Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC and Envistacom have confirmed the initial orders of a major satellite ground terminal upgrade program for a US Government customer.

Envistacom teamed with Mission Microwave to create an opportunity for their customer to replace legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) based Block Up Converters (BUCs) with state-of-the-art Solid State BUCs based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. The initial upgrade platforms include 200 tactical terminals in support of the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Network (PM MN).

Mission Microwave Solid State BUCs, 50 Watt Ka-band and
200 Watt Ku-band.

Mission Microwave is providing Envistacom with 200 Watt Ku-Band and 50 Watt Ka-band BUCs to replace legacy TWTA based Up converters. Mission Microwave’s industry leading competency in designing compact and highly efficient amplifiers has enabled Envistacom to offer their customer an upgrade path that will extend the life and utility of this Tactical SATCOM terminal fleet of more than 600 terminals. If taken to completion, the upgrade program could result in orders of roughly $44 million for Mission Microwave.

Steve Richeson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Mission Microwave, said the end-users of the company's products rely on proven SATCOM system providers such as Envistacom to deliver the benefits of Solid State designs to the tactical edge. Mission Microwave worked with Envistacom’s engineering team to navigate the complexities of the upgrade and certification process for these terminals.  Envistacom’s reputation and knowledge of the tactical customers’ expectations has made it possible for Mission Microwave to bring these benefits to critical field operators. The firm expects the trend of replacing high power TWTA’s with SSPA’s to be a significant market for the foreseeable future. Envistacom has been a critical partner in bringing this technology to market.

Russ Coolman, Product Manager, Envistacom, added that tactical customers demand the reliability, performance and lower total cost of ownership associated with solid state amplifiers. Mission Microwave’s innovative application of GaN technology has enabled the use of solid state BUCs at power levels that were previously not practical.  The firm is very excited to be able to provide an innovative roadmap for customer using Mission’s products.