RFMW Expert Product Pick: Qorvo QPA1722 GaN Power Amplifier

What made you select Qorvo’s QPA1722 10 Watt GaN Power Amplifier?

I selected the Qorvo QPA1722 10 Watt GaN Power Amplifier because it delivers the power, linearity, and efficiency that Ku-band system designers demand for mission-critical satcom and radar applications. Designing RF front ends in the 17.7 to 20.2 GHz range comes with tight performance requirements where maintaining signal integrity under high linearity and thermal constraints is essential, especially for satellite communications. Power amplifiers must offer high output power without sacrificing efficiency or distortion performance, and they must do it in a compact footprint suitable for space-constrained systems.

The QPA1722 addresses these challenges perfectly. It delivers 5 Watts of linear power with -25 dBc third-order intermodulation performance, enabling clean signal transmission across the Ku-band. With a saturated output power of 10 Watts and 35% power-added efficiency, it supports both continuous wave and pulsed radar modes, as well as high-throughput satellite uplinks. The 26 dB small-signal gain allows for simplified system-level gain staging, reducing the need for additional driver amplification.

Built on Qorvo’s 0.15 µm GaN-on-SiC process, the QPA1722 offers rugged performance and high reliability in harsh environments. It includes an integrated power detector to enable real-time power monitoring and diagnostics, which is critical for adaptive systems and fault detection. The amplifier is fully matched to 50 ohms and includes on-chip blocking capacitors and DC-grounded I/O ports for simplified integration and enhanced ESD protection. Its 6 x 5 mm surface-mount package helps designers meet SWaP-C targets for both commercial and defense systems.

What are the key features/specifications of the QPA1722?

Features

• Frequency range: 17.7 to 20.2 GHz
• Saturated output power (PIN = 22 dBm): 40 dBm
• Linear output power: 37 dBm
• Power-added efficiency (PIN = 22 dBm): 35%
• Small signal gain: 26 dB
• Integrated power detector
• IMD3 (POUT/TONE = 34 dBm): –25 dBc
• Bias: VD = 20V, IDQ = 224 mA, VG = –2.5V typical
• Package size: 6.0 x 5.0 x 1.64 mm

What are common markets/applications of Qorvo’s QPA1722?

Applications

• Satellite communications (satcom uplinks)
• Ku-band radar systems
• Commercial and military communications infrastructure