Norsat expects to deliver the majority of the products over three quarters commencing Q4 2013.

Norsat is a subcontractor to Harris to provide Ku-band SSPAs for a system that upconverts and amplifies L-band composite signals. Each Harris system replaces nine large racks of legacy equipment with an array of 24, 100W Ku-band ATOM SSPAs that offer smaller size, lower power consumption, better heat dissipation, and greater reliability. The production award from Harris follows the successful evaluation of prototype SSPAs and completion of a prototype system test.

Harris selected the Norsat ATOM series SSPAs based on the technology’s ability to meet challenging RF performance requirements for linearity, gain flatness, and phase matching without the need for extensive modification. The unique phase matching of the ATOM SSPA allowed Harris to design hot-swap capability. ATOM’s low power consumption and heat dissipation eliminated the need for a costly forced-air-plenum cooling system. ATOM’s compact size, remote control capability, and low lifecycle costs were additional features that differentiated it from other SSPAs.