Munich 02-Aug-2019
Media Broadcast Satellite GmbH installed the amplifier outdoors in a real uplink system in order to test its mechanical and electrical integration.
MBS installed the amplifier outdoors in a real uplink system in order to test its mechanical and electrical integration. The Hessian service provider recorded and analyzed all operational parameters with its own management system, i.e. the R&S PKU100 was deployed under real-world broadcast conditions. The R&S PKU100 is a solid-state Ku-band power amplifier delivering 400 W of peak power and providing excellent efficiency in an extremely compact design.
MBS with headquarters in Usingen, near Frankfurt, Germany, is a global satellite and terrestrial communications provider delivering advanced network technologies and managed services to businesses, authorities and broadcasters, and offering hosting services via its teleport.
MBS, renowned for absolute reliability, tested the R&S PKU100 400 W class outdoor model from March 18 to May 15 and found all of its requirements perfectly met. A major focus was on thermal stability. The amplifier exhibited virtually constant gain despite strong fluctuations in ambient temperature.
The R&S PKU100 Ku-band amplifier offers excellent efficiency, even when compared to tube amplifiers. This saves energy and cost, doing away with the need for extra air conditioning, for example. Peak efficiency, i.e. the efficiency of the amplifier as a whole, is better than 20 %. It is expressed as the ratio of output power to input power
"During the entire field testing period, switchover to backup was never needed," says Michael Hirschle, RF Engineering Expert at MBS. "Despite temperature fluctuations as large as 20°C, the gain of the R&S PKU100 remained nearly constant within a range of ±0.5 dB."
The amplifier ran continuously under full load throughout the test phase without any malfunction. The Rohde & Schwarz R&S PKU100 satellite uplink amplifier combines the best of two worlds in a single device: the unbeatable strengths of solid-state amplifiers and the compactness and low weight of tube amplifiers. Should individual transistors fail, the amplifier will continue operating at reduced power.
The R&S PKU100 is a world premiere, featuring optional adaptive linearization at the RF to deliver unparalleled spectral purity. Linearization is used to modify the input signal in order to optimally compensate amplifier nonlinearities, significantly improving signal quality in the satellite uplink within and outside the bandwidth of the wanted signal.
Adaptive linearization considerably improves signal quality, enabling network operators to transmit significantly more data over the same signal bandwidth – ideal even for transmitting 8K video.
Rohde & Schwarz
The Rohde & Schwarz technology group is among the trailblazers when it comes to paving the way for a safer and connected world with its leading solutions in test & measurement, technology systems, and networks & cybersecurity. Founded more than 85 years ago, the group is a reliable partner for industry and government customers around the globe. On June 30, 2020, Rohde & Schwarz had around 12,300 employees worldwide. The independent group achieved a net revenue of EUR 2.58 billion in the 2019/2020 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
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Rohde & Schwarz Broadcast & Media
Rohde & Schwarz is a leading technology innovator in broadcast and media for over eight decades. With technology for live studio production, premium post production, playout delivery and distribution Rohde & Schwarz helps creative, operational and technical people make and deliver great programs for great entertainment.
Rohde & Schwarz develops virtualizable, software and hardware solutions for live ingest, transcoding, graphics & branding, master control playout, automation, multiviewing, monitoring, intelligent storage as well as solid state satellite amplifiers and terrestrial transmission for radio, linear television, OTT and VOD. As media people we design for media people and with our engineering prowess and dedication to customer support we know exactly how to make it happen to highest quality. Privately owned and engineering led.
Media Broadcast Satellite GmbH (MBS)
As the operator of one of the world's largest teleports, Media Broadcast Satellite has been implementing and operating successful communications solutions for globally active customers since the 1970s. Through its own teleport in Usingen near Frankfurt, Media Broadcast Satellite offers tailor-made solutions for the areas of broadcast, data, teleport and data centres. Satellites between 76° East and 60° West can be reached through more than 135 antennas in the Ku-, Ka- and C-Band. To ensure a maximum of security and stability of our solutions, Media Broadcast Satellite operates a NOC manned 24 hours per day on 365 days of the year and a fully redundant RF, IT and power supply infrastructure. The high-quality standard of the services "Made in Usingen/Germany" is underlined by relevant certifications such as ISO 27001 IT & data security as well as our own engineering team supporting our customers in all stages of transmission, distribution and service management. Media Broadcast Satellite's range of services includes both standard communications services and complete managed service solutions for DTH platforms (SD/HD), data networks and teleport co-location/gateways.
Further information is available at www.mb-satellite.com.