Below are the questions asked during the live event, along with their respective answers.
Q: Why were these products developed?
A: These products were developed as a low-cost alternative to traditional electric field generation using high-power, high-cost TWTAs. In man cases, the TWTA solution for 50 V/m is the same as the solution for 200 V/m. The AA systems help avoid ‘paying extra’ for the added power and headroom above 50 V/m.
Q: Are these systems as expensive as traditional TWTA solutions?
A: The AA series of products are a fraction of the cost of the TWTA solution. Typically, prices of the AA series products are roughly 10-20% the cost of a TWTA solution.
Q: Besides AA system products, what else is needed in order to generate fields from 18 – 40 GHz?
A: The only additional pieces of equipment needed in conjunction with the AA series is a 40 GHz signal generator and a 40 GHz field probe. Everything else is included in the AA series products.
Q: Can testing with the AA systems be automated?
A: Yes it can. AR’s emcware already has drivers written to automate radiated immunity testing using the AA series products.
Q: Besides RS103 testing to MIL-STD-461, what other applications are applicable to AA systems?
A: Other applications include, but are not limited to radar systems, satellite uplink, R&D and even emerging wireless technologies like 5G.
Q: Is there any twinax switching which control both 18G26 and 26G40 radiator using same aa1000 controller?
A: As of today, there is no twinax switching available in the AA1000. Twinax is a fairly uncommon connector type and automatic switching is uncommon. Additionally, the twinax connector is carrying DC power with upwards of 8 Amps being provided to the amplifier, so this poses a risk of damage if there were any hot-switching.