What made you select the Empower RF Systems Model 1222 as a featured product?
I chose the Empower RF Systems Model 1222 Solid-State High Power Amplifier because its designed for X Band radar applications where portability and extended range are key requirements. This rugged, compact and lightweight high-performance connectorized module comes from a proven manufacturer offering a broad range of RF power amplifier solutions. The Model 1222 operates over 9 to 10 GHz, supporting pulse width up to 500 µs and 20% duty cycles. The complete amplifier weighs only 1.5 pounds, making it suitable for both fixed installations and size-constrained airborne or mobile systems. The Model 1222 is 50 ohm I/O impedance and designed around state-of-the-art GaN-on-SiC transistors that deliver 250W of peak output power with 60 dB of gain, which is adjustable over 15dB in 0.5dB steps. The PA enable and disable time is only 250 ns, making it well suited to pulsed radar applications where transmit timing is critical.
Pulsed radar systems place significant demands on the power amplifier. Fast switching, stable gain, and repeatable pulse performance are all essential. Harmonic and spurious performance also become increasingly important as system bandwidths increase and receivers become more sensitive. Selecting an amplifier solution is about finding the right balance between power, gain, efficiency, and long-term reliability. The Model 1222 is designed with all those requirements in mind.
Any radar system using the Model 1222 will benefit from pulse fidelity and clean spectral performance delivered from a compact 7.0 × 4.0 × 1.0 inch package. Spectral performance is particularly important in dense RF environments where multiple transmitters and receivers operate together. Second and third harmonics are specified at -20 dBc, while spurious performance is as low as -60 dBc. Low spurious performance helps simplify the output filtering and reduces the risk of unwanted emissions affecting other parts of the system. The Model 1222 includes built-in control , monitoring, and protection circuits via a RS485 serial interface. Protection functions include overtemperature, overvoltage, overcurrent, reverse polarity, pulse width, and duty cycle protection, helping maintain reliable operation under these demanding conditions.
What are the key features/specifications of the Model 1222?
- 9 to 10 GHz X Band frequency coverage
- 250W typical peak output power
- 60 dB typical small signal gain
- GaN-on-SiC solid-state Class AB architecture
- 15 dB gain adjustment range in 0.5 dB gain adjustment steps
- Supports pulse widths from 500 ns to 500 µs, 20 percent duty cycle
- 50Ω input and output impedance
- Compact 7.0 × 4.0 × 1.0 inch package that weighs only 1.5 pounds
- Protection against overtemperature, overvoltage, overcurrent, reverse polarity, excessive pulse width, and excessive duty cycle
- Manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system
What are common markets/applications?
- X Band pulsed radar
- Target acquisition and tracking radar
- Radar target simulation
- High-power RF test systems
- Aerospace and defence platforms
