery in <6 months.

When starting to work with this FAAMG technology giant, the HAPS market was still embryonic. We were approached, not to quicken the market but to change the market, to redesign what’s possible. These unique challenges were all about performance, the client wanted a paradigm shift in performance level. Customised to meet their mechanical interface, the heatsink was defined by the client, but we integrated the multiplexer into their mechanical architecture, reducing weight, footprint & component count.

The solution

• Collaborated very closely with our client’s engineering team
• Integration into clients airborne & ground mechanical requirements.
• Development included 4 channels, each channel capable of 10Gbps, resulting in a 40Gbps point-to-point link.

The result

• World record at the time of 40Gbps development, ground to air communication link.
• Highly integrated solution with all 4 channels integrated to optimise size, weight and power.
• Solution delivered was at 71-76 & 81-86 GHz frequency bands.

The challenge

• How do you push the boundaries not iteratively but create a step change.
• Performance change by an order of magnitude of 40x
• Minimise power consumption through careful circuit design and performance choices.
• Development of communications backhaul links that deliver sufficient bandwidth and range to provide ultra-high-capacity wireless connectivity.
• Included compact, high-power amplifier modules to meet long-range requirements.

D-band is inherently complex and challenging, both from a design and manufacturing perspective. This collaborative project with the UK’s National Physics Laboratory is about furthering Filtronic’s long-term understanding of D-Band technology up to 175GHz.

The solution

• An Innovate UK-funded project was carried out. Focused on developing a robust method for making low loss connections between the active circuits in the module and the external interface.

The result

• Trials of “Hot Via” technology.  This technique eliminates excess bond wire inductance, and allows surface mounting of MMICs.
• Developed new methods of on-wafer calibration and measurement

The challenge

• The ever-increasing demand for data means that still higher capacity is going to be required in 5G XHaul networks, the need for links up to 100Gbps has already been identified.

Our customer had a design, that was proving challenging for transferring to volume manufacture. Filtronic implemented some design improvements that reduced cost and improved quality. This customised solution allowed our customer to quickly ramp up production and deliver high yields.

The solution

• Design for manufacture review, optimising transition design between chip set and waveguide port.
• Applying our hybrid manufacturing experience we quickly isolated the issues and redesigned.

The result

• Quickly ramped production, achieving >95% yield, with approx. 7K units delivered within small timeframe.
• High value item – Improvement in yield, made significant reduction to our customers cost base.

The challenge

• Our clients product as production ramped up, suffered from a less than satisfactory yield < 70%.
• The ongoing costs of this poor performance were significant in terms of material cost and waste.

Filtronic has worked with multiple microwave and mmWave OEMs to design and manufacture customised SiP solutions. Through our design, we were able to lower the overall radio cost by providing our client with a solution that aligned with their manufacturing strategy of going all SMT. Our knowledge enabled our customers to minimise the cost of quality, achieving their key objective. This successful deployment has shipped at rates of up to 20k per month with extremely low product return rates and a final yield that was between 97 & 98%.

The solution

• Filtronic undertook both design and contract manufacture of a large number of different SiP’s.
• In-house test solutions developed with elastomeric interface material, appropriate for testing up to 114GHz.
• Leveraging our in-house chip and wire capabilities, working out how to automate the production in jigs and batches to improve cost effectiveness.
• Developing in-house test solution that could cope with testing of up to 20k per month, needed to be an efficient test process.

The result

The challenge

• Implement a cost effective, precision assembly within standard and customised surface mount technology (SMT)  packages. 
• Reduce cost and improve yield of radio manufacture
• High precision hybrid assembly inside QFN air cavity packages.
• 100% testing without any yield loss and extremely low attrition.

A European OEM entering the E-Band market designed a standard E-Band chipset for their transceiver and then looked for a high-volume manufacturer with automated production, coupled with E-Band test facilities that could rapidly bring their product to market. This was a complex development and our customer leveraged our mmWave expertise and our E-Band capabilities to improve the design and deliver >2k modules to an accelerated delivery schedule.

The solution

• Rapidly introduced product into volume production, utilising our hybrid manufacturing expertise.
• This module was ramped from initial samples to full volume within 3 months.

The result

The challenge

• Taking another companies E-Band chipset into their transceiver and enabling high volume manufacture.

We maintained our customers’ market position by working agilely, even when their supply chain was severely disrupted. Value engineering component choices, such as surface-mounted coaxial connectors, helped Filtronic deliver an E-Band transceiver solution on time and at a lower cost. In addition, we implemented improved design approaches, including circuit optimisation, to mitigate chipset variability.  

The solution

• Rapidly designed to meet existing physical footprint and interface requirements.
• Applied our client’s own E-band chip set.
• Design to launch was approx. 6 months.
• Product was launched straight into production with high yield.

The result

• High yield minimised impact, reduced their costs to transfer.
• Imposed much needed quality controls into the client’s supply chain.
• Mitigated raw material variation risks (vastly reducing the cost of quality) and quickly ramped the product, minimising supply impact to our client’s end customers.

The challenge

• A USA E-band radio specialist specialising in enterprise markets such as private/campus networks and high frequency trading.
• Their existing supply chain was disrupted when their prime supplier went out of business.