dB Control was awarded two contracts worth a total of $10.8 million for mmWave microwave power modules (MPMs) and traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) to support secure satellite communications. The company is manufacturing mmWave MPMs that will be installed on military fighter aircrafts, and is developing MPMs and TWTAs for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency System (AEHF) joint service satellite communications system.

mmWave high-power products are essential for next-generation tactical networks, electronic warfare systems, airborne datalinks and satellite communications as they transition to higher frequency spectrums. The technology provides much higher bandwidth, increased connectivity with more channels and faster exchange of data during tactical communication – all of which are essential to help the military defend against newly discovered threats.

For example, the new AEHF joint service satellite communications system under development by the Department of Defense will provide survivable, global, secure, protected and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. It will enable the Department of Defense to control tactical and strategic forces through all levels of conflict and support the attainment of space superiority for the joint space force.

“For AEHF and other satcom applications, mmWave TWTAs and MPMs must be equipped to withstand extremely complex conditions and operate reliably in harsh environments such as extreme temperatures, excessive vibration, and altitudes above sea level,” said dB Control Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Lee. “dB Control’s experienced engineers design products for reliability under all conditions. This has resulted in multiple orders for our mmWave high-power products for airborne, maritime and ground mobile deployments.”

More information about dB Control’s full line of mmWave TWTAs and MPMs (listed below) will be available in Booth 2112 at the IEEE MTTS International Microwave Symposium, June 16-21, in Washington, D.C.:

26.5 to 40.0 GHz, 125 W MPM (Model dB-3201)
 27.5 to 31.0 GHz, 200 W MPM (Model dB-3202)
 30.0 to 38.0 GHz, 125 W MPM (Model dB-3201H)
 32.0 to 36.0 GHz, 400 W TWTA (Model dB-3861)
 34.5 to 35.5 GHz, 700 W TWTA (Model dB-3860)
 34.5 to 35.5 GHz, 700 W TWTA (Model dB-3709i)
 43.5 to 45.5 GHz, 80 W MPM (Model dB-3205).